Is it worth to buy the new Beatles remasters?

Posted by admin on February 1st, 2010 and filed under anthology album | 7 Comments »

I already have all of the studio albums, anthologies, and past masters. Is it worth it to buy the new remastered albums? What is the difference?

I’m no expert – but have bought all the new remasters because like you I had all the original albums, which were of course played endlessly – on less than best record players.
A musician neighbour of mine maintains that modern digi stuff isn’t as good as the original needle and groove stuff and I’m inclined to agree – subject to the proviso that one has the very best equipment on which to play it,and the albums have been maintained in top condition.
CDs are less susceptible to ‘wear and tear’ and if remastered no doubt have better clarity – but it might require the best equipment to appreciate the difference.
(Those of us old enough to have bought all the originals when released are approaching age 70 – with inevitable reduction in hearing ability. I’d be hard-pushed to know whether I’d gain more from investing in a hearing-aid – or a better reproduction system – if you follow my drift.)

7 Responses

  1. From A 7o X Says:

    Yes. Much better quality. If you like the classic recordings then don’t, but if you want cleaer versions then I say yes.
    References :

  2. Peter Says:

    They are, as you said, remastered. Everything is completely polished, and all the hardcore Beatles fans adore it. I am not a hardcore beatles fan at all, but even I can sure hear that it sounds WAY better! You can hear everything suddenly; they used to sound like one big instrument, now you can hear four artists.
    References :

  3. Michael Says:

    I’ve heard it, and it sounds really good. If you’re a huge fan of The Beatles buy it.
    References :

  4. Homicidal Pyscho Jungle Cat Says:

    Buy one, and compare it to the original; then decide for yourself if you think the differences justify buying the rest.

    For me, I’d say no. I have all the albums and I think hearin the songs the way the Beatles recorded them is enough.
    References :

  5. Nemesis Says:

    I’m no expert – but have bought all the new remasters because like you I had all the original albums, which were of course played endlessly – on less than best record players.
    A musician neighbour of mine maintains that modern digi stuff isn’t as good as the original needle and groove stuff and I’m inclined to agree – subject to the proviso that one has the very best equipment on which to play it,and the albums have been maintained in top condition.
    CDs are less susceptible to ‘wear and tear’ and if remastered no doubt have better clarity – but it might require the best equipment to appreciate the difference.
    (Those of us old enough to have bought all the originals when released are approaching age 70 – with inevitable reduction in hearing ability. I’d be hard-pushed to know whether I’d gain more from investing in a hearing-aid – or a better reproduction system – if you follow my drift.)
    References :

  6. Matt Says:

    Not a whole lot unless you have a really premium sound system.
    References :

  7. Leroy Johnson Says:

    Until I bought "The Beatles Stereo Box Set" recently, I owned only three Beatles albums: "Rubber Soul," "Revolver," and "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band." I am not very picky about audio quality and I was pleased with the editions I had, but after hearing the remastered versions of those albums I mentioned, I can say with certainty that it is worth it to buy the new ones. The sound is much richer and you can hear instruments that were buried in the original releases: get it.
    References :
    http://www.sorryaboutleroy.com

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