Deluxe Edition of "Imagine" Coming Soon! (Remixed 5.1 and Remastered Quad audio)

[sjcorne]

Marpow, like me you're not a refugee of the Quad era where everything came from everywhere.
I've been into surround since 2003 so I don't back to the depths of time, 1969-70 Quad vinyl & tape.
Either too much is coming "from the rears" or "only ambient sounds".
I may be mistaken but this the QQ forum and many haven't quite let go of the Quad Sound dogma and accepted that basic 5.1 is a different animal and superior to the limitations of Quad.
What is unprecedented about Imagine is that they lay out EXACTLY what is in each channel.
Like or not, you know exactly what you're getting in the mix.
I for one, love it.
Sincerely, I'm not anti-Quad.
I appreciate in hindsight that it was an attempt at something better than stereo.
I've enjoyed many Quad versions.
But imo, it's time has long passed.

Not gonna lie, I've spent the last like half hour trying to craft a good response to this.

I don't want to argue, I just have to say I fundamentally (but respectfully) disagree. I'm not a refugee of the quad era either. I've been seriously into this surround thing for maybe 5-6 years now. I've heard hundreds of surround mixes in every imaginable format and the old quad mixes from Columbia are undoubtedly my favorites. More than SW mixes, more than ES mixes, or any other acclaimed 5.1's.

Also, I would heavily dispute this idea that "it's time has long passed" since we have seen over 100 digital reissues of quad mixes over the last two decades or so (85 from Columbia alone!), and there are likely many more to come.

And yes, I agree those channels maps are way cool, love 'em.

 

[GOS]

Now, now.....we need to appreciate what we're getting. I have the set....and blu-ray 2 is absolutely effing spectacular. I shit you not. It flat out, flat ass...blows away the disc 1...that contains the Quad and 5.1. Wow!!! I'm trying to rip...and MakeMKV, though painfully slow, is handling it better than other programs.

You all gonna love disc 2...I promise.

 

[4-earredwonder]

Not gonna lie, I've spent the last like half hour trying to craft a good response to this.

I don't want to argue, I just have to say I fundamentally (but respectfully) disagree. I'm not a refugee of the quad era either. I've been seriously into this surround thing for maybe 5-6 years now. I've heard hundreds of surround mixes in every imaginable format and the old quad mixes from Columbia are undoubtedly my favorites. More than SW mixes, more than ES mixes, or any other acclaimed 5.1's.

Also, I would heavily dispute this idea that "it's time has long passed" since we have seen over 100 digital reissues of quad mixes over the last two decades or so (85 from Columbia alone!), and there are likely many more to come.

And yes, I agree those channels maps are way cool, love 'em.

I have to agree with you as well, sjcorne. What's the purpose of having a 4.0, 5.1, 7.1 or better SURROUND SYSTEM and tolerate tepid movement in the rear speakers. I find classical music with its ambience ONLY in the rear approach frustrating. We're NOT in a concert hall anymore and sans the visual of a live orchestra, the music should involve, IMO, a more adventuresome mix. Utilize ALL the speakers not just the fronts. And sometimes the ambience is so low [most especially those NAXOS BD~As] you might as well switch to stereo and employ a DSP mode for a more satisfying experience.

I was never a big fan of ping pong stereo [as in those early days of stereo] and the same applies to surround. It shouldn't be so brazen as to detract from the experience but judicious use of the surrounds should be the pre~requisite of any surround mix worth it's weight.

As I listen to a lot of stereo recordings I envision how it would/ SHOULD sound in surround and find myself doing my own rearrangement of imaginary multitracks. I think I've had enough practice since I've been involved in surround since the 70's.

And I'm still amazed at how many QQers shun SURROUND movies because, IMO, some of the best surround mixers available are employed in Hollywood and even Television. Yes, some of those TV series and cable networks have some astounding surround sound.

To get back on track....I very much look forward to hearing BD~A 1 & 2 of Imagine because to say the least, the recent Stereo BD~A of Imagine, was, IMO, MEH!

 

[~dave~~wave~]

https://audiophilereview.com/audiop...-2-surround-sound-mixes-on-high-resoluti.html

This also seems to be a spot in the collection where I found perhaps a little typo on the packaging which may be a bit confusing.

Thanks for the confirmation, LC.
I had skimmed that review, but got so excited I overlooked that paragraph toward the end.

On blu-ray 2, I'm enjoying switching on the fly between the stereo and 5.1 raw mixes.
Amazing to hear how the soundstage opens up in surround.

 

[Albert Dagger]

I'd like to know if the stereo remix on CD was mastered differently than the hi-res stereo remix on the Blu-ray disc.
Has anyone made the comparison?

 

[admsh]

Not gonna lie, I've spent the last like half hour trying to craft a good response to this.

I don't want to argue, I just have to say I fundamentally (but respectfully) disagree. I'm not a refugee of the quad era either. I've been seriously into this surround thing for maybe 5-6 years now. I've heard hundreds of surround mixes in every imaginable format and the old quad mixes from Columbia are undoubtedly my favorites. More than SW mixes, more than ES mixes, or any other acclaimed 5.1's.

Also, I would heavily dispute this idea that "it's time has long passed" since we have seen over 100 digital reissues of quad mixes over the last two decades or so (85 from Columbia alone!), and there are likely many more to come.

And yes, I agree those channels maps are way cool, love 'em.

I wholeheartedly agree. What does age/experience/quad vs 5.1 have to do with this. There are good surround mixes and bad ones, and ones that are just blah. This release is fun, but certainly falls into the latter category. Elton John's releases are still the best 5.1s imo, and undoubtedly the quad mixes from Columbia win in that category (Japanese Motown releases come close).

Now going to start listening to the "deeper listening" 2nd blu ray and see how I feel about those

 

[admsh]

Clearly this is not an error, Yoko is telling us that Paul died on 6.6.66.

 

[dobyblue]

Mine has cleared US customs already and is now in PA so I guess it could arrive in NY by Monday. Never seen such quick basic shipping from A-UK!

 

[beerking]

Just got mine ...Blu ray is dts-hd master audio 96kHz/24bit..Imagine playin now. Disc 1, Humm. Disc 2, ooh use of all speakers, Gos you are spot on.
Raw!! Sound just fine to my lug holes..this makes those farthings well spent. Where have those 47 years gone? (pulls up a sand bag).

 

[milt]

Thanks guys I appreciate the counter opinions.
I've purchased several of the Quad SACD reissues and enjoy them thoroughly

 

[DuncanS]

My copy arrived this morning and I've just been listening to all of Disc-1, so the 5.1 is 'better' than the Quad, (and I got caught out about the Outtakes in 5.1 on Disc-1 when reading above they are actually on BDA-2!). Probably Disc-2 to be listened to tomorrow. I have to say its the book that has impressed me so far, its really informative, why aren't all Super Deluxe books as good, satisfies the music nerd in me (take note Mr. Page on the kiddies picture books with the Led Zep sets!), and then there are all the song mix options on the discs. All-in-all I'm impressed and I haven't even got to Blu-Ray-2 yet and the Raw Studio mixes!

 

[fizzywiggs41]

There are a few music outlets here locally, so online was never an option for me for this set.

It's Lennon , and it will appear in store because it's his very popular album.

And so far I'm reading this set of 2 BD'S in surround , rivals "Yoshimi !"

 

[GOS]

I'll say it one more time....I'm guessing when ya'll listen to blu1...you'll think.....hmmm....OK. Pretty average surround....but the fidelity is superior to any version I've heard......then...because you think you have to...you'll put in blu2......only to instantly realize that it is super discreet, with even better fidelity and warmth and punch and knocks the socks off ANY version you've heard and makes this classic sound like you've never heard. I can promise you that.

 

[beerking]

I'll say it one more time....I'm guessing when ya'll listen to blu1...you'll think.....hmmm....OK. Pretty average surround....but the fidelity is superior to any version I've heard......then...because you think you have to...you'll put in blu2......only to instantly realize that it is super discreet, with even better fidelity and warmth and punch and knocks the socks off ANY version you've heard and makes this classic sound like you've never heard. I can promise you that.

I'll say it one more time....I'm guessing when ya'll listen to blu1...you'll think.....hmmm....OK. Pretty average surround....but the fidelity is superior to any version I've heard......then...because you think you have to...you'll put in blu2......only to instantly realize that it is super discreet, with even better fidelity and warmth and punch and knocks the socks off ANY version you've heard and makes this classic sound like you've never heard. I can promise you that.

100% Gos...5th track on elements disc 2, Ive got this one on repeat!! What a totally brilliant deluxe set.

 

[oxenholme]

Well, I am well and truly over the moon with this one.

The Raw Studio Mixes Extended Album Versions 5.1 is more than superb!!! I listened to it right through for the third time this afternoon/evening and I like it even more each time. An easy 12 out of 10.

And the 5.1 mix on disc 1 although conservative it more than has its moments. Not to mention a very fine 5.1 mix of Happy Xmas (War Is Over). And the quad is better than I've previously heard it.

Congratulations to Yoko and all involved in a magnificent production.

 

[JonUrban]

Well I am totally bummed. My Bullmoose order won't be here until Tuesday. Should have stuck with Amazon. Oh well.

Looking forward to all of the reviews. So far it sounds like there will be a lot of different opinions, which is good!

I take this back. Bullmoose came through, got it TODAY!!! Woo Hoo, MakeMKV here I come! Thanks to the Moose!

 

[perzon57]

Got mine today , put in BD 2 and wow! Top stuff!

 

[César]

Couple of weeks ago, I was about to cancel my order. Not my favourite ex Beatles work and had to safe some money for the rest of Q4 releases. Now I'm dying to listen to it after your reviews for BD2!
And my copy will not arrive until Thursday, grrrrrrr!

 

[JonUrban]

UPDATE: First thing I did was put BluRay Disc 2 into my big PC and ran MakeMKV. The PC took a long time to read the disc but finally did, but MakeMKV errored out on every section! I had version 1.12.2. On a hunch I checked for a newer version and found there was a 1.12.3. Upgraded to that and the ripping is proceeding without issue.

Not sure if it's just me, but I figured I'd post a heads-up just in case some of you find this problem as well. So now I wait an hour or so for the rip. Tick-Tock.

Hmm, that bottle of QQ Reserve is starting to look tempting!

 

[beerking]

Petition Time

Can we please have George Harrisons 'All Things Must Pass' in surround, please, please...pretty please.

By the way, did I say how good this Deluxe Box Set is?