IMHO, everything loses something in translation. Unfortunately, very few people can read ancient languages (my Latin is awfully rusty) so we must rely on someone else to provide a translation, which opens things up for interpretation or misinterpretation. There is also a matter of style.
Personally, I find that older translations of the Bible have a certain majesty to them that "contemporary" versions lose, but I have trouble with some of the more archaic verbiage in those older ones.
** I find that older translations of the Bible have a certain majesty to them that "contemporary" versions lose,**
Agree with you here. My son loves the Duoay Rheims because it is more like the KJV in language. I prefer one of the more modern ones.
RSV is a good choice. Jerusalem Bible isn't too bad.