Can anyone on the board tell me if there is a marked sound improvement in the 2001Beach Boys Capitol reissues? I currently own the 1990 two-fer discs as well as the 4 disc box set.

The 1990 ones were 16 bit while the later ones are 24 bit and HDCD. I don't know if a CD player can do more than 16 bit.

It can't...but an HDCD player can get that extra 2 bits (HDCD is actually 18-bit) out of the audio thanks to an encoding algorithm equipped players can decode, while regular CD players simply read the 16-bits normally.

And, "24-bit" actually refers to the transfer from the tapes to digital. Everything is then dithered down to 16-bit for regular CD's/18 bit for HDCD.

Earl,
From my subjective viewpoint yes the 2001 reissues sound better. They're sharper in the clarity with brighter and sharper high end. I prefer it, especially on vintage recordings such as these. Some people think that it makes the recordings sound too "bright". I disagree. I would recommended purchasing the 2001 editions. I also like the sound of the compilations "Sounds of Summer" and Warmth of the Sun". However, I will say it's down to what you like, sound wise. David

Seconded. They're not too bright, they're just right.

Can you hear any hiss on the 2001 reissues? Mark Linett used NR on the 1990 reissues, so if there is hiss on the 2001 reissues, I will "upgrade" to the 2001 reissues.

Yes, the hiss is noticeably there on many tracks with quiet passages. For example, "Meant For You" on Friends is discernably more hissy (not in a distracting way) on the 2001 version compared to the 1990 version.

Thanks, Linda, then I'll upgrade. But I'm keeping the 1990 versions.