LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Chicago's first album. It's one of my all-time favorites, and I've already sunk more money into different versions than any album this side of Crosby, Stills, and Nash. However, I've been reading that the best version on CD is the Sony Mastersound gold, which is rare and fetching over $60 these days, if you can find one (I bid on one that went for over $80 on ebay yesterday). I actually don't hate the Rhino remastered version, which is almost universally trashed, and I have the original (single) CD version (plus late 70's vinyl and Rhino vinyl from a few years ago).

My question: Does anybody have the Mastersound gold CD, and what's your opinion? Does it sound THAT much better than the other versions?

I should add that sound quality is very important to me, and I appreciate and enjoy hearing great quality recordings, but I'm not a true audiophile who spends thousands on equipment, or hours and hours of careful listening in pursuit of audio perfection. I AM a pretty compulsive collector, especially when it comes to music that I LOVE. (I know I'm not alone on this forum with that.) I like to have the best versions of my favorite albums.

Any and all comments appreciated.

Yes, the Mastersound is the best-sounding version of this CD, in my opinion. The Rhino sounds too harsh, not to mention the mastering errors (something about missing downbeats). The original Columbia CD sounds pretty good too, but doesn't have as much "oomph" as the Mastersound.

I don't have this Mastersound title but I have 7 others and they are all the best sounding version of that release.

I own the Mastersound. It's very nice, but I wouldn't pay $80 for it!

I have a rip of the gold Mastersound CD, and I didn't pay anything for it. (I've paid for the album twice before, so I don't feel too bad.) I'm not usually as impressed with audiophile remasters as others are, but in this case I have to agree with the hype. Much smoother, cleaner sound, no distortion, and no errors (e.g., the tape drag on the opening chord that plagues most CTA releases.)

A big thanks to the IMWANer who slipped me a copy of this, and the other one who offered. It does sound better than the other CD versions. Very smooth. If I ever find an original copy at a reasonable price, I'll be grabbing it.