Steely Dan - Aja.

Johnny Vinyl

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Phelonious Ponk

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A frequently recurring conversation, to understate it. Those guys are obsessed!

Tim
 

Johnny Vinyl

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May 16, 2010
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A frequently recurring conversation, to understate it. Those guys are obsessed!

Tim

They are...I'l grant you that. I only picked up on it as the OP claimed he preferred his AB pressing over the Cisco. I have a U.S., a Canadian and the Cisco pressing, so I might try and do the same comparison for fun. I've got nothing better to do so this amuses me. LOL!
 

mep

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Knock yourself out John. The original pressing of Asia is damn good.
 

Phelonious Ponk

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Those late 70s Dan recordings are some of the cleanest pre-digital multi-track recordings made. They are at times, pretty densely layered, with very little grungy build-up. A joy to listen to.

Tim
 

16hz lover

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Aug 2, 2013
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that album sold lots of stereos.
 

Bill Hart

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May 11, 2012
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I have the Cisco and some originals, but some of those are in Texas so I can't give you a direct comparo between the AA and the AB. The Cisco has surface blemishes (a sort of white stain on the vinyl) that does not affect SQ.
I've always found that recording, whether the original or the Cisco, to sound a little 'antiseptic.' Not bright, or dry, or harsh exactly, but a little denuded or devoid of warmth.
 

rockitman

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Sep 20, 2011
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I have the Cisco and some originals, but some of those are in Texas so I can't give you a direct comparo between the AA and the AB. The Cisco has surface blemishes (a sort of white stain on the vinyl) that does not affect SQ.
I've always found that recording, whether the original or the Cisco, to sound a little 'antiseptic.' Not bright, or dry, or harsh exactly, but a little denuded or devoid of warmth.

I had that issue on my last copy. (Cisco) Not audible on side a, but was for a bit on side b...a sand paper sound for a split second every revolution. I have bought another sealed version. I hope this one is better.
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
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Calgary, AB
I have the Cisco and some originals, but some of those are in Texas so I can't give you a direct comparo between the AA and the AB. The Cisco has surface blemishes (a sort of white stain on the vinyl) that does not affect SQ.
I've always found that recording, whether the original or the Cisco, to sound a little 'antiseptic.' Not bright, or dry, or harsh exactly, but a little denuded or devoid of warmth.


I just carefully inspected my Cisco and I'm not seeing those surface blemishes (my s/n is 0979).

I agree with your assessment of the recording itself. I don't find it overly engaging despite it's excellent production. It's a bit matter of fact.
 

Bill Hart

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May 11, 2012
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I just carefully inspected my Cisco and I'm not seeing those surface blemishes (my s/n is 0979).

I agree with your assessment of the recording itself. I don't find it overly engaging despite it's excellent production. It's a bit matter of fact.

John, the discoloration on the Cisco is not subtle. If it was there, you'd see it with the naked eye. There were anecdotal reports of this by others on the Net. So, if it is not visible to the naked eye, you are probably fine.
The remaster of Can't Buy a Thrill isn't bad either, i can't remember which house did it. There is tape slippage on one track you can hear that is not on the original versions of the album. I probably still have my original that I bought new back in the day, finding it is another matter. That record, to me, is wonderful musically, because of the diversity of the songs and sounds. The Elliott Randall guitar solo is killer. Aja to me is 'late' Dan- I played the hell out of the first several albums, including Countdown to Ectasy, which as I remember, was no sonic jewel. I haven't listened to any of the more current stuff by either guy. I think they were on tour this summer, either together or as some form of Steely Dan.
 

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