Beethoven Symphonies - best perf + sonics on CD

Brownsfan, no I haven't heard it, but it's now on my to be acquired list. Thanks!

Best regards,
-- Al

Al, http://www.amazon.com/Brahms-Four-Symphonies-Symphony-Orchestra/dp/B00000JPCE/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1361549900&sr=1-4
All 4 Brahms symphonies for ~ $20. Digitally remastered. The 2nd is the one that really stands out here. I think it is my favorite Brahms 2. Sound is about as good as you can expect for that era.

Can anyone recommend one of the Japanese re-masters or validate its quality based on price comparison? Speaking of von Karajan, I've been cogitating over the Sibelius 2nd and Finlandia but for $80.00?

http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/80474/Herbert_von_Karajan-Sibelius_Symphony_No_2-Hybrid_Stereo_SACD

I have the '63 von Karajan 9 Symphonies Remastered which is much better in sound quality than the earlier '63 set. I also have the entire Furtwanger Berlin set, plus a few choice individual ones from '53 (Vienna)...each carefully remsastered by specialist archival guys in France, Tahra, as well as Orfeo, Audite. They are great interpretations for me...but the sound quality is still lacking compared to great recordings/masterings. I also have the Harnoncourt set...the 9th is something else...very rich and romantic if you want a sweeping 9th...quite a lot of fun. my two cents.

Goofyfoot, I have so far just refused to pay that kind of money. Although, as I said earler, I have heard they are working on the Klempe SDO recordings of the Strauss tone poems. I will almost certainly give 1 or 2 of those a try.
BTW, I really like the Ashkenazy Sibelius 2 on Exton, and it comes with the most lovely recording of the Swans of Tuenalla(sp) I have yet heard. Its a rare month where that disk doesn't get a couple of playings.