Blackout

summary,i believe that fireball has it very accurate. if you want to read my pretencious, snobby opinion, well, i will share it but first i must disclaim that aside my extremely opinionated disposition, i also tell the truth.i am abnormal. i build specific stereo systems for not less than veraciously specific purposses. for this review i feel it incombent to illustrate 2 of them.system 1, designed to make any recording sound the best it can. it is a hybrid purest system, concisting of a set of 2 way monitors with 8 inch woofers and tweeters, speaker wire, a 2 channel amp, interconnect wires, a digital to analog converter and a source player or cd drive unit.system 2, developed to create the atmosphere of an arena concert performance. it consists of two 18 inch woofers at 400 wrms each, two 10 inch woofers at 250 wrms each, four 6 inch drivers with tweeters at 67.5 wrms each, and eight 4 inch drivers with tweeters at 67.5 wrms each, wires, to pilot this array of analog reproduction devices i use the most modern, technologicaly advanced computer controlled heap of electronics on the planet.this remaster is as good in one aspect as it is a slaughter, in another:aspect 1, there are 3 guitarist in this group of performers but with the exception of approximently 8 seconds in china white, 2 seperate 4 second moments, mr buckholz and his abilities are electronically deminished. during those 8 seconds, he is heavenly, pounding and with an unexpectedly raw edge. had this been used throughout the mix, i would probably imploded and died joyfully. however, during the remainer of the mix i believe kevin gray, who is credited for the mastering, had everything below 80 hertz deminished as though rudolf and matthias had paid him to showcase only them. dieter dierks, credited with the production, was also on the take.aspect 2, i have witnesses this group perform live on multiple occassions, this mix at concert amplitude levels is WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE CENTER ARENA IN A scorpions CONCERT ENVIRNMENT! the scorpions are a hard rock band, by definition. i used to perform in a hard rock band. hard rock, is rock and roll or blues based music that is played with such enthusism, that an onlooker would say, wow, they are playing hard.never before have i expereinced a recording that sounded so much like a band when they perform live. rudolf is bionic and sinister, while matthias is evil and sneaky. in concert they are possesed, unyielding and exacerbating in thier hell driven reign over my ears. translation, they both play with perpetual energy, hard, completely commited. that is how this album sounds, when reproduced at concert level volume. the work of mr buckholz, on this mix, sounds like what i expect from a john denver concert, the tightest, most refined low frequency sound possible. this does not lend well to a scorpions performance, however, never have matthias and rudolf been so succesfully showcased.if you love the live music experience, while not a live recording, this is a must aquire. if you are a stereo purest or ipodette user, then i recommend the original cd release.audio fidelity did not accurately represent the original recording. it should be sub noted, as the closest thing to live on a disk. this is not a typical sacd.overall, system 1 can not adequately demonstrate the mix while system 2 sounds so good that it takes time to realize that i am not in an arena.

This review is for the SACD version of Blackout. After listening to this album (straight through / no stops) I have to say that this is about as good as an album or an album remaster gets. To quickly dispel someone's notion on another review here, about the bass being sub-audible or not really present in any way on most of the songs, I honestly disagree. The bass is louder on every song, than on the original CD and it is at a great level throughout the disc. I do use a sub-woofer, as a note.This particular version (SACD Remaster) is so good it took me back 20 - 25 years, when I used to rock this album out and to me, this version is so good, it will be rockin' for a long time from now. The Remaster really brought different instruments to the front in different places and is such a fabulous Remastering that it has to be the definitive version. If you like this album or used to, you might want to consider picking this one up, as it is just fantastic and one not to be missed. Great job with remastering, Mr. Gray, just like on PRESTO, by Rush, another equally terrific SACD Remaster.Buy this Scorpions SACD 'Blackout' with the utmost confidence, as you can turn it up high and relive this masterpiece over and again!

I had the old cd of this, that was extremely bright.. horrid upper end sound, excessive treble.. this version rocks hard, and is well worth the premium price

I bought this for my boyfriend for Christmas I bought used and I was a little nervous of what he would think well it turned out to be the best damn thing I could’ve done because it was the original record it wasn’t a remake it wasn’t an anniversary one and he’s so happy he just was glowing and excitement which made me very happy to

Blackout being one of my favorite albums, I was looking forward to this AF release and pre-ordered months in advance. Not sure what happened with this release, the first 7 tracks have weak bass presence. Yet "China White" and "When the Smoke Is Going Down" sound incredible - absolutely perfect. Why couldn't the first 7 tracks sound as good as the last two? I prefer the original release to the remaster version and this AF SACD. That said, the AF Gold versions of Virgin Killer and Love At First Sting are terrific. I have a Denon/Polk Audio system.

For the very first time, I've been able to listen to this album is its full glory. Excellent sound!! Absolutely recommended.

You don't need a review of the album, what you need to know is the Audio Fidelity version of this SACD/CD is amazing!

Can somebody tell me if this SACD album plays BOTH 2.1 ch AND 5.1 ch, because my copy don't play other than 2.1 channels, I try several SACD PLAYERS and I can't make it play 5.1 ch, I do have several SACD DISCS from other bands and they do play on 5.1 channel, help me!!!