Beethoven Symphonies - best perf + sonics on CD

I have von Karajan on Columbia Microgroove though not Beethoven and DG mono vinyl also. I wonder to what extent he recorded on Columbia. It would be nice to see more attention given to his other, outside of the mainstream repertoire. I've found it hard to track down comprehensive lists of recordings from the 1940's and 1950's.

Brownsfan, I need to make a point, then ask a question. The 1980s performances are inferior to the 1963, but the Karajan Gold remasters are an improvement over that awful boxed-set, plus I am taking into consideration that Karajan is 80 years old. I find them worth listening to, but it's not a whole-hearted endorsement.
That said, I'll ask you if the 1960s cycle has been remastered for Redbook? There have been so many reissues, I am confused. I own the 1963 red and gold box-set and for me it is the greatest interpretation of Beethoven, however the record quality is only marginally acceptable.
Can you provide further info on better quality 1960s CDs?

Goofyfoot..there is a Karajan LvB cycle with the Philharmonia from 1950 on EMI.
Don't know much about it.

Lowrider, I don't own any HvK CD's from the 60's cycle. I had the vinyl back in the day. By the time the 80's rolled around, I was moving away from vinyl and the HvK's were so worn you could see through them.
I am thinking about buying whatever I can find from the 60's cycle on redbook. Last night, all I could find was the 3rd, 9th, and I think maybe the 5th. No mention of them being remastered. If DG remastered the 60's HvK's and reissued them I'd buy them in a New York minute.

You are correct about HvKs age. He was a great conductor. HvK, LvB, and I spent much time together.

Thanks Lowrider, I'll look into that set ASAP. In general I've found that I tire of repeated performances. Not to say that their aren't enough performances on recording but I've been listening more for various interpretations, spontaneity in the concert hall, etc.. Which is why I'm surprised that there is no mention of Otto Klemperer in this regard.
Nathan Milstein, in Christopher Nupen's DVD portrait (one of my best DVD's), mentions Klemperer as being one of the great conductors of the 20th century (Nathan Milstein also states that Firtwangler was the greatest conductor that he had ever worked with).
Sonic quality is important to a degree but given the option of listening to very early Horowitz or later Horowitz, I will opt for the remastered early recordings of the 1920's. However, seeing that I was born in 1962, my familiarity with the raisonne' of early classical recordings is severely limited. But thanks to website forums like this one, I have an opportunity to learn and discover.
Thank You!