Beethoven Symphonies - best perf + sonics on CD

To Brownsfan, Goofyfoot, Lloydelee21, et al...
I finally received the Karajan 1962 SACD Remaster Set and my impression is very mixed. Now FYI, I am playing CD only and comparing this set to the original red and gold box set which I have owned for many years.
First order of business...OMG(as the kids say), Symphonies 3 and 4 are outstanding and were most certainly remastered on a different system, most likely by the Japanese as mentioned earlier.

Now the rest of the set... The cd is more open than 1962 with very organic sounding upper strings, woodwinds and brass, in fact I would say the entire set sounds more analogue-like than most CDs, especially a remaster. Much improved dynamics, but I am very disappointed with the lack of definition in the bass. Cellos and double bass mesh together and resemble the muddy low end of the early release. The attack of the timpani is only marginally better than the original.

A positive is the lack of compression; I don't mind some tape hiss if the result is increased clarity of the instruments as is the case here.

My first reaction was that for $72 US it should have sounded better, especially when using Nos. 3 and 4 as a reference. They show that it is possible to get such a high level of quality from some 50 year old tapes. But after I was finished with my critical listening, I started to appreciate the brilliance of the performances and Karajan at his best. I can now put my old Red and Gold box set in the closet and rediscover Karajan's Beethoven.

Lowrider, as I said earlier, this is more about artistic merit than sonics. The 3rd and 4th are stunning in terms of recording quality. This is my favorite 7th, just wish they could have improved the sonics.

Thanks Lowrider, I may eventually purchase the Japanese remaster of Karajan's 3 and 4 but will look around some to see if I can get it for less than $60.00. The point that was made about the double basses is consistent with some of the older recordings, even the Gardiner Beethoven that I've heard so far. I'm assuming that the muddy lower registers are do to the fact that lower frequencies travel more slowly and that this has been an issue for engineers, however the Helmut Walcha recordings are totally balanced as well as many other earlier recordings so it's inconsistent as well as puzzling.

Goofyfoot, do you know for certain that the LvB 3 and 4 included in the box set are Shm-CD remasters? I have not been able to find that info. I did find this Shm-CD...

http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphony-No-9-Chora-Shm-CD/dp/B000VZE08C/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=29XG41GAZ363K&coliid=I3SQ6DZRTLYN3U

As far as improving the low-end sound, I was hoping the Karajan would be as improved as the 1960s Bernstein/Mahler remasters (2008). Have u heard them... a fantastic restoration by the Sony engineers.

Hi Lowrider, I have not yet listened to the Bernstein Mahler remasters. However, if I were looking for a gold standard set of Bernstein recordings, then his Mahler would be it.
The Karajan 3 and 4 remaster that I mentioned is a Japanese import and it's not included with the other Beethoven recordings. I could only find it on the Acoustic Sounds website;

http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/75807/Herbert_von_Karajan-Beethoven_Symphonies_Nos_3__4-SHM_Single_Layer_SACDs

I just listened to the Gardiner Beethoven 7th and I have to say that as with the 3rd, the phrasing and emphasis between the instrumental sections is what stands out as uniquely exceptional. Also, his attention to dynamics is most obvious once he has gotten through part of the final movement. I would hope however that DG Archiv effectively remastered the most recent release as there are notable places throughout the CD's that appear inconsistent to the overall sound. If so, that would make this cycle even more appealing.