Amazing increase in quality
588758
I thought my commercial table saw cut perfectly before I replaced the blade. Oh My! This blade is so superior to a standard table saw blade. You can hear, feel and see the difference in the cut. Especially when cutting hard woods. I cannot recommend enough.
4484220
Please note that this is not a review of the album but a comparison of the Japanese SHM 2009 minisleeve version against the Standard CD 1987.

This is my first SHM (Super High Material) CD and I am mightily impressed. What is difficult to know is whether this huge audio improvement of the SHM versus the 1987 version is because of remastering by Isao Kikuchi or because of the material the CD is made from, or a combination of both?

For Rabin detractors, the audio improvement won't change their dislike of this album, but for those who still like albums of this period of Yes, then picking up a SHM version is recommended. I managed to obtain a brand new copy here in New Zealand for $10. I would hesitate paying the exorbitant prices I have seen for these SHMs both new and second-hand.

I have read that SHMs are supposed to have a similar quality to that of a SACD. My initial reaction would be to query this - yes, the sound is greatly improved with a warmer, louder bottom end and more definition to the treble - but SACD quality, I think not.

Having said that the sound is so much better than the 1987 version that it is like hearing this album as if for the first time. The SHM sounds far more dynamic with the light and shade of the songs coming through. Alan White's drums are much warmer in this mix and as already said, Squire's bass is now audible and even pronounced in places. The first time I listened the SHM 'Rhythm of love' I was stunned at the detail and power of the bass. This is the single most dramatic improvement of the SHM against the 1987 version. Secondly the detail and separation of voices is noticeable whereas I was always disappointed with some of the 1987 CD production where the tracks sound compressed.

'Shoot High, Aim Low' I've always liked but now it is amazing as the silences and space seems cleaner yet still driven by that hypnotic Alan White groove. You hear delicate shimmering sounds from the guitar and keyboard sounds in the distance that I never noticed before. Alan plays rim-shots on his snare towards the end of the track that unless you're listening to the SHM version, it isn't audible. A quality track that is now special because of the SHM. Beautiful.

So why not 5 stars for this remaster if I think the audio is so improved? That's easy. The 5 bonus tracks including an extended version (silly studio grooves) of 'Love will find a way' and trashy dated remixes of 'Rhythm of Love'do more than spoil the album - it wrecks it for me. I know I don't have to listen to this drivel, but having them added at the end taints the whole remaster so much that I nearly took off two stars! Note on the other SHM Yes remaster, '9012 Live The Yes solos' there are two brand new tracks from their live performance that were amazing. That's what I call a bonus.

So those who liked the original album and can get your hands on the SHM for a fair price - definitely worth getting. For those who hated it before...you'll just hear what you loathed better :)
2133729
Extremely happy way more durable than expected. Very high quality
963369
The first 3 seasons of Bleach have only been available in Standard Def until now, so I was very excited to get this.

The picture quality looks great compared to the DVD's I've had for a decade now. It is an upscale, as others have said, but that is because these seasons of Bleach were animated and aired in Standard Def. It is doubtful higher quality masters exist given that it was drawn digitally.

That being said, the picture is very improved and the sound quality is superb. The lines are cleaned up, the animation is noticeably smoother, and the soundtrack has never sounded better! The HD mastering may not stand up next to other series animated in HD or series that had higher quality masters available, but keep in mind that this is over a decade old now. If you are a Bleach fan looking to upgrade, or someone looking to get into the series for the first time, this set is a great buy.

I hope they continue these releases with success to get more interest in the series again -- I've sorely missed it since it's ending//cancellation and have a fool's dream of seeing the final chapters animated...
2016492
Way beyond my expectation, an amazing high quality tool.
2252640
I purchased this set to replace old VHS tapes. The improvements in picture and sound quality is worth the investment. To other reviewers, a few seconds of new scenes in hours of great high resolution sci-fi does not diminish its value.
971920
Well first off, I'd have to say its a huge upgrade from a 25 inch stereo tv! I had the luxury to comparing it to a 40" sony bravia kdl-2500 series and it blows it out of the water it every catergory. The 25000:1 dynamic contrast ratio gives out rich in depth colors and the clarity of the picture is very noticable when i look at the sony bravia's 8000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. the 120 mz frames per second actually really does give a nice smooth frame transition which at first before i even bought it i thought it wouldn't matter. The 3 hdmi outputs i don't even know what to do with two of them. i got a ps3 and thats all i really need on it besides my next investment a bose sound system. The blu-ray picture is very noticable compared to a dvd's 480p on it. All around its a good lcd tv and i would recommend to any one thats looking for a good quality lcd tv, because this one isn't no push over!
2059409
Great quality, polished and a big step up from generic replacement
391265
I was skeptical as to whether it was worth buying this album again, as the previous CD sounded good enough to me.

I was wrong. Right from the first side, everything is clearer and more detailed.

The remastering becomes very apparent on "Across The Border"; the brass section break is clear and distortion-free, and the final orchestral slide is breathtaking.

I could argue with the bass levels at a few points. "Sweet Talkin' Woman" is a little bass-heavy at one point, and "Standin' in the Rain" is a little muddy until the second chorus--but to be fair, that just means it sounds like the previous release. Lacking personal access to the master tapes I'm willing to believe that's how it should have sounded.

Things get better again for "Summer and Lightning". "Mr Blue Sky" isn't amazingly improved, perhaps because it has always received careful attention in previous remasterings.

Improvements in the second half of the album are less noticeable, but still welcome.

On the down side, there are (still) a few fadeouts in the high end of the right channel of "Night in the City", but the tape dropout/fadeout at the end of "It's Over" is removed. The transient peak towards the end of "Standin' in the Rain" is still there.

Overall, well worth the upgrade, unless you're prepared to spring $25+ for the Japanese import.
1476946
As in the rest of the remastered Kraftwerk series, this album has been given the full remastering treatment. If you are familiar with previous both German and US CD versions you will remember the hiss and the flat sound overall. This did not prevent enjoying the techno pioneers but it was even back then not great. The first idea of how it should sound came with the live Minimum Maximum album. Now, this is an enormous improvement: not just is there no hiss butu also the sound has an amplitude it never had. Listen to The Robots and you will be knocked out by the modernikty of the sound: the highs and the basses are incredible and belie the age of this recording. Even if you have it you must get it again. The people at Kling Klang have done a psctacular job.
3095809
A lot better quality than I thought it would be.
4827760
This box is amazing! I was recently using a box I got online that was really cheaply made. This one makes a night and day difference and the quality of it is worth like twice the price. I literally heard about a 50% volume increase after switching to this box and it might be because the box is tuned correctly for my sub but it makes a massive difference. I had to turn my bass volume down now because it's so loud I can't hear the music. Highly recommend this box.
3677836
i very surprised for this product, extreme high audio quality response and god signal sensitivity increase liberty and satisfaction .
1495238
Was not expecting such quality with the price tag, really impressed!
4742762
The original DVD and blu-ray were extremely washed out and lacked contrast.  This update greatly improves the video quality.  The two different 5.1 audio tracks are also a nice touch.  One is the theatrical mix and the other is a mix created for listening at lower volumes or in a smaller room.
149398
This speaker is a significant step up from the&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/ELAC-Debut-F5-Tower-Speakers-Each/dp/B014GSEPY8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">ELAC - Debut F5 Tower Speakers (Each)</a>. Yes, it's considerably more money, but the performance improvement is dramatic. Better cabinet structure, better quality drivers, better crossover all work to create a dramatically more powerful and more immersive experience. Highly recommended.
3791078
great audio quality, finer detail of background sounds that changes the whole listening experience.