Beethoven Symphonies - best perf + sonics on CD

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.

Loydelee21, I had that Harnoncourt cycle with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and thought the 9th to be the best of them. Yes, Orfeo, Audite, and more rarely mentioned Andante which was one of my favorites before they stopped production, too bad. I'm now looking at a Kreisler Japanese re-master that plays back at 192 kHz and since my DAC will match that frequency I'm certain to order it come payday.
Do you know if the Japanese re-masdters in general playback at this frequency of 192 kHz?

I am considering the 1963 Karajan set on SACD. It's $72 on Amazon. But then, SACD did not do much for the 1954 9th by Furtwangler. I tired to listen to it last night but could not. It may be best, just to pick and choose the best recordings of each seperate symphony. I buy some recordings that are of histroic importance, just to have them. Never listen to them.

Cheers

Brownsfan, A priority reason that I'm thinking of the Japanese re-masters is to to test my stereo. I don't own a SACD player but that's OK.
Ashkenazy: Strauss Ein AlpenSinfonie on Ondine has been on my list for a while. He is certainly a very capable conductor though pianist comes to my mind first and foremost.

Brownsfan, thanks very much once again. I have it on order!

Best regards,
-- Al