Two reissue high rez Beethoven Symphonies boxsets

[Mike Lavigne]

For the Karajan set, I'm wondering if the new set on CD is the same as the CD layer on the DG hybrid SACD set remastered in 2003. Insights?

typically tapes will be mastered to 96/24 or 88/24; then the SACD's or CD's will be mastered from that. rarely a tape will be mastered to dsd directly. mostly DG discloses their mastering process on their CD's and SACD's......you will see this process there.

so go get the high rez file from HD tracks and that will be closest to the tapes.

i do lots of comparing PCM high rez PCM files to dsd files and it's very easy to hear how the PCM high rez is better than the dsd every time, unless specifically it was dsd mastered from tape. and for years i was a dsd champion. but improvements in dac chips and designs have raised the PCM performance and changed that equation.

 

[Lowrider75]

I think i looked those up as well at some point in the past and came to the same conclusion. I also own the 2003. However, in this latest case, the suggestion is that these remasters were redone in 2019?

See Presto Music suggesting it "is an update on 2003 remaster"

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8042445--beethoven-9-symphonies

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00KKXOT54/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm getting confused researching this, but I think both releases are from the same 24/96 master. This new issue has some extras included such as artwork and Blu-ray.
One possible way to tell if it's a new remaster is to compare the lengths of each track. Remasters are usually off by a few seconds.

In any event, the hires on Qobuz sounds terrific; more layered and focused than CD quality.
As Mike Lavigne suggested, ultimate SQ can be realised with a download.

 

[audioguy1958]

typically tapes will be mastered to 96/24 or 88/24; then the SACD's or CD's will be mastered from that. rarely a tape will be mastered to dsd directly. mostly DG discloses their mastering process on their CD's and SACD's......you will see this process there.

so go get the high rez file from HD tracks and that will be closest to the tapes.

i do lots of comparing PCM high rez PCM files to dsd files and it's very easy to hear how the PCM high rez is better than the dsd every time, unless specifically it was dsd mastered from tape. and for years i was a dsd champion. but improvements in dac chips and designs have raised the PCM performance and changed that equation.

I have the Bruno Walter 'The Edition' collection from Sony. Is the new release much better? I agree with you Mike, high quality CD is underrated compared to all the DSD hype.