They promised a lot with the last special edition, but never delivered on it. I did get that big daddy that now proudly stabs at my vault 101 bobble-head, but I got it under the pretense of getting stuff that is now in Bioshock 2's LE.
Money problems and a $90 price tag are keeping me away from that sort of money sink.
This does indeed look gorgeous. If I was convinced that the game would be incredible I would not think twice before throwing down some dough on this. However, this is not the case. I can still hope though...
@Mad-Hobo: Very true indeed, but I don't want to be stuck with a bunch of junk from a franchise that has turned to crap, if indeed this second offering is horrendous. :-/
That LP is awsome, but how many people still own a record player? I used to, but left it in an old apartment-dumbest mistake ever.
Still, that's a pretty awsome LE. I just picked up Bioshock for PS3 in preparation for the sequel. I haven't played it yet, but I've already finished the 360 version. While not the best FPS out there, the one thing Bioshock has is a great art style. It's a very consistent and realized world, and this LE seems to promote that unique styling.
But I gotta say, as much as I'd like to get this, I just can't see myself spending $100 on it. That's $40 that could easily go towards the myriad of other games being released around the same time...
@bakagaijin: Dude, LPs are awesome. The first Bioshock got me so into WWII-era music, I've been listening to nothing but that stuff, and vinyl is the only way to listen to it.
I've never bought a game on the day it came out - I'm the guy who waits a year to save twenty bucks. But I am buying this the minute it drops.
@adumbguy: LP's have a warmth that really can't be replicated in modern formats, no matter how many effects are added. I still have my collection of LP's, some I've purchased, and some from my fathers collection, but like I said, no damn record player. I need to get one.
And good for you for listening to some oldies. There's some great stuff out there, I'm sure.
I want the book. Why dont these companies do something intelligent and allow players to purchase the individual pieces of this collection and more through their online site.
I guess they learned their lesson about including figurines with their CE :/
...I still want this though, but having bought a buttload of CE's over the years that are doing nothing now but collecting dust in my closet, I dunno....
@doubtful: Just a cheap Kenwood model, The quality is far from what i'd like but for the most part, I have most of my records on CD or mp3's so its more just to listen to a few rare LP's I cant find in other formats.
@doubtful: Thorens TD-160 over here, with a Grado black and custom insulated plinth. Resting on a 2" thick piece of plexi mounted to the wall to further isolate. Adcom 565 phono preamp, twin carver m400 cubes mono-blocked. I rotate speakers a lot, currently auditioning a pair of vintage Wharfdales.
@Mega-Driven: Well, you're light years ahead of me. I thought about getting a Grado for mine, but I've been unsuccessful in getting the auto return to work right, so I'm thinking a new table first.
I spent the summer searching garage sales for new speakers, but didn't find any I wanted. Right now I'm using a pair of Bose 4001 speakers. I had a Pioneer amp just sitting in my basement that had a phono input.
@Mega-Driven: Yeah I'm an audio geek but you're not. There's a difference between audio geekery and batshit consumer-hype zeal.
Hate to take it out on you but this is a chip on my shoulder.
You do realize that when CDs and records (and video game soundtracks) are recorded, mixed, and mastered that:
a: It is with average consumer-grade playback equipment in mind (in fact some of our most popular monitors, the Yamaha NS10s and the Meyer HD1s were created to translate well to bookshelf speakers).
b: your system is possibly capable of reproducing frequencies in a "hi fidelity" way that the mixing and mastering engineers' systems are not, so you are actually getting the final product different than as it was intended by the artist and engineers.
c: any color that your equipment imparts into the mix is also detrimental from the vision of the artists and engineers, (you can expect that a boombox adds low end, no audio engineer in his/her right mind cares what happens when their mixes are run through "Wolfdales".
Not to mention that the factor of reduction of sonic "impurities" and "noise" that a system like you is designed to handle is far far far below the threshold of human hearing. Any difference that you hear when you switch out preamps is either a result of psychology or obnoxious color that "high-end" gear manufacturers add to their circuits to make you think that what you're hearing is better (bose anyone).
Get yourself a pair of mid-cost active professional studio monitors and any CD player and you will hear a more accurate reproduction of the music, guaranteed. And you'll save a lot of money.
@doubtful: Keep looking. I have accumulated a lot of nice gear over the years, and all relatively inexpensively. Lots of garage sales, estate sales, flea markets & good old craigslist. Keep your eyes peeled, stuff will come up. And certainly dont disregard "old" speakers- I am enjoying my recent $25 estate sale Wharfdales as much as my B & W's which cost an arm and a leg.
Start with a nice old Marantz or Pioneer receiver, ditto for turntable. The heavier, the better. Replace the beat up, worn old cartridge immediately, and learn how to calibrate the tonearm.- you can grab decent heads for not too much at a local guitar center- try a shure m44-7, good for general use, they aren't too expensive and are readily available. Replace the belt if necessary, and only play very nice, clean records. Don't look for records at the thrift store, you will usually only find some crap christmas records and scratched up big band & polka junk. Head to your towns used record store if you have one, and find some clean copies of music you like. Bam! Now tell me that does not sound leagues above some mp3s on an iPod.
@ihatko: Woah there! You remind me of my pal who swears by studio monitors. While I agree with most of your observations, You are making quite a few assumptions about me.
[quote]You do realize that when CDs and records (and video game soundtracks) are recorded, mixed, and mastered that:
a: It is with average consumer-grade playback equipment in mind (in fact some of our most popular monitors, the Yamaha NS10s and the Meyer HD1s were created to translate well to bookshelf speakers).[/quote]
This is unfortunately true, but was not always the case. Things were not always so highly compressed or compromised; Do you think Rudy Van Gelder's Blue Note work was done with any other goal that the most faithful, high-fidelity reproduction possible?
[quote]b: your system is possibly capable of reproducing frequencies in a "hi fidelity" way that the mixing and mastering engineers' systems are not, so you are actually getting the final product different than as it was intended by the artist and engineers.[/quote]
This maybe true if I was listening to Creed or Kanye West or some other popular contemporary recording, which is surely mastered to sound "good" on an ipod, a car stereo, in a club, or a typical off the shelf bookshelf system. My current system is used to enjoy mostly late 50s jazz and early 70s prog rock.
[quote]c: any color that your equipment imparts into the mix is also detrimental from the vision of the artists and engineers, (you can expect that a boombox adds low end, no audio engineer in his/her right mind cares what happens when their mixes are run through "Wolfdales".[/quote]
Your first statement is true, and my goal has always been to minimize this. Hence engaging the tone circuit bypass on my preamp, for example. And careful speaker placement, as well as the use of rugs and drapes. I loathe looking at someones receiver, and seeing "bass" and "treble" turned all the way up because it "sounds better"- although with today's music, it probably does.
[quote]Not to mention that the factor of reduction of sonic "impurities" and "noise" that a system like you is designed to handle is far far far below the threshold of human hearing. Any difference that you hear when you switch out preamps is either a result of psychology or obnoxious color that "high-end" gear manufacturers add to their circuits to make you think that what you're hearing is better (bose anyone).[/quote]
How about hearing the relative lack of false "color" when switching to a "cleaner" component? I certainly do agree with the threshold/psychology bit however, the worst example of this is in the true "high end" realm, particularly with cables/speaker wire. In my case however, over time and on a tight budget, I have put together a very capable and to my ears, wonderful sounding audio system for <$600. (have an older NAD cd player in there too, for guests.)
Active studio monitors will be used with my PC when fiddling with home recordings, but not in my parlour, where I do enjoy my subjective opinion.
I used to be all over special editions, but nowadays everything has got them and they are usually not that great, plus I'm just turned off by all of the insanity with pre-ordering/special edition-exclusive in-game content. I usually just say the hell with it and either don't buy it at all, or go in full steam ahead, and really only the latter with Metal Gear, since I don't really care about anything else too tremendously much. Maybe KotOR, if they hadn't squandered that series...or Mass Effect, if they'd port to PS3...but even Mass Effect is bleh for special edition consideration.
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Money problems and a $90 price tag are keeping me away from that sort of money sink.
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Still, that's a pretty awsome LE. I just picked up Bioshock for PS3 in preparation for the sequel. I haven't played it yet, but I've already finished the 360 version. While not the best FPS out there, the one thing Bioshock has is a great art style. It's a very consistent and realized world, and this LE seems to promote that unique styling.
But I gotta say, as much as I'd like to get this, I just can't see myself spending $100 on it. That's $40 that could easily go towards the myriad of other games being released around the same time...
11/19/09
I've never bought a game on the day it came out - I'm the guy who waits a year to save twenty bucks. But I am buying this the minute it drops.
11/19/09
And good for you for listening to some oldies. There's some great stuff out there, I'm sure.
#speakup
11/19/09
Oh how I wish Fallout 3 would have had an LP of the soundtrack with their special edition...
11/19/09
....damn me and my soulless, consumer whore lusts!
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...I still want this though, but having bought a buttload of CE's over the years that are doing nothing now but collecting dust in my closet, I dunno....
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that is, if its released in the UK
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This is almost worth it for me just for the rare vinyl.
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Any other audio geeks around here?
11/19/09
I spent the summer searching garage sales for new speakers, but didn't find any I wanted. Right now I'm using a pair of Bose 4001 speakers. I had a Pioneer amp just sitting in my basement that had a phono input.
11/19/09
Hate to take it out on you but this is a chip on my shoulder.
You do realize that when CDs and records (and video game soundtracks) are recorded, mixed, and mastered that:
a: It is with average consumer-grade playback equipment in mind (in fact some of our most popular monitors, the Yamaha NS10s and the Meyer HD1s were created to translate well to bookshelf speakers).
b: your system is possibly capable of reproducing frequencies in a "hi fidelity" way that the mixing and mastering engineers' systems are not, so you are actually getting the final product different than as it was intended by the artist and engineers.
c: any color that your equipment imparts into the mix is also detrimental from the vision of the artists and engineers, (you can expect that a boombox adds low end, no audio engineer in his/her right mind cares what happens when their mixes are run through "Wolfdales".
Not to mention that the factor of reduction of sonic "impurities" and "noise" that a system like you is designed to handle is far far far below the threshold of human hearing. Any difference that you hear when you switch out preamps is either a result of psychology or obnoxious color that "high-end" gear manufacturers add to their circuits to make you think that what you're hearing is better (bose anyone).
Get yourself a pair of mid-cost active professional studio monitors and any CD player and you will hear a more accurate reproduction of the music, guaranteed. And you'll save a lot of money.
11/19/09
Start with a nice old Marantz or Pioneer receiver, ditto for turntable. The heavier, the better. Replace the beat up, worn old cartridge immediately, and learn how to calibrate the tonearm.- you can grab decent heads for not too much at a local guitar center- try a shure m44-7, good for general use, they aren't too expensive and are readily available. Replace the belt if necessary, and only play very nice, clean records. Don't look for records at the thrift store, you will usually only find some crap christmas records and scratched up big band & polka junk. Head to your towns used record store if you have one, and find some clean copies of music you like. Bam! Now tell me that does not sound leagues above some mp3s on an iPod.
11/19/09
[quote]You do realize that when CDs and records (and video game soundtracks) are recorded, mixed, and mastered that:
a: It is with average consumer-grade playback equipment in mind (in fact some of our most popular monitors, the Yamaha NS10s and the Meyer HD1s were created to translate well to bookshelf speakers).[/quote]
This is unfortunately true, but was not always the case. Things were not always so highly compressed or compromised; Do you think Rudy Van Gelder's Blue Note work was done with any other goal that the most faithful, high-fidelity reproduction possible?
[quote]b: your system is possibly capable of reproducing frequencies in a "hi fidelity" way that the mixing and mastering engineers' systems are not, so you are actually getting the final product different than as it was intended by the artist and engineers.[/quote]
This maybe true if I was listening to Creed or Kanye West or some other popular contemporary recording, which is surely mastered to sound "good" on an ipod, a car stereo, in a club, or a typical off the shelf bookshelf system. My current system is used to enjoy mostly late 50s jazz and early 70s prog rock.
[quote]c: any color that your equipment imparts into the mix is also detrimental from the vision of the artists and engineers, (you can expect that a boombox adds low end, no audio engineer in his/her right mind cares what happens when their mixes are run through "Wolfdales".[/quote]
Your first statement is true, and my goal has always been to minimize this. Hence engaging the tone circuit bypass on my preamp, for example. And careful speaker placement, as well as the use of rugs and drapes. I loathe looking at someones receiver, and seeing "bass" and "treble" turned all the way up because it "sounds better"- although with today's music, it probably does.
[quote]Not to mention that the factor of reduction of sonic "impurities" and "noise" that a system like you is designed to handle is far far far below the threshold of human hearing. Any difference that you hear when you switch out preamps is either a result of psychology or obnoxious color that "high-end" gear manufacturers add to their circuits to make you think that what you're hearing is better (bose anyone).[/quote]
How about hearing the relative lack of false "color" when switching to a "cleaner" component? I certainly do agree with the threshold/psychology bit however, the worst example of this is in the true "high end" realm, particularly with cables/speaker wire. In my case however, over time and on a tight budget, I have put together a very capable and to my ears, wonderful sounding audio system for <$600. (have an older NAD cd player in there too, for guests.)
Active studio monitors will be used with my PC when fiddling with home recordings, but not in my parlour, where I do enjoy my subjective opinion.
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Probably going to be the first SE I've ever bought too.
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