[NIGHTFALL1970]

I have the CD box set "definitive edition":here

http://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Collection-Led-Zeppelin/dp/B001FSDP08/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1403192634&sr=1-1&keywords=led+zeppelin+definitive+collection

They sound as close to the classic records LP versions as you can get.  Has anyone done an A/B comparison between this set and the new CDs?

[Quiet Earth]

I have not tried the new reissue but I posted my comment about Houses of the Holy in that vinyl thread. I can't believe they booted you out of there for wanting to compare it to the CD. Good grief.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=124664.msg1337654#msg1337654

[PSB Guy]

I have the same box set, as well as most of the original Led Zeppelin CDs that were released in the 80's and are so revered on another forum. I never liked the sound of the originals, they sound muffled, kind of like they were EQ'd for LP instead of CD. The 2008 Definitive Edition remasters were much better, much clearer and powerful. These first three 2014 remasters are yet another step up, clearer yet and much more separation between the instruments. IMHO, they sound great, the best Zeppelin has ever sounded on CD. Unfortunatly I have no experience with the LPs, just not my thing.

Cornelis

[NIGHTFALL1970]

Thanks for the replies.  I also bought all the Zep CDs in the 80s.  They sounded "tired" and muddy.  The Definitive box was a huge improvement.  I think I replaced the Zeps 4 times now and I really don't want to do it again.  Cornelis, have you a/b the def box against the new CDs?

[Mike B.]

I bought II and III. I have listened to II. It is very good IMO. The only thing that bugs me is he retained the channel allocation(mix). So you get some weird placements of instruments and voices on some tracks. I don't have any of the other CD sets to compare. I do have them on early pressing Atlantic RL mastered vinyl.

[PSB Guy]

Like I mentioned, compared to the 2008 Definitive box set editions these three new CDs retain are the power and punch, what they add is even more clarity and separation between the various instruments and voices. There's more "air" between the elements, it sounds more like you're in the room. The best thing I can compare it to are the newer releases of Miles Davis' The Birth of the Cool compared to the older ones. Apparently they found the original masters for this album around 1997, all previous CDs of this title were made from 2nd or 3rd generation safety copies used to make LPs. I have both editions of BOTC, and the new one blows the old one out of the water, it makes the old one almost unlistenable. Same goes for the new Led Zeppelins. I've read that this is the first time that the original master tapes were used in the making of a CD release, and from what I'm hearing, I would tend to believe it.   I've even read that some people prefer the new CDs to the RL vinyl, but again, I have no experience there.

Cornelis

[indigoblue]

Has anyone listened using a tube preamp?

[rockadanny]

Just picked up 2014 re-re-re-re-... masters re-re-re-re-re-re.... releases of I, II, and III on CD (Atlantic R2-535224, 535225, 535341, $11.99 each at Best Buy) and I must say they've FINALLY done a decent job. Anxiously awaiting IV (Zoso) and Physical Grafitti to get same treatment. 

Dear Atlantic,
ITS ABOUT FRIGGIN' TIME YOU ASSHOLES! 
THESE WILL BE THE LAST VERSIONS I EVER BUY OF THESE AGAIN FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE! EVER!
THANK YOU (FINALLY!)
NOW GET BACK TO WORK - YOU HAVE DECADES MORE TO GET RIGHT!!

[Tyson]

Agreed, I have the SACD discs from a while back and the 24-96 from 2014 and it's no contest, the 2014 remasters are far better.  Similar to the Beatles remasters from the Apple USB hirez box.