Harry K

Having established that the DR was significantly lower than my original UK CD I was hoping that some brave punter would say "well, it's a bit loud but it sounds good...." It can happen. I'm disappointed that they've managed to balls this album up. Thanks for the feedback. No sale here.

Thank you for that.

Thank you. I will have a look into this.

That's interesting. I used DVDFab Passkey and DVD Audio Extractor HD. DVD Audio Extractor reported the files were 24/192 but it would only extract them as 24/48. This all seems way more complicated than it should be but I am grateful for the lead. I will investigate further.

This is a bit of an odd one. On each track there are a number of “Oh no! Why did he do that?” moments but that’s remixes for you. You won’t please everybody. What I can’t argue with is the sound quality. It is superb. Unfortunately, the 2016 remix still grates after two weeks of listening. Steve Wilson’s saving grace so far, for people who don’t like his choice of emphasis in the remixes, have been the flat transfers. On this release, the flat transfer from what was sides 1 and 2 is awful. Whereas that from what was sides 3 and 4 is superb. The best I’ve ever heard for this album. The tapes sound like they are from different batches. Disappointing. The final anomaly concerns the BD edition. Some files which are supposed to be at 96, like the 2016 remix, are at the correct sample frequency. Other files which are supposed to be at 96 are actually at 48. Material listed as 192 (original flat transfer) is at 48. There is no 192 material at all on my copy of the BD. Being a Yes nerd, I also bought the DVD edition. All sample rates are as printed in the booklet and in the blurb. For something which has been in development for so many years, the final result looks rushed.

There is an also element of price fixing. Somewhat akin to the DVD regional codes. Different markets can be pumped for different quantities of money per unit purchase. Although any of us can walk into a record shop anywhere in the world, buy a CD or album and take it back to our home country to play. Which seems a bit odd if it's so "illegal" to sell audio files across different regions. Qobuz will abide by a label's restrictions unless requested to ignore them by a buyer. They will drop the IP block on request. Probably because they are not legally obliged to enforce it.

Nice. Thanks.

Anyone know the back story to this one? I have TAAB 40th Anniversary CD/DVD. I wonder if this release is different (like Aqualung) or the same as what I already have (like Benefit)?

The 40th Anniversary edition (which I didn't know had been additionally fiddled with until this week) does have a treble lift compared to the HDT release. I much prefer the HDT version.

Which is good news indeed. As is the possibility that we'll get a decent TAAB. Based on this Aqualung info I'm downloading the HDT version. Thank you to all who shared.

Disappointing that someone has seen fit to fiddle with two such superb and well judged projects. They just can't help themselves.

I have looked into this because I have the original SW remix vinyl/CD/DVD release and they do appear to be one and the same. Which is to say that it will also be the same as your BD. Which is also to say that although *technically* correct because the files have never been made available for download before, the HDT billing along the lines of brand new release is somewhat disingenuous - in absolute terms. Although I don't think anyone who knows this album or Benefit well enough to own them on disc already, will be fooled into buying twice. So it will be an absolute cracker and well worth the money. Unless it's been fiddled with since original release, which is possible but unlikely. SW did a lovely job on Benefit too.

Thank you. Much appreciated.

Steve Hackett sells some but most of his back catalogue is still at 16/44.

I'm also in the "life's too short" camp. Having enjoyed the music in a straight run through, I then did a quick A/B with a selection of ripped CD tracks and the Hires has it. I'd say there is a bit more resolution and detail in the 24/192 offering (compared to the original UK CD releases) but not much. The vocals at times, sound better resolved and occasionally the (never all that well recorded) bass reveals something I don't think I've heard before. Par for the course considering the material. I'm happy I got them.