Insuring the Blue Note tapes

[hvbias]

Myles I would have to disagree that the 33 rpm sound better

Well at least comparing Music Matters to Music Matters, maybe the story is different with the AP45 which do sound slightly different/worse than Music Matters.

But with Soul Station and True Blue the 45s on my system have more flow and realism (presence) in the midrange compared to the 33 rpms. The 33 in contrast sound more clinical and have slightly better bass extension. I have around 4 different pressings of Soul Station including the first mono pressing. The 45 rpm is by far the best sounding.

 

[MylesBAstor]

Myles I would have to disagree that the 33 rpm sound better

Well at least comparing Music Matters to Music Matters, maybe the story is different with the AP45 which do sound slightly different/worse than Music Matters.

But with Soul Station and True Blue the 45s on my system have more flow and realism (presence) in the midrange compared to the 33 rpms. The 33 in contrast sound more clinical and have slightly better bass extension. I have around 4 different pressings of Soul Station including the first mono pressing. The 45 rpm is by far the best sounding.

But do you know if those were early or later 45 rpm pressings from MM?

 

[rockitman]

But do you know if those were early or later 45 rpm pressings from MM?

I would love to know what album is the cut off when the supposed better 45 rpm mastering/cutting took place. Looking at the MM records at acoustic sounds, there are many I don't have or there are quite a few I already have on Classic Records and Analogue Productions. IME I seem to enjoy mono records better than the stereo mixes from the late 50's...there are exceptions of course but in general, if I visualize the album being performed live, the mono versions sound like I was there. Ping Pong stereo mixes are not that enjoyable to listen too because of the lack of balance in both channels..weak center imaging, imo.

 

[hvbias]

But do you know if those were early or later 45 rpm pressings from MM?

I believe those two were early on. I don't mean to downplay the importance of the Studer and cable upgrade, after all their 45 rpm releases done after that upgrade are exceptional. But that was how we heard it after careful comparisons. I wish we could have heard the first mono pressing of True Blue, but that one goes for thousands in NM shape. On the 45 the microdynamic shadings of Mobley weaving in and out of those ballads is the stuff to melt hearts. The truly idiotic term "middleweight champion" need not apply here.

 

[microstrip]

Fresh news about the Blue Note 75th anniversary issues by Jacob Heilbrunn in the TAS site:
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/a-blue-note-celebration/