What Is The BEST SOUNDING Version of The Beatles Abbey Road? SOLVED!
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- Опубліковано 30 тра 2024
- In this video search for the best sounding version of The Beatles best sounding album. We look in detail at the reasons why it sounds so good by examining EMI's revolutionary transistorized TG12345 mixing desk and the man who cut it. We then test seven of the best editions to see which one comes out on top and why. We even give you tips on how to correctly play Japanese CDs with 'pre-emphasis' applied and how to identify counterfeits. That's a lot of information in 19 minutes, so do feel free to watch this one more than once ;)
0:00 - Opener
0:40 - Introduction
1:10 - TG12345 mixing desk
Format rundown:
5:17 - 1969 & 1987 cassettes
5:59 - 8-track cartridge
6:19 - 1978 Japan 'Pro-Use' LP
6:43 - 1980 Mobile Fidelity LP
6:54 - Japan 'black triangle' CD
7:47 - 1987 CD
7:54 - 2009 remaster
8:01 - 50th anniversary remix
8:21 - 'Shootout' (review) section begins
8:29 - UK -2/-1 pressing
8:51 - Malcolm Davis
9:34 - U.S. Apple pressing
10:05 - Pro-Use vinyl
10:19 - Mobile Fidelity and
10:51 - 'Smiley face' EQ
11:03 - The best sounding studio album box set recommendation
11:17 - 'Black Triangle' & pre-emphasis
13:41 - How to identify counterfeits
14:44 - 'Black Triangle' sound quality
15:06 - 1987 CD sound quality
15:24 - 2009 remaster & USB FLAC file comparison
16:15 - 2019 Remix
16:30 - Ranking from worst to best
18:39 - Closing comments
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Thank you!
Great job Andrew! Brilliant as always and full of information as always! I think you were spot on with the grading of audio. I’m always happy to hear/see your reasons for the difference in audio between formats.
Again five thumbs up for this episode!!👍👍👍👍👍🍷
Thanks Brian. Glad you enjoyed it!
I managed a used CD store from 1992-2001 and every single day I waited for someone to trade in the 'Abbey Road' Japanese CD, but no one ever did. One guy brought in a whole box of original Japanese discs and told me he was in the military and living in Japan when the compact disc was introduced. I bought Billy Joel's '52nd Street' (the first commercially available CD on the market) off him, and quite a few other black triangle discs. I asked if he had 'Abbey Road' and he said he did but he told me he loved that album and he would never part with it. Smart man.
I was going to comment best version I've heard was Black Triangle lable from Japan. On CD even..... who knew!
The Black Triangle disc is overhyped. Once de-emphasized, the difference between it and the 87 CD is very minimal....
52nd St is one of the best albums of all time absolutely love Billy Joel 😍
When you are nearly 70 years old, deaf in one ear and need a hearing aid for the other, the Brazilian mono lp is the one. I just wish that I had hearing like yours Andrew.
I understand. I'm in my late 50s, have bad tinnitus from years in radio, and there's a lot of muffling for me. I couldn't tell a good pressing from a bad. I guess I'll just stay with my CD collection I got in the late 1980s. Anything else newer or crisper wouldn't do me any good.
If you get an Audio Editor e.g. Wavepad or Magix you can convert stereo to mono which should help with everything post Yellow Submarine. I have often wondered why EMI never anticipated the needs of the aurally challeged.
The brazilian pressings that came on sandwich covers do sound great. Heavy weight vinyl and superb dynamics.
Talk to Daltrey/Townsend of The Who, who I saw in concert yesterday. I think both are 77. They're still kicking massive amounts of ass on stage.
Curious to hear that
A local doctor friend of mine invented a time machine, so we frequently travel back to 1969 London to listen to the lads recording Abbey Road. In my opinion this is hands-down the best sounding version of the album.
I hear Deloreans are a bit expensive to add to your Hi-Fi system though 🙁
@@geoffreyexcellent4199 . He might be using "The Sugarcube" or "Blotter" method. 😏
The new 2019 mix is it for me. The whole B side sounds astounding with the new mixing
Way too bass heavy for me (this is my main complaint of all the Giles Martin 'experiments'). I much prefer the 1987 remaster by Sir George Martin.
@@craigphillips6308 See for me I love the bass because you get that real nice distinction and independence in the new Mix. I also love the stero image of the new mixes like everything just sounds more full to me
Have it on vinyl it’s very nice! I love it. I wished his revolver mix was as good.
As much as I like the 1983 CD, I also enjoy the 2019 Mix. Although it is a bit bass heavy, it has some nice centered vocals on some tracks, and brings out some hidden elements from the recordings that I hadn't noticed before.
Octopus's Garden tho was disappointing. Surprised Giles didnt pan lead and rhythm guitars
Completely agree with the bass heavy criticism, which is my main complaint of all the Giles Martin 'experiments'. For that reason, I prefer the Sir George Martin 1987 remaster.
I had some issues with the 2019 remix but I did like that he brought up the backing vocals on Oh! Darling. They were mixed too low. Also, I enjoyed having the revolving guitar solos in The End coming at you from three different directions as if Paul, George and John are standing left, center and right facing you.
I once had the pleasure of hearing the UK reel-to-reel release in a super high-end analog listening room (each channel had its own enormous tube system) and I think my jaw is still back there on the floor somewhere. I've listened to the album hundreds of times in my life and this was an out of body experience. Probably at the top of the experience was an incredibly palpable awareness of the air in the room during the performances; I don't mean hiss, but rather an amazing sense of space, real-life, human, warm and alive, plus all the amazing detail of subtleties I'd never noticed before. Literally like being in the studio. It was truly a live vs memorex kind of experience (and alas, too expensive to replicate).
Lucky you! A good reel-to-reel copy will always trump vinyl.
Maxwell's Silver Hammer is one of the best songs I ever heard in my life, great fun with fantastic bass line and unbelievable sounds of the Moog system. I hope it will be more appreciated in the future. In fact, the Abbey Road album is perfect and has no issues.
Dude I totally agree. Lots of insecure people can't enjoy a fun song.
Yes I agree but I despise Sun King
@@colinkeane9070 You gotta listen to it on acid.
I hate that song. One of the few Beatles songs that drive me mad. Same with ob la di
@@roachdoggjr45 or maybe they just don’t like the way it sounds? The Beatles hated that song besides Paul
Andrew, you are one of the most important Beatles Historians alive. Thank you for all the hours you put creating this content. I am sure this is time consuming, but also, at some point, I'd love to know if you have any other interest outside the Beatles that you can can create some content on as you videos are some of the truly unbiased straightforward in the community. At this point, I don't even feel I need to double check you on anything.
Thank you, Ahmed. I'm not sure I could do anything else to the same standard.
I'm glad you did this video. I wondered if I was crazy for thinking the 1987 CD sounded better than the 2009 edition.
My favorite version of this album is my flac files I ripped from my never-before-played copy of the 1978 UK Beatles Collection blue box. I was at a store called Book Nook looking through their records, when I overheard the man at the front who buys records exclaim "These Beatles records are really clean!" This immediately got my attention and so I started eavesdropping. The woman he was talking to said that she had been given the boxed set as a gift and shortly after getting it her record player broke and she never bought another record player. She said that the only album in the set she had played was The White Album! I waited for the store to finish buying the set from her and the moment she walked out the door I stepped up and asked them how much they wanted to sell it to me for. When after a moment he seemingly just made up $180 as the price, I did my best to hide my shock but I eagerly and happily paid for it. These flacs truly beat the pants off of any other digital version out there. I have only ever played the record once, when I ripped it, but I have to say that the 1978 UK Beatles Collection boxed set definitely should be ranked quite highly. Not just Abbey Road, but all of the records in it. Including the excellent "Rarities" compilation album.
I have both the UK and the Australian first pressings and both came with the -2/-1 stamping. If you want the LP version, I would suggest buying the Australian one, as it will be heaps cheaper and it's slightly heavier, and the cover is better made as far as the lamination goes. The first Australian made covers had a slight discoloration on the front. There was a touch of red on the road between Ringo Starr and John Lennon, hence the nickname "Blood Stained Cover." Having said that, I think the 2009 re-master sounds better on the high end but not as good on the low. Keep on rocking! 😃
PS: It's important to remember that although later pressings may have the same -2/-1 stamper numbers, these stampers will lose the quality as the mothers they are made from are ageing and therefore getting worn. The quality of sound will diminish with wear on the mothers. The Japanese had a tendency to only use mothers for a certain number of pressings before being changed. So, their quality control was much higher.
For me it is the Pro Use version. In addition to my original vinyl copy (which cost me an arm and a leg), I also have a CD version. The CD version of the Pro Use was issued by DESS (Dr Ebbett's Sound System) and is, to my ears, the best way to experience Abbey Road !!! Also, I was surprised you didn't mention the Brazilian mono version. I have a copy of that on CD by DESS. That one is a very interesting listening experience, to say the least.
Just so that people don't get confused: The Pro-Use series were audiophile vinyl pressings issued by Toshiba EMI in the 1970's. Abbey Road & Dark Side Of The Moon were the only rock titles released in that series. "Dr. Ebbets" was an enterprising individual that did needle drops of hard to find vinyl releases of mostly Beatles titles & sold them over the internet about 20 years ago. It was, of course, totally illegal and eventually stopped.
@@spinalcrackerbox Yeah, he stopped when the 2009 Remasters dropped.
@@spinalcrackerboxnowadays, you can find this rips for free online, but i prefer pbthal personally
Thanks for the awesome presentation on Abbey Road. I'm glad you commented on how to tell the counterfeits from the genuine Japanese black triangle release. Too many people have been duped on that one.
Especially if they already owned the original 1987 UK/US CD release..!
Great rundown. Couldn't agree more on the Giles M remix being something that I'll never prefer; interestingly though, I always liked the 2009 remaster which frankly I thought was enough of an update that it didn't need th 50th anniversary 'tinkering'. A box set of the 2009 edition with all the extras would have still sold!
I was fortunate back in the mid eighties to buy the black triangle cd from a mail order place for the then price of $21 . I have always loved the disc and wouldn’t ever part with it . Enjoyed the 2009 remastered cd as well and of course own the remixed boxset
see my comment above. concur!
My parents were huge Beatles fans, I was 4 years old when Abbey Road was released and I have been listening to the album ever since then and I have to say, as much as I love the original (I have my parent's original UK pressing from 69), my favorite is the 2019 remix on CD, it sounds incredible, the best it has ever sounded to my ears
Some clarification on the Japanese 1983 CD: it wasn't made from the Pro-Use copy tapes, it was made right from the master tapes at Abbey Road. This is clear when analyzing the heads and tails of tracks in an audio editor, which exactly match those on the other CDs, as well as the gap before her Majesty, which is non-magnetic leader tape, with no tape hiss (a dub would be magnetic tape throughout and would have tape hiss in that section). That digital transfer was sent to Japan for CD manufacture.
And I don't think the issue was with EMI, but rather with Apple. EMI also provided Japan with transfers of the With The Beatles stereo masters, but of course a Japanese CD of that was never released.
Hello. It is possible that it is a copy if it was made at 30 ips 1/2", it would have a dynamic range of approximately 75-78 db without noise reduction. The leader tape would be heard perfectly without noise
@@gmt1377 A 30 IPS tape would still show (slight) tape hiss that simply isn't present on the 1983 CD.
The "the Japanese CD was mastered from the Pro-Use copy tape" theory wasn't based on any specific evidence, just a hunch. While a photo of the Abbey Road tape boxes hasn't shown up post-1983, at this point there's little reason to think the Japanese CD wasn't mastered from the master tapes.
@@lukpac What I analyzed is that cd 87 has a digital mute before Her Majesty. On cd 83 there is a noise floor of -72db, mostly analog and some spurious signals probably digital. It is not conclusive but it is probably a 30 tape ips without leader tape.
The general audio of the CDs are somewhat different, but they both have the same loudness range
@@gmt1377 That noise is consistent with tape machine noise.
Being an American, and over 60 yrs old, the first version I had and heard was the original US Apple pressing (which I STILL have). Got the 1987 CD mix when it came out, and I also have the 2019 remix. Have not heard the '80s Japanese CD release, sadly. I like them all, given the differences. Like you, I too prefer vinyl, but CDs are so handy especially when driving in the car!! Thanks for what you do, keep up the good work!! Cheers!!
Thanks George. Will do!
Big smile when I seen another upload great content thanks mate 👍
Great stuff again! Tx. I really love the detailed story on the recording desks as well.
Reading over the comments I notice so many different opinions on what is the best sounding pressing of Abbey Road. You all realize that we all hear sound differently so it's all subjective also we are all listening on different audio systems not to mention phono cartridges play a role in the coloring of the sound.
Great video as usual!! Thank you for including both vinyl and CD pressings in your comparison! I hope you will do this for the other Beatles albums.
you have a talent for exposing many details but in an entertaining way
This is fascinating, and I wish my ear could appreciate the nuances that make all editions special (for better or worse). Sadly, 35 years-plus of playing bass guitar at unhealthy levels without ear protection has left me with tinnitus in addition to an appreciation for the bass playing of one Paul McCartney.
Kids, don’t let this happen to you; protect your ears in the clubs AND on the stage.
Andrew, great information as always. Thank you.
I always enjoy Andrew's knowledgeable presentations. This one is no exception. He goes into great detail on many pressings..looking forward to the Revolver release review.
SuperCool Upload,Andrew!!!!
Another fantastic video Andrew.
Combining information whilst entertaining is an art.
The best UA-cam channel bar none.
I’m so happy I own a -2 -1 .What was Giles thinking meddling with this outstanding original recording.
All the best A 👍
Another great informative video Andrew. I’m away to look for the box
Full of information (some that's beyond me. Interesting as always and I've always loved the British original. Keep them coming Andrew.
Since I haven't heard 50% of these different versions before, your critique of them was extermely fascinating, Andrew! My original copy of Abbey Road was a first pressing which I always thought sounded pretty good so it's a useful yardstck to see how the other versions stand up to it, as you so ably demonstrated here. I had never heard of Pre-emphasis until now so that was a revelation! As usual, another great video, Andrew!
Great review.
I love the 5.1 surround. Even when I'm not in the living, but in the kitchen, it sounds so open.
Nice historical retrospective, sir! Astonishing how much attention is paid to the music of four fellows from over fifty years ago. Harrison said, " The Beatles will exist without us. " A prescient remark!
Great video as always! I love this record, and it's interesting to know why it sounds so different from the others in their catalogue. It's so warm and sunny in its tone. Plus I love that it's got heavy Moog usage throughout, really gives it a richness.
I have a wonderful sounding French pressing on Apple (housed in a Canadian sleeve for some reason). It also has a minor difference in that Come Together fades in at the start, missing off Lennon's first 'Shoot!' for some reason
Splendid video as ever. I picked up an early Canadian Apple label pressing recently and was very impressed with it. The bass is very well defined and deep while, overall, the soundscape is full of detail and colour. A very pleasant surprise and now my preferred playing copy.
Blimey! Your videos just keep getting better (all the time). It wouldn't be Sunday without it 👍
Thanks 👍
Thanks for the video. I found it very interesting, especially the info about the "black triangle" japanese edition. Regards
AGAIN ,YOU ALWAYS THROW IT OUT THE PARK !.GOOD JOB .GOOD VIDEO.
Thanks Juan!
Another awesome video Andrew. I learn something from every new one. I will have to compare my black triangle with the original CD release. It’s been way to long since I listened to that version since it was superseded by the subsequent remaster and most recent remix. I still have my original US vinyl but it’s no longer in its original condition. Like you, I’ve acquired a few additional copies at yard sales, etc. but none of them approach original condition. Keep up the great reviews. I’m looking forward to your Revolver remix review. Cheers.
I have to go back to my versions of this album to know which one sounds better to my ears. Great video, Andrew. Nelio.
We were beyond amazed when not 30-ish years ago, we picked up a UK -6/-4 Abbey Road and found that it sounded amazing. So we found another -6/-4 a few years later, and it also sounds amazing. Both are better than any other UK pressings that we have heard, including our original. This is when we learned that one can't simply write off later pressings just because they are later pressings. At the end of the day, you just don't know until the needle hits the record!
same here : i have a " french contract pressing, Pathe Marconi" (1973/74 ?): it sounds really good, but recently i picked up a UK -6 / -4 HTM (NM for 30 euro) and this one sounds amazing ! I don't know the release year, it could be early 80's !
@@lucullus6127 Very glad to hear it! Considering that these '80's-era pressings can still be found relatively easily and at a not-hellish price, maybe more people will search them out and also experience the same great result!
Duley noted.
@@marcjohnson9270 Look into a glass onion.....
Stunning video. My background in production means I have been glued to the desk on this one.
Brilliant stuff.
Barty
Thanks, Barty!
I came for the Beatles but also got the history of some of the software plugins I use. Great channel.
Well done Andrew. Marvelous critique backed up with layman tech info. I am looking forward to Revolver review as I am in the let’s wait and see before we outlay our hard earned. Hope you would consider similar review on Revolver through the ages as well.
Thank you Andrew for the insight and knowledge that you share. I find that the ‘system’ (turntable/cd player/amplifier/speakers/room) reproducing the audio has a bigger effect on the overall sound quality than the intricacies that differ in the media itself.
Managed to pick up a 20A1 matrix black triangle CD for £115 excluding shipping from Japan, which I still think I paid too much for it, but the important thing is the sound quality, which is an upgrade over the sealed 1987 CD I got for £7! Plus, both look cool on my shelf next to each other!
these are your best videos by far. fascinating and credible, they're equal parts entertainment and buyer's guide...thanks so much for your hard work
Thank you, Jakob. Glad you like them!
Great video. I remember buying Abbey Road when it came out & remember thinking how good it sounded. Bass & drums sounded phenomenal.
Excellent video, as usual! I just ordered a nice UK -2/-1 1st pressing (drain cover) the other day, when the £ was at it's lowest and absolutely can't wait to give it a spin! I have a few A.R.s to compare it to, so this ought to be a lot of fun..the MFSL, JP EAS flag series, 2019, etc. Cheers 🍻
This was fantastic, Andrew. Thank you very much
Glad you enjoyed it, Dmitry.
Another excellent video, Andrew! Also: very fun How Do You Sleep reference. 😁👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks Mark! 😃
Truly amazing! Thank you once again Andrew.
Glad you enjoyed it, Kevin.
@2:45 nice I didn't know that about the mixing desk.. makes sense why this Album sounds so complete in it's sonic picture and so big especially in the bass. Love the sound of Abbey Road.
Hi Andrew I just picked up the 1969 UK First pressing and to my ears sounds amazing
Another great video
One of my favourite youtube channels now
Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent video as ever! I enjoyed a lot.
Thanks Winston!
Excellent video, your knowledge of all things Beatles is awesome, my personal favourite copy of Abbey Road is the American Ampex 7½ ips reel to reel tape, completely analogue, incredible depth and warmth, midrange, bass and high end, it's all there, I would love to see new tapes available one day. Imagine,.
Thank you for the video. My favourite copy is the first pressing the sound is so much advanced for 1969!
Great comparison! I love collecting early/rare CDs, so the Black Triangle Abbey Road was always highly sought after for me. A few years ago (after a few drinks) I pulled the trigger on one from Mike at The In Groove. Very cool piece for the CD collection and, on top of it sounding amazing, it's a really fun listen with the light tape hiss at points. I know it gets a lot of comparisons to sounding "analog" across forums, but I'd have to agree that it does, at least more so than most other CDs I've heard.
Love the observations relating to the tone of Macca's bass via the new desk. Always wondered why the bass stood out so much better on Abbey Road and specifically on Something. Being a bass player myself I can say that Macca's bass line on Something is possibly my favourite bass line by him (or anybody for that matter) as you can hear he is really feeling the song. He played with a tenderness and sympathy to the main melody that is very rarely found. Macca knocked it out of the park with Something and now I know about the mixing desk as well, that is another contributory factor to it's beauty. Great work and thank you. PS, for what it is worth Abbey Road is my favourite Beatles Album. I love others obviously but they smashed it with Abbey Road. It is a thing of utter beauty and maybe the desk is one of the reasons. PPS I have a vinyl copy of a Picture Disc release of Abbey Road that was released in the early 80's lurking in my collection. Not played it for years and the sound quality is not the greatest, but I still have it none the less. A precious thing it is....... Greta work as always 😊
As usual, excellent video with tonnes of information. I get smarter watching these videos.
A photographer once said the best camera is the one you have with you. I think that applies here as well...
About the mixing desk, check out the very interesting book Solid State: The Story of "Abbey Road" and the End of the Beatles by Kenneth Womack.
Great video. How about one where you compare the handful of songs that have had multiple remix/remaster releases, e.g., Strawberry Fields, A Day in the Life, Get Back? It would be interesting to get your take on what the merits are of each version
Thank you Andrew on a great video spotlighting my absolute favorite album! (not just Beatles). I have 2 US pressings, the first I got new in '78 (still my go-to) and an older pressing (with the small Capitol logo on the bottom of the Side 2 label) I got recently. Both still sound great! You can definitely hear the difference between them and the 2019 remix, which sounds amazing in its own way. Overall, fantastic info on an all-time classic!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video Andrew!!!! I like the Giles Martin remix my favorite track is oh! Darling and golden slumbers medley again great video!!!! Looking forward to you're review of the revolver box set take care 😄😄😄😄😄😄
So detailed. So interesting. So good. Another great video 👊🏻 I recently missed out on a UK 1st pressing of Abbey Road here in NZ. I think I’ll be pushing a bit harder next time!
Thanks Andrew. My first copy of this album was a late-70's New Zealand pressing which had the original -2/-1 cutting. It sounded great!
@@Parlogram Correct : ) My World Record Club NZ pressing of the album (73’ I believe) has the -2/-1 matrix. My understanding is they used UK stampers but pressed in NZ. Would that be right? Despite that, always nice to have the UK 1st pressing in the collection, the Apple misprint alone on Abbey Road makes it worthwhile.
Brilliant video Andrew ! 👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
Another great review. I've already pre-ordered the 'Revolver' re-release. I found an offer that I couldn't refuse. $173 after a %20 discount !
I have not played my 1976 UK pressing of Abby Road in years and years, guess it is time to check it out. I will get back to you with the results. Thanks, as always.
i'm into japanese pressing CDs, i don't care if they're sound "better" than other pressings but i love how quality they are.
exclusive japan bonus tracks on specific albums, japanese lyrics booklet, some jewel cases are on white which looks cool than standard black and clear ones and especially the OBI strips, which looks so beautiful
Not every Japanese CDs are created equally. I buy a lot of soul music albums, and I have come across MANY Japanese ones that were created using a vinyl source. Perhaps more mainstream albums are done better, just saying, just because it's made in Japan doesn't mean it's going to be master tape sourced or quality.
I gifted my PRO-USE copy to my nephew recently...I agree totally with your assessment....clean clear detailed soundscape...dead quiet vinyl...I taped it before passing it on!!
Excellent Andrew. Your reviews are absolutely invaluable. I guess I'm lucky in having a mint Toshiba Pro Use pressing. I purchased this new in the early '80s and I'm sure I've not played it more than maybe twenty times, so it's still pristine. I also have a mint UK 'blue box' (pre-digital transfer and with most LPs bearing Harry Moss' imprimatur in the dead wax). I'm glad I grabbed the Mono box when it came out, as this is now a rare bird indeed (well, perhaps more expensive than rare). I'm looking forward to your review of the Revolver box. Cheers...
Every time I play your videos I learn something new about my Beatles collection. I have Abbey Road on vinyl YEX 749 4. This was one of the first albums I bought. I then bought the cassette tape in 1976. Mine is in blue and has the blue Apple logo. I then bought the CD in 1987. Whew!!!
I guess I chose, without realizing, very good versions🙂.
Fantastic video Andrew! Again, another video jam packed with fascinating information for collectors. I am glad you pointed out how the US first pressing was not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. It's definitely not as good as the UK first press, but it is still surprisingly good.
Thanks John. Glad you enjoyed it!
I thought the 2009 remastered version was magnificent when i first heard it. A lot depends on the System used for playback and the room.
The 2019 Remix is also a delight
Hi, great presentation and lot of information, keep up the good work warm regards from the Netherlands
Thanks, will do!
Thanks again Andrew. Your videos are a highlight of my UA-cam viewing every week. I would be interested to know if my first pressing Australian Abbey Road pressed from UK mothers is equivalent to the UK first pressing.
Andrew you are outstanding!
Loved this video. It would be great to see the same for all the Beatles albums.
I’ve only heard a few versions of the Beatles Abbey Road album which is one of my favorite albums ever because I love everything that the Beatles did.
I have never heard of the original pressings of any Beatles albums I like to hear them that would be fantastic. I like the 1987 CD version that was the first version of Abbey Rd., Farm bought which was fantastic at the time and I think it sounds pretty good. I love the 2009 remastered it’s very much improved and I love it it’s in my second place ranking and of course I love the 2019 remastered I love the deluxe box set of Abbey Road it is very much clear sounding and you can hear everything which is great and I love all the outtakes which was great for me. I recently bought the Beatles Abbey Rd., SuperDeluxe on vinyl it’s one thing to listen to CD version of Abbey Rd., Luxor boxer but it’s a whole Nother thing to listen to vinyl records I love listening to vinyl and hearing that warm sound not a mix.
And I love the fact especially on songs like come together when the drum pattern is moved from left to right instead of standing on the left side throughout the song the whole album is fantastic it sounds more contemporary than today’s music does.
Love the Parlogram UA-cam channel! I have the original vinyl pressing PCS-7088 (YEX 749-2 & YEX 750-1) and the Toshiba EMI Black Triangle CD which I think is my favorite version and play on a restored Studer A725QC Professional CD player which I find is a great combination.
Your content is always informative, interesting and enjoyable. Perhaps I am overly sensitive but I was terribly distracted by the numerous abrupt zoom-ins/zoom-outs in this video to the point that I couldn’t concentrate on the information you presented.
Good I had the 1987 CD when i got my first CD player, in 1987. I also had every CD at that time from Rubber Soul on.
audionerd of the century, this chap.
Great video, Andrew! Thanks a lot for this. As you announced your video last weekend, I compared a view of my Abbey road versions. Best sounding is the 1985 UK vinyl from the UK BC13 box. This version has a quite heavy bass, but my copy has very flimsy vinyl and a lot of cracks and pops especially in the quiter parts, although it looks nearly mint. Second and close in terms of bass is the 2009 remasters CD for me (also being aware, that therfore I will be banned on your channel 😉). But I like the clear CD sound without noticable surface noise plus the bass boost on it. Third is 1987 CD and 4th is my CD-R copy of the Toshiba black triangle. Also for me, there is not an audible difference between those two. I was not sure if my CD-R really a true copy of the Toshiba or just a copy of the normal 1987 CD. 5th place has the 1978 German pressing from the German BC13 box. This one has to low bass and sounds quite flat. I have also needledrops from the MFSL and from the Brazilian mono, but I did not listen to these in my test. And of course the 2019, but this was also excluded... it's too different.
Awesome! Short, crisp and to the point! 🎉 I don't know that many pressings... That’s what I wrote in august 2021 on discogs on the original from ‘69 (PCS 7088, YEX 749-2 / 750-1): “Absolutely brilliant pressing, extremely great sound and amazing stage - it sounds awesome!” 😊 I am so happy with that one!
I also own the 2019 Remaster (great, but didn't knock me off my chair like the UK original from 1969), the 2009 CD (headache!) and a brilliant German Pressing from 1969 (1 C 062-04 243). 😊
Thank you for such a magnificent comparison of Abbey Road, my favorite album by The Beatles, since I got a 1971 Spanish edition cassette when I was 13 years old, over the years I have been able to get several copies on LP and CD (including the 50th box set anniversary) until more recently I was able to obtain a first edition from 1969, without a doubt for my taste it is the best I have heard.
Excellent job Andrew!! For me it's the 1987 CD.
I’ve got the Mobile Fidelity pressing and the Capitol. I just played Here Comes the Sun on both records and the sound like two different recordings. The Capitol pressing is so much louder (too loud), and I hear the smiley face sound on the MF. I should have picked up that UK pressing at that record shop in Canterbury when I was in the UK this summer. Thanks again Andrew for another brilliant video to brighten my Sunday.
I m completly agree with you
Another great video with a useful explanation of how to play the black triangle Japanese CD and how to spot fakes. I was surprised you left out the 2012 vinyl, but perhaps it’s too similar to the 2009 CD. To me, it sounds very boring and the UK first is definitely the best I’ve heard. Another omission is the Harry Moss cut from 76, which I think is very close to the -2/-1.
Very interesting. I have a 1973 LP pressed by Pathe-Marconi in France for the UK market using the original UK metalwork. The UK plant was closed for refurbishment at the time. It sounds spectacular!
G'day Andrew, Abbey Road is my all-time favourite album and this video of yours is one of your best. Always love a shootout! The Aussie first pressings are excellent listening as well..however..as you advised, finding one that in isn't scuffed and noisy is the major factor. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the upcoming Revolver set. T'is a wonderful time to be a Beatles fan ! All the best 👍
Thanks Steve!
thank you for your candid comment on the Mobile Fidelity pressings. I'd see ads for their albums in 'Stereo Review' magazine and see the albums in the stores and wonder if they really sound better. I don't remember ever seeing any reviews of Mobile Fidelity pressings of any albums, and I never bought any.
I have not heard this famous early Japanese CD, but I've heard many pressings. These include a MFSL, a first pressing US copy, and the famous Pro-Use Japanese audiophile vinyl pressing. But to me the absolute best sounding pressing I have heard, is a South African first pressing on Parlophone. After I found this, I sold every other copy I had. It may be pressed from the same metal parts as the UK first pressing, I need to dig it out and check. I am happy to hear your critici
sms of the MFSL.
After having this on every format (except reel to reel) since the 70’s… my 1971 UK vinyl press is hands down the Best I’ve ever heard it.
I always learn things watching these videos. It's funny how years ago people used to bang on about the Mobile Fidelity pressings but it seems in reality they weren't up to much. Glad I never bothered with them. I agree the overall sound of Abbey Road is still very fresh and modern. Interesting video as usual, thanks. By the way, I always admire the retro style graphics - very well done.
Agree 100%, the Mobile Fidelity were all hype. I had a big collection of them but after comparing with the originals, I sold all of them. Even the box sets went!!
Hi Andrew, Love all your videos and look forward to them each Sunday. I have 6 or 7 copies of Abbey Road including the Pro Use and the -2/-1. The -2/-1 does edge out the Pro Use for me. I recently became the owner of a very good Reel to Reel Deck, an Akai GX 646. I bought a US 7 1/2 ips R2R of the Hey Jude album many years ago but until now unable to play it. I have not done an A/B comparison to the vinyl yet, but this tape sounds simply blew my mind. to my ears the high end is probably less defined than the vinyl but overall the tape has a dynamic presence that is incredible.I dont think i've have ever heard the Beatles sound so good ever!! (and I'm a 1st generation fan/collector) I almost went for a R2R 7 1/2 ips of Abbey Road today (for $150, which is a reasonable price for this)..Unfortunately I waited too long and it was gone. I was wondering if any one out there has an Abbey Road R2R and what they think of it. Andrew, I know you did a segment on Beatles R2R but all Concentrated on UK 3 3/4 ips which are quite inferior. Would be great if you can run a segment on Capital 7 1/2 ips R2R. Thanks as always.
I will, Ted. If I can get hold of some!
Well, I've only got two: The Toshiba "black triangle" CD and a 1st U.S. pressing from the Scranton factory. They are both good enough for my ears. But Andrew, why no mention of the U.S. picture disc? That's my third copy and you know what? It's not half bad! Signal to noise is damn good for a picture disc. Cheers on another brilliant analysis.