Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms

Very Limited Number Available - Cased in Jewel Case
2006 Grammy Awards:
Surround Sound Album
Brothers in Arms -- 20th Anniversary Edition, Chuck Ainlay, Bob Ludwig, Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits).

One of the great albums of all time now mixed in 5.1 Surround in commemoration of the release's 20th anniversary. Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering.

Brothers In Arms brought the atmospheric, jazz-rock inclinations of Love Over Gold into a pop setting, resulting in a surprise international bestseller. Of course, the success of Brothers In Arms was helped considerably by the clever computer-animated video for "Money for Nothing" and a sardonic attack by MTV. But what kept the record selling was Knopfler's increased sense of pop songcraft - "Money For Nothing" had an incredible guitar riff, "Walk Of Life" is a catchy uptempo boogie variation on "Sultans of Swing," and the melodies of the bluesy "So Far Away" and downtempo Everly Brothers-style "Why Worry" were wistful and lovely. Dire Straits had never been so concise or pop-oriented, and it wore well on the album.

1. So Far Away

2. Money For Nothing

3. Walk of Life

4. Your Latest Trick

5. Why Worry

6. Ride Across the River

7. The Man's Too Strong

8. One World

9. Brothers in Arms

Customer Reviews (4.83 Stars) 59 person(s) rated this product.

Reference sacd posted on 07/10/2018 5 Stars Reviewer: watnow I've had this in 20th anniversary for some tme. If you want Dire straights playing live in your listening room. Get this disk.

Top marks for this remaster/remix posted on 07/05/2013 5 Stars Reviewer: Andy This is probably the best rerelease of this recording you can buy. here's why : not only do you get a stunning SACD 5.1 remix, you get a fantastic SACD stereo recording, down mixed, I think, from the 5.1 mix (this requires further listening and comparing). As an added bonus the original "red book" CD compatible stereo recording is included BUT has been encoded to play back using the HDCD system - so the disc is playable on normal players, HDCD players, stereo SACD players and multichannel SACD players. In my case my OPPO player plays all four "versions" or layers. Talk about stuck for choice! No need to buy any other version, remaster or remix! Just buy it and enjoy it in whatever format your player can handle or you fancy listening too!.

DSD 2 Channel Excellence posted on 10/21/2012 5 Stars Reviewer: Rick This is my first SACD, listened to in only the 2 Channel Stereo SACD layer in analog direct to the amp (Audioquest King Cobra interconnects) with all digital/video switched off on the SACD player. If you think regular CDs sound good (and they do), then SACD is a whole new level. The sound is so crisp, clean and clear it's simply stunning. You'll hear new and different levels of separation and clarity in instruments. When the bass first hits in "Ride Across The River" the other instruments remain separate in the L/R speakers and there is a thick invisible wall of amazing deep clear bass emanating from the bottom of the exact middle of the two speakers. Don't have a MCH player or speaker set-up so can't comment on the MCH aspect of this SACD. 2 Ch is fine, and sounds fantastic. If you like BIA and have it on CD then the SACD is even better and highly recommended. If you hear this and don't have a SACD player this recording may make you buy one. Feel free to email me to discuss.

Too Bright! posted on 12/11/2011 3 Stars Reviewer: Adrian B. Most regrettably, the sound of this SACD, on my Rowland, Wilson two channel system is overly bright - so much so, that I opted to re-purchase this album on XRCD2. Fortunately, this latter version is listenable.

Excellent posted on 12/10/2009 5 Stars By far one of the best sounding SACD I own.

A well added SACD to the collection posted on 05/15/2009 5 Stars Reviewer: Gary The first three songs are the ones played on the radio and mostly the ones I was familiar with, but from track 4, the music opens up. My wife and I really enjoy Why Worry and the playful surround. The recording is superb and the notes are crisp and clean. I was never a big Dire Straits’ fan but this disc turned me around. If you do not own it – get it. It is worth it.

very enjoyable posted on 02/13/2009 5 Stars i was very expectant to receive the disc, since it has been very long since i listened dire straits for the last time, but when put it and pushed play, i really got back to that years, and the sound coming from all around me, i can say that i really enjoyed it, and still do very often. i highly recommend it.

wow posted on 09/18/2008 5 Stars Reviewer: Juan You have to have this SACD, even if you do not know the Band!

Fantastic!! posted on 07/15/2008 5 Stars Reviewer: Doug This is the finest album in my collection. knopfler is a genius at engineering this sacd. The multichannel format is a little tricky to pull off, but he did a splendid job. Not overly mixed, but a perfect blend for his music. A must have for anyones collection.

AMAZING!!! posted on 06/30/2008 5 Stars Reviewer: Mark M - Chicago Il The entire album is incredible. The multi-channel mix is absolutely perfect. Crisp and clear. The most popular song on the album when it was originally released was Money For Nothing and I'm sure a lot of you will agree the radio stations burned the song out. It seemed that every time I turned on the radio it was playing. Change the station and it would playing there too. It had been many years since I heard the song and I am new to the SACD world and made a large investment on a new up to date entertainment system last fall while renovating my living room and after reading the reviews here over and over again I finally purchased this album still remembering how burnt out I was on that song twenty years ago...OH - MY - GOD! Every song is PERFECT as far as clarity and mix goes but when Money For Nothing played with that awesome guitar intro the hair on my neck stood up and goose bumps head to toe. When I play this album I play it all. This is what every multi channel SACD should be like

Proper Equipment Does Make a Difference. posted on 05/11/2008 5 Stars Reviewer: Darrel and Sally Odgers We have this album on re-released vinyl, HDCD and SACD hybrid multichannel. The SACD is by far the best version and in our opinion the multichannel layer is as entertaining if not more than the stereo SACD layer. We feel that this format shines better when played on dedicated equipment, as we recently found out after purchasing an Accuphase CX-260.

Great in two-channel posted on 04/29/2008 5 Stars Reviewer: Dave I listen in hi rez, two-channel. This has always been a great album, since I first bought it on vinyl LP and later on CD. The clarity of dynamics of this recording are as if you're listening to the master tape. The performance itself is classic.

Exceptional Recording posted on 02/24/2008 5 Stars I have owned the regular CD of this classic recording for years. However, I have never heard it like this incredible SACD remix! I listen to this on a reference system in stereo and hear things in the music that I've never heard before on any other system. It is truly an incredible recording and will test the limits of any audiophile system. Enjoy!

Absolutely, Positively, 100 Percent Recommend This Disc posted on 02/19/2008 5 Stars Reviewer: Richard L. I mailed in my order for this one on SACD when it was limited stock, and I waited anxiously for it to arrive, hoping the supply didn't run out. It hadn't and I opened the package and was treated to one of the three best sounding SACD's I've heard to date! This disc has incredible dynamics, amazing clarity and a surround mix that sets a new standard. The Man's Too Strong just explodes with power and at the same time has perfect microdynamics and delicacy. All throughout the album, the guitar work is clear and full toned and resonant. This is one recording that really shows what SACD can do!

Dire Straits as it should be heard posted on 01/25/2008 5 Stars Reviewer: rob prideaux Re-discovering this album after so many years, was a total joy. The re-mix to 5.1 expands the sound stage dramatically, allowing the listener to experience the sound of the band in all its myriad components. Even if you only just like the group, buy this CD.

Very good quality of sound posted on 12/13/2007 5 Stars One of my first SACDs and the best so far. Awesome clarity and dynamics.

Great sounding gloomy music posted on 11/06/2007 3 Stars Reviewer: Cornan I finally succumbed to the "most viewed" / "best selling" markers I saw on several sites but was very disappointed at the bottom line. For me there needs to be something "positive" about the music itself, and in this case I just couldn't find that lift.

Great sounding posted on 10/28/2007 5 Stars Reviewer: Rick How can you not love the guitar riff in "Money for Nothing" to begin with. Hearing this in SACD gives you a feeling you have to experience!

It's nothing to see with the first DDD version... posted on 10/31/2007 5 Stars Reviewer: Marcelo I'm sorry Mr. Martin Ledford for your rate, but my ears are the best electronic instrumental. So people after listening two or three times this glorious SACD, you'll heard the chat that Mark make to Sting and the other musicians. Amazing !!!.-

SACD delivers yet again posted on 10/19/2007 5 Stars For me, this is a classic piece. This SACD release reveals a wider scope of detail and depth. The musical blend is so much sweeter than the regular CD. Definitely a good buy.

Top Notch!! posted on 09/06/2007 5 Stars Reviewer: DAN One of my favorite owned sacd's. Sound quality is supurb!!

outstanding sacd posted on 08/10/2007 5 Stars Reviewer: david picarsic This is one to add to your collection of sacd's. I highly recommend it!

Sweet Mix of A Great Recording posted on 06/21/2007 5 Stars I own both the Dvd-Audio release and the SACD release of this recording. What is curious is the fact that this recording sounds great in either format for different reasons. The SACD release is more analog sounding and sounds very similiar to the best sounding vinyl release. There is a very sweet sound to the trumpets, and the guitar tones are very detailed with a perfect soundstage, the bass has punch, but not quite as much as the DVD-Audio which has a bit more slam, but a tiny bit less detail. All in all, if you can, get both and do your own taste test, I rate this release an A, the DVD-Audio gets an A+ (plus if you have a car with DVD-Audio, it is alot of fun to crank up Money For Nothing when you are stuck in traffic, then, open your windows and look around)!

Best one yet posted on 05/27/2007 5 Stars Reviewer: Mark Bierle Great sound, great dynamics Great CD. What else can I say!

AWESOME !! posted on 05/05/2007 5 Stars Reviewer: Ballsy I totaly agree with anyone who says this is a fantastic sounding SACD! The clarity of the different instuments is incredible, This is one to show off your system with. Get it and crank it !!

be prepared for a treat !!! posted on 03/16/2007 5 Stars this is a great cd anyway but add a badass multichannel mix and this cd takes on a life of it's own !

Whoa! posted on 03/14/2007 5 Stars I've always loved this album, now have more reason to. remarkable clarity and precise sound.

A must have! posted on 02/26/2007 5 Stars Reviewer: Jerry Proctor If you have a good surround sound system this CD is a must have. Sharp clear and powerful sounding. Shangri La is also well recorded, contains some music that is a bit different but the sound quality is awesome. It's CD's like these that make me feel justified for the large investment I have in my system. My only regret is that there is so few quality recordings out there to choose from.

It can't be said enough posted on 02/18/2007 5 Stars Reviewer: Freditor It just doesn't get any better than this for 5.1 SACD. I highly recommend Mark Knopfler's Shangri-La also. Played back to back, it's hard to believe these two releases are over 20 years apart. I've gotten many compliments from friends at my house during "game night" while these SACD's are playing.

A Real Demo SACD! posted on 01/21/2007 5 Stars Indeed a Must Have for any music enthusiast with a decent 5.1 Surround with SACD Player. The clarity and the surround mix is one of the best in a SACD. Recommend Pink Floyd's DSOTM, Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road as well.

What more can you say! posted on 01/12/2007 5 Stars Reviewer: Shady Lane This SACD has been ranted and raved about so much by everyone else, that I had to get it and see for myself. Well, I was definitely not disappointed. It is everything everyone says it is and more. Phenominal! If you have a good system and SACD capability, buy this album. You will not be disappointed. You will be very happy. As the song goes, Don't worry, be happy.

How does a DDD (44.1/16bit) recording become a SACD? posted on 01/07/2007 1 Stars Reviewer: Martin Ledford "Brothers in Arms" was one of the first DDD recording CDs when released. From recording through mastering, all occurred at 44.1/16 bit. I am curious as to how this SACD could improve on the sound quality? I understand how multi-channels could make it a new experience, but sound quality improvement befuddles me.

One of my favorites posted on 12/12/2006 5 Stars Great sonics and performance. My "B&W 802D" speakers sing with delight when I play this recording. Two thumbs up!

Perfect instrument separation posted on 11/12/2006 5 Stars Reviewer: AlexG

Emmylou Harris made me a Mark Knopfler supporter posted on 07/29/2006 5 Stars Reviewer: Roger All the Roadrunning first introduced me to Mark Knopfler plus the rave reviews of the latest version of Brothers in Arms. I am from the original Rock 'n Roll era so I never bothered with Dire Straits but I am surprised how much I love this album. It has the earthy rough sound I enjoy and being a SACD fan this is beautifully mastered recording, one of the best.

5.1 BEAUTY posted on 07/16/2006 5 Stars Reviewer: howie I'M not a big dire straits fan , but this disc is excellent. Perfectly mixed , probably the best sounding 5.1 disc i have. Good job guys!!!

A Reason for the SACD Format to Survive posted on 06/20/2006 5 Stars Reviewer: Jim S If only more music enthusiasts heard this phenomenal disk on a decent multi-channel audio system, the SACD format would be far from the dire straits it is now in. Like "Dark Side of the Moon," an already great album has been transformed into a true sonic marvel - extremely involving - a must have for anyone desiring acoustic immersion in a musical landmark. Highly recommended.

magicians !! posted on 06/11/2006 5 Stars Reviewer: walter when this recording came out on normal cd it was one of the few ddd rock recordings. for a very long time this quality was "state of the art" for me and i really thought that's it now. after hearing this sacd i have to "bow" very deep. what these professional sound engineers made of the very same "material" is simply magic!!************* T H A N K___ Y O U !!!!!!!

Dire Dtraits deserving...does it get better than this? posted on 03/25/2006 5 Stars Reviewer: Hendrik Lahnstein Having purchased in the past all Dire Straits CDs, listened to them over and over again, year in year out, this recording is absolutely marvelous! It does help that I just acquired a very decent audiophile stereo system, nonetheless I feel like sitting on Mark Knoffler's lab. Bravo.

SACD Spectacular posted on 01/28/2006 5 Stars A true great piece of music and in SACD a true demo mind blower

Plays Well posted on 12/09/2005 5 Stars Reviewer: Chris P. Unlike "Peter G's" review states, the disc plays perfectly on my SACD players, both a Pioneer Elite 45A and a Sony DVP-NC685V. The surround mix is, frankly, exemplary – a real demo disc. (One could note that Sting’s opening “I want my MTV” vocals on "Money for Nothing" are needlessly confined to the center channel, but that is only quibbling).

Experience this disc for the first time again posted on 12/06/2005 4 Stars Reviewer: Mike

doesn't play on every dvd sacd player posted on 11/04/2005 5 Stars Reviewer: Peter G Only plays on my Sony not Yamaha or Pioneer Elite

Has it been 20 years? posted on 10/14/2005 4 Stars Superb multi-channel reproduction of a true classic album. The remix reveals detail and depth to the lyric track in particular, precisely focused center-stage as if suspended in space. The re-engineer makes good use of the surround channels to provide movement and space, without being heavy-handed. Without a doubt, a recording that will still be prized 20 years from now.

Dire Straits SACD Sounds Fabulous posted on 07/27/2005 5 Stars Reviewer: Merrill Knopfler's remix of "Brothers in Arms" sounds fantastic in the SACD format. His exquisite guitar work and the high definition audio format seem made for each other. The recording is a bit pricey, but if you are a fan, this is a must have.

A Must Have! posted on 06/23/2005 5 Stars Reviewer: James McPherson This alblum is bloody fantastic. Everysong is great and they did an awsome job on remixing it to 5.1. If you love music you will love this one.

Good cd posted on 06/07/2005 5 Stars Funny how the reviewer above bought the record 2 years before it came out. I want to know his connection. This is a great sounding cd!

It's a shame it's currently on back order. posted on 07/09/2005 5 Stars Glad I preordered mine. Did so as soon as I saw it was a "coming soon" item here at AS. I'm listening to this incredible sound experience as I'm penning this review. I feel sorry for those who are checking this site everyday, hoping for a change in their respected accounts. But I'm also gald to see this recording is still in high demand. That's so cool. Your wait will be fruitfull, try not listening to any other copy of this until the 5.1 SACD arrives. It's like Christmas. The anticipation. It's as if Mark had this idea back in the early 80s. Limited only by technology. Kinda like a George Lucus; Mark Knopfler wanted to accomplish more than what the current technolgy could offer. That's why this 5.1 mix works, it was meant for this treatment all along, it's just that back in 1986 or so, 2-channels and a bunch of ones-and-zeros was as good as it got. DDD was revolutionary. This 5.1 mix is just that—revolutionary.

Incredible New Re-release posted on 05/28/2005 5 Stars I originally bought this album in '83 and played it until I got sick of it. So I was somewhat hesitant to order it now, yet I was intrigued at the thought of a hybrid version. The new SACD is so good that I was stunned when I first played it. Friends also listened to it yesterday and we all agreed that you can hear sounds that you didn't know were there. It's a perfect mix. There are no gimmicks and the band and their great music are the shining stars. If you've listened to this recording a thousand times or if it's new to you, I recommend it highly. You might also check out "Sailing To Philadelphia" on DVD-A and "Shangri-La" on SACD. Quality guitar and music.

Write a review and let people know what you think of this product OR just rate it.