Hello everyone.

Just a quick one to say that the Purple Rain Blu Ray Audio atmos edition arrived today with the exclusive 'slipcase' from the SDE Shop.

'Slipcase' - in that the actual base case doesn't fit in the 'slipcase'.

So not a slipcase.

More an annoying bit of cardboard.

Disappointed, yes. Surprised, no.

Gave it a quick listen too, and there is definitely a difference in the mix. Whether you like it or not is down to personal preference.

But the differences are definitely tangible.

Take Me With U seemed to change the most. Strings were much more prominent in the mix.

Whether it's worth it is another matter. But mugs like me still buy this stuff.

Very disappointed in the SDE shop for the 'slipcase though'. Give that a pass if you're thinking of wasting more money.

[Edited 4/25/25 11:06am]

[Edited 4/25/25 11:20am]

I bought the D&P ATMOS disc, actually it was gifted to me by a friend in the UK. Did you buy from the UK? Are there really no sources in the US or Canada?

I actually have an ATMOS 5.1.2 system....2 height channels in the ceiling. My impression of D&P...neat, but felt 'scattered'. It was neat to hear some particular bits and pieces from different speakers, some of it was very clear now....but, it was more like observing an experiment then enjoying a final product.

Were there any 'neat' moments in the PR ATMOS mix?

I remember back then last year from the Stereo mix of WDC was way better than the original initial version from the album ...some bits here & there unheard until now & guitar soli much more proeminent in the mix....what are your thoughts with this new mix at home? (sorry i don't have a full atmos system at home unfortunately..only a stereo classic audiophile system)

thanx

My copy just arrived and since I was off today I gave it a high volume listen from start to finish. My set up is a 7.1.4 Atmos configuration. Here's my impressions:

1. Let's Go Crazy - excellent seperation but it doesn't really add to the mix, I wasn't overly impressed. I thought the vocals should have been a little more forward/ pronounced in the mix. I love the song but don't think it benifited from Atmos.

2. Take Me With U - WOW! This was the experience of hearing a outstanding Atmos mix of a song you don't really like! The opening drum salvo went all around me and was a very cool use of immersive sound. The drums sounded great throughout. Great clarity.

3. The Beautiful Ones - YES! This sounded fantastic! Bass boom rattled my chest and the Prince patented screams sounded as if he was in the room. This was the track I just new would be fantastic and I was right! Demo Material

4 Computer Blue - Not bad, the guitars sounded sharp. Vocals a little muddy.

5. Darling Nikki - WOW! Crystal clear vocals and nice non gimmicky immersion. This was the best sounding vocals on this version of Purple Rain! Near Demo.

6. When Doves Cry - I would bet my entire Prince collection that this was the track they spent the most time on remastering for Atmos! It sounds wonderful. The vox are clear and you can pick up every word clear as if he was with you. Percussion was nice and meaty. This is my preferred way to hear this song from now on , it's another demo quality track. Bravo.

7. I would Die 4 U - enjoyable.

8. Baby I'm a Star - another decent effort.

9. Purple Rain - Sounded probably as good as it possibly could. Prince vocals were clear and the solo sounded outstanding. Near Demo material.

Overall I would definitely recommend to anyone with a well calibrated Atmos set up. I will listen to stereo version next week.

[Edited 4/25/25 20:42pm]

[Edited 4/25/25 20:43pm]

[Edited 4/25/25 20:46pm]

An update on the Purple Rain Blu Ray Atmos disc.

It also contains on the disc the 24/96 version of Purple Rain.

This seems like same hi rez version that was released in 2013 when Rhino released Hi Rez versions of the albums from For You through to Sign o The Times in various bit rates going up to 24/192.

This 24/96 version sounds a lot like the 24/192 I have. I've tried to do a pepsi challenge between the two and I can't notice anything different.

However the 24/96 version on the disc is still a significant improvement over the Paisley Park remaster.

I don't have FR analysis software so I can't do a side by side comparions in technicalities.

Would be interesting to see though.

The Dolby Atmos is however a very interesting kettle of fish!

Even doing a second pass using a system that downgrades the Atmos to 2.1 is interesting.

Both ways offer an insight into what sounds are buried in the mix.

However with the full Dolby Atmos Ballad of PeterParker is quite right in many of their comments.

Let's Go Crazy - the vocals are buried too deep in the mix. I'll take the original over this. Not my favourite track anyway.

Take Me With U - is the most eye-opening (or should I say ear-opening) track on the album. There are strings, guitar strums and what can only be described a light-sounding didgeridoo (a at guess it's most likely a keyboard) all clearly audible and not buried. What is gob-smacking is how much is buried in the mix, even Prince's voice is at a new level. If there was any way this could be done in stereo it would breath new life into this track. Really awesome job. Makes me want to listen to it again and again. Would be interesting to know if there are alternative mixes of this buried in the vault.

The Beautiful Ones - has bass and depth to it I've never heard before. The odd keyboard sounds throughout the track are really more detailed too. However the sibilant and slightly distorted nature of the original mix is my preference.

Computer Blue - there are some guitar and keyboard sounds buried deep in the mix that come to the fore more.

Darling Nikki - Vocals front, centre, inside, outside. Great wide soundscape.

When Doves Cry - This is perhaps a personal preference but the mix has added too much lower end and it sounds too warm. A lot like what they did on some tracks on the SOTT Remaster. It was too distracting for me to engage. Although I lament at how deep in the mix the guitar solo is even in the original.

I Would Die 4 U - Like The Beautiful Ones the lower frequency has been given a massive lift. It very much works here, unlike WDC. The driving beats from the start sound well rounded and it's a close your eyes moment.

Baby I'm A Star - (I struggle with this track, never liked it) it's a difficult comparison as I just don't 'know' it as well as all the others.

Purple Rain - The second half of this track is quite brilliant, the cello, keyboards and vocals are really just so well done. Another close your eyes moment. Like sprinkling magic Prince dust over your ears and soul.

Very much with BalladofPeterParker on the overall result. Very much worth a listen.

My normal listening mode is stereo IEMs and uncompressed rips or HD purchases.

I am lucky to have high end gear and so having to listen in this way with all the audio distractions of the outside world is not my preferred method. If there was some way to make the better ones of the mixes available in 2.0 that would be awesome.

[Edited 4/26/25 11:53am]

[Edited 4/26/25 11:55am]

Hey Persian! I really enjoyed your take on the mixes, I appreciate the detail you wrote with. Any idea which Prince album you would like to hear next in a Atmos mix? Which album do you think would benifit the most? I would like to hear "1999" ( or maybe "Controversy") next but I actually think "The Rainbow Children" would be jaw dropping in Atmos if properly mixed.

[Edited 4/27/25 0:21am]

love2thenines2003 said:

I remember back then last year from the Stereo mix of WDC was way better than the original initial version from the album ...some bits here & there unheard until now & guitar soli much more proeminent in the mix....what are your thoughts with this new mix at home? (sorry i don't have a full atmos system at home unfortunately..only a stereo classic audiophile system)

thanx

Sorry, what do you mean by a stereo mix? A stereo mix of what?

I too have a separate 2 channel stereo system. I did not buy the 'new mix'...by which I mean, I don't have the new Purple Rain ATMOS blu ray disc.

BalladofPeterParker said:

My copy just arrived and since I was off today I gave it a high volume listen from start to finish. My set up is a 7.1.4 Atmos configuration. Here's my impressions:

1. Let's Go Crazy - excellent seperation but it doesn't really add to the mix, I wasn't overly impressed. I thought the vocals should have been a little more forward/ pronounced in the mix. I love the song but don't think it benifited from Atmos.

2. Take Me With U - WOW! This was the experience of hearing a outstanding Atmos mix of a song you don't really like! The opening drum salvo went all around me and was a very cool use of immersive sound. The drums sounded great throughout. Great clarity.

3. The Beautiful Ones - YES! This sounded fantastic! Bass boom rattled my chest and the Prince patented screams sounded as if he was in the room. This was the track I just new would be fantastic and I was right! Demo Material

4 Computer Blue - Not bad, the guitars sounded sharp. Vocals a little muddy.

5. Darling Nikki - WOW! Crystal clear vocals and nice non gimmicky immersion. This was the best sounding vocals on this version of Purple Rain! Near Demo.

6. When Doves Cry - I would bet my entire Prince collection that this was the track they spent the most time on remastering for Atmos! It sounds wonderful. The vox are clear and you can pick up every word clear as if he was with you. Percussion was nice and meaty. This is my preferred way to hear this song from now on , it's another demo quality track. Bravo.

7. I would Die 4 U - enjoyable.

8. Baby I'm a Star - another decent effort.

9. Purple Rain - Sounded probably as good as it possibly could. Prince vocals were clear and the solo sounded outstanding. Near Demo material.

Overall I would definitely recommend to anyone with a well calibrated Atmos set up. I will listen to stereo version next week.

[Edited 4/25/25 20:42pm]

[Edited 4/25/25 20:43pm]

[Edited 4/25/25 20:46pm]

Super...did you also review/describe the D&P ATMOS miX? I assume you have it?
What is this new stereo mix I am hearing people mention?

JoeyCococo said:

love2thenines2003 said:

JoeyCococo said:

Super...did you also review/describe the D&P ATMOS miX? I assume you have it?
What is this new stereo mix I am hearing people mention?

I meant a mix down tweaked version in stereo of the Atmos original mix!

oh..where do I find that?

I bought the “regular version” from Warner music in Australia and a German manufactured Blu ray arrived that I was very happy with.

ThePersian said:

Hello everyone.

Just a quick one to say that the Purple Rain Blu Ray Audio atmos edition arrived today with the exclusive 'slipcase' from the SDE Shop.

'Slipcase' - in that the actual base case doesn't fit in the 'slipcase'.

So not a slipcase.

More an annoying bit of cardboard.

Disappointed, yes. Surprised, no.

Gave it a quick listen too, and there is definitely a difference in the mix. Whether you like it or not is down to personal preference.

But the differences are definitely tangible.

Take Me With U seemed to change the most. Strings were much more prominent in the mix.

Whether it's worth it is another matter. But mugs like me still buy this stuff.

Very disappointed in the SDE shop for the 'slipcase though'. Give that a pass if you're thinking of wasting more money.

[Edited 4/25/25 11:06am]

[Edited 4/25/25 11:20am]

It arrived a couple of days ago and the slipcase fits perfectly, mabe you have a messsed up one?

OK...got mine. I listened and my take is the same as it was for D&P's ATMOS disc. The sound is disjointed. I know it's neat to hear the strumming on Take Me With U so clearly and I think the ending guitar solo in When Doves Cry is so much clearer, but it all sounds like there is mid range missing That's my main issue with these mixes.