TBone
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BIA is Dire Straits 5th studio album, released 1985, it was considered their final album until they reunited 1991. One of the first albums to be directed at the CD market, it was labeled as an all digital "DDD" release, recorded to the Sony 3324 16-bit 44.1kHz 24 track DASH format. However, since it was converted to analog for mixing, it really was "DAD".
Track Listing:
CD:
1. "So Far Away" 5:12
2. "Money for Nothing" 8:26
3. "Walk of Life" 4:12
4. "Your Latest Trick" 6:33
5. "Why Worry" 8:31
6. "Ride Across the River" 6:58
7. "The Man's Too Strong" 4:40
8. "One World" 3:40
9. "Brothers in Arms" 7:00
LP:
1.1. "So Far Away" 3:59
1.2. "Money for Nothing" 7:04
1.3. "Walk of Life" 4:12
1.4. "Your Latest Trick" 4:46
2.5. "Why Worry" 5:22
2.6. "Ride Across the River" 6:58
2.7. "The Man's Too Strong" 4:40
2.8. "One World" 3:40
2.9. "Brothers in Arms" 7:00
The LP version includes the "short" versions of So Far Away, Money for Nothing and Your Latest Trick. However, later remastered CDs and downloads (SHM & HD Tracks) would also include some of the shorter versions.
The following will concentrate on 3 particular pressings, all CD with very high DR values.
(don't have any vinyl editions for comparison, as of this writing.)
(black) -1985 Original Vertigo UK LC1633
(red) -1996 Remastered 824499-2 Bob Ludwig, Sony Bit Mapping.
(orange) -2013 MFSL UD SACD2099
Direct comparisons/freq.plots are included for Track #1, So Far Away.
The upper freq.plot was not scaled, however when -5dB was added to scale the Remaster (red), it lined up perfectly with the MFSL pressing (orange), both sharing the slightly lifted lower end in comparison to the UK orig.
Also notice the different 21khz cliffs, the original being the steepest.
The following inc. plots of So Far Away, and the DR values of each track per pressing ...
Notice the original CD includes some clipping on So Far Away. Also interesting is the common Peak values of -0.20 with the Remaster, possibly indicating the use of a limiter.
DR values; Ave/Min/Max
16/13/20 -original CD
15/12/19 -MFSL
12/10/14 -Remaster
All the above DR values are respectable, inc. the Remaster. However, the original & MFSL pressings retain some of the highest DR values known to pop/R&R CDs.
The following chart includes the entire track listings and DR values of the 3 pressings noted above (red,orange,black), plus 3 other known pressings (blues).
The SHM/HD Track versions offer competitive DR values, but they also include some of the shorter tracks. The XRCD2 & Mercury SACD values are lower than the Remaster (black).
DR ave/min/max
XRCD2 10/08/12
DSD.Mercury 08/06/11 (redbook layer)
---
Sound Quality ... (track#1, So Far Away, above 3 pressings only)
The original CD offers a tighter, harder hitting sound, w/greater dimensional clues. It simply sounds more "1st gen" to my ears. The defined bass line is impressive, and Mark voice has more breath.
The MFSL, considering its very competitive & high DR values, was disappointing in comparison to the original. It sounds a bit darker and muffled, w/a slightly bloated less defined bottom, missing some of the instrumental impact contained within the original. Irrespective of its much higher DR values, the MFSL version managed to sound much like the obviously compressed Remaster, than the original.
The remaster sounds fine, all things considered. Bob Ludwig didn't overly compress the music, as most do for the masses. Its fatter and more rounded than the original, w/heavier but less defined bass lines. Given the choice between the Remaster and the MFSL versions, it would be a toss-up.
Have not heard the other versions listed above.
Track Listing:
CD:
1. "So Far Away" 5:12
2. "Money for Nothing" 8:26
3. "Walk of Life" 4:12
4. "Your Latest Trick" 6:33
5. "Why Worry" 8:31
6. "Ride Across the River" 6:58
7. "The Man's Too Strong" 4:40
8. "One World" 3:40
9. "Brothers in Arms" 7:00
LP:
1.1. "So Far Away" 3:59
1.2. "Money for Nothing" 7:04
1.3. "Walk of Life" 4:12
1.4. "Your Latest Trick" 4:46
2.5. "Why Worry" 5:22
2.6. "Ride Across the River" 6:58
2.7. "The Man's Too Strong" 4:40
2.8. "One World" 3:40
2.9. "Brothers in Arms" 7:00
The LP version includes the "short" versions of So Far Away, Money for Nothing and Your Latest Trick. However, later remastered CDs and downloads (SHM & HD Tracks) would also include some of the shorter versions.
The following will concentrate on 3 particular pressings, all CD with very high DR values.
(don't have any vinyl editions for comparison, as of this writing.)
(black) -1985 Original Vertigo UK LC1633
(red) -1996 Remastered 824499-2 Bob Ludwig, Sony Bit Mapping.
(orange) -2013 MFSL UD SACD2099
Direct comparisons/freq.plots are included for Track #1, So Far Away.
The upper freq.plot was not scaled, however when -5dB was added to scale the Remaster (red), it lined up perfectly with the MFSL pressing (orange), both sharing the slightly lifted lower end in comparison to the UK orig.
Also notice the different 21khz cliffs, the original being the steepest.
The following inc. plots of So Far Away, and the DR values of each track per pressing ...
Notice the original CD includes some clipping on So Far Away. Also interesting is the common Peak values of -0.20 with the Remaster, possibly indicating the use of a limiter.
DR values; Ave/Min/Max
16/13/20 -original CD
15/12/19 -MFSL
12/10/14 -Remaster
All the above DR values are respectable, inc. the Remaster. However, the original & MFSL pressings retain some of the highest DR values known to pop/R&R CDs.
The following chart includes the entire track listings and DR values of the 3 pressings noted above (red,orange,black), plus 3 other known pressings (blues).
The SHM/HD Track versions offer competitive DR values, but they also include some of the shorter tracks. The XRCD2 & Mercury SACD values are lower than the Remaster (black).
DR ave/min/max
XRCD2 10/08/12
DSD.Mercury 08/06/11 (redbook layer)
---
Sound Quality ... (track#1, So Far Away, above 3 pressings only)
The original CD offers a tighter, harder hitting sound, w/greater dimensional clues. It simply sounds more "1st gen" to my ears. The defined bass line is impressive, and Mark voice has more breath.
The MFSL, considering its very competitive & high DR values, was disappointing in comparison to the original. It sounds a bit darker and muffled, w/a slightly bloated less defined bottom, missing some of the instrumental impact contained within the original. Irrespective of its much higher DR values, the MFSL version managed to sound much like the obviously compressed Remaster, than the original.
The remaster sounds fine, all things considered. Bob Ludwig didn't overly compress the music, as most do for the masses. Its fatter and more rounded than the original, w/heavier but less defined bass lines. Given the choice between the Remaster and the MFSL versions, it would be a toss-up.
Have not heard the other versions listed above.
