Led Zeppelin remasters worth owning

muncybob

Years ago I received a 4 CD box set remastered by Jimmy Page & George Marino. I was never thrilled about the sound and just recently I tried them again on my fairly new L600 speakers and they sound awful to me. Couldn't even finish a single disc, lack of low end and the highs are grating to my ears. Makes me think this was a money grab by JP.

Anyhow, what remasters do you own or have heard that are worth buying?

pitdogg2

I've always thought the remasters by Zeppelin could have been much better had someone with better hearing than Jimmy Page sat in the seat.....
I've found the originals to be the best so far.

Personally I steer clear of "remasters", I've found in my experience they may be louder but they loose most of the dynamics of the music.

Emlyn

Probably referring to the early '90s remasters Marino was involved in. Most are notoriously thin and harsh sounding on a good system with the volume turned up.

I have no issues with the much more recent HD remasters. But there's only so much that can be done with Led Zeppelin recordings. They're supposed to be raw sounding.

Toolfan66

Emlyn wrote: »

Probably referring to the early '90s remasters Marino was involved in. Most are notoriously thin and harsh sounding on a good system with the volume turned up.

I have no issues with the much more recent HD remasters. But there's only so much that can be done with Led Zeppelin recordings. They're supposed to be raw sounding.

SIHAB

The 80's are the way to go IMHO. (especially HotH)

If you are a completest the expanded versions may hold some
interest. (ala CODA 3 CD set)

"I have no issues with the much more recent HD remasters."
I got the HD of LZ II and it is great. The think it bests the 80's II

aprazer402

I bought this set from Rhino when it first came out in 2011. I've listened to only one of it's CD's, many years ago. I have so much else to listen to. How does this collection rate?

I have still have most of the original Zep LP's. I usually prefer vinyl.

heiney9

The deluxe editions of each release sound great to me. Plus you get a bonus disc of outtakes and or live tunes.

I stream the deluxe remasters over Qobuz and they sound great.

H9

tratliff

The Classic Records vinyl remasters are very good.

SIHAB

aprazer402 wrote: »

I have so much else to listen to. How does this collection rate?

I have still have most of the original Zep LP's. I usually prefer vinyl.

I think that collection is the Marino/Page masters.
If you listen and like them you are all set. Zep on vinyl is the way to go for me as well.

muncybob

While I would like to have them on records, it seems their best "stuff" is a bit expensive. So I guess I'll be looking at the cd offerings. I really thought I had some old records in decent shape but I played them to death on crappy equipment and now it really shows.

skipshot12

The best remasters I’ve heard is the Classic Records version. If you can find them they aren’t cheap, but damn worth the price.
When they announced them I made sure to get the set.
Only opened one to try and damn, it is sweet.

skipshot12

Look for this….

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcRYWk5nBaGZlLpEyRP-n54QSFGXD0qgVOWEN3mXpqcsGH253aHpyeA_RymGxWz1R85zjlAWSHeyLMuse-o5KTrAAanyNt4mBacPGf2xFPd1DBY

headrott

The untitled 4th album and Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin, West German (or first pressing in Japan) copies are the best. Granted, they are not re-masters, but masters. They sound the best. Next would be the latest copies remastered by Jimmy Page. I would avoid anything remastered by George Marino as, IMO, they sound terrible. That’s my experience.