Beethoven Symphonies - best perf + sonics on CD

Lowrider, my intuition tells me that the 3rd and 4th offer superior master recordings when compared to the others and that is not only why they sound better in the the DG box set but it is also why they were chosen by the Japanese engineers for remastering. The Japanese labels aren't going to waste time with recordings they can't make sparkle because they have to pay too much for the tapes and rights.
Also, I wasn't aware of this online citation because it wasn't included in the Karajan Japanese Beethoven description but I found it elsewhere and I feel it to be relevant since most of us have standard CD players (including myself) and not the SACD type players.

' Reissue features the high-fidelity SHM-SACD format (fully compatible with standard SACD player, but it does not play on standard CD players).'

Too bad.

Guys I suspect that the master tapes on 3&4 are superior to the rest. That is why the DG remasters sound so much better than the other symphonies, and why the Japanese selected the 3rd and 4th for their efforts as opposed to the remaining symphonies.

I'll buy your explanation, Goofyfoot. It makes sense and would dispel my conspiracy theories.

' Reissue features the high-fidelity SHM-SACD format (fully compatible with standard SACD player, but it does not play on standard CD players).'
I saw that as well... thanks for that link.

Brownsfan...sorry i missed your post. That reason makes the most sense.

Lowrider, I have a Sony SACD of a 1957 Szell/Clevleand Orchestra recording of Don Juan, Death and Transfiguration, and Till Eulenspiegel that is just stunning. What was possible in the late 50s and 60's is just amazing. It is all about the master tapes.
DG is well known for superior art and bad technology. Its just a shame really. We have the same thing today. Pick up a few of the best Linn or Channel Classics recordings and it just floors you how good they are.

I think it is rather sad that so many of the major labels, Sony in particular, has chosen to abandon SACD.
The people who were responsible for the Szell recording left a legacy. The people who muddied up HvKs LvB darn near ruined one. A couple of recent releases by Telarc are just awful. Shamefully bad recordings.