Expert: James Michael Anderson - 9/10/2009

Question
Have you heard the new mixes?  What's your opinion?

Answer
Wow- that's a HUGE question!

I pre-ordered both the Stereo and Mono box sets from Amazon and expect them this weekend.  That being said, I was in Midtown Manhattan today and I went to Best Buy as they were having a hoo-rah event on the 9-9-9 releases.  Knowing that I wouldn't get my sets until the weekend at least, I decided to pick up Abbey Road.  Having compared my Dr. Ebbet's disc which was made from a needle-drop MFSL, I must say that I am impressed.  The range of the highs and lows is noticably wider and the drums and bass have what I can only best describe as "PUNCH".
I can't really give a final verdict until I have had the time to make A/B comparisons but I do notice a significant upgrade from my existing collection.  I have not yet compared to my original vinyls or MFSL vinyls.
Best Buy was sold out of both the stereo and mono box sets within an hour of being open, so I haven't even seen the boxes yet...  I have to imagine that after being late entrants into the CD world and also waiting 22 years to release these that they are quality products.  
Your desire to pick them up as completist vs. upgrade might rely on budget as much as frequency of listening.  If you're not interested in the entire collection, just based on what I have heard, it's likely worth picking up your favorite album(s).