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Dire Straits ~Brothers in Arms~ Comparison!

Hajidub

Hajidub

I'm Freaking Out Mannnn!
Subscriber
So I have a completely NM normal copy of the album. Wife and I are listening to it and it is immaculate and sounds amazing. I then pull my recent GW Masterdisk RL copy and my wife are trying to figure out how it could sound better.

First bar and we are floored! I then attempt to tell the wife (while she's shushing me) how much of a legend engineer Robert was. We're hearing instruments we didn't hear in the other pressing.

This has the potential to make me obsess over more RL albums!
 
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Just checked a copy I have. Has Masterdisk RL in the deadwax . Nice, will give it a spin tomorrow.
 
Hajidub said:
So I have a completely NM normal copy of the album. Wife and I are listening to it and it is immaculate and sounds amazing. I then pull my recent GW Masterdisk RL copy and my wife are trying to figure out how it could sound better.

First bar and we are floored! I then attempt to tell the wife (while she's shushing me) how much of a legend engineer Robert was. We're hearing instruments we didn't hear in the other pressing.

This has the potential to make me obsess over more RL albums!
Click to expand...

Now you know why it's good to buy multiple copies not all records are the same. And when you see RL in the dead wax it's a very good chance it will be the better sounding copy. David Bowie lets dance, ZZ Top, Eliminator will be the same way with RL.
 
Nice to know. Of course I had to check my copy. I only have a CD version to compare it to -- lots of variables.

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Just give in. Let go. I have two RL pressings and they are wonderful. So why resist? That album sold gazillions, so just enjoy. The hunt is everything. The two copies I have, one was .99, and the other was less. Are not albums awesome.

S.J.
 
That album is famous for being recorded on digital and bring the first million seller on CD. It's also interesting that the full version was on CD and didn't become available on vinyl until fairly recently.
 
I don't know what the Masterdisk RL is but I just looked at my copy and it is the Masterdisk RL pressing. I have always felt this is the best sounding recording I have heard.
 
Like others, this is my go to for when I need music to sell equipment. So far I only have the CD, but now I'll keep my eyes open for the vinyl!
 
Hajidub said:
So I have a completely NM normal copy of the album. Wife and I are listening to it and it is immaculate and sounds amazing. I then pull my recent GW Masterdisk RL copy and my wife are trying to figure out how it could sound better.

First bar and we are floored! I then attempt to tell the wife (while she's shushing me) how much of a legend engineer Robert was. We're hearing instruments we didn't hear in the other pressing.

This has the potential to make me obsess over more RL albums!
Click to expand...

When you say, "NM normal copy" exactly which pressing are you referring to? What is the label in the center of the record?

I'm a little confused as I have about 6 of these and they are all Warner Brothers, RL in the deadwax. Seems like there was a Vertigo pressing also, mastered by John Dent in London at the Sound Clinic but I haven't had one of those come across in my vinyl adventures....

Then, there was the recent 2014 re-issue in 180gr. vinyl X 2.....is that the one you say sounds so much better? I kind of doubt that as GW usually abbreviates "Goodwill" and would seem unlikely that you'd find a copy of that at a Goodwill store so soon after the release date.....just wondering.
 
Thanks for sharing this. I just checked mine and was pleased to find this. No wonder I listen to it often and use it when I am testing speakers.
 

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Fishead said:
When you say, "NM normal copy" exactly which pressing are you referring to? What is the label in the center of the record?

I'm a little confused as I have about 6 of these and they are all Warner Brothers, RL in the deadwax. Seems like there was a Vertigo pressing also, mastered by John Dent in London at the Sound Clinic but I haven't had one of those come across in my vinyl adventures....

Then, there was the recent 2014 re-issue in 180gr. vinyl X 2.....is that the one you say sounds so much better? I kind of doubt that as GW usually abbreviates "Goodwill" and would seem unlikely that you'd find a copy of that at a Goodwill store so soon after the release date.....just wondering.
Click to expand...

There was a US master that was not engineered by Bob Ludwig at Masterdisk. I've seen plenty of them.
 
Sam Cogley said:
There was a US master that was not engineered by Bob Ludwig at Masterdisk. I've seen plenty of them.
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Correct, there are quite a few different masterings of this. Multiple original pressings, RL or non RL, the Stan Ricker 2x180g LP, the 2003 Hybrid SACD, 2011 SHM-SACD, 2014 MFSL SACD.

There isn't really a BAD sounding master of this album. Just some are better than others. General consensus among those who try to find the best of the best agree that the Robert Ludwig LP is the best overall. I agree with this. It has a little bit of a warmer feel, excellent instrumental separation, and is very balanced. The balance is where I think the other masterings fall short a little. Some instruments and effects are a little too in your face which dilutes some of its subtleties that stand out pleasantly on the RL.

After the Robert Ludwig I would lean toward the new MFSL SACD.
 
I have the 20th Anniversary CD/DVD Dual-Disc. It's probably my second favorite that I've heard after the Quiex II RL promo. I'd love to hear that new MFSL SACD.
 
I just checked my rather old copy and it is the masterdisk RL version. I've always admired the way that this album sounds. Imaging, Soundstage and especially depth of Soundstage are all excellent - especially for a multi-track studio album.
 
'brothers' was my first CD and i was mesmerized by its quality of sound. i am not one who ditched his vinyl when cd arrived on the scene. THEN i bought a dollar cutout of the disc (not sure of the mastering) which is ten minutes less music than on the cd.

to say that i was stunned at the superiority of the vinyl sound over the already excellent cd sound would be an understatement. the subsequent sacd is also very well done. i have enough copies that the 45 rpm, 2LP set is just not necessary. now to get love over gold on sacd (i already have an excellent sounding LP in great shape).

oh the joys of this hobby. someday i may embrace the hi rez downloads if and when the prices come down to reasonable and the process is more ergonomic.
 
That has to be the mastering. "Brothers in Arms" is digital all the way through. "Love over Gold", on the other hand, is about as good as analogue gets, if you. Find a decent early pressing.
 
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