I will start off by stating I am an audiophile and I enjoy comparing differences between different pressings/editions of the same album. Brothers in Arms is one of my favorite albums to listen to. The early CD presses are some of the best sounding CD’s I have ever heard.
I recently picked up a West German for Europe copy of Brothers in Arms. I read on the Steve Hoffman forums that this pressing is the best sounding version of the album. After listening, I think it may be.
I have listened to the 1985 US LP, 1985 US CD, 1996 US remastered CD, 2005 remastered European SACD, 2013 remastered US SACD, and the new 40th anniversary remaster. This original European press sounds amazing except for one issue. At the 5:14 mark on “Your Latest Trick” there is a noticeable audio glitch that is absent from every other version of the album.
I’m kind of disappointed because it sort of ruins the experience for me. This album was a showcase for what digital audio was capable of and the glitch kind of ruins that.
I wonder if maybe it was a bad batch from the factory. Maybe the master was in some way damaged. I was wondering If anyone here who has a copy of the West German for Europe could confirm if there copy has it or not. If that’s too much work than understandable. Thanks for reading!
Catalog number: 824 499-2
Barcode: 0 42282 44992 4
Label: Vertigo / Phonogram
Can you tell which one of these you have? I have access to perfect FLAC rips of both.
https://www.discogs.com/release/768493-Dire-Straits-Brothers-In-Arms
https://www.discogs.com/release/2825382-Dire-Straits-Brothers-In-Arms
John Dent mastering is authentically known on discs with 02, 03 and 06 last digits on matrix. Matrices ending with 07 and higher - Bob Ludwig mastering.
another version mastered by John Dent as well from 1985. Additionally remastered versions from 1996 remastered by Bob Ludwig exist. They all share the same catalogue number.
Thank you! I’m leaning more towards the second link though it’s not an exact match. My copy has the matrix no. 824 499-2 07 # with PQ or PO etched (it’s hard to tell which). The booklet says it is mastered by Bob Ludwig. I’d be happy to clarify anything else.
