Dark Side of the Moon 30th Anniv Album

I suspect the 30th anniversary edition was dumped into a program like pro tools, then re worked from there.. which basically means we are getting a digital version then pressed to vinyl. I am quite sure this is what is happening with nearly all vinyl re issues. It's just too tempting to use the digital medium these days for re working things based upon the convenience of editing.

I'm listening to DSOTM 30th right now and it sounds like a CD version. Although it has the clarity, it lacks the richness and true depth only a direct and non manipulated vinyl experience can offer.

If I live another 30 years, This album is going to be remastered, remixed, repackaged, repeated and repeated until it no longer sounds like the original released by Pink Floyd in 1973. I am Dark Sided out with way too many versions of this classic.

Find an early MFSL printing of Dark Side. Soundstage is Huuuuuge!

I don't know much about the 30th Anniv. LP but I was lucky enough to hear the SACD-DSD Hybrid version in 5.1 at Phillips Crest National Studio in LA. They mass produced the DSOTM SACD's commercially. Crest's massive 5.1 Eggleston, Halcro, EMM system produced the best sounding multi-channel experience I have ever had and the sound was --flawless. Of course, the room itself was amazing and perfectly treated. That said, I also listened and compared the Anniversary SACD to several other copies I have on my two-channel home rig and clearly preferred the SACD 30th--especially for frequency extension, detail and imaging.

Regarding Parsons, the band chose James Guthrie with Doug Sax for the 30th re-master, feeling they would best preserve the original sound. The final re-master was done at Guthrie's Das Boot studio and by all accounts was extremely well received by Gilmour, the band and those at Astoria Studio --where the original recording was made.

Parsons was not happy about the decision reportedly, but the principles felt strongly about Guthrie's positive influence on the original master and so chose him for the SACD 30th master. In the end, the band themselves were the primary architects of the sound on DSOTM and felt Guthrie's lighter touch on the master would best preserve that. Based on what I hear I think they made the right choice.

Having collected this album since release (15 on vinyl and 5 compact discs) the 30th anniversary is good but not extraordinary. Certainly, it's better than both MFSL releases but pales in comparison to these:

UK first pressing
US first pressing
Japan EMI EMS80324
UK Harvest Q4SHVL804
German Harvest 1C06205249Q
UK Harvest 8556731
Japan EMI EMLF97002

YMMV