Since this post would most likely be deleted over at SH.tv for mentioning master tapes and the Kensei Audio Transformer I'll post it here.

I received my Audio Fidelity version of Pet Sounds today. The temptation to compare it to the DCC CD was overwhelming so I loaded both discs in and went into audio geek mode.

First of all the packaging is labeled of "From The Original Master Tapes". This is untrue. We've been told the original analog masters were in such poor condition as to be unusable (before they were lost sometime in the 90s) so a new "master" was compiled back in 1993 for the DCC version. That same copy was used for this CD. Either way this disc isn't from the original master tapes as indicated. No big deal as the DCC already sounds fantastic.

So I play this new version and within a few seconds of track one I could already tell a difference between it and the DCC. This new AF version didn't have the low end I loved so much. Not only was the deep bass thinned out but the midrange was different. It lacked the depth and thickness of the DCC. Listening on I noticed this was true for every song. Seeing as this was people's main complaint about the DCC I guess Steve took a more conservative approach with this new version. Is this a result of the mythical Kensei Audio Transformer or mastering choices?

There are a LOT more dropouts during the intro of I'm Waiting For The Day. Sounds like Steve's tape has sustained damage over the years.

God Only Knows doesn't sound quite as clear as it is on the DCC.

And as with the Cars CD there's a leader tape issue. There's a really loooong space of silence at the end of Sloop John B. I guess that extra ten seconds of blank space is supposed to signify the end of side one. I guess if I ever play this CD again I'll just visualize myself flipping the record over during that time.

One more thing, I find the blurb about "The original dynamic range of this recording was not maximized, etc..." to be worded poorly. It insinuates the dyanmic range wasn't maximized. What? That's not true. The dynamic range WAS maximized. That's the whole point. It would've been much better to say something like "The dynamic range of this recording wasn't compromised with limiting or compression" or something like that.

This CD is going on the shelf. I'll play the DCC disc when get a hankering to hear Pet Sounds again.

Just based on your review, Jamie, it seems that Hoffman would have been better off not revisiting Pet Sounds.

I was surprised yesterday that the gorts allowed someone to post that they preferred Sony's remaster of ELO's Eldorado over the DCC version.

One of the few DCCs that doesn't completely blow me away. Both are good but the DCC is a bit murky. The remaster has better clarity to me.

Heresy! Heresy!

This post is useless without waveforms.

I give that one a miss having the DCC.
AF probably thought it would pull in people that couldn't afford the DCC but who were unhappy with the 2001 HDCD.

Now I cherish my Mark Linnett 1987 remaster of Pet Sounds even more. The original US mono CD edition. Yes!

The one with all that no-noise? I remember it sounding very muffled. I'll take the mono/stereo twofer over that one. Just my opinion.

The AF is still a great sounding CD. It's just the DCC is better. The 87 disc is drowning in NR if I recall. Throw that one away.

I should probably read all the replies before replying with the same thing.

Sorry to be redundant.

I know that feeling, Jamie. It sounds like a good disc for someone looking for a trade up from the 2001. I was very fortunate to get my DCC at a price I could just about afford.

Never considered the AF as I love my DCC disc. Recently bought a red vinyl JPN pressing that I've never even broken the seal on. Must crack it open for a listen.

The DVD-A is my favourite by far.

100% agree. I love the DVD-A with so many extras it's the best version of Pet Sounds you will ever get.

IMHO the mono mixes are mastered poorly and the 5.1 mixes aren't very good but besides that I guess it's sufficient. The new AF CD sounds much better but you can get the DCC disc for around $40 now. The DCC is still the best sounding version ever released.

I couldn't disagree more.

And that's what's cool about this place. I'm not in fear of being banished for having an unpopular opinion.

I'm the one with the unpopular opinion in this thread, which is fine, but ICErs are used to me dissing Hoffman's work. I think most of his remasters are vastly overrated.

Guys

You got to remember this music was recorded in '1966' and what they did with the 5.1 mix and the remastering is very well done considering the primitive equipment used in 1966 with digital mixing equipment used today.

Considering all this I am very satisfied with the sound on the DVD-A. I also love the DVD-A Doors Re-mixes although I was ripped off with the prices.

I have made many critical comments regarding other peoples opinion and respect anyone who has an opinion.

Keep it up guys !

Not to be a contrarian but the Doors stereo remixes are pretty thinned out and inferior, IMHO. I felt they did the whole catalog a huge disservice.

Never heard them 5.1.

Er, um...no problem, Jamie.

From the department of redundancy department.

I wonder if people will start to bash the DCC version now that the AF is out? The DCC is great. The AF is very good too but it lacks some of the things I've come to love. If you're one of the people who thought the DCC was too bass heavy the AF might sound better on your system (just ignore the new dropouts and the ten seconds of 'side break' silence).

Personally, I say find the DCC now that the prices have dropped. Better yet, listen just to another album. I think we're all pretty burned out on Pet Sounds just like we are on Dark Side of the Moon.