Thanks yet again for a brilliant tip off🙏 I'd written off the Atmos Ziggy as a money grab and also because I already loved the SACD version but wow ! You're so right, what an upgrade ! After watching your post, I ordered it right away and Yes, it's a whole different level !! BIG thanks again for being out there and tipping us off for all these great discs (and for the ones to avoid aswell) 🙏
and so I went back and compared with the SACD: I still love the SACD and even some of the specific placings (of Bowie's voice) and sounds of this disc. Indeed, it's fascinating to "feel" the differences and then try to put that into words. The Atmos is more spatial, more present and more "living" and yet I've always loved the "smooth clarity" and sound separation that I get with SACDs. It's almost like two distinct and different listening experiences. Yes, Atmos is the new standard but that doesn't mean that the old (SACD) just gets thrown away. For instance, personally I still prefer the Dark Side of the Moon SACD over the new atmos. I know alot of people don't like the SACD 5.1 version but there are specific moments and transitions that I've come to love over the years and the Atmos doesn't quite cut it for me. So there's also this nostalgic side to the olders formats....
Not a huge Bowie fan. And never owned this album on vinyl until this new mix. The Atmos mix is really good. But the biggest difference for me was really to hear the new stereo mix. So much more potent and clear than the original. Btw. Are you planning on doing a review of the new album with Blood Incantation? The box includes both Atmos and DTS. And it's absolutely fantastic imo.
Well worth the upgrade from the SACD mix. The vocals are now mixed correctly in the front stage, none of this all channel in your head vocals. The bass line in starman comes forward in the mix and isn't muddy like on the SACD. Also the wide channels are used to expand the front soundstage, which I haven't noticed on many other Atmos mixes. This is really done well.
The Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio version is fantastic , by far the best version of the Ziggy album out there for immersion. Having said that the previously available 5.1 surround sound mix shouldn’t be discounted, it’s still a fantastic listening experience, just a different one. 2024 stereo mix is also great but to be honest I do prefer the original 1972 mix that I’ve grown up with since 1972. Maybe I’m just nostalgic? I find it strange you can’t tell the difference between the lower and higher rez versions of the original album? For me the hi rez version definitely has more clarity and I’m 64 now so my ears won’t be as good as they were when I was younger, but I can tell the difference. All in all if your a Bowie fan then this is an essential purchase in my opinion but like you I hate these cheap digi pack cardboard boxes for all the reasons you mentioned. Great review. 👍🏻
Terrific video. I have been a sound designer in feature films for decades. I have been a part of countless atmos mixes for cinema. I recently got into vinyl the past few years and oddly I have never listened to traditional albums in atmos. This might have to be my first as I am a huge Bowie fan and have most of his albums. I would be very curious to hear your thoughts should you indeed make that video in the future on what you consider terrific and well mixed atmos records. Thanks for the interesting video and much appreciated. Have a terrific one my friend. You have earned my subscription. Take care.
Excellent review. I’m with you on this new version. I voted 9 in the QQ poll. The Atmos (which I’m only hearing on my 5.1 setup) blows away the SACD, which I never liked the sound of - too thin and brittle. Don’t mind the digipack - I just use a corner of my tee shirt to get the disc out and put it back. A worthwhile trade off to get the standalone version.
Sorry to hear that the relative value of my SACD just dropped. However, I have to agree on sonic shortcomings of that. So, I guess I will just need to upgrade as this is definitely one of the best, if not the best, David Bowie albums out there. Thanks for the good work!
I bought this one and I also have the SACD. I agree with this review. I also agree with the opinion of the awful cardboard box. David Gilmours Luck and strange has a lot better cardboard box. There's been a lot of Dolby Atmos music coming out recently. David Gilmour, Ultravox Lament. Queens First album has been remixed to Dolby Atmos but it will only be released on streaming. That is really annoying. The Alan Parsons project Pyramid in Dolby Atmos. A box set of Marillion This Strange Engine is coming out. No Atmos on that one, but a 5.1. All this puts a heavy burdon on my wallet. :)
I appreciate this album is not LOCKED UP in a Box Set however, Rhino and SDE just announced pre-order for TALKING HEADS 77 BLU-RAY, ATMOS, 5.1 but have it LOCKED UP in a $100 Bx Set. I don't know if profit margins are greater with these sets or just not enough with the stand alone Blu-Ray. I would purchase the entire Talking Heads library should they offer them as Stand Alone Discs. I have been considering THE BRICK for the DVD - Audio but now I am hoping they still release a Stand Alone of each album. I guess I'll just wait it out. BTW, I did receive my copy of the ZIGGY Album, and it is INCREDIBLE!!! THANKS MIKE FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY and The Surround Community!!!
Hi: I've owned this since it's original release I'm thinking 2004, it came out a while before the Roxy Music/Avalon did. It's a bit stiff with it's age of recording but far superior to the original stereo. I'll pass this along, I own the ultra-rare DVD Audio/multichannel of Young Americans. Rumor has it Station To Station suffers for it's mix, is it good? I believe lots of folks suffer from what D/A conversion is applied to the multichannel signal, I did on many units of the past particularly Yamaha & Denon multi-unit players. Six channel analog inputs on the reciever have presented the bane of existance for 5.1, HDMI corrects much of the degradation of signal.Thanx
The Stationtostation 5.1 mix by Harry Maslin is possibly the worst 5.1 mix I own. Just some ambience from the front soundstage in the rears. That album is crying out for a good Atmos remix but Diamond Dogs would be my No1 Bowie album for an Atmos remix
I only need to know one thing with any of these remixes - is Ronno's guitar louder in the mix? And the answer is always no. Sometimes it's even quieter than it was before. Inexcusable. The Bowie estate are the only ones in the entire world who'd minimise something as glorious as Ronson's guitar. Tony DeFries said that Bowie was jealous of the attention that Ronno got. Sometimes you have to wonder.
Thanks yet again for a brilliant tip off🙏 I'd written off the Atmos Ziggy as a money grab and also because I already loved the SACD version but wow ! You're so right, what an upgrade ! After watching your post, I ordered it right away and Yes, it's a whole different level !! BIG thanks again for being out there and tipping us off for all these great discs (and for the ones to avoid aswell) 🙏
and so I went back and compared with the SACD: I still love the SACD and even some of the specific placings (of Bowie's voice) and sounds of this disc. Indeed, it's fascinating to "feel" the differences and then try to put that into words. The Atmos is more spatial, more present and more "living" and yet I've always loved the "smooth clarity" and sound separation that I get with SACDs. It's almost like two distinct and different listening experiences. Yes, Atmos is the new standard but that doesn't mean that the old (SACD) just gets thrown away. For instance, personally I still prefer the Dark Side of the Moon SACD over the new atmos. I know alot of people don't like the SACD 5.1 version but there are specific moments and transitions that I've come to love over the years and the Atmos doesn't quite cut it for me. So there's also this nostalgic side to the olders formats....
Not a huge Bowie fan. And never owned this album on vinyl until this new mix. The Atmos mix is really good. But the biggest difference for me was really to hear the new stereo mix. So much more potent and clear than the original.
Btw. Are you planning on doing a review of the new album with Blood Incantation? The box includes both Atmos and DTS. And it's absolutely fantastic imo.
Great review. I agree the atmos mix made me like this album more than I used to !
Well worth the upgrade from the SACD mix. The vocals are now mixed correctly in the front stage, none of this all channel in your head vocals. The bass line in starman comes forward in the mix and isn't muddy like on the SACD. Also the wide channels are used to expand the front soundstage, which I haven't noticed on many other Atmos mixes. This is really done well.
The Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio version is fantastic , by far the best version of the Ziggy album out there for immersion. Having said that the previously available 5.1 surround sound mix shouldn’t be discounted, it’s still a fantastic listening experience, just a different one. 2024 stereo mix is also great but to be honest I do prefer the original 1972 mix that I’ve grown up with since 1972. Maybe I’m just nostalgic? I find it strange you can’t tell the difference between the lower and higher rez versions of the original album? For me the hi rez version definitely has more clarity and I’m 64 now so my ears won’t be as good as they were when I was younger, but I can tell the difference. All in all if your a Bowie fan then this is an essential purchase in my opinion but like you I hate these cheap digi pack cardboard boxes for all the reasons you mentioned. Great review. 👍🏻
Excellent review Mike. I'm OK with the cardboard sleeve--trying to reduce the consumption of plastic. Hope the next Bowie Atmos releases are as good.
Terrific video. I have been a sound designer in feature films for decades. I have been a part of countless atmos mixes for cinema. I recently got into vinyl the past few years and oddly I have never listened to traditional albums in atmos. This might have to be my first as I am a huge Bowie fan and have most of his albums. I would be very curious to hear your thoughts should you indeed make that video in the future on what you consider terrific and well mixed atmos records. Thanks for the interesting video and much appreciated. Have a terrific one my friend. You have earned my subscription. Take care.
Excellent review. I’m with you on this new version. I voted 9 in the QQ poll. The Atmos (which I’m only hearing on my 5.1 setup) blows away the SACD, which I never liked the sound of - too thin and brittle.
Don’t mind the digipack - I just use a corner of my tee shirt to get the disc out and put it back. A worthwhile trade off to get the standalone version.
Sorry to hear that the relative value of my SACD just dropped. However, I have to agree on sonic shortcomings of that. So, I guess I will just need to upgrade as this is definitely one of the best, if not the best, David Bowie albums out there. Thanks for the good work!
Great review! Thanks
My standalone pre-order bluray from SDE arrived midweek. I played it the same night. Thumbs up to Atmos version. I'm a very happy chappy.
I bought this one and I also have the SACD. I agree with this review. I also agree with the opinion of the awful cardboard box. David Gilmours Luck and strange has a lot better cardboard box. There's been a lot of Dolby Atmos music coming out recently. David Gilmour, Ultravox Lament. Queens First album has been remixed to Dolby Atmos but it will only be released on streaming. That is really annoying. The Alan Parsons project Pyramid in Dolby Atmos. A box set of Marillion This Strange Engine is coming out. No Atmos on that one, but a 5.1. All this puts a heavy burdon on my wallet. :)
Thanks for the insight!
I appreciate this album is not LOCKED UP in a Box Set however, Rhino and SDE just announced pre-order for TALKING HEADS 77 BLU-RAY, ATMOS, 5.1 but have it LOCKED UP in a $100 Bx Set. I don't know if profit margins are greater with these sets or just not enough with the stand alone Blu-Ray. I would purchase the entire Talking Heads library should they offer them as Stand Alone Discs. I have been considering THE BRICK for the DVD - Audio but now I am hoping they still release a Stand Alone of each album. I guess I'll just wait it out. BTW, I did receive my copy of the ZIGGY Album, and it is INCREDIBLE!!!
THANKS MIKE FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY and The Surround Community!!!
The Atmos mix is excellent.
Does anyone have a CD rip of the 2024 Stereo Mix?
For those of us with a normal surround system, not atmos, will this sound good?
Hi: I've owned this since it's original release I'm thinking 2004, it came out a while before the Roxy Music/Avalon did. It's a bit stiff with it's age of recording but far superior to the original stereo. I'll pass this along, I own the ultra-rare DVD Audio/multichannel of Young Americans. Rumor has it Station To Station suffers for it's mix, is it good? I believe lots of folks suffer from what D/A conversion is applied to the multichannel signal, I did on many units of the past particularly Yamaha & Denon multi-unit players. Six channel analog inputs on the reciever have presented the bane of existance for 5.1, HDMI corrects much of the degradation of signal.Thanx
The Stationtostation 5.1 mix by Harry Maslin is possibly the worst 5.1 mix I own. Just some ambience from the front soundstage in the rears. That album is crying out for a good Atmos remix but Diamond Dogs would be my No1 Bowie album for an Atmos remix
@@seanobrien968 thanx, confirms exactly what I'd heard. Love the first hand info though/again thanx
Purchased the Atmos Bowie from discogs with able advice. Mine now.
I only need to know one thing with any of these remixes - is Ronno's guitar louder in the mix? And the answer is always no. Sometimes it's even quieter than it was before. Inexcusable. The Bowie estate are the only ones in the entire world who'd minimise something as glorious as Ronson's guitar. Tony DeFries said that Bowie was jealous of the attention that Ronno got. Sometimes you have to wonder.