Looking to Upgrade My 1980s CDs. What are Gold CDs? (1 Viewer)

[Jason Bell]

There are about a dozen albums that I would love to have the best possible CD version of. Are gold cds the best? Are remasters always better? These are some of the albums if anyone knows what the best version of these are please let me know the particulars and where I might get them I havent seen any of these at BB
Pink Floyd-Animals
Pink Floyd-Dark Side of the Moon
Pink Floyd-Wish You Were Here
Jethro Tull-Aqualung
Jethro Tull-Warchild
Jethro Tull-Songs From the Wood
Jethro Tull-Thick as a Brick
Rush-Permanent Waves
Rush-Hemispheres
Rush-Fly By Night
Rush-2112
Rush-Farewell To Kings
Thanks In Advance

 

[KeithH]

Jason, many, if not all of the albums you listed have been remastered on CD. I have the original versions of many of those titles from the '80s, and the remasters from the record labels are definitely worth buying. The Pink Floyd albums have been remastered by the record label, so you can get these remasters at any store or online. In addition, Dark Side of the Moon was released as a gold CD by Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs (MFSL) years ago, but it is long out of print, as MFSL is out of business. This version is excellent. You should be able to find this disc on eBay, though it will cost you far more than a current gold CD. You might even find a sealed copy, but be prepared to pay over $100 for it.

Sony released Wish You Were Here as a gold CD years ago as part of its MasterSound series. It too is excellent, but it too has been out of print for awhile. It will be a bit pricey on eBay, but probably not as expensive as a copy of the MFSL version of Dark Side of the Moon.

Jethro Tull Aqualung was released as a gold CD by Digital Compact Classics (DCC) a couple of years ago. I don't know if it is still in print, and I don't have it. I'm sure it is good, however, as DCC puts out quality material. On a related note, DCC also released Original Masters on a gold CD. You should be able to find both of these discs on eBay for around $25-35 each. Some stores might have them as well.

Thick as a Brick was released on a gold CD years ago by MFSL. Again it is long out of print and is pricey. I don't have it. Perhaps other can comment on the sound quality.

The Rush remasters from Mercury are very good. I have several of these remasters. In addition, 2112 was released by MFSL on a gold CD. It is good, but in a limited comparison the other night, I acutally preferred the Mercury remaster.

I would start off by replacing these albums with the remasters from the record labels. They are better than the original versions you have and are considerably cheaper than the gold CDs since many of these gold CDs are out of print.

Hope that helps.

 

[Jason Bell]

Thanks Keith,
That helped out a lot. I went and picked up 2112 and RUSH today. I like there first album even though Neil Pert isnt on it. They didnt have any of the other Rush CDs. I noticed that the 2112 had a little comsmetic defect on it like a few tiny bubbles on the label side. I saw your thread about these and I'm gonna listen for that swooshing sound you heard. I'll post back later tonight if I hear it. I also got Animals it was remastered in 1992 I'm very excited about that one. Cant wait till my SO leaves so I can listen to these above 60db. On headphones 2112 sounds noticeably better I cant beleive these have been out so long and I never upgraded. Thanks Again.

 

[Frank_S]

Dark Side of the Moon was released as a gold CD by Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs (MFSL) years ago, but it is long out of print, as MFSL is out of business. This version is excellent.

I own the MFSL D.S.O.T.M. CD. I also own the recent vinyl issue of Echoes(Best of PF). On my system the vinyl rendition of songs from DSOTM sound better than the MFSL CD.
It does'nt really make sense since Echoes was presed from a "Digital Master" but the CD sounds a bit veiled in comparison to the vinyl issue.

 

[KeithH]

Frank, I have seen Echoes on vinyl for around $50, and when I upgrade my turntable, I will consider getting this set. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.