OMG, i couldn't believe it but you're right!! (thank you for the samples)
The new 5.1 mix is
SOOOO BAD!
It seems it's more front heavy (if you turn off the front speakers and compare the rear ones in both 5.1 audio tracks, you'll see the difference clearly. eg. at. 1.30'' and on)
Also the horse galloping is almost not heard in the new 5.1 mix while in the old one is thunderous.
It seems they did this:
The older BLuray 5.1 mix was done by compiling different elements (that's why they forgot to put back a few - the choir, percussion etc.).
To correct this, they didn't compile the elements again but it seems they maybe used the mono track or a stereo track and expanded it to 5.1? or used an old 5.1? something like that!
That's why the sounds are not clear!
And maybe the clipping was caused by this "expansion".
Oh, and I was so happy about this release.. How didn't anyone else pointed this out sooner?
It seems Conan the barbarian is doomed not to sound good (or right) in Bluray ever!!