Hot Pressings

[garylkoh]

Been playing this one a lot. The vinyl is definitely worth buying because it is a different mix/master - and far better sonically to the digital (including high-rez) versions. The 12" x 12" book that comes with the LP is also far nicer than the little 4.5" x 4.5" booklet that comes with the CD.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

^^^ Listening to the HD file of the whole album on Youtube as I type this. She kinda reminds me of Sia a bit. So far I like it (on track #4).

 

[garylkoh]

Amazingly, according to the Loudness Wars database, the Youtube HD version has better dynamic range than the CD and hirez downloads

http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=lorde&album=

 

[Shaffer]

Amazingly, according to the Loudness Wars database, the Youtube HD version has better dynamic range than the CD and hirez downloads

http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=lorde&album=

The last Bowie album was significantly more dynamic as a MP3, compared to the CD. It's because of itunes and their compression scheme. Over-compressed recordings interfere with it, so the irony is in full swing. The very entity that some blame for the pinnacle of the loudness wars is driving the idea of greater dynamic range. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go and set what's left of my hair on fire.

 

[garylkoh]

The last Bowie album was significantly more dynamic as a MP3, compared to the CD. It's because of itunes and their compression scheme. Over-compressed recordings interfere with it, so the irony is in full swing. The very entity that some blame for the pinnacle of the loudness wars is driving the idea of greater dynamic range. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go and set what's left of my hair on fire.

Har Har. What's even more ironical is that many iPods and other mp3 players have compression built-in to accommodate ear-buds, so "mastered for iTunes" means less compression, not more.

 

[jazdoc]

"Tug of War" Paul McCartney

 

[jazdoc]

Bill Barron "The Next Plateau", Muse 1992

If you like Sphere's "Flight Path", you'll enjoy this one...

 

[audioarcher]

Bill Barron "The Next Plateau", Muse 1992

If you like Sphere's "Flight Path", you'll enjoy this one...

Thanks. Ordered.

 

[garylkoh]

I pulled out my long-lost Ricky Lee Jones' Girl at Her Volcano to demo with recently. As it's just a 10-inch EP, it always gets lost in my record rack - but it holds great music - Under the Boardwalk, Walking with Renee, etc.

However, as my copy's pretty old and noisy, I set out to find a better pressing - and I'm glad I did. In the '80s some of the record labels - including Warner - pressed their promo albums on Quiex II virgin vinyl. This was before Classic Records made Quiex popular among audiophiles. Some of these promo albums can still be found in good quality. This one was in "unplayed" condition.

 

[jazdoc]

I pulled out my long-lost Ricky Lee Jones' Girl at Her Volcano to demo with recently. As it's just a 10-inch EP, it always gets lost in my record rack - but it holds great music - Under the Boardwalk, Walking with Renee, etc.

However, as my copy's pretty old and noisy, I set out to find a better pressing - and I'm glad I did. In the '80s some of the record labels - including Warner - pressed their promo albums on Quiex II virgin vinyl. This was before Classic Records made Quiex popular among audiophiles. Some of these promo albums can still be found in good quality. This one was in "unplayed" condition.

View attachment 15012

+1

 

[rockitman]

LZ2 UK 1st issue.

 

[mep]

LZ2 UK 1st issue.

And so...

 

[jazdoc]

^^^ I've got vinyl envy!^^^

 

[rockitman]

And so...

It hits the platter tonight. I gave it the KL Audio clean treatment. I will report back. It will be interesting to see how it compares to the RL hot mix.

 

[rockitman]

And so...

My copy is playing NM-. Remarkably quiet, even between tracks with a few occasional light ticks that go a few revolutions and fall off in a few quiet spots. I like it better than Ludwig..especially the bass (Quite extended and will give the 45 rpm a run for it's money). I will need to do a another comparo with my 45 rpm classic reissue. For $280.00 I am more than happy given the condition. Visually I thought it would play EX with a slight noise floor but it reality it sound's like fresh vinyl from 1969...quiet.

 

[jazdoc]

Congrats Christian. At Mike L's, "Whole Lotta Love" feels like it is enveloping you with the Classic 45...do you get a similar effect with your new copy?

 

[rockitman]

Congrats Christian. At Mike L's, "Whole Lotta Love" feels like it is enveloping you with the Classic 45...do you get a similar effect with your new copy?

This brit mix surrounds you with John Paul jones lovely bass lines. The bass presence is even greater than the 45 rpm Classic Records mix. I think the 45 is a cleaner sound. I will do a direct comparison soon. I wanted to play it louder than 90dB, but my lady is upstairs sleeping. At proper listening level, she would be angry. This version begs to be turned up loud. It is quite a warmer presentation overall with different sounding micro details from time to time that add to the uniqueness that I haven't noticed on other versions.

 

[garylkoh]

It is quite a warmer presentation overall with different sounding micro details from time to time that add to the uniqueness that I haven't noticed on other versions.

That's usually the biggest difference I find with many first pressings (and to a lesser extent promo's) - the micro details. I was quite surprised to find such a big difference between the standard pressings and the promo of the RLJ that I posted above, until I found out that some promo pressings in that era were pressed on better quality vinyl. There were also some other labels that used a different pressing plant for their promos.

 

[jazdoc]

Nick Lowe "Nick The Knife", F-Beat/Columbia, 1982

Nick Lowe's first post Rockpile release continues the Rockpile vibe and features former bandmates Billy Bremer and Terry Williams in addition to Steve Nieve of the Attractions and his wife at the time Carlene Carter (yes he was Johnny Cash's son-in-law!). Nothing groundbreaking musically; just a fun LP that is very well recorded.

 

[puroagave]

another Nick lowe fan here love his wordplay, its 'smart' music. the convincer, dig my mood and the impossible bird are out now on 180g wax - I love 'em all.