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Label:
  Audio Fidelity - http://www.audiofidelity.net/
Serial:
  AFZ 162
Title:
  Rush: Hemispheres
Description:
  Rush
Track listing:
  1. Cygnus X-1 Book II Hemispheres
2. Circumstances
3. The Trees
4. La Villa Strangiato
Genre:
  Pop/Rock
Content:
  Stereo
Media:
  Hybrid
Recording type:
 
Recording info:
 

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Submitted by MacClaus
 
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Reviews: 2

Review by cordobaman October 13, 2013 (3 of 3 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
My favorite Rush title...have owned since it first came out on LP, a cassette tape for the car, then eventually the Mercury CD in the 80,s. I can pretty much sing along with every word.

I have compared my AF Hemispheres SACD layer to the old Mercury CD, and the AF is better, albeit only slightly. Improved detail in the low frequencies with Getty's bass...the SACD has more rock power. As what seems to be the trend with many AF SACD, the highs definitely have less prevalence, lighter volume in the percussion...less snap and shimmer.

I'm really enjoying the SACD, but feel it could have been better. It's not a "wow" difference over the CD and certainly not demo material. That being said, the album content is awesome...musically and lyrically. The SACD is the best available version to date and worth owning. Begs to be played LOUD.

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Review by analogue October 21, 2013 (2 of 3 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
I had higher hopes for this sacd but I'm afraid that the original recording had problems that cant be improved upon. I think Mr. Gray did a more than credible job here and this new sacd sounds marginally better than the remastered cd released several years ago....but that's about it. the NEW SACD HAS MORE AIR AND HAS A SLIGHTLY LIVELIER presence but its very close. In a real world situation it wouldn't be with sacd.

If what I read is true...the original master tapes are dust now. Or they are not allowed to be lent out.Who to believe?? So whatever source Gray used for this release was not them. However unlike the cd I did detect tape hiss during this sacd which is a good thing. It would be nice to know exactly what source was used and I don't understand the secrecy. If its true that the masters are not allowed to be used whats wrong with minting an new transfer with the best modern analogue tape..or a new double Dsd copy of said tapes?? Its 2013 people....stop stiffing the music lovers who spend our hard earned cash on............MUSIC.
That way everybody's happy. Even mR. GRAY HAS MENTIONED THAT THE NEW TAPE IS SUPERIOR TO THE OLD QUALITY AND NARY A DIFFERENCE CAN DE DETECTED BETWEEN THE MASTER TAPE AND NEW TAPE COPY.

Bass is sadly lacking throughout much of this disc. AT times it is barely heard if you can believe that. It just disappears in the mix. Drums are a little better but if you really listen you can hear that they are not fully resolved as the recording did not capture them at full saturation.
Lee's vocals are better but this disc never truly gels totally. There may be a few moments of good sound but then the limitations of the sessions rear their ugly head.

The last track.....La vita strangiata sounds the best here as it always has. Its a great instrumental..FABULOUS REALLY..... that is much more open than the other tracks on this album and there is some fabulous guitar playing. Tape hiss is heard and this track is the more better realized better as well. Not perfect mind you but better then the other tracks. At least bass is actually heard note for note with weight behind it and the track has some nice air around the sound. Drums are more pronounced. Its obvious that the remastered cd's have hiss removed as if its objectionable. This steals some of the actual music.

Oddly enough..even though I am dissing this sacd I cant say that it sounds completely horrible. It doesn't. Its just a let down.
If you crank this disc it can get somewhat dynamic. It sounds better cranked. Its just that it is also congealed sounding and the instruments don't bloom on their own or even separate all that much.

Kevin Gray did a more than credible job here....but the tape source cant be made to sound better if the info isn't there.

Recommended if you are a die hard Rush fan and it is decent. And must be turned up very loud.

I want to rave about another sacd Mr. Gray released..that being Sarah's Touch but I am anable to review it on Sacd.net as for some reason a review button is not seen.

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