HiRez Poll Deep Purple - MACHINE HEAD [Blu-Ray Audio (Dolby Atmos)]

[cornwall198]

I REALLY need to turn the atmos mix WAY UP. As many others have noted. And then it falls into place - even if my marriage is strained by, to quote, the ‘outrageous cacophony’. Actually - an apt description!! I’ve been fighting this new mix for the last couple of weeks. With endless comparisons with the 5.1, two quads, and various stereo versions. Including my original 1972 vinyl. (Remembering to turn the fecking volume WAY DOWN when transferring from the atmos!!!)

Finally, despite hating the need to CLOSELY monitor the volume levels to avoid blowing speakers when changing to other sources, I’ve completely fallen for the atmos mix. Enjoying it hugely. One example, to my ears, with my system turned WAY UP, the drums at the start of Pictures have never sounded this all encompassing and thundering. And now that I’ve found a way in, and conquered a predilection to be negative based on initial listens, I’m sold. So, add the very fun US quad, and I’m giving it a 10!

 

[Wagonmaster_91]

OK, I have finally heard the entire box set on my main system and here's my review:

CD 1 - 2024 Remix Stereo Remix / 2024 Original Mix Remaster - I like the new mix and agree with most of the changes/enhancements Zappa has done. Bass and drums are more solid on the remix.

CD 2 - '72 Concert - Great sound, great show and considering how many Machine Head songs were performed, this is a perfect inclusion for the box set.

CD 3 - '71 Concert - Sounds better on my big system than it did on my computer based rig, but more historically significant due to the recording location than the quality of audio. If this had been recorded at any other venue, I highly doubt it would be in the box.

Blu-Ray - The jewel of this box and the reason most of us bought this. It doesn't disappoint. The new mix sounds great (if you turn it up loud) and I like the way Zappa moves things around. Nice to have the US quad mix in a clean transfer. My only gripe about the US quad mix is I don't like the vocals to Highway Star being only in the rear channels. That is the only song mixed that way on the album. Odd channel assignment choice on that song. The 5.1 mixes are good. I wish they had done the entire album, but the Rhine DVD-A gives us that.

The LP - Pristine, quiet (did not hear a single pop or tick on the entire record) no warp, original insert and cool purple vinyl. Excellent.

Book is full size with great pics and good size text that tells the story of the album, track by track. Excellent

I paid just under $55 for box set, so it is probably the best value vs. content box I have bought in a long time. Gotta give it a 10.

 

[quicksrt]

I just got finished with my 3rd listen to the US quad MH. This was the loudest play yet of the quad album mix. I think and previously thought it rocks like hell. The top end is brash and sassy (for better or worse), The bass is not deep gut rumbling either. And revealed sound quality exposes this recording for being done in a less than Abbey Road studios.

Hearing the details in the mix and overall musicality and playfulness of the music here, and for me having no desire to skip a track or two in the US quad make it a very compelling play beginning to end. Can I give this a 10 for the quad mix and ignore the rest of the package content? I'm not likely to dock it .5 point for the treble being slightly sharp, and .5 point on the issue of expense of $60 to $80 in the US for the inclusion of the filler fluff.

I think it still gets a strong 10 because it plays so strongly as a musical program in quad.

 

[quicksrt]

I voted a 9 thinking that this box is a decent value only if you like vinyl and like having a rough bootleg concert on CD, and you appreciate a quite radical Atmos remix.

However I find the US quad mix to be worth it, being that rocks like hell, is a very fun listen beginning to end. The brightness to the EQ does not deminish the thrill at all on my system. I turn down the treble just a single notch and it’s sassy and brash in a great way. Would so much rather have this kind of mastering than what we saw happen to Stormbringer on that DVD in the UK (flat, dull, and lifeless).

I wanted to give this a 10 for being one of “thee” most important rock quads from the 70s. But figured the cost / value issue here, and being able to change my vote later if this turns out to be for me the most played surround disc of the year. An easy 9.

 

[perzon57]

I voted a 9 thinking that this box is a decent value only if you like vinyl and like having a rough bootleg concert on CD, and you appreciate a quite radical Atmos remix.

However I find the US quad mix to be worth it, being that rocks like hell, is a very fun listen beginning to end. The brightness to the EQ does not deminish the thrill at all on my system. I turn down the treble just a single notch and it’s sassy and brash in a great way. Would so much rather have this kind of mastering than what we saw happen to Stormbringer on that DVD in the UK (flat, dull, and lifeless).

I wanted to give this a 10 for being one of “thee” most important rock quads from the 70s. But figured the cost / value issue here, and being able to change my vote later if this turns out to be for me the most played surround disc of the year. An easy 9.

I'll give it a 9 for the Atmos mix alone. Listened to the quad once and it was a good one, but as always with these quads in box sets, I will never listen to it again.

 

[quicksrt]

I'll give it a 9 for the Atmos mix alone. Listened to the quad once and it was a good one, but as always with these quads in box sets, I will never listen to it again.

I appreciate a good quad mix because it has the “period” authenticity going for it. The Atmos in this case is a completely different animal.

But also I’m not yet set up for Atmos which I want to do just for the exclusive streaming mixes.

 

[Sal1950]

But also I’m not yet set up for Atmos which I want to do just for the exclusive streaming mixes.

Just a note to mention that although it can be a bit expensive and labor intensive to
set up a good Atmos arrangement, I believe most will find it more than worth the effort.
Cheers

 

[beerking]

I voted 9
Nearly a 10

I believe I got excellent value for my precious and hard earned farthings.

I've thoroughly enjoyed all the content. Although I will have to give the LP to my son as he has my record player and my albums. Luckily he lives 2 doors down!!

The Atmos mix is certainly controversial and my take is that it hasn't quite met the demonstration quality of other releases.
Having said that, I do like it.

 

[himey]

Is this Dweezil's first and only mix? The other night when I was listening to this, I was enjoying it so much, I was hoping he does some other mixes.

 

[Sal1950]

Is this Dweezil's first and only mix? The other night when I was listening to this, I was enjoying it so much, I was hoping he does some other mixes.

I'm pretty sure I've read of more a while back but the 73yo memory fails me now. LOL

 

[beerking]

Is this Dweezil's first and only mix? The other night when I was listening to this, I was enjoying it so much, I was hoping he does some other mixes.

I believe it is his first venture into Dolby Atmos mixing ..he certainly has a unique style.

 

[himey]

I believe it is his first venture into Dolby Atmos mixing ..he certainly has a unique style.

The album is also unique. I don't think you can have a style with only one mix under his belt.

 

[beerking]

The album is also unique. I don't think you can have a style with only one mix under his belt.

Can you have a style that's unique

All good here

 

[Sal1950]

I believe it is his first venture into Dolby Atmos mixing .

Oh yes, quite possibly his first stab at Atmos !

 

[omnipotent1]

Kick ass..
Atmos most importantly makes the album sound fresh
My favorite mix of the bunch.
This was an album tbh I was pretty burnt out on so that's a resounding success

 

[par4ken]

Based solely on the quad mix this is a ten! While I would of rather had sprung for a Quadio rather than the entire set, this is an iconic album, so what the heck! I will eventually check out the rest of the set including the vinyl. I do always question the need to do a stereo remix.

I once had the CD-4, then the I got the Quad reel. This release wipes the floor with both of those! I much prefer this mix over the other (UK) one.

I hope that Rhino will release a Quadio of Stormbringer as well, even though that album pales in comparison to this one.

 

[quicksrt]

Well actually after much back and forth it appears plenty of folks do like this new Atmos mix, others are cranking the ‘74 US quad mix in pure bliss. So all in all it does appear the 50th box set is a hit with most of us surround listeners.

I’m glad almost all could find something to like here. I mean even that beautifully pressed colored vinyl LP is a nice item to have included. It’s just the price of a big box might have been the deal-breaker for some.

 

[texquad]

I'm still having a hard time accessing what bothers me about this one. As far as the Atmos is concerned, between the mix and the compression it just sounds messy at times. As far as the stereo remix, it's a little better but still sounds overly compressed. I don't hear that on Andy Pierce's remaster or the Quad. Like some of you I would have preferred a Steven Wilson presentation over this.

 

[himey]

I'm still having a hard time accessing what bothers me about this one. As far as the Atmos is concerned, between the mix and the compression it just sounds messy at times. As far as the stereo remix, it's a little better but still sounds overly compressed. I don't hear that on Andy Pierce's remaster or the Quad. Like some of you I would have preferred a Steven Wilson presentation over this.

I have no issues with the compression on this or the new streaming Hendrix. They sound dynamic on my setup. They don't sound as dynamic as the new Mark Knopfler, but especially this Machine Head sounds amazing at very loud levels. Which version of Machine Head is your go-to when it comes to dynamics?

 

[texquad]

The reason I wish we had a S.W. mix is I don't think any of the surround versions best the original stereo or the Glover remix and I'm not a purist, I most always favor a surround mix.