Wings Greatest: Paul McCartney Digital Sound Quality Guide
Picking the best CD and hi-res versions isn't as easy as you might think
Welcome to my ongoing research on the best-sounding Paul McCartney CDs and high-resolution downloads. You will either find this a tedious journey that you wish to skip or a fascinating take on the CDs and hi-res downloads of titles in McCartney’s classic period.
I judged these different versions by comparing multiple tracks in an a/b test to determine which sounded best. I also took dynamic range readings (DR) so that you can consider that as one factor in deciding which version you want, if that matters to you (it matters to me). I have listed DR readings following the listing of each version.
I have only compared the digital versions I own, which is to say this may or may not not an exhaustive list, and there is a possibility that there is one that I haven’t heard that could be a “winner.” If you have a version that isn’t included here, I’d love your feedback, especially if you’ve done comparisons of your own.
Most of these are out of print. However, the physical CDs can be found used on websites like Discogs, eBay, or Amazon. The high resolution digital files were released on platforms such as HDTracks, but I cannot speak to whether they have been superseded by another high resolution remaster since their initial release. When I refer to those files, I am discussing the initial, original releases.
Some of these CD/hi-res versions are more scarce and expensive than others, but there are surprises: expensive doesn’t always mean better. I have provided catalog numbers and information about the appearance of the CDs so that you can more easily find them in the wild if you find one that interests you.
Comparison of 7 (!) Different Digital Releases of Wings Greatest (excluding bonus tracks):
Japanese CD with a black front (CDP 7 46056 2); DR12
2018 remaster Capitol Records (60256737239); DR10
Capitol CD with a silver front (CDP 7 46056 2 DIDX 909); DR12
Japanese CD with a black triangle (early CD released in 1984) (СР35-3114); DR11
UK 1st Pressing (Parlophone CDP 7 46056 2); DR12
DCC unreleased 16-track CD (no catalog number was assigned); DR11
2018 remaster 24-44 high resolution digital release (files) (MPL); DR10
Note: the following 3 CDs are clones, meaning they contain exactly the same mastering with exactly the same DR, RMS and peak readings:
Japanese CD with a black front (CDP 7 46056 2)
Capitol US CD with a silver front (CDP 7 46056 2 DIDX 909)
UK 1st Pressing (Parlophone CDP 7 46056 2)
Additionally, the following 2 digital releases, apart from having different resolutions, are clones, meaning they contain exactly the same mastering with exactly the same DR, RMS and peak readings:
2018 remaster Capitol Records (60256737239)
2018 remaster 24-44 high resolution digital release (files)
The unreleased DCC CD was allegedly mastered by Steve Hoffman. Many members of the Steve Hoffman Forum claim that this is the case; however, I do not know for sure if Hoffman himself makes this claim. In any case, it sort of doesn’t matter because it’s the worst sounding one of all 7. It sounds muffled and futzed-with (and not in a good way). Not recommended.
There is a collector’s market for any and all of the early Japanese black triangle CDs, in part because they were made in such limited quantities as to appeal to the collector’s market. They go for big money.
The Japanese CD with a black triangle (early CD released in 1984) (СР35-3114) divides many listeners, as some claim it has way too much treble, and some claim it’s the best sounding of the bunch. Although it does have more high end than the rest of these versions, it doesn’t sound bad. That said, I don’t find it to sound as good as some of the others. Not recommended.
The 2018 remasters (although the tracks on this release were not all remastered in the same year) sound good. However they differ from the clones that I mentioned at the beginning [the Japanese CD with a black front (CDP 7 46056 2), the Capitol US CD with a silver front (CDP 7 46056 2 DIDX 909) and the UK 1st Pressing (Parlophone CDP 7 46056 2)].
Although they feature a similar tonality, he 2 most main differences are that the 2018s have a significantly lower dynamic range (by 2 db!), making the quiet passages loud and the loud passages…well, loud. Second, the 2018s have slightly less treble than the other 3 clones. That isn’t a bad thing in and of itself; however, the 3 clones have more presence. Tracks like “Junior’s Farm” sound more aggressive on the 3 clones, a good thing. The 2018s: Not recommended.
Winner: Any of the following 3, which are clones of each other:
Japanese CD with a black front (CDP 7 46056 2), the Capitol US CD with a silver front (CDP 7 46056 2 DIDX 909) and the UK 1st Pressing (Parlophone CDP 7 46056 2). They are out of print, but if you’re interested in buying one of them, the US Capitol CD can usually be found for significantly less cost than the other 2.
As always, your ears, and your mileage may vary (YMMV). You may wish to check out my other reviews of the McCartney catalog, partially linked below.
