HiRez Poll Mitchell, Joni - THE ASYLUM ALBUMS (1972-1975) [Blu-Ray Audio (Dolby Atmos)]

[jaybird100]

For whatever reason, the discs are authored with each mix as a separate title instead of as a single title with multiple audio tracks.

Does it matter, as long as they sound good?

 

[marpow]

I voted 10.
Stunning box set, 10's on all the things that are important to me.
Size of box, content of box, ease of ripping, menu=perfect.
I have developed a good ear for Atmos, has taken a while and this Atmos is worthy of a 10.
I am also learning to develop a good ear for 4.0 as Rhino has really been nailing it's reproduction of 4.0.
All my listening was ripped content, MKV file and FLAC files.
I have been buying the Joni Mitchell Archive box sets the last couple years, a Blue MOFI SACD, etc, but this box set is the one that finally stuck and I will listen again, no doubt.
My first rotation was of the 4.0's than rotation of Atmos, next will be another rotation of 4.0's.

Please keep polls pure to your listening experience only.

 

[cornwall198]

Does it matter, as long as they sound good?

Not ultimately, I guess. But on other blurays (e.g. the Wilson Yes sets from 2014/15) it is fun to be able to switch between mixes staying at the same point in the music to facilitate immediate comparison. Not essential - but adds to the fun of having (wonderful!) options on the sound mixes...

Oh and having listened to all the different mixes on the Joni set, I am going for a 10 without a doubt. At the moment, I actually prefer the quad mixes on all four discs over the atmos. Both are terrific, but the four speaker experience just works so brilliantly. Beautiful set!

 

[Guy Robinson]

I am going to vote 10 as well. I doubt whether I will listen to the ATMOS mixes again. Maybe "For The Roses" as that one is pretty much a tie for me between the ATMOS and the Quad. The Quad is the standout for me for the other 3 titles. This is truly a "Quadio" box set. On the ATMOS, the levels on the surround and back channels are just too low and because there is vocal bleed into these channels on most tracks if you up the volume of those channels, without touching the fronts which are already high enough, there is too much echo/reverb. So unfixable, at least to my level of expertise anyway, and generally maddening after listening to the wonderful Quad versions.

 

[sjcorne]

On the ATMOS, the levels on the surround and back channels are just too low

Interesting, I can't imagine wanting the discrete elements in the sides or rears (like the woodwinds in "Barangrill" or backing vocals in "In France They Kiss On Main Street") any louder.

When Joni's voice moves around the room during the transition from "Harry's House" to "Centerpiece" on Hissing, does the level drop in the sides and back? If so, there might be some kind of balance issue.

 

[Guy Robinson]

Interesting, I can't imagine wanting the discrete elements in the sides or rears (like the woodwinds in "Barangrill" or backing vocals in "In France They Kiss On Main Street") any louder.

When Joni's voice moves around the room during the transition from "Harry's House" to "Centerpiece" on Hissing, does the level drop in the sides and back? If so, there might be some kind of balance issue.

If you look at most of the tracks in Audacity the surround and back channels are way below the front levels. It's just not enough for me a lot of the time. My surrounds and rears though are up the wall of my room and not at ear level but most Quad and 5.1 recordings don't have this issue. Neither do most of Steven Wilson's ATMOS mixes.

 

[Steve Bruzonsky]

On my 5.2.4 Facebook Atmos system I easily prefer the quad to the Atmos. I liked it even the tad more playing the quad in Auro 3-D

 

[5.1 4 Life]

I voted 10! Joni Mitchell's The Asylum Albums (72-75) sound wonderful in 5.1 surround and quad. While there are some differences between the quad & 5.1 mixes, they're minor. One thing I've picked up on is that on the quad mix of Court And Spark, 'People's Parties' doesn't fade into 'Same Situation' the way it does on the stereo & 5.1/Atmos mixes of the album (they have a few seconds of silence between them on the quad mix). And while it's great to have the original artwork of the albums faithfully reproduced with this box set, it would be great to have a booklet included with the lyrics and credits in larger type so they're eaiser to read (while I can always read the lyrics to Joni's songs on her website, it would be a good addition to have such a booklet as part of the set). Anyway, thanks to all at The Joni Mitchell Archives & Rhino for the collection (and bring on Mitchell's 1976 thru 1980 LPs in Surround/Atmos soon).

 

[Guy Robinson]

Interesting, I can't imagine wanting the discrete elements in the sides or rears (like the woodwinds in "Barangrill" or backing vocals in "In France They Kiss On Main Street") any louder.

When Joni's voice moves around the room during the transition from "Harry's House" to "Centerpiece" on Hissing, does the level drop in the sides and back? If so, there might be some kind of balance issue.

I just checked Hissing Of summer Lawns and actually the ATMOS on it is pretty good. Maybe better than the QUAD. I have only listened to Hissing once a few times before as it's the least favorite of the 4. Better than the other 3 when it comes to the ATMOS though. I hear the swirl in Harry's House/Centerpiece equally in all speakers so I guess that particular element is loud enough in the surrounds and backs. Given the nature of it I guess they had to make sure that it was equal all around.

 

[Steve Bruzonsky]

The Joni albums have Atmos, quad and stereo, no 5.1. Though with a SSP/receiver you can downmix Atmos to 5.1

 

[Doug G.]

I add my "10" to the perfect "10" rating, so far. This is a fantastic production!

I disagree with a couple of opinions in the thread, however. I don't believe these blow the CD-4 versions away. They have excellent fidelity. Just have the surface noise, of course. and, in my system, I find nothing wrong with the back channel levels and I don't have anything set any differently than I do for other quad presentations.

Doug

 

[Guy Robinson]

I find nothing wrong with the back channel levels and I don't have anything set any differently than I do for other quad presentations.

Doug

I agree, the Quads are fine with respect to balancing.

 

[rusinurbe]

For the Roses is fantastic the Quad mix shows why this series should be supported at every opportunity. Shall not vote yet as I need to listen to the other discs. Iswe no reason why this will not be a 10 on the evidence of disc 1

 

[Guy Robinson]

After much more listening last night the standouts for me are the Quad of Court and Spark and the ATMOS of The Hissing of Summer Lawns. Also, I guess the Quad of Miles Of Ailes just because of how discrete it is. I am not a big fan of live concerts without the video. As far as For The Roses goes, I haven't decided yet on whether the Quad or ATMOS is better.

 

[atrocity]

Does it matter, as long as they sound good?

Not to me, I was simply trying to explain why the various mixes couldn't be selected on the fly.

 

[quicksrt]

I add my "10" to the perfect "10" rating, so far. This is a fantastic production!

I disagree with a couple of opinions in the thread, however. I don't believe these blow the CD-4 versions away. They have excellent fidelity. Just have the surface noise, of course. and, in my system, I find nothing wrong with the back channel levels and I don't have anything set any differently than I do for other quad presentations.

Doug

I've never heard an early LP pressing of C&S that was not exceptional sounding. My 1981 LP copy was mind blowing. Then the quad LP is also pretty outstanding, the DCC gold CD wonderful as well. So me I'm more looking for improved separation, which was said to show off the instrumental band backing in a wonderful and unique way. And just listening I would agree with that point. One can listen to this album and hear it "musically" in a new way here. And it's pretty staggeringly great.

Looking like 10s for every disc here.

 

[Malhomme]

I am just into the listening...
But.
I am not taking music into my vote casting, as it predates multichannel mix, it would be a 10 for Joni mitchell, but everyone knows.

I miss a booklet, with lyrics. Mini sleeves are cool (and embossed !) but not for reading, everyone also noted that.

I am surprised by the differences between quad mixes and atmos mixes (listened to folded down on 5.1 here).

On Hissing for example, the quad is louder than the folded down atmos.
The quad was obviously bold, with lead voice being mostly in a place between middle and rear, when it is front center on atmos.
In both case, the bass content surprises me. Many quad transfers have little to no bass content (for vinyl mastering, I gather) and kept as is.
Not here...

I find interestingly the quad very bold, and the atmos pretty shy.
This the beginning of my listening, so I may change my vote later.

Also, I wonder if, though they are sold as a box, each album wouldn't deserve a separate poll...

 

[Matt Wilson]

Yeah, it's a 10.

Now her first four albums in quad would be a great idea for the next Joni box, or the following four titles starting with Hijera.

 

[Wagonmaster_91]

I think the whole set sounds great. C&S has always been my favorite individual album, but Joni has so many great songs spread across these four albums. I have listened to most of the various mixes and have no complaints about fidelity, channel levels, etc.

I actually do like that the original artwork was used for each album, even if it is small. Rhino could have made this a 12"x12" set with full size book with lyrics, pics and other stuff, but that would have pushed up the price of the set. I think the price point on this box is one of its best selling points.

As far as being able to read the lyrics and credits, I just pulled out the original LPs from my collection. You didn't sell all your JM albums in a garage sale for 25 cents each when the music industry told you to because CDs were "perfect" did you....? tsk tsk
This gets a 10 from me.

 

[sbrom]

I’ll have to vote with the crowd on this one. For me (and apparently nearly everyone else) it has to be a 10. Sound quality is wonderful, mix fits the music like a glove. And a value to boot!