Every remaster carries the risk of "The Loudness War"—the tendency to compress audio to make it sound louder. The 2012 So remaster is often praised for avoiding this pitfall. It maintains the "breathe" of the original tracks while providing the clarity required for modern high-end audio systems. For fans, this FLAC release isn't just about nostalgia; it is about hearing the layers of the Real World Studios production with 21st-century transparency. Conclusion
The 48kHz sample rate indicates this was likely mastered from the original Sony 3324 digital multitrack masters or high-quality analog transfers used for the original mix. (48kHz was the standard for professional digital recording in the mid-80s, whereas consumer CDs are 44.1kHz). This means the 24/48 FLAC is likely the closest digital representation to the master tapes available without stepping up to expensive analog-to-analog transfers. Peter Gabriel - So -2012- -FLAC 24-48-
For newcomers, hearing “In Your Eyes” with the full weight of its bass drum and the shimmer of its synth pads in high-resolution is a revelation. For long-time fans, it’s like cleaning a layer of dust off an old photograph. Every remaster carries the risk of "The Loudness