John Mayall & The Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton [Hi-Res CD (MQA x UHQCD)] [Limited Release]

There have been many formats for this 1966 release. In Australia it was initially only available as a mono record and sounded pretty thin. It was an early release in the history of records and did not really have the production techniques available just a few years later. However it did sound immediate and open and featured the gorgeous guitar (recorded straight from the amp)of a young Eric Clapton. I now have several CD versions of this recording including the gold Mobile Fidelity, Deram Mono/Stereo set and the regular SHM set. Of these I think the Deram Stereo is the best and the fullest sound. However I have always felt that the treble was too bright and intrusive in the overall mix which changed the balance of the sound. So when I saw the new UHQCD offering I took the plunge to see what I would think of the new format and treatment of a favorite but older recording. So here goes! On my regular but excellent CD and stereo equipment I am really comparing the CD format only but that then becomes a fair assessment. I found the bass to be fuller by a measure (toms nice and punchy) and the detail of the various instruments to be more silky and sophisticated. The biggest improvement was that although the treble was still there it was much more comfortable and the voices more natural. Clapton's guitar is there in all of it's original majesty and is in exactly the right part of the mix. OK so on balance it is the best version of this CD on offer. Now for the slight negatives. I found the jewel case and plastic jacket to be not as professional as most other mini-releases by CD Japan. I think that with the new standards being set that the packaging should be also of the highest standard. I'm sure CD Japan will tweak the standards as the format becomes more popular.