Review of 50th Anniversary of David Bowie Diamond Dogs (Half Speed Remaster) 

When I get a Bowie vinyl I always buy a pre digital copy. All my Bowie LPs are pressed between 1970 and 1983 and are UK, US or Australian. Aussie pressings are not as good but I live here any bought many here in the 70s before I discovered import record shops. I think my first Diamond Dogs copy was made in the US. It sounded really nice.

Excellent take on the 50th anniversary release! Just got this myself.

I ordered a copy from Amazon here in the US and I got it for $25 it’s the one Bowie album from his 70’s output I don’t have. Got back into vinyl this past year and I’ve bought a lot of Bowie especially his prime 70’s stuff. I’ll probably will keep my order but may seek out tg3 2016 issue you were talking about. Thanks for the review. This is one of my favorite channels on You Tube. Your content is always great !

I have the 2016/17 version and the 30th anniversary 2 x CD one and am happy with both. If I came across an original for a reasonable price I’d get that too as it’s one of my favourite Bowie albuns.

Thanks for the clear words. I only have a 70s worn out portoguese pressing. A bit muddy sounding, I think the 2016 will be a reasonable replacement. Cheers from Germany Klaus

I've liked all of the previous Bowie half-speed masters, so I've picked this one up (and the picture disc). I won't be able to test my copy of this for a few weeks, but I'm very excited. A couple of things to note: The OBI strips have not covered the artwork on any of the Bowie releases in this series. This was done at AIR, not Abbey Road, which might solve some of the confusion.

I read somewhere that half speed mastering brings out the highs while the lows get buried. It is my understanding that work is being done to bring out the lows. Like you, I would have also preferred the analogue master tape as the source. I did a 96/24 rip of the album using Audacity and found that it is a clean pressing--as you would expect for paying the higher price. Also, the recording sounds more alive than my 1985 CD.

Zonde. Je hoort vaak negatieve verhalen over Half-Speed masters van Abbey Road. Dank je wel voor je vergelijking en recensie.

Is it definitely by Abbey Road?

Constantly disappointed with these Bowie re-issues.I just don't get the thinking behind it.Not sure who they are trying to appeal to.Yes, UK originals are pricey,but these new versions aren't exactly cheap.And always sound inferior .

Why can't they just invent a record player that plays albums at 16 and a half rpm? That way you can still play your old albums instead having to buy them again.

Not trying to be critical here…but you can tell who cut a record by looking in the deadwax. I can only go by the Aladdin Sane reissue which had JWB in the deadwax (John Webber/Air) but discogs doesn’t have the matrix info for this one. Usually Abbey Road cuts have Miles 1/2 speed. Personally I’m disappointed by the majority of the Bowie reissues. Diamond Dogs tape surely hasn’t had that much tape use as there haven’t been that many reissues. If you look at the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan catalogue which I’m not into….but his tapes have been used a lot recently for a mix of MFSL, AP and now VMP reissues. It all about money and/or conviction to actually want to do something like an AAA cut. Bowies catalogue is vast. I’d be happy with 2 or 3 good AAA cuts of his better albums and I’m sure they could do it…like Ziggy.

Sorry but the Half speed master sounds horrible!!