Hi guys

I've been reading a lot about how the Barry Diament versions of whatever albums he's mastered are the must-have versions. Where does one find them?

Online would be best, or record stores in the New York City area. I tend stop by in London every so often, so I could go to a record store there too. Any help/suggestions welcome.

I've got about a month left before I leave NYC for India (my Naim kit left yesterday via ship... fingers crossed that it gets there okay), so trying to load up on as much hard-to-find software as I can!

Cheers,
Kartik.

Hi Kartik,
Has all your kit been serviced and gone?
What albums has he worked on?
Do you have a list?
Munch

quote:

Has all your kit been serviced and gone?
What albums has he worked on?
Do you have a list?

Hi Munch

Yes everything serviced/converted by NANA and as of yesterday, en route to Bombay. Hope it gets there safe! All the boxes were packed in their original cartons, which were then smothered in several inches of heavy-duty bubble wrap. As of now, I'm making do with itunes/airport express/cheap pair of computer speakers. But hey, atleast I have music.

Barry Diament's website has a list of some of the stuff he's worked on:
http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com/credits.htm
No specific albums unfortunately.

quote:

I've been reading a lot about how the Barry Diament versions of whatever albums he's mastered are the must-have versions. Where does one find them?

Online would be best, or record stores in the New York City area. I tend stop by in London every so often, so I could go to a record store there too. Any help/suggestions welcome.

Also, Barry Diament aside, any suggestions for interesting stores (online or bricks & mortar in NYC/London) with stocks of high-quality CDs would be most welcome. I listen to everything from Muse to Miles to Mozart. Thanks!

Great stuff.
I hope it all gets there and to your place.
Just looked at the albums he has done.
Spoilt for choice.
Just pick what you like and take it from there.
Most you will be able to get over in Bombay at two third's off the price if not less anyway.
Hope the move goes well and you can put up with the good weather food,And the better Taxi drivers.
Munch

Barry Diament mastered quite a few of the original target CDs, e.g. Led Zeppelin. He is an active forum member on the Steve Hoffman forum. Often posting on mastering and speaker placement / isolation.
Someone recently posted a complete list of Barry's mastering work - will see if I can find the post. In the meantime pls find below two links to his websites. http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com/
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com/

Cheers ... Oliver

Didn't find the post but below are a few threads you might find of interest.

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=84139

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=154013

Ahh, jackpot!

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=131468

Barry Diament's work from the 80's/early 90's is prized for it's natural quality - all these CDs were done before the "loudness wars" began. IIRC, he tried as much as possible to either get a "flat transfer" of the mastertape to CD, and/or match the sonics to that of the vinyl album. I have most of his Zeppelin & ELP stuff, it's great. To me, far preferable to the remastered versions, and much less fatiguing to listen to.

Cheers,
Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by bhazen:
Barry Diament's work from the 80's/early 90's is prized for it's natural quality - all these CDs were done before the "loudness wars" began. IIRC, he tried as much as possible to either get a "flat transfer" of the mastertape to CD, and/or match the sonics to that of the vinyl album. I have most of his Zeppelin & ELP stuff, it's great. To me, far preferable to the remastered versions, and much less fatiguing to listen to.

Cheers,
Bruce

Bruce,
you're spot on - that's why they are now so thought after. All the folks that sold their originals when they got the remasters are now kicking themselves. I made it a policy never to let go of my original versions.
Cheers ... Oliver

quote:

any suggestions for interesting stores (online or bricks & mortar in NYC/London) with stocks of high-quality CDs would be most welcome.

Have you looked at the SHM DC Verdict thread Kartik?

CD Japan & HMV Japan are good sources for these.

great - thanks guys!

quote:

Originally posted by MilesSmiles:

quote:

Originally posted by bhazen:
Barry Diament's work from the 80's/early 90's is prized for it's natural quality - all these CDs were done before the "loudness wars" began. IIRC, he tried as much as possible to either get a "flat transfer" of the mastertape to CD, and/or match the sonics to that of the vinyl album. I have most of his Zeppelin & ELP stuff, it's great. To me, far preferable to the remastered versions, and much less fatiguing to listen to.

Cheers,
Bruce

Bruce,
you're spot on - that's why they are now so thought after. All the folks that sold their originals when they got the remasters are now kicking themselves. I made it a policy never to let go of my original versions.
Cheers ... Oliver

You can still get a lot of his masterings quite cheap. As a lot of people discarded them when the new remasterings started.

quote:

Originally posted by ewemon:
You can still get a lot of his masterings quite cheap. As a lot of people discarded them when the new remasterings started.

That's the beauty part.

I recently received this; a fine record & is mastered by S.H.

An added bonus - it's HDCD.
Has anyone got other recommendations for Audio Fidelity releases?

Cheers - John

P.S. Apologies for multiple post ...

quote:

Originally posted by 555:

I recently received this; a fine record & is mastered by S.H.

An added bonus - it's HDCD.
Has anyone got other recommendations for Audio Fidelity releases?

Cheers - John

P.S. Apologies for multiple post ...

Pls see my response in the MoFi thread.
Cheers ... Oliver