This Is The Curse of Vinyl
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- Опубліковано 20 лют 2024
- I talk a lot about the "joy of vinyl, but is there a flip side? Are vinyl records also cursed?
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link didn't work for me. one in description did, though!
@@glennlittle124 Thanks Glenn! Had to go in and fix it.
One thing to always remember about early pressings is... they were made when the master tapes were a lot younger! As for UHQR records, they're way out of my price bracket, so the question just doesn't arise. I have bought quite a few modern remasters, though, when they've been done by engineers I know and trust.
Same Alan. I find myself being more picky these days.
Exactly and so when you're mixing for a reissue, the temptation is to digitally add or subtract for the best sound.....sometimes indifferent to the original.
Yep. Something to be said about owning an original, near original LP made the year or close to the year the master tape was made. Even the best mastering and vinyl formulations cannot make up for the half century or older magnetic tape that's going to lose some of its sparkle, and clarity no matter how well stored.
The joy has been wiped away by greedy collectors and sellers. Every time you listen to your favourites you always know there is an edition that might sound different or better. I have to battle my inner listening demons as I can’t afford the MOFI type records and having heard all the bs spouted by sellers and collectors on you tube.
I battle those demons constantly Dave. Cheers! 🍺
I agree with you on a lot of these points. It seems like people are foolishly spending their money on these 150-200 dollar records always looking for the PERFECT SOUNDING one I’ve seen audiophile channels where they have 5 or 6 copies of the same record I can’t see spending that amount of money for a very small difference in the sound
I'm with you, Dave. Even if I could afford to buy multiple copies (which I can't) I am more than happy with 1 great sounding copy.
Surely you need EVERY McCartney 111 version.
😂😂😂@@andrewsoos2113
I dont have much to add, much of the stuff I listen to doesn’t get a UHQ treatment honestly. I love the legacy stuff but my collection is honestly a lot of extreme metal and newer stuff! Gotta say though, love all the monster movie clips recently!
😂😂😂. Thanks Denis. Throwback to my youth of watching Creature Double Feature every Saturday afternoon
I sold hi-fi between 1976 and 1982 before going into IT. And I bought a LOT of vinyl in the early 2000's in box lots at estate sales, typically paying between a nickel and a dime per record. So I have about 3,500 records now.
My take on this whole "re-issue" thing is that the only time I EVER buy a re-issue is if I ruined my first copy - or don't have it at all and really, really want it. I've found from some of my older LP's that the industry really had high sound quality dialed in by the late 50's. I have some amazing stuff from those days. I don't need a "new re-issue" to get a better sound. What you get is a DIFFERENT sound.
One potential exception is the stuff made during the oil crisis of the early/mid 70's. Some were pressed on recycled vinyl. It can be really noisy, but I personally never experienced it in my collection. Some we had in the store did have the noise issue, though.
That's right about the vinyl pressed during the oil crisis - I forgot about that.
If I had enough invested in my equipment I might replace some of my old pressings but the price tags on both scares me away
The prices really are crazy, Ray.
I feel that if there are certain recordings that hold a special place in your heart, you deserve to have high quality versions of those recordings even if you just hold them unopened like rare treasures.
The important thing is defining to yourself what qualifies for that special treatment, so we dont make a bad habit of it and can afford to jump on the worthy ones if and when they do arise.
I've never spent more than $50 on a single record, & I doubt I'll ever spend much more than that...
& yeah: I *do* judge people who have more than a few really expensive discs. I judge Cadillac owners & Bentley owners & Ferrari owners, too.
Cheers, Will!
Yes, I am acquiring the entire UHQR pressings of Steely Dan because I hold them in very high regard. I already have 2 copies of Donald Fagen's The Nightfly (one still sealed) for the same reason. Other high quality pressings in my collection? Numerous ones like The Eagles, Dead Can Dance, Janis Joplin, The Beatles, The Doors, and others. Are there ones I would add to that list? Oh YES!! Like Cher's Bittersweet White Light (the best recording of her entire career) and many others should they be offered. I sacrifice for records I want. They've been my passion my whole life. I could own my own home if it weren't for my music recordings and stereo gear. Call me crazy, I don't care. But remember this. Where your heart is, so also shall be your wallet. Music is that dear to me. It has been my refuge all of my life from the misery and crap I've had to endure all my life. And still do. This has got to be my Karmic Payback life I' living now. I like your channel. Keep up your good work!!
Thanks Russell!
And I remember _Bittersweet White Light_ . I just had to look to see when it came out. 1973. I was 6!
I have seen the bottom of that rabbit hole and barely got out alive...lol seriously, with "regular" acoustic sounds albums around 60.00 now, I am more interested in buying records I dont have than replacing old ones, which may be played a few times a year. BTW I have about 20 albums in the wish list box, some have been there for over a year.. cheers !
Cheers, Robert. I have a feeling my buying habits might slow down
I had this temptation with “Aja” actually. My copy is an original pressing, and although it has certainly seen better days (I take great care of my records, but I am not the original owner), it sounds really great. It does sound, to my ears, better than my CD copy.
I was VERY tempted with that UHQR release, because all the reviews I had seen, suggested that it was actually an improvement upon the original. It’s one of my all time favorite albums, so it was hard to pass it up, but at the same time, I ended up concluding that I love my original, and honestly just cannot justify the cost of the UHQR.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still tempted though 😅
😂😂😂. We are of the same mind. Even though I haven't yet bought the LA Woman UHQR, I am still contemplating it.
C King's work shines through the Monkees
Last year, I bought a UHQR copy of Miles Davis' Kind of Blue. Having owned 5 different pressings, I thought I'd take a chance on a very high-quality version and I wasn't disappointed. The previous versions I owned all sounded different from each other, but I can't say they were bad. That said, I'm not sure I'm just fixated psychologically on the fact that my UHQR pressing has to be the best.
I agree with your conclusion that if you take good care of your records (as everyone should!) you should probably limit your purchase(s) of UHQR records to something you don't already own, but want badly, or to replace a worn-out record.
If someone blindfolded you and played all the copies, would you honestly be able to pick which one was the UHQR?
Nevermind about upgrading vinyl, I love the old mummy clips in this video and the fun thumbnail. Haha. I'm not an audiophile so I have never felt the need to have a better sounding album etc. as my audio system just isn't sophisticated enough to reveal all the wonderful sound nuances. It's very interesting to hear how people deliberate or fail to deliberate on scaling up their album copies. I'm guessing it all boils down to whether people have the financial means to buy a better copy?
I am at the point where a record I already own has to be audibly inferior for me to replace it. I just can't afford to constantly upgrade anymore.
And thanks for the comments about the clips! I had fun with that. 😂
Haha, you didn't mention you were a mind reader. I've been going through the same exact thoughts and decisions lately myself.
Not too long ago I realized why am I trying to buy something I believe is too expensive just because it may sound a tiny bit better? I have a copy that sounds perfectly fine and superb, I'm happy with it, so why do I feel the urge to see if this more expensive version sounds better. If I didn't know about the more expensive, newer pressing I'd be perfectly content. But then knowing about it just makes me want to hear it and make my own mind up.
I've definitely been holding off on a few purchases because of the exorbitant prices and I have really been trying to rethink whether it's even something that would be worth so much more money. Sometimes, of course, I pull the trigger and buy it. But lately, I've been a lot more careful and frugal and have decided I'm perfectly content with what I have. Sometimes I do wish I had made the purchase after too late later. But most of the time I've been glad I put the money towards something else I wanted or that I just didn't spend it. I'm actually looking at something right now trying to make that decision. If I don't hurry up and make a decision, I likely won't be able to get it. I'm sure I could probably get it on the secondary market or later. But I doubt it would for the cheaper price I can get it for right now.
One example of something that is along these similar lines is this. I recently saw that the Led Zeppelin Mothership 4 LP set is at a discounted price on Amazon. I had looked for it in the past but the only place I could really find a brand new copy was on Discogs. And it for way too much. It doesn't have any songs on it that I don't have on all of my other Led Zeppelin albums. But then I try to rationalize with myself. I'm telling myself that on one side this is something I do not need. And on the other side, I try to Tell myself the price is down, it's something I wanted to get before at a higher price but didn't get, and I make excuses for why I should buy it. It really all boils down to why do I need it since I have all the music on it. But truthfully, it also boils down to do I want to have it in my collection bad enough. I can always rationalize that even though I have the music it's a backup copy of many of Led Zeppelin's greatest songs. It just seems like a never-ending battle on these kinds of decisions 😁
I feel like what I'm trying to do is talk myself out of getting that Led Zeppelin box set. I'll be perfectly fine if I don't get it. But I really want to get it and I probably will before the price goes back up? It's that whole FOMO thing. Is it needed, no. Is it wanted, yes! Sometimes we do things or buy things just because we do want to I guess???
Great video topic today!
Brian in Fort Worth 🎶
Hi Brian!
Lol - you sound like me. I do the same thing all the time. It happened recently at my local record store. I have most everything Judas Priest put out, but for some reason never owned _Killing Machine_ . I ran across a sealed reissue there. It wasn't too expensive but was still $36. I walked around the store holding it and almost put it back a couple times. I deliberated if I really needed it, but in the end, I knew I'd end up buying it someday in the future, so I brought it up to the counter and handed my credit card over.
Yep. It's a curse.
I have some reservations about having more than one copy of a record, but there are some cases that I I surely buy more than one, if it is an early 60's record sometimes I like buyin' it in Mono and Stereo, I really enjoy your channel, keep the good work!
Thank you - I appreciate that, Éder!
Cheers Rick, alway a pleasure.... I find myself seeking out Best Pressing s of certain key albums that mean the most to me. Like upgraded anniversary albums. But i wont go the extra mile for a UHQ Or MOFI Too rich for my Blood. Like you I like to keep all my original lps in nice clean condition, but ther are some that sound noisy from bad production that have to be upgraded.
Prices are a bit out of hand these days. It really is all about keeping them clean. Keep doing so and great sound usually follows. Cheers!
If you didn't order LA Woman, do it. It's fantastic, the 4th side - The WASP and Riders - on a nice system, will blow you away.
If it's a favorite, I'll pony up for the best pressing available.
Some of the best sounding albums I have are original first pressings, but those are hard to find in near mint condition.
So instead of possibly going through a lot of copies, I'll buy a remaster/UHQR/One Step copy.
Thanks for weighing in on that. I'm very tempted to just click "add to cart" 😎
The MoFi Tapestry is not a UHQR, but a “One Step”.
And, of course, sourced from DSD256.
You’re exactly right. I corrected myself in another comment when I realized I misspoke. My brain melted.
Buying individual albums is a curse enough, I dont want to get started on buying reissues ore remasters of something I already have....that's what digital should be there for- our sanity. I'm very particular about masterings and its a pain to settle on for digital, but with vinyl....that's just gambling and headaches. Don't fix what aint broken....unless it's some favorite album you play regularly enough to appreciate the change.
Agreed Mat!
These days i only buy records with a maximum price of 15 euros, since i’m on a budget. I would never buy an UHQR, MOFI or Tone Poet copy, prices are way out of my range and having these wouldn’t give me more enjoyment. Audiophile releases are only for people with too much money in their wallet. It is way more fun surprising yourself finding something special in the sale section of your record store.
I do love it when that happens. I found a used Rod Stewart record for $16 earlier this week at the local record shop. Cleaned it up and it sounds brilliant.
Thanks Rick, first I've learned of a UHQR vinyl ....I would like to listen to one. Are they higher price than the Half Speed masters ? Yesterday I listened to both of my BOSTON albums, first pressings, still in great condition sounding great, enjoyed it much. Cheers !
Hi Bobby! They are probably comparable in price to the Half Speed Masters. The Mo-Fi one steps are more expensive I believe. I think I miscategorized the Carol King as UHQR as it was a Mo-Fi One step I believe.
Cheers my friend!
Follow the MONEY! 🤣 Nope, I can't afford those exclusive copies, but I would love to hear one on one my turntables just for the fun of it! I've had to replace a bad old pressing with a newer 180gram pressing and it was worth it.
Afterthought: I would pay to buy one of those ultra discs of the KISS debut. It was the very first LP I got for Christmas of 1974 when I was 13 yrs old. I still have it and it's the only album to survive that's still playable and I've made a few videos with including the one I'm working on right now. I never get tired of playing it and it's still my favorite album from them. 🎸
I just watched that video! Too funny that you mention it. Black Diamond will always be one of my favorite songs by them. I'm with you. I can see myself springing for a UHQR copy of that. With Gene's business sense (greediness?), I'm surprised that hasn't happened with their entire discography.
@@TheJoyofVinylRecords several years ago I picked up the 180 gram remastered Rock N Roll Over and it was a great copy. I do believe it was remastered by Ted Jensen and he did a really nice job. My HS copy of Rock N Roll over is pretty trashed so I jumped at the chance of a new copy. My Hotter Then Hell copy is trashed also. Maybe someday....
No, there are too many records I don't own that I want to spend the small budget I have buying new copies of stuff I do own already.
I think it has to do with how well you took care of your albums. :-) I always look for an original pressing, but I will by a remastered/reissue version if it is affordable.
As you stated, Steve - it really does go back to how well you take care of your records.
How about neither? Why limit yourself to only commercially packaged music that's making everyone but the artist money? Records lock you into a finite universe of non-recordable, expensive media. Then it's the never ending finicking with the shit to ensure optimal playback and the fragility of the medium. But I guess Big Music Corp can't milk as much money from tape, as it can to manipulate people into buying audio carved into a piece of plastic and then calling it high fidelity, can they?
Go figure. For me, it's tape, or stay digital. None of this vinyl shit makes any sense to me.
**Tape, generally meaning something sitting on reels. Not necessarily cassettes. Though, even the super high-end fringe of that format makes more sense than plastic carved discs.
I'll always stick with my CDs. Vinyl records nowdays are too expensive, and don't sound nearly as good.
Bloopers! 😀
Also, dig the website update!
Thanks, Chris! I should post bloopers more often - God knows I make a lot of them. Even off camera! The other night I literally tripped and fell into a speaker 😫
@@TheJoyofVinylRecords 😯 Ouch!
I don't think I have a record that is also released as UHQR (maybe FM Rumors?), and there is nothing in the UHQR catalog of any label that interests me. I have purchased some re-issues. Some are for the additional material (liner notes, booklet etc.), e.g. I have three copies of brit punk The Mob "Let the tribe increase": OG with poster, a 2001 complete works edition with booklet, and a gatefold 2011 re-issue. Out of curiosity, I once bought an Audiophile 180g copy of The Cure "Faith" [I L-O-V-E this record] to compare it to my OG release: the same. If I spend serious money, I rather buy record art. Just today I got a "some assembly required" art version of Volcan "Chansons pour le néant": Collector #5. Great Euro150 to invest in a unique piece of art! Soooo worth it. uhqr reminds me a bit of Marcel Duchamp's L.H.O.O.Q. -- LOL!
Made me smile at that, Daniel. "Faith" is a great record
I have LA woman. It's my second copy. My first, the one with the cellophane window was destroyed in a flood. My aunt gave it to me in the seventies and it really hurt to lose it.
Oh damn. That would have broken my heart as well.
Not to mention the original Diamond Dogs. It folded open even though it was one record.
The "flood" was my brother leaving some records I loaned him in the laundry. The washer overflowed, a foot of water.
I don't loan records to anyone since then
I don't have many duplicate copies of any records anymore. I do have two copies of Led Zeppelin's first album -- both were pressed in 1969; one in Canada, the other was pressed in the UK. I used to have several copies of Led Zeppelin II but, when I heard Robert Ludwig's "hot mix," I got rid of all the other copies that I had -- none of them compared. I had two copiesof Zed Zeppelin 3 and I kept the one which had the spinning wheel attached instead of the removable one. Finally, I had two copies of Led Zeppelin 4 -- one pressed in Canada and the other pressed in the UK -- and I sold the UK press because I got a really good offer for it and, really, the Canadian pressing sounded better anyway.
Have you had a chance to hear Page's 2014/2016 remasters? Not to say anyone needs to ditch an already great sounding copy - just curious if you've had a chance to heard them. Really good.
@@TheJoyofVinylRecords I haven't heard them, no. I've worked in the press for twenty years, but never got any Zep reissues for review, surprisingly (well, not surprisingly, I guess -- my career has been built on the backs of baby bands and punk rock groups, and Led Zeppelin is neither of those).
I have the same Doors box set! And I have a few Doors on Vinyl. I have never purchased any vinyl on UHQR. I have always wondered if UHQR sounds that much better for the money! I would appreciate some feedback!
Hey Fred!
The UHQR of The Doors first album does sound really good. Is it night and day from my original? No. My original was 40+ years old so I heard the improvement, but still - not drastic. It's the only UHQR I have of the Doors so can't speak to the rest.
I have 6 copies of Live at Leeds, vinyl. The original 1st copy I bought sounds the best, Who knew?
That's really cool
I have been thinking about this too lately. I have the 45RPM LA Woman. It's incredible. Use whatever pennies you get from this video to buy it! I also recently bought the UHQR Aja. I just couldn't help myself on that one. I think I'm done for awhile with UHQR ($150) unless Chad Kassem lands The Beatles, Zeppelin, or Pink Floyd. I'm going to have a hard time resisting some of the Atlantic 75th Anniversary 2x45s ($60) such as Buffalo Springfield's Again and anything by Yes. Thanks for your insightful videos!
And thank YOU for the feedback on the Doors UHQR. That seems to be the consensus - how good it sounds.
GM ☕️❄️
It is cursed ..but it may be a manageable curse 🧛♂️
Good morning, Carmine! Sometimes I think it is out of control (at least on my side).
Cold here in NH....
Collecting can certainly become a rabbit hole.
Buy the standard edition when it comes out. Buy remasters. Buy an anniversary edition with bonus content. Buy a new edition with upgraded audio.
This will sound like heresy. I only buy stuff I know I'm going to want in 10 years. I pick a version, and that's it. If a new version comes out, I stream it
Simply put, they can pur out more content than I can afford. So, at some point, enough is enough. I don't really need the outtake they had to scrap because John Lennon sneezed.
I have to agree with you. I can only justify it these days when I have a very bad copy.
I have AJA was a big steely dan fan, so I bought AJA the day it came out, but unfortunately many plays, and taking it to friends house, I do have some scratches. I do so covet the UHQR version of it, and would like to have it, but when saw the price, it was nopey nope, I will live with the scratches. Now I have bought some MoFi 45 RPM version of a couple of records, that I have never owned, but these are less than 1/2 the price of a UHQR. OK the 45 RPM MoFi records I got I spend $60 on them, and the AJA UHQR that I was seeing for $150 that is just too much for me. Heck though I am old, I can remember when the were have the record store wars here in Cleveland, and most places to out do each other were selling all their records for $3.99, those were the days.
I have to admit here - I don't own Aja. With all the talk about it over the last few months (and I know the hits from it but that's all) it makes me want to check it out.
I went to a record store in Vegas while visiting recently and found Rebelution's "In the Moment" album to find they were 12" 45rpm records. I'm new, but found this curious. Is this better quality because it's "more groove per second"?
Hi Jacob! It is supposed to be, but quality sound is subjective. I will say 45rpm reissue of Judas Priest's _Sad Wings of Destiny_ sounds amazing.
The UHQR series here in the U. K retails for around £220 = $277 at today's rate of exchange. It would be cheaper to ask someone located in the USA to purchase and send over and reimburse them!
That's a really good observation, Barrie. Prices are out of this world in some cases.
On the albums that I really love ie. Boston Boston and Jim Croce Photographs and Memories, I like to and do indeed have newer quality re-pressings. The main reason I do this is because those are the ones I tend to listen to on a regular basis and save the older/original versions/pressings for more special occasions :-)
Boston has to be one of my all time favorite albums. Seriously. That record never gets old no matter how many times I've heard it. The very first time, other than the radio, was on 8 Track 🤣🤣
@@TheJoyofVinylRecords in my opinion Brad Delp is/was the best of the best when it comes to male vocalists! Steve Perry is close, but there’s just something so Crystal clear and laser pure about Brad‘s voice. Add that to the amazing and innovative production and that album is hard to beat. :-)
If you're into cds also, that cd is one of the best tests ever, to tell if you've got a really good cd player. That album will sound electronicy, glary & somewhat harsh if your cd player is not a great one.
I feel just exactly the same way that you do about all of these reissues and how I can and I do enjoy OG’s! I made a video about it and I called it something about pretend audio file records! Now going back to what you were talking about about the doors LA woman. I have an amazing copy that I didn’t pay that much for and it’s from the audio file section of rhino vinyl! Matter fact it was pressed at RTI! It’s amazing and it was worth all of the 25 or $30. I paid for it back in 2020!
Rhino does an excellent job don't they? I haven't been disappointed yet.
Agree with your criteria. I have not purchased any UHQR releases. Thought about AJA but I have a great OG I bought in 77. I have purchased several AP releases of albums I did not already own. Bought the Atlantic 75 version of Selling England by the Pound because I did not have a copy and will buy their upcoming Nursery Cryme as my copy is beat up. But I have no interest in chasing minimal upgrades in sound. Also I don't think my system will really pick up on the subtle differences.
Good point there Fred. The improvement in sound can be very subtle at best.
If I like the record enough , I’ll buy a UHQR . All the ones I own except for the 1982 Sgt Pepper and are you experienced are new to me. The Carole King Lp isn’t a UHQR it’s a Mofi one step similar type recording.
You're absolutely right and I misspoke. I didn't realize it until after I'd recorded. Oh well....
Doors LA Woman is my favourite record also. I have four copies of it. Two on vinyl and two on CD. On vinyl an 80's pressing and an original first pressing which is superior. The most good sounding pressing of this album is the 1998 DCC US copy. It's rare expensive but you don't have to change side every ten minutes like you do with the 45s. On the CDs I have the US digital remaster of 2000 and the Japanese paper sleeve pressing. Both have very satisfactory sound and they present the atmosphere of the LA Woman era. The Japanese has bonus tracks also. I also have the vinyl of the Workshop Sessions but this is something else
Wow. What are the bonus tracks on the Japanese pressing?
"Orange County Suite" and "(You Need Meat) Don't Go No Further"
I’ve never bought one and don’t plan to.
Do they run a different filter when the lathe runs at half speed? If they don’t then the standard RIAA playback filter would “expand” the wrong frequencies. I want clearly defined low frequency. Does half speed records give better bass? Or do they give less because they are not changing the “compression” filter?
That's a really good question. I wish I had the answer to that. It does make sense that that the filter would need to be adjusted. I've read (and seen an interview) where Kevin Gray has stated it makes no difference to the sound (half speed mastering).
I have a very good copy of LA. W so I wouldn't pull the trigger but I'm crying that I passed on the Steven Wilson remix of Aqualung 😮. I have my OG but it's a little thin SQ wise.
That happens quite a bit here. I'll listen to an album and it will sound a bit "thin" as you put it, and I'll immediately contemplate replacing it.
I tend to hold on to any copies I have, that sound good, unless, like you said, they are scratched or sound poor. in that case, I don't think I would spend the extra over a VG+ version known to sound good by others. Hard to justify a higher cost with my present financial situation! Hopefully someday that will change! "Curse of Frankenstein" clip was a nice touch!
I hear that, Glenn. I'm planning a video on a slightly similar topic given my change in finances recently.
@@TheJoyofVinylRecords looking forward to seeing that one as I do for them all!!
✌ "THE DOORS" ARE SOLID !
They really are. All time favorite.
I wonder how many Gen Z's have bought every "color" of the Taylor swift records of late. She (or her marketing team) is a marketing genius.
They really are. It's crazy how good her marketing team is.
2nd in a row you are thinking exactly what I was thinking. Who do I leave my collection to when I die? (not another few decades but you never know). Well... Start making new friends NOW who appreciate them!
Second, yesterday I decided not to buy the €220 1-step of Famous Blue Raincoat. I bought it new in 1986 and its still mint. Even if there is sibilance on some tracks (I'm just running in a new MC) it sounds great.
Why? I can buy 6 new lps for the same money. Or buy an excellent MC cartridge for my BN jazz records (
I like how you put that. I do need to spend more time and effort to discover new bands. Someone recently mentioned Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats, whom I'd never heard of so gave them a listen and loved what I heard. There is some great new music out there.
I was tempted but didn’t.
I was considering the UHQR of the White Stripes Elephant. I’ve owned the original CD version since it came out in 2003 and I own a 2013 vinyl pressing.
I’ve streamed a high quality UHQR rip someone did using a very high end turntable and I compared it side by side with the original CD. I think the CD wipes the floor with the UHQR so that saved me a big chunk of money.
With regards to LA Woman, I only had that on 40th anniversary CD so I bought the Analogue Productions 2x 45 RPM vinyl. Yes it sounds great, but both discs are warped. Considering the premium price I was highly disappointed. It’ll be the first and last Analogue Productions release I’ll spend my money on. For the money they charge and the marketing hype they put into these things they should be perfect.
I also think too many audiophiles are all too eager to over enthuse about expensive pressings. Some subtle improvements that (may) be applicable to some pressings are not really worth the price hike over a good original copy IMO.
I agree with you, Michael. And there's really no excuse for a warped record to leave the plant. Granted - it can happen during shipment, but many times it's poor QC.
If I own a good clean sounding copy I won't purchase a audiophile record. I never owned a Doors record so I purchased all the Anolag Productions copys.
How do they sound?
They all sound amazing. LA Women to me sounds the best
Nice video as always 😁 I don't have any UHQR records... I've seen them advertised, but I've never bought any. Sometimes I feel that we have to raise the flag with the inscription: SNAKE OIL... because the record companies are flogging a dead horse. We have a great edition out there, but we need more sales...
Btw: I got my first copy of LA Women about a month ago 👍 Just a normal copy. I had Morrison Hotel on vinyl from way back 😁 And with these two records from The Doors I'm really really satisfied. I don't need more Doors records.
All the best from Kristiansand - Norway 👍👍👍
I recommend you listen to a UHQR before calling them snake oil. I have a near mint first pressing of Aja which sounds great. The UHQR is not even close, it’s just that good. It will take me a long time to save for another and I just hope they don’t bring out something I really want in the meantime.
Cheers, Ole! As always - great to hear from you 🍺
Strangely, my very first (and only) UHQR by Analogue Productions is Miles Davis' Kind of Blue. pressing has a TON of surface noise and it took them another month or so to replace (I had to scratch the LP and send a pic... ) I don't get it ! All my other mid priced LPs (less than half of the UHQR all had no issues ! What gives ?
Yikes! That's an awful experience. I actually have my eyes on that pressing too since mine is somewhat subpar.
@@TheJoyofVinylRecords The replacement was wonderful but with all the QC and superb processes Chad Kassem advertises, and this being my first experience with UHQR, it left me very skeptical of what the value proposition of UHQR.
Funny, I was just saying how the average mass-produced record from back in the day did sound great, and that is why the format has endured. It's not like no one realized these vintage copies actually sounded good until they started cleaning them in ultrasonic machines and playing them with moving coil cartridges and $5,000 preamps.
Are there some vintage pressings that sound lousy? Yes. As you allude to regarding records vs CDs, everything is case-by-case. And there definitely were many crappy pressings back in the day (original 60s US Beatles albums come to mind).
Modern UHQR reissues can improve upon records that were not done right the first time around. Others don't really improve the sound compared to a clean original, but if a clean original is even more expensive, then these reissues are a great option. In the case of Aja, I personally do not see the need. Everyone has always thought it sounds great, and clean originals are not rare. But that's just my opinion. Now, if someone could only find the original tapes for the 13th Floor Elevators albums and do UHQR pressings of those. $200 would be a bargain compared to what clean originals go for!
I will always say, and have said many times, that clean originals which were cared for over the years will provide years of wonderful playback. And, as you said, it doesn't mean there aren't some bad pressings. There most definitely are.
Hi Rick, these albums were new to me, perhaps they are not so common in the UK. I googled them and there are some sellers here, but not many. Steeley Dan seems to be a popular choice but based on one short search the list is not enormous. £200 for an album is not likely to be my choice. I do buy remastered albums, my Beatles collection is a combination of early 1960’s pressings and the latest Giles Martin productions. I can’t think of an album that I have in my collection that I would spend £200 to upgrade. I would spend £200 on a rare album if it was high on my want list. Interesting topic Thanks as always. Best Pat
Thanks, Pat. I too really, really enjoy the Giles Martin remixes.
@@TheJoyofVinylRecords Rubber Soul is due soon.!!
Can't happen soon enough! @@patrickroberts8702
A most reasonable argument. Audiophiles aside, I'm guessing that most music lovers first fall in love with the content of the music, not the high-quality of the sonics. Tom Waits once said that the true test of a song was how it sounds coming through cheap, beat-up car speakers. That's why some of those scratchy Robert Johnson 78s, for example, still have power.
Great reference there Marc. I was just listening to Robert Johnson recently and actually marvelled at how good it sounded, and that was recorded in a hotel room with 1 microphone!
@@TheJoyofVinylRecords Yup! Funny how antiquated technology (or inferior pressings) can't seem to stop great art from moving us. Maybe there's a clue in that....
Let me answer this for you. YES you need to buy the Analog Productions version of LA Woman and any Doors or other LP album you love and want for the best listening experience. I’ve been replacing many of my classic albums with better versions over the past few years (including LA Woman which sounds fantastic) and it has been so rewarding. Even if you do 4 a year, get the best sounding version of your favorite albums, sit back and enjoy the music at its highest level. And no, I don’t think you bought LA Woman yet….but you will and you won’t regret it or miss the extra $ you spent on great sounding music. Enjoy!
Hey - thanks Sandy! And you're right - I said I'd never tell, but you're right - I didn't pull the trigger. Not yet anyway. I'm glad you shared your experience with it - now I just might!
Man, my Dads original Off The Wall sounds amazing. New version's are just not as good. And the QC sucks these days. Very sad times😢
So true, Frank. QC is the real issue these days.
The answer to this video is simple. Do your research. Does LA Woman from Analog Productions sound better than most originals and reissues? No. But the rest of the Doors catalog, it's definitely worth it.
Certainly can't argue with you, Scott. You are absolutely right.
I’d love to try a MOFI. But at £100 in the UK. Will never be able to justify it. If you’d like to post me the Doors one though. I’ll give it a try! Lol. Cheers. Dave.
😂😂😂. Made me chuckle. I needed that. Thanks Dave!
@@TheJoyofVinylRecords an American with a sense of humour? Almost unheard of. It was covid that got me back into vinyl. Who would have thought that!
Invest the money you earn in not buying those extra pressings in a better sound equipment. That counts!
I second that, Paul!
Oh no. Another rabbit hole to go down. Replacing records I already have with higher quality pressings. Thanks Rick! Just kidding 😂. At this stage I am avoiding buying another copy of something I already have unless I somehow damage the one I already own. I know they sound better, but I think it's more of a clever marketing tool to sell more copies of records that people already own. Love the bloopers. You should do a complete episode of nothing but bloopers for fun.😂
I almost get sucked into those marketing ploys and have to reign myself in. It's even worse if I'm looking at my ipad with my finger hovering over the "add to cart" button, and I've had a glass of scotch....
Glad you enjoyed the bloopers. I probably have enough for an entire episode 😂😂😂😂
@@TheJoyofVinylRecords
I never go shopping after having something to drink. "Pour" decisions often follow. 😂
😂😂😂@@neilfisher7999
Rick,
There is not one way here, IMO. I have some 40-50 year old records that sound amazing (Traffic's John Barleycorn, Little Feat's Dixie Chicken, Levon Helm and the RCA All-Stars, Ricki Lee Jones's first among others). I also some old records that sound quite weak (Kinks Kronickles, Youngblood's first, John Simon's Journey, Jesse Winchester's first, and a bunch of early rockers greatest hits LPs). I am sure there are many others in my collection. Whatever reason why (and there are a lot of opinions out there), some old records sound just as good, if not better, than new cuts of those records - - even if all analog is used in the new pressing.
I do have two UHQRs, Kind of Blue and Can't Buy A Thrill, which of course sound great. I was not overwhelmed by KOB's sound, not sure why - - maybe the age of the tapes. The AP's Atlantic 75th anniversary series sounds wonderful based on my two purchases, Crosby, Stills and Nash and Dr. John, Right Place Wrong Time. To my ears, they were equal to my UHQR records, for a lot less $.
The lesson of the story for me, is to first hunt out some used OG or reissue pressings before plunking down big bucks. My go to copy of Talking Book cost me $8 in a used book store. The journey continues.... Joe
Good advice there, Joe. You hit the nail right on the head.
I think most of us won't ditch the original versions for the UHQ releases. Logically, you should probably ditch/sell the older copy, but I doubt if that's happening with most of us. So....what are you supposed to do with the original? I'm not going to spend the time 'comparing' the two.... life's too short....enjoy one or the other. But I'm definitely on board if you have a scratchy/damaged original, replace it with the UHQ issue. However.....your "Tapestry" example.....if it sounds significantly better than the original recording, did they get King involved in the remaster/reissue, or were they just 'punting' with what they think sounds better?
I'm not sure if she was involved, Kevin. I suspect not. After I made this video I came across one by @ThePressingMatters where he says pretty much the same thing about the _Tapestry_ UHQR. At least I know I'm not completely crazy. About that anyway 🤣
We can all imagine how it should sound ..for the better .
Case in point..Phil Collin’s In The Air Tonight….we all know that it should sound amazing..but it’s average at best ( for a drummer the drums are not as good as they SHOULD HAVE BEEN)
That's a great example.
I don't buy 2lp 45rpm pressings, to me the small sound quality improvement doesn't make up for ruining the flow of the album.
As for the Doors catalogue, it gives me a headache trying to figure out what are the best 33rpm versions that don't cost an arm and a leg.
I can't justify the price of the UHQRs and I don't like the covers and packaging, I prefer the original cover and I'd rather pay for a clean original.
Most of the music I listen to will never see a UHQR pressing anyway.
I can't believe people pay so much for a Steely fking Dan album 😂
I have to say - I’m somewhat perplexed by it as well. An OG or even a close to OG (depending on where it was pressed) I bet could win against a UHQR in a blind test
It has been said that even a millionaire respects a $20 bill; although now it's probably a $50 bill with such bad inflation. How much do you value $125 or $150? Or are you a gambler, and hoping the audiophile pressing will have enough demand some day,.when it is no longer available, that in reality you will have many times it's cost,just sitting there for a rainy day? People who bought the high priced pressings of Abraxas and The Nightfly are sitting pretty right now. But what about other titles? These people who price out of print records like the Mofi Abraxas at $1,500 on the net. Are they smart businessmen or are they just plain jerks? Just how well do they really do? Shamelessly asking those prices. It looks like they don't sell quick at prices like that, but do they EVER sell at prices like that? And what about someone who comes into posession of one of these lps and is ready to put it on ebay for $30, but looks first, to see what the asking price usually is. When they see someone or someone(s) asking $1,500 for a copy, they might decide to follow suit & price theirs at something like that. Not realizing it has been sitting there for 2 years; unsold. People follow the actions of others.
I guess what it really comes down to, is how much more enjoyment are you going to get if the sound quality is better? Would you enjoy the music just about as much, if the sound quality wasn't quite as good? If you would, then you may be throwing away good money. It's a personal decision, and a lot of it has to do with how much damage $100+ for records is going to do to your finances. With your personal financial situation; will it sting you, like being bitten in the neck by a vampire? Will you regret the purchase, knowing your money has flown away, like a vampire bat? Or will you really be able to enjoy the lp for years and then be able to sell it at a profit? It may all depend on the title. My experience is that people usually don't come a runnin' to pay collectible prices. But for a particular piece, you only need one buyer. Will you ever get one?
Love the vampire and vampire bat analogies 😂😂😂
I think I need to slow down on the purchases to be honest. Kills me to say it.
Has there ever been a real ugly duckling for sound quality lp that has turned into a beautiful swan, sound quality wise, by an audiophile release of it? That's almost what it would take for me personally, to go $50 or more on a record, and it would have to be a record I really loved enough and really cared about. I would say it would probably have to be in my top 50 albums of all time. And even then some things just don't pan out. I remember buying the old Mofi pressing of Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Sones. Really impressively cleaner sounding, especially obvious in the highs, but that smiley face EQ, where Mick's voice sounds so far back in the mix, where that presence isn't there anymore. Another in my top 50, Who's Next, I bought on MCA Masterphile Lp. It was clean but bright. I think I preferred the balance of the MCA Gold cd better. Another top 50, Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd, I remember buying the CBS Mastersound half speed master lp. I liked until I found a British pressing lp, which made the Mastersound sound really electronicy & unnatural. Could never go back to it. Another top 50, The Captain & Me by The Doobie Brothers on Nautilus was cleaner, but bright and wiry sounding with not as much bass as the plain original lp. I preferred overall though, but the later released Mofi Gold Cd was the real high class version of it at the time. Of my top 50, about the only ones that I bought that really satisfied me were Crosby Stills & Nash on Nautilus, and Blood Sweat & Tears on the old Super Dics label (not to be confused with Nautilus Super Disc). So even strictly limiting your audiophile lp purchases to your very favorite music, could prove to not work out.
The ones I discussed were audiophile pressings of decades ago. How the modern day audiophile pressings sound; I really don't know. But for me personally, for the kind of money they are charging, it would have to be a very special album to me. And one that is sonically almost an ugly duckling in its origlnal pressing to begin with. The one thing I noticed when I used to buy audiophile pressings like mad, was that they would give you a sneak preview of how clean your system would sound in 5 years from then, when you would upgrade your preamp or something. After a while I realized that, and after buying a half speed, I would say to myself "So this is about how this recording would sound 5 or 6 years from now after some equipment upgrades. For me, half speed masters were sometimes a sort of time machine, where I could glimpse into the future. But it was a shaky enough ride, that it wasn't the greatest experience for me; even though it had its moments. Do the best current audiophile pressings make as much of a difference as when you make a serious preamp upgrade? Maybe it depends on how serious we are talking about.
Not that many Jazz Fusion/Smooth Jazz lps have gotten the audiophile treatment. Is it because they were generally so well recorded and pressed in the first place? Rare to hear a Jazz Fusion recording that doesn't have really good sound. With rock, it more what the musicians are playing. With Jazz Fusion, how the instruments sound and the sounds they're making is just as important. Never has a genre of music as good as Jazz Fusion been so neglected and underrated.
Vinyl and hifi are predominately supported by men. Men are prone to excess fussiness about details. Just take a look at videos on record cleaning. Serious nerdiness will ensue. I'm not knocking it because I can pick and choose my level of nerdness. I prefer original pressings that are AAA and that's good enough for me, but I salute those who have the money to support current vinyl products. I can't afford a Ferrari, but I appreciate that they make them.
Cheers, Nick!
Rick... I pass! 😁
😂😂😂. What do you pass on, Dave?
@@TheJoyofVinylRecords To spend money on ultra-mega-expensive things that don't add much more to my collection. I prefer to use that money on other albums that I don't have, for example that I'm missing from a band's discography or a group from which I don't have any album yet.
When I spend that kind of money on a record, these days, it is for a NM condition original pressing. It will be music that I have listened for decades and I am attached to how it sounds...it bugs me if they "improve" it. I have, in the past, replaced worn out favorites with a newer reissue or remastered, I am almost always disappointed. There are occasions when I will play the newer record just to save wear on my treasured original, but then I usually pull out the original and play it anyway, because the new one reminds me of how great the old one sounds lol.. Ah the life of a grumpy old man.
😂😂😂 Yep - I completely identify with everything you just said, Fred,
This isn't a "curse," it's just another goofy-ass first world problem for people to complain about. "Audiophiles" are so annoying. 😄
I resemble that remark 😎