Pet Sounds DCC

[David Kennedy]

Probably a dumb question on here but I just bought the Pet Sounds DCC Compact Classics LPZ-2006 #2479 lp and am not sure exactly what it is. I have heard about the DCC version on this site  and how great it is but is there really that much difference in sound quality compared to the 180 gram Capital Vaults reissue?  It hasn't came in the mail yet so I have yet to listen to it.

[Jason]

The DCC version is basically a flat, non-EQ'd transfer of the master tape. It's about as good as it gets digitally. The vinyl is probably just as good but you'll note that many of us obsessives here swear by the 1972 pressing with Carl and the Passions.

[Jcc]

Based on what I've read on this site about that 1972 pressing, I picked up a copy once.  I already had the Pet Sounds LP from when I was a kid, but that was a mid-1980's pressing.  The differences are subtle, but if you can find a 1972 pressing, that's definitely the one to get (and you get Carl and the Passions - So Tough as a bonus!!)

[SMiLE Brian]

Oh cool, i will definately try to pick up a 1972 copy of pet sounds to compare with my 2006 copy of the album. Plus I can give carl and the passions to my brother since its his favorite Beach Boys album.

[hypehat]

I just picked one up, although have no idea whether it's a 72 or 80's pressing. Can you tell from the label? I do know it sounds much crisper than my 2006 reissue, and is now my preferred PS listening experience! Worth it if you find one cheap.

[Shane]

The 2 record set with CATP is a 1972 pressing.   The 1980s pressing is a single album, on a green Capitol label.  The 1972 pressing does sound quite good, and to my ears it sounds like almost no compression was used.  They also didn't mess with the EQ much, as hiss from the original tape is evident.

[hypehat]

Alright so. ah, I've got to put it on now. Sounds so good!

I think my favourite thing about this pressing is that, for reasons unknown, the "Each time things start to happen again..." verse of IJWMFTT seems to go nearly acapella. It's wonderful when it all comes thundering back in.

[The Heartical Don]

The DCC version is basically a flat, non-EQ'd transfer of the master tape. It's about as good as it gets digitally. The vinyl is probably just as good but you'll note that many of us obsessives here swear by the 1972 pressing with Carl and the Passions.

I, for one, do. The 1972 version is crisp and lean. But I have it on a single Reprise LP, not a CATP in sight. Moreover, the sleeve is brown instead of green, and the familiar Cooper Black typeface has been replaced with capital letters.

[gxios]

That single Reprise pressing of Pet Sounds came out circa 1974- I was giving it as birthday presents that year.

[The Heartical Don]

That single Reprise pressing of Pet Sounds came out circa 1974- I was giving it as birthday presents that year.

Thank you for that. And you are a brilliant present presenter.

[Magic Transistor Radio]

I am not sure this deserves it own thread so I will ask it here. I have seen gold cds for Pet Sounds that cost more then a regular cd. Could somebody explain to me the difference other then the color of the cd? I have not actually listened to one.

[Jason]

Those are the DCC gold CDs of Pet Sounds, remastered by Steve Hoffman. The original pressing commands big prices due to it being out of print, and even gold CDs in print demand a higher price usually because of the much better audio quality.

[HeyJude]

In terms of CD pressings, much more recently (2009 I believe), another remaster of the mono mix was done on the Audio Fidelity label, also by Steve Hoffman. Audio Fidelity is more or less the “new” version of the old DCC label. So you’ll find that the Audio Fidelity version is much easier to find than the old DCC version. The Audio Fidelity pressing is out of print as well, but I think you can probably find a copy for $20-$30, give or take. For most collectors of DCC titles, I would imagine this Audio Fidelity CD has supplanted the DCC, as both were done by Hoffman. They even have the same style of artwork and slipcase (the AF version is white instead of the old DCC, which was black). I haven’t A/B’ed the DCC versus Audio Fidelity, but I believe the AF version was done with the same aim (a flat transfer, etc.), only the AF was done with a better A/D converter.

Long story short, the Audio Fidelity is (arguably of course) the best (and/or most “true” or “accurate”) mastering of the mono mix you can find.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

In terms of CD pressings, much more recently (2009 I believe), another remaster of the mono mix was done on the Audio Fidelity label, also by Steve Hoffman. Audio Fidelity is more or less the “new” version of the old DCC label. So you’ll find that the Audio Fidelity version is much easier to find than the old DCC version. The Audio Fidelity pressing is out of print as well, but I think you can probably find a copy for $20-$30, give or take. For most collectors of DCC titles, I would imagine this Audio Fidelity CD has supplanted the DCC, as both were done by Hoffman. They even have the same style of artwork and slipcase (the AF version is white instead of the old DCC, which was black). I haven’t A/B’ed the DCC versus Audio Fidelity, but I believe the AF version was done with the same aim (a flat transfer, etc.), only the AF was done with a better A/D converter.

Long story short, the Audio Fidelity is (arguably of course) the best (and/or most “true” or “accurate”) mastering of the mono mix you can find.

Call me crazy but I think the old DCC gold disc is better than the more recent AF disc. It's hard to pinpoint why exactly, but I prefer it. As far as vinyl, I love the 80's Capitol green label and the CATP 2-fer....haven't been able to choose a clear winner in that race.

[Curtis Leon]

I am not sure this deserves it own thread so I will ask it here. I have seen gold cds for Pet Sounds that cost more then a regular cd. Could somebody explain to me the difference other then the color of the cd? I have not actually listened to one.

The gold CDs are the DCC, Steve Hoffman mastered ones. They are coated in gold instead of aluminum like a normal CD. The gold is there to preserve the longevity of the disk, there's no sound quality benefit to using gold over aluminum as it is a digital format. The enhanced audio quality comes from the mastering process.

[chris.metcalfe]

The DCC version is basically a flat, non-EQ'd transfer of the master tape. It's about as good as it gets digitally. The vinyl is probably just as good but you'll note that many of us obsessives here swear by the 1972 pressing with Carl and the Passions.

I, for one, do. The 1972 version is crisp and lean. But I have it on a single Reprise LP, not a CATP in sight. Moreover, the sleeve is brown instead of green, and the familiar Cooper Black typeface has been replaced with capital letters.

Anyone know if a 1972 UK pressing of PS (which was not issued with CATP here) would be the equivalent in quality to the US double?

[Bicyclerider]

Call me crazy but I think the old DCC gold disc is better than the more recent AF disc. It's hard to pinpoint why exactly, but I prefer it. As far as vinyl, I love the 80's Capitol green label and the CATP 2-fer....haven't been able to choose a clear winner in that race.

On the old DCC Hoffman fixed some flaws in the master tape (drop outs) by using the New York tape.  On the AF the master tape is presented as is.  And the A/D conversion is less analogue ("warm") sounding and a little more detailed.  Both sound good, I think I agree with you I prefer the DCC over the AF.

[AllIWannaDo]

Just listening to Dcc's Pet Sounds for the first time.

Gotta say this has BLOWN my mind so far.
Feels natural, more organic - sounds nice and woody/earthy, more liquidy
Really loving the ebbs and flows/dynamically its incredible really takes you up and leaves you hanging on a cliff edge, or on a silky cloud for a pause, then onwards again. amazing sonics

granted sometimes you miss that bit of compression to get a nice deep thud umph in tiny sections, but tbh this is flippin a rebirth of beauty!!!

Let's go away for a while and Don't Talk (put your head on my shoulder) are standouts so far.
Sloop John B's just started now. I may have to quickly have a phat one and be ready for God Only Knows

in a word WOW!!!!!!!

now, wheres that lighter

[drbeachboy]

Are you listening to the DCC LP or CD? I know that the CD sounds fabulous.

[AllIWannaDo]

CD

To be honest, just thinkn about it and hearing it like this really helps me shape SMiLE better in my head speaking sonicly

the space given to the actual instruments is really something, is there harmonium used on dont talk?
it sounds incredible, whatever it is it really knocks me out - sounds really earthy and breathy
heard one played live last month and knocked me out

love it

[onatrain]

Another related question probably not worth its own thread.

I'm looking to buy a turntable in the near future and I have the PS stereo/mono coloured vinyls but never listened to them yet.  I have the new gold CD and it sounds pretty good (though if I did a blind hearing test from all the versions I have, I would probably fail).  Is the recent 180 g vinyl worth obtaining?  I'm not a true collector like everyone here, just prefer to get what is easily obtained.

Thanks for your help

[SMiLE Brian]

i'm no expert, but i found the 2006 180 gram vinyl a pretty awesome version of pet sounds in every way.

[Curtis Leon]

Alright so. ah, I've got to put it on now. Sounds so good!

I think my favourite thing about this pressing is that, for reasons unknown, the "Each time things start to happen again..." verse of IJWMFTT seems to go nearly acapella. It's wonderful when it all comes thundering back in.

I think that was a flaw on the master tape or something intentional from Brian. It's like that for every mono mastering I have, including the DCC, AF, and 40th Anniversary remasters.

[hypehat]

It's strange, I never really noticed it before, but you're right! I swear I always heard the backing track clearer when listening on CD.

Also have the 180g Capitol Reissue, which is slightly warped (either that or my record player is being dodgy wrt to fitting it on the spindle) or just not as good, as it wobbles a little bit. '72 Reprise!

[absinthe_boy]

i'm no expert, but i found the 2006 180 gram vinyl a pretty awesome version of pet sounds in every way.

Do you mean the double LP coloured vinyl (one green, one yellow...one mono, one stereo) ?

That release is pretty damned awsome. As was the DVD-Audio which came out at the same time (192KHz 24-bit digital).