Definitive Collection (Mini LP Replica) |  | Artist: Led Zeppelin
Label: Rhino Records
Category: Music
List Price: $199.98
Buy New: $125.00
as of 9/8/2010 01:44 CDT details
You Save: $74.98 (37%)
New (17) Used (4) from $124.99
Seller: hayscope2
Rating:  43 reviews
Sales Rank: 9,797
Format: Box set, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 12
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 6.2 x 6.1 x 4
UPC: 081227990466
EAN: 0081227990466
ASIN: B001FSDP08
Release Date: November 11, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
Disc 1
Disc 2
Disc 3
Disc 4
Disc 5
Disc 6
| • | Physical Graffiti (Disc one) |
Disc 7
| • | Physical Graffiti (Disc two) |
Disc 8
Disc 9
| • | In Through The Out Door |
Disc 10
| • | The Song Remains The Same (Disc one) |
Disc 11
| • | The Song Remains The Same (Disc 2) |
Disc 12
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
2008 twelve CD box set from Led Zeppelin featuring all ten albums in beautiful mini-LP reproductions! The Led Zeppelin 40th Anniversary Cardboard Sleeve Reissue Series features advanced cardboard sleeve replicas of the original UK E-style album jackets, plus six bonus cardboard sleeves including five alternate jackets for In Through The Out Door and one alternate jacket for Led Zeppelin I utilizing the original ink. From their 1969 debut album straight through to their final album in 1979, Zeppelin laid the blueprint for what is now known as Classic Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. It really doesn't get better than this!. Warner. 2008.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 43
 Outstanding December 17, 2008
D. A. Rich (Boston, MA)
62 out of 67 found this review helpful
This is my first ever review on Amazon.com. Although I purchase much of my music on Amazon, I acquired this box set from a local retailer which also happens to be an Amazon marketplace vendor. For clarification purposes, the set I acquired was distributed by Atlantic/Warner; there is no mention of the Rhino subsidiary on any of the packaging. The packaging indicates that the product was manufactured in Japan, and indeed, all of the CDs are in fact the (non-SHM) Japanese pressings. Each CD indicates a copyright date of 1994, suggesting that the source material for the CDs was likely the mid-1990s Jimmy Page remasters.
First, a few words about the packaging. It is spectacular, befitting the band and the music on the CDs. If only all CD reissues were packaged this nicely. The CDs are collectively housed in an elegant black cardboard box with the "LZ IV" symbols engraved on the binding, the front and the back, respectively. Each CD is housed in a mini-replica of the original UK album release (yes, "LZ III" has the spinning wheel), with two mini album sleeves, one paper and one cellophane. Additionally, there are alternate album covers for "LZ I" and for "In Through The Out Door (numerous extra covers)", a nice bonus for the collector.
Of course, packaging is nice, but what about the music/sound? Obviously, if you a reading this, you know how fine the music is, particularly on the first six albums ("LZ I" through "Physical Graffiti"). I have now listened to "LZ I", "LZ II" and "LZ III". The sound quality is, in a word, outstanding and sometimes spectacular (and I am very picky about sound quality). (In fairness, I have not listened to these enough to properly gage the ear fatigue issue which sometimes plagues overly compressed CDs, but based on my initial listenings, I suspect that will not be an issue with these CDs). I did an A-B comparison of this "LZ I" with the mid-1990s (currently available) Jimmy Page remaster of the same, and the Japanese pressing was superior.
In sum, this set is an absolute must for any lover of LZ's music who has the discretionary income to justify the purchase. I suppose some audiophiles will opt for the Japanese SHM version of this set (which I have not heard), but, as of this writing, that set is significantly more expensive. On the other hand, I suppose some will opt for the 1990s box set (US pressings of the Jimmy Page remasters), which is significantly cheaper, and would likely suit those who utilize MP3 players, or who are not particular about sound quality, just fine. This offering of (non-SHM) Japanese pressings is probably the best buy in terns of price/quality ratio. I doubt that any purchaser -- ptovided they receive the set I obtained -- would be disappointed. Highly recommended.
Definite Sonic Improvement - close to 'classic records' vinyl December 2, 2008
FezCO (Pasadena, CA USA)
40 out of 44 found this review helpful
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!
A Collector's Box Set January 2, 2009
PJM (Knoxville, TN United States)
26 out of 29 found this review helpful
There has been some controversy regarding this mini lp set, specifically regarding sound quality. To make things a bit more confusing, there is an identical set available printed in the SHM format. So, which one to buy? If your wallet is your guide, this version from Rhino is your choice since it is much less expensive than the SHM version. Although the remastering has not been updated, the audio is slightly better, perhaps due to the Japanese printing; the Japanese seem, for the most part, to take a great deal more care with the manufacturing of their CDs. That seems to be the theory behind SHM CD's, so it may be applicable to a lesser extent here. The artwork and reproductions are stellar, so this set is a worthy purchase for a collector. One caution; the cellophane envelopes around each mini lp reproduction are fragile and easily torn. They also have adhesive on them which can adhere to the artwork and mar it. I had a close call on that count. I would advise disposing of these envelopes and replacing them with non-adhesive ones. The bottom line is if you can afford the SHM set, by all means go for it. If you have to "settle" for this set, I don't think you will be disappointed. Just be aware of what you are buying regarding the remastering aspect.
Notes On Audio Quality November 27, 2008
audiofan (Okla. City, OK USA)
13 out of 16 found this review helpful
There was, at the time of writing, one person who wrote a review of this set that claimed no sonic advantage over the previous releases. Well, I don't know what kind of 'system' he's listening through, but this is (by far)the finest-sounding version of these classic albums on the CD format. There is greater extension, improved soundfield & dynamics, greater impact & clarity, and most noticeable of all, a dramatic reduction in 'hiss' and surface noise. The sound varies slightly from album-to-album (just as it did on the original LPs), but every title sounds far superior to ANY release before these. By the way, these are NOT from Warner/Rhino, as Amazon says above. Warner/Rhino apparently HAS released a similar set; I have seen it on another site for considerably more money. These are the Japanese 'mini-LPs' (as shown in the video) - and despite what it says in another review, are re-mastered versions; some copies utilizing a process called SHM-CD (playable on any CD player and identified by those letters stamped near the center hole).
Japanese pressing plants are virtual 'clean rooms' - and these CDs reflect the greater attention to detail (smoother edges and a perfectly-round center-hole, to start), both the discs themselves as well as the superb sleeves (perfectly true to every detail; even including the 'Houses Of The Holy' paper sleeve around the original LP). Even with Page's involvement, the LZ catalog always sounded compressed and somewhat flat - this process has suceeded in breathing new life into these tracks.
P.S. I would like to add that I have now heard the "SHM" version (check out some of the blogs if you're confused) side-by-side on the same $200K system and was unable to tell them apart. Both sound outstanding, and with the apparent large difference in price, I would suggest buying these from Amazon before they're out of print (as they surely will soon be).
The 'ONE' To Own... July 1, 2009
Born Rodriguez (Los Angeles, California)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
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.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 43
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