Many audiophile CD players and DACs upsample the signal and convert PCM to DSD for superior sound. Super Audio CDs have hybrid layers, compatible with all CD players, but for a fortunate few have the high-resolution DSD layer. You can see the manufacturing process on YouTube. These deployed half-speed mastering for superior dynamics, low frequencies, and detail. From this technological miracle, three premium formats were mastered: LP, CD, and BluRay.Īudiophile LPs were pressed in Germany from stampers made in Abbey Road, London. The result was noise effectively eliminated rather than reduced and signal preserved non-invasively. High resolution “raw” digital files were digitised – that is to say without processing or noise decoding the primitive Ampex (pre-Dolby) treatment at the high resolution of 24/192 – to enable a more sophisticated restoration of the original sound. The technique of fixing shedding oxide by baking at 50 degrees was deployed. The analogue tapes were carefully repaired. I am happy to report that no compromises or constraints were made. This is the subject of the present review. Not until 2022, when a full 25 years had passed, was the third and definitive remastering undertaken. This was an unfortunate year for two reasons: the death of Sir Georg Solti and the fact that sonic restoration was only just starting to become seriously advanced. Both came from Decca’s second digital transfer created in 1997. Three years later Decca re-issued the music on CD. This limited edition sold in Europe for £500 and continues to fetch high prices from collectors. Superior issues appeared in 20, first from JVC’s studio in Tokyo (released by Esoteric, Japan on a luxury set of SA-CDs). I was disappointed by the Sony/Philips 16 bit/ 44.1 “Red Book” release. In 1984 the Solti Ring was digitally remastered for the new CD format. A few years later I bought a German pressing on thin but silent vinyl called “DMM” (Dynamic Metal Mastering), but the sound was compressed and thin. Pressed by Decca in New Malden, south west of London, it suffered heartbeats, rumble, clicks and pops. The quality of the stereo master mix (which was made on location) was vivid and spacious, exceptional for its time, but it never reached the record buyer. These fifteen hours or so of music have been remastered, indeed saved, from 38 deteriorating analogue tapes recorded in Vienna between 1958-65.
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