BIG Blu-Ray Audio drive from Universal Music in 2013

[fredblue]

Thank You Mr. Fred, I cant wait to hear it. I'm still hoping the blu rays come out in the states.

you're welcome I'm sure they will come out in the US, its just the delays seem interminable..!

Meantime, I've been A-B'ing the Amy Winehouse with the first CD version as best I can and I'd say it is also worth getting.

it's not a night and day improvement but it is superior, instruments have more body and character, it is a tiny bit louder from what I can gather but there's more detail, less distortion (though there's still some so I guess its inherent in the recording?) but ultimately its worth your while I'd say.

 

[mdmost]

Nevermind and In Utero are definitely on their way. Saw this tweet today. Tweeted them about US release dates and they said they were tying up a deal with US retailers so hopefully by the end of the month!

@HFPureAudio: OK - these sound fantastic. But audio quality aside, which is your favourite album? http://t.co/zHLPiXDJtE

 

[fredblue]

I found an interesting discussion on HFPA (there's a fair bit of negativity among the comments but that's life) here:

http://forums.theregister.co.uk/forum/1/2013/10/07/universals_high_fidelity_pure_audio_format/

...but the one that piqued my interest was:

Posted Monday 7th October 2013 16:40 GMT Anonymous Coward

"I've been working on these releases. Its not a case of the old needle-drops when CD was new. They are coming from various sources, many have been recently remastered at 24/96 or above, in which case we are using that. If high-res does not exist we are going back to original tapes."

 

[Cheezmo]

I've always admired Anonymous Coward's mastering technique.

 

[fredblue]

I've always admired Anonymous Coward's mastering technique.

me too. I particularly enjoyed the little number he tossed off in the Caribbean with his brother, Noël.

 

[GabeL]

So I'm a bit confused as to the distribution model (I know, here we go again), but why would Amazon.com in the USA have pre-orders for some of the classical releases but none of the pop or rock releases???? What is going on here?

 

[leevitalone1]

So I'm a bit confused as to the distribution model (I know, here we go again), but why would Amazon.com in the USA have pre-orders for some of the classical releases but none of the pop or rock releases???? What is going on here?

as the Rutles righly stated-all you need is cash! money is the driving force.

 

[jasong]

Thank You Mr. Fred, I cant wait to hear it. I'm still hoping the blu rays come out in the states.

my marley arrived today- 5 days shipping from the UK. I purchased it as a pre order back in july for 12pounds plus 3 pounds shipping US dollars it was $21 bucks. Fred _i arrive with your comments regarding the marley legend. i have the 2 cd deluxe edition too, you can hear the difference between the two.

NOW i'm waiting on exile on main street-it shipped today.

 

[fredblue]

Nick Drake BDA delayed at Amazon Germany til mid-November...

Guten Tag,

wir bedauern, dass wir eine Verzögerung bei Ihrer Amazon.de-Bestellung ankuendigen müssen.


Wir bitten um Ihr Verstaendnis: Leider hat sich das Erscheinungsdatum fuer den oder die unten aufgefuehrten Artikel vom 29. September 2013 geaendert und damit auch das voraussichtliche Lieferdatum:


Drake,Nick "Five Leaves Left (Blu-Ray Audio)"
Voraussichtliches Lieferdatum: 16. November 2013 - 18. November 2013

 

[fredblue]

Just received my latest BD-A. Lionel Richie ( Can't Slow Down ) Just spinning now, like all the other BD-A discs I own so far, the detail in these discs is undeniable !
Yes, there's a lack of 5.1 ( blah, blah, blah ! ) but what you do get is Hi Res, DETAIL & CLARITY, I think an improvement on most conventional cd's. My only main gripe is the three audio options. I've yet to define any difference, with the 3 audio options. ( Perhaps, it's my ears ?? ) Haven't played the DTS-HD or Dolby True HD yet though, on this disc.
The menu is much improved on this disc, compared to others, i.e. no silly numbered grid, listing to the right of album pic, and the playing track below album cover photo. ( Motown logo, to the far right corner. ) All I can say, is that i'm impressed with these discs so far, audiowise.
Beck / Sea Change, on backorder....looking forward to hearing my second 5.1 BD-A, when it arrives.....I think i'll go and have a listen through my new "Hi Res Audio" Sony MDR-10RC Headphones......:banana:

Thank you for the great info, Lionel it sounds like the BDA of your namesake is another keeper!

 

[fredblue]

Just playing through the DTS-HD Master audio option, and for the first time, I think I can hear even more depth, to the PCM layer ?

could be.. I posted over at SHF about perceived differences (mainly volume but also treble brightness) comparing PCM to Dolby True HD on some of these BDA's. a helpful member there explained could be to do with Dolby's Dialog Normalization adding +10 db's.. but I can't explain the DTS HD MA unless it's the same thing? very curious..!

 

[Owen Smith]

do you think so? for me that's where the similarity begins and ends.

if you want a decent Hi-Rez stereo version of "A Night At The Opera" the new blu-ray is worthwhile.

if you want the best sounding 5.1 version and have DVD-Audio playback capability, you're better off with the DVD-Audio if you don't have it already it still comes up for ok money.

that said, I'm sure some people will love the 5.1 on the blu-ray. either because they've never heard any other version of it, or maybe there's something up with their hearing.. (just sayin'.. :spot)

I have both the DVD-A and 30th Anniversary DVD-V of A Night At The Opera and I agree with you, the DVD-A is much better. The only downside is God Save The Queen is an upmix from stereo because they couldn't find the multitrack masters, whereas by the time of the 30th Anniversary they had found them and done a proper surround mix.

There are other differences. Listen to Prophet's Song, on 30th Anniversary the opening wind effects are quite short whereas on the DVD-A it does a full 360 degree fly around. I know that effect is done to death but Prophet's Song is so over the top anyway it is entirely in keeping.

 

[fredblue]

1.)

I have both the DVD-A and 30th Anniversary DVD-V of A Night At The Opera and I agree with you, the DVD-A is much better. The only downside is God Save The Queen is an upmix from stereo because they couldn't find the multitrack masters, whereas by the time of the 30th Anniversary they had found them and done a proper surround mix.

There are other differences. Listen to Prophet's Song, on 30th Anniversary the opening wind effects are quite short whereas on the DVD-A it does a full 360 degree fly around. I know that effect is done to death but Prophet's Song is so over the top anyway it is entirely in keeping.

IIRC Prophet's Song is an upmix on the old Elliot Scheiner DVD-A (or at least partial upmix? or missing multi's or something) I'll see if I can find a link. Edit: I can't find a link, I must be "going slightly mad".. still Brian messed around with Prophet's Song by the time the 30th Anniv came along sufficiently that it wasn't as 'good' but the 30th's biggest sin is the absolutely hideous brickwalling = yuckadoodledon't bother with it!!

 

[fredblue]

Latest update from HFPA Official Facebook...

We are proud to announce the UK launch of the new High Fidelity Pure Audio physical format, with a wide range of landmark titles now available from some of the world’s biggest artists such as: Amy Winehouse, Nirvana, Lionel Richie, The Velvet Underground, The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and many more.

Experience the sound in HD as it was intended by the artist. No compression, no compromise!
http://youtu.be/eodt64A39nw


For more information and to order now click: http://po.st/pureaudiostore

 

[mdmost]

I was all set to buy Nevermind, In Utero and Legend on Universal UK's website. I then realized the amounts were in pounds and not euros. The 3 discs came out to $106 which is more than if I just waited till an American website carried them.

 

[GabeL]

I was all set to buy Nevermind, In Utero and Legend on Universal UK's website. I then realized the amounts were in pounds and not euros. The 3 discs came out to $106 which is more than if I just waited till an American website carried them.

I will be doing the same, and also, I will not be buying any of the non-surround titles....from what I've been reading here and elsewhere, the stereo mixes are a slight improvement, but (in my opinion), not worth the significant expenditure. My plan is not to buy titles that I already have (for example Beck's Sea Change) even if they are in surround. I'm very happy with the content I already have and really cannot rationalize spending another $25-$35 per title. My hope, and reason for posting these thoughts, is that more new surround titles will be made available with time

 

[GabeL]

BTW, it seems some of these titles are finally being listed on Amazon.com (USA) website. Simply search for blu-ray audio.

 

[jasong]

BTW, it seems some of these titles are finally being listed on Amazon.com (USA) website. Simply search for blu-ray audio.

Gabel,
thanks for the tip off. I pre ordered supertramp crime of the century and nick drake 5 leaves left at $19.87 each with free shipping on amazon. says they will be released oct 30, 2013. thats 10 dollars cheaper then music direct, etc.

 

[GabeL]

Gabel,
thanks for the tip off. I pre ordered supertramp crime of the century and nick drake 5 leaves left at $19.87 each with free shipping on amazon. says they will be released oct 30, 2013. thats 10 dollars cheaper then music direct, etc.

Glad to be of service Yes, at these prices, these discs are now back to being reasonable!

 

[LivingForever]

I was in Paris this week and decided that I should go to le grand Fnac and pick up a few of the initial batch, assuming they would still be easy to find...

Well, I think it would be fair to say that they had limited stocks.

Tons of copies of Velvet Underground (is it that unpopular?), a couple of copies of, er, whatever that is on the top right there (something Clapton?) and a couple of Supertramp Breakfast.

All stuck in amongst the music Blu-rays in a dusty corner. I was hoping to find Stevie or Bob but no such luck. Perhaps I should have got Supertramp but I wasn't sure if I'd read good or bad things about it here.

They did have a few of the French language discs though, slotted in amongst the CDs. I bought Zazie- La zizanie, because I have a few others of hers which I like a lot (she was big when I lived there), and Gainsbourg Melody Nelson as it's the only one with a 5.1 mix.

The big push seems to be over, though- no dedicated section or display.