Fresh Cream (Stereo & Mono) +12
Cardboard sleeve reissue features Platinum SHM-CD format. Comes with a disc featuring mono mixed tracks for the first time in the world. Features cardboard sleeves faithfully replicating artworks of UK first pressing LP and UK reissued LP of "Full Cream." Also includes Japanese obi. HR cutting from DSD master in 2013 based on the original analog tape made in UK. Comes with a description and lyrics.
Available in SHM, Platinum SHM, and SHM-SACD Single Layer.

Wheels Of Fire +4
Cardboard sleeve reissue features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD players). Features a gatefold cardboard sleeve faithfully replicating UK first pressing LP artwork and includes an obi that replicates the one included in the Japanese first pressing LP. Also features another cover and an obi replicating Japanese golden cover version. HR cutting from DSD master in 2013 based on the original analog tape made in UK. Comes with a description and lyrics.
Available in Patinum SHM and SHM versions.

Disraeli Gears (STEREO & MONO) +6
Features a mini LP faithfully replicating the first pressing UK LP artwork. Includes an obi that replicates the one included in the Japanese first pressing LP. Comes with lyrics and a description. HR cutting from the DSD master which was flat transferred from US original analogue master tapes in 2013.
Available in Platinum SHM, SHM and SHM-SACD Single Layer versions.

I have never been happy with any version of Disraeli Gears I own. I hope this will be an upgrade. I am thrilled that Fresh Cream will finally be available in Mono. The stereo versions suck.

I've got the Disraeli Gears and Fresh Cream SHM SACD's on their way to me. I'm hoping they are everything they say they are.
If the transfers are anything like the Steppewolf, these should be the definitive versions.
Jim

Let us know how it turns out, I may have to order the SACDs if they turn out to be definitive.

Usually these things sit around for a while before I get around to playing them, but not this time. Plus, I've got about 11 or 12 different copies of Disraeli Gears to compare to including a couple original Atco Mono lps. ( I wonder if having that many copies of one title strikes a nerve with Renny??)

Only if Pete Townshend and the ghost of Jim Morrison forced you to buy them.

The Wheels of Fire SACD from a couple years back is very good.

My Disraeli Gears and Fresh Cream SACD's arrived today. Interesting new packaging. The outside sleeve is actually a hinged box, and when you open it there is a foam type protector on the inside of the top lid. The "mini sleeve" is in the bottom with the inserts inside and under the sleeve is the sacd in a cloth-like inner sleeve. The Disraeli Gears sleeve has a high gloss laminated type finish like the original U.K LP version. Very Impressive!
Due to it being the holiday, (and Roxanne watching holiday type movies on TCM), and me fighting with a Ebay customer (accusing me of selling her a "re-sealed" Japan Who- Live at Leeds deluxe shm 2 cd set) it'll be a day or two before I report on this. I am, hoping to be impressed!

Jim

Very cool (except for the @$$hole on ebay).

Wonder if they'll eventually release a "Platinum SHM-SACD" version too.

If they did, it would mean a price jump of $8-10 per disc. That should price them out of the market. If these things are that good, I may have to try working a deal with my ex-wholesaler in Tokyo and start buying again....... okay.. who's in?

Guess what, speaking of price jumps......... I just found out that domestic postage is going up 6% in late January & international is also going up, but no # have been released yet.

I'll be interested if they turn out to be good.

Ehh I have Creams box set, containing all their albums and various live recodings. Suits me fine.

Hey, Joseph, which version of each album will you be getting?

I bought all 3 titles in the standard SHM versions. I don't really buy into this "Super High Material" Snake Oil crap and the premium for the Platinum versions is just more of the same. It's really about the mastering and source tapes. If the SACD's were Hybrid, I would have jumped on those. If the CD versions are a major upgrade in audio quality, I will probably go for the SACD's in the future. The Mono mix of "Fresh Cream" is what I'm really psyched about. I've never heard it. It has to blow away the horrid Stereo mix that's available.

Mixed emotions on the Disraeli Gears SACD. It sounds real nice but I think the sacd format pushes the limitations of the original tapes. After I compare it to some of my other sources, I'll have a better idea as to whether it's an improvement.

I didn't want to add a post so I added to this.....
I compared the SACD to my original SHM and noticed a little more detail and clarity. I also compared it to a U.K. second press Reaction label lp, and the sacd came out ahead by quite a margin.
Lastly, (at least for now) I compared the SACD to my original Monarch West Coast ATCO tri color label lp, and........ it's real close. A/B'ing is such a pain, trying to remember specifics, but the sacd and Atco lp are very close. I noticed that the guitar solo on "Sunshine" is centered on the sacd where on the lp it is a hair right of center... maybe several hairs. But the detail and clarity is very much "there" on both.

Not to mix threads, but I noticed the same thing on the Steppenwolf SHM cds. The cds I compared to first press lps were very very close. In my opinion, any of these early releases that are transferred from the Hi-Rez digital files are as close to the originals as I've ever heard.

I used a Marantz SA8004 sacd player and a Rega RP6/Exact 2 table & cart. for comparison.

Mine arrived today. Fresh Cream in Mono is the way it is meant to be heard. No doubt. The French EP versions are interesting as well. The packaging on all three is top notch as usual. The quick comparison I did on the Wheels Of Fire vs. the Hoffman DCC Gold gives the Japanese version a slight edge but not by much. I will have to listen to the whole thing when I get the time. The Disraeli Gears disc is a definite improvment over my MoFi Gold Mono/Stereo version but I have yet to compare it to the domestic Deluxe Edition or the Those Were The Days box.

Went for the SACD "Fresh Cream" mono today. Looking forward to this one.

Rick A.