1989 Criterion LaserDisc [CC1109L]: Like the later Criterion LaserDisc - see below.
1993 Criterion LaserDisc [CC1324L]: Excellent sound - no hiss reduction and very clean.
2011 Warner DVD: Strong noise reduction, with everything above 6 kHz removed. Very muffled.
2018 Criterion Blu-ray: Less noise reduction than the Warner DVD but still plenty. Quite muffled next to the LaserDisc.
This one is painfully obvious once you listen side by side. It took me ages to get the Criterion CLV reissue with digital audio but I’m so glad I did. The LD audio is like unclogging your ears. The Criterion BD is better than the dvd and I guess each shows the respective approach of Criterion now and Warner when it comes to heavy handed noise reduction. Hiss is perfectly natural. When will they ever realize how much life they are sucking out of the audio?!?!
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