Led Zeppelin Album: “Definitive Collection [Box]”

For years I enjoyed the Jimmy Page box set versions of these tunes and thought the sound quality was pretty darn good. A couple years ago shortly after classic records announced they would stop pressing the catalog, I scooped up as many as the vinyl versions as I could, namely 'The Song Remains the same.' The CDs in this mini-LP set are the closest to that 'classic records' sound as I have heard thus far, and I am a vinylphile. I am fully satisfied with the sound. TSRTS is absolutely fantastic ( I haven't heard the recent warner re-issue yet ). The purposefully distorted and fat sound of the organ from No Quarter remains swirling in my mind while writing this review. This ain't the 1993 version of these songs and the packaging is an outstanding reproduction of the original. Do yourself a favor.... buy It!

Much has been said about this box-set, and there's still some more doubts around wether if this is made in Japan or not, it's remastered or not or if it contains the bonus tracks included in the last remasters or if it's sounds different from other previous editions. I'll clear some of this questions in this review:

1.This is not the highly overpriced and out of print SHMCD Edition (obviously)

2.It's manufactured in it's entirety in Japan, from the covers to the cd itself (altought I have my doubts on the protective cellophane bags)and it's evident in the insane attention to detail and care in wich is reproduced every album artwork and the particular finishings of each cover:the gatefold covers, the glossy finish in LZ 1,the stickers in HOTH and Presence, the psychedelic wheel in LZ 3, the texture in The song Remains cover,the relieve lettering in Coda,the variant covers and paper bag of In Through the Out Door (but I don't dare to corroborate if the inner paper sleeve is water paintable as the original vinyl version), the jackets of Physical Graffiti. As I mentioned, I have my doubts about the plastic bags, because they tear so easily despite their thickness and the glue is way too strong making them very difficult to open and that's a detail that the japanese manufacturers wouldn't let pass, because I have other japanese vinyl replicas from other artists and this didn't happened. Another important detail is that the lyrics and info sheet in english/japanese usually included in the japanese vinyl replicas of other artists are not included in this boxset and that is sad, because most Zep albums didn't came with lyrics with the exception of Houses of the Holy.

3.The CODA album has the 4 bonus track of the SHMCD edition (Baby come on home, Travelling riverside blues, White summer/Black mountain side and Hey hey what can I do). So don't get fooled by the track listing on the back of the cover, that preserves the artwork of the original, the same goes for The Song Remains The Same that is the newly 15 track remastered version instead the 9 track of the original release and it sounds AMAZING!(the new version,that is).

About the sound quality it's definitely superior to the nineties George Marino remasters (wich I own, but not for too long anymore) that remains as the regular version sold in stores in present days, wich is ludicrous, because that was a very dissapointing and poor remaster, Page's guitar is boosted through compression, sounding hissier, crunchier and distorted at higher volumes. You can tell the immense difference between both editions in LZ2, also in this boxset edition the band sounds more equilibrated: John Paul Jones bass has more presence letting us know what a good musician he is, and there is so much more details to be heard that were diminished by the over compression of that Marino's remasters. I haven't heard the Jimmy Page boxset and I wouldn't go for it now really because it lacks The Song Remains The Same and the Coda bonus tracks, and yes, the seductive vinyl replica covers.

About the "loudness wars", the volume level is similar to the 90's edition, nothing out of the ordinary.

I don't have dog hearing but I can tell the difference between both editions(but that would be helpful).

Is this the last edition we'll hear? Obviously not, knowing the record industry they'll suck our blood and our wallets in every opportunity they can get (there's no mono, 5.1, 8.1,SACD, DVD, HDCD, K2HD 24bit, Blu Ray, hidden original tapes editions yet so you can figure it out), but this is the most updated version you can get out there also the best looking and sounding that doesn't hurt your wallet very much so go for it!

Remember that is limited.

I contacted Rhino and asked them point blank if these CDs are any different than the 1993 box set. I even asked for a senior person, preferably someone with expertise on this. They put me in contact with a guy who told me these are THE EXACT SAME CDs and are NOT SONICALLY DIFFERENT in any way, except for the packaging of course. So I don't understand all the confusion in these reviews, particularly those who claim it is different. I am not saying those people are lying but if the company who produces them says they are no different then it is case closed. So buy this ONLY if you want the cool packaging. I gave this three stars because it is Led Zeppelin and the packaging is phenomenal. But I detracted 2 stars because this is a deceptive cash grab. This is exactly the same as the 1993 box set.

Let me start by saying that as a huge Zep fan, even I was at first thwarted by the appearance of this 'new' box set. I already owned the previous 'Page Produced' grey box, but the more I heard/read about it, I just couldn't stand it. I caved in, and I DON'T regret it.

As a musician with extensive experience in the studio and live, my ears have been trained over time to distinguish all nuances in sound/changes to previous mixes, etc. This being said, I put this box set thru a/b tests versus the 'Page Box', vinyl editions, AND even iPOD load ups of both box sets.

The verdict:THIS is the one to own. I no longer own the grey 'Page Produced' box. Even friends of mine upon hearing these recordings who own the 'Page Box' were blown away. Claims of hearing 'new details' were overwhelming. I guess the Japanese way of 'SHM-ing' discs is superior to older methods. The artwork is just an added bonus. And this set INCLUDES 'Song Remains....' AND all known bonus tracks at the end CODA.

The price might be a bit much for some, but it is totally worth the price of admission. Even listening to it off my ipod, I get a sense of 'listening to the master tapes' that I haven't experienced with any other edition. In life, when you can afford it, you should buy the best.

As Rolling Stone Magazine put it, they're "The Heaviest Of Bands" and ANY money you spend on this set is a sound investment. Better hurry, though. Only 2000 sets exist.

5 star for the material itself

3 star for the lack of SHM for North American markets

I think one reviewer talks about SHM as a remastering technique. Although most SHM titles are remastered, SHM is 'super high material' CD which is a manufacturing & materials process primarily. This results in better transparency of the coating layer and optics, which in theory results in less information loss, digital jitter, etc.. I thought any difference would be minimal but I ordered a 2 CD sampler from Japan called "Have You Ever Been Experienced" - they have a various artists SMH disc and the exact same disc on standard CD. They put their money where their mouth is - and yes, it CLEARLY sounds better on my equipment. I don't think anyone disagrees that it is audibly different. There seems to be more bass, a little more detail and a fuller overall sound. Actually, the mere existence of SHM and the audible difference is tantamount to an admission that CD technology has been fundamentally flawed because of poor materials and optics. Yes, CDs have been a very durable format (I have been buying since 1984) but they are not even doing the job of delivering on the full promise of 44.1Khz and 16 bit audio if they can clearly be improved on in this way. Audiophiles buy disc 'cutters' that render CDs perfectly round by shaving the edge, optical enhancement materials, markers, cover discs, and players with special clamping mechanisms/transports to try and reduce jitter and maximize retrieval of information from the disc.

So why do North American customers get inferior product? (like the Genesis and Depeche Mode non-SACD box sets). I think someone dropped the ball big-time here.

I don't see therefore how anyone can call this a 'definitive' collection if there is a better one elsewhere...What I saw in retail stores here in Canada is even made in Japan! So they made it there, but not in SHM for us... thanks...really... The SHM version is more than twice the price from Japan, but if you want a 'definitive' set, it's probably the way to go