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Siamese Dream - Sound Quality?

I always liked several of the Smashing Pumpkins popular early songs. Cherub Rock was always my favorite.  But I never really listened to their albums or bought any music (back when that's what you did).

I've been giving them a listen lately and have enjoyed Siamese Dream.

However, on both of my systems the Qobuz version sounds a bit muddy. I know it is bass heavy and driving but it just doesn't sound right to me. The Qobuz version is a 2011 remaster.

I consider many contemporary remasters to be overcompressed disasters but I can't say that what I'm hearing is all due to compression.

So I'm curious. For those with an earlier CD or other version, how is the sound quality? I think I like the album enough to get a CD for my collection but probably wouldn't bother if it is also muddy.

n80
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,236 posts
 

Saw them in the 90s with D’arcy & Chamberlin when he was struggling personally. It was great. They did a very cool version of "Everybody Wants Some".

Found my lp, up next.

BTW, The Fruit Bats recorded that entire album. Worth checking out.

Lot of emphasis on lower bass info that could be considered "muddy" if one’s system can’t reproduce it probably.

So far, I’m giving it a solid/conservative 9 out of 10. Especially for a 90s rock lp.

n80 OP
2,116 posts
 

Thanks.

I suspect what I'm hearing is because of the remastered version.  Dynamic range probably compressed all to heck. I'm not into vinyl but I will look up the dynamic range of available CDs and see what I can find.

However, several versions of U2's Achtung Baby sound similar too me. Muddy might not even be the right word; just overuse of bass in the production....and I like bass. That album has nothing in common with Siamese Dream but is from the same time period.

yyzsantabarbara
4,782 posts
 

The Siamese Dream remaster from 2011 is definitely hotter sounding than the 1993 disk. Everything is louder and I even get a little bit of fatigue from the remaster. The 1993 CD sounds more subdued in comparison, but it also does not sound like it is lacking anything either.

The 'new' disks I liked are 

  • Shiny and Oh so Bright, Vol. 1 No Past. No Future. No Sun.
  • Monuments To An Elegy
  • Oceania

I had not known about 

Aghori Mhori Mei

and giving it a listen now.

 


 

 

n80 OP
2,116 posts
 

I looked the album up on the dynamic range database. The DR on the 1993 CD is okay but not great. The DR on the 1993 vinyl is very good.

The DR on the 2011 remaster is slightly worse than the 1993 CD.

It looks like all the tested streaming versions are from the 2011 remaster.

n80 OP
2,116 posts
 

I just got a used 1993 CD. Listening to it now. There is definitely more clarity. Bass is a little more defined. I'd say a little less ear fatigue as well. Overall not a huge difference but still definitely worth the $6.00 for the CD. I'll rip it for my music server.

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