Definitive Audiophile pressings

Turbo said:
I may just have to look into that Purple Rain...

Is the EU 50th anniversary the same as the deluxe box that came out? I've been eyeing that one hoping it comes down in price a bit.

Funny enough, I just sent @avecigrec a JP Songs In The Key Of Life. Long story short, I had a 1976 that I muffed because the 45 slipped out and hit the LP, adding a couple scratches into the end of Side 1 track 1. I got OCD about it and lucked out on a 1981 from Ella with mint vinyl but no obi and VG sleeve (which is frankly VG+) for $20. I ended up frankensteining myself a good copy by swapping in the 1981 Lp1 into my 1976 copy. I honestly could not tell a difference in the mastering of the 1976 and 1981. So I passed the extra along, which truth be told is not really that bad (repetitive clicks end of track 1).
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Well it's funny because my 81 was from Ella and it's the only NM/NM thing I've gotten from them that actually did have a scratch on it. At the beginning of Isn't She Lovely there's a small scratch that causes pops for a while but they're so light and in the background that it's really not noticeable unless you crank it, and I'm not in the habit of blasting Isn't She Lovely so I let it go. But I'm not surprised there isn't really a difference between the earlier pressing, this one sounds so good I can't really imagine it sounding better.

As for the Sabbath I'm not sure if it's the same pressing to be honest. My buddy brought this one over and although I want it, it looks like it'll be a crap shoot as to whether the later pressings will sound the same, the runouts seem to be slightly different.
 
Mather said:
Well it's funny because my 81 was from Ella and it's the only NM/NM thing I've gotten from them that actually did have a scratch on it. At the beginning of Isn't She Lovely there's a small scratch that causes pops for a while but they're so light and in the background that it's really not noticeable unless you crank it, and I'm not in the habit of blasting Isn't She Lovely so I let it go. But I'm not surprised there isn't really a difference between the earlier pressing, this one sounds so good I can't really imagine it sounding better.

As for the Sabbath I'm not sure if it's the same pressing to be honest. My buddy brought this one over and although I want it, it looks like it'll be a crap shoot as to whether the later pressings will sound the same, the runouts seem to be slightly different.
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I went on a hunt to get a copy of Vol 4 a few months ago. All the recent presses are GZ and every time I emailed someone about the 2016 they had on sale, they checked and told me it was likely a recent GZ. I ended up trying to find an original Canadian pressing instead. Those are way more affordable than the US and the UK's are crazy. The rabbit hole went deep. First copy I got was not NM and the pressing was mis-identified. Kind of pissed me off. Mastering still sounded good, but not acceptable to me because that record does have several quieter tracks. I finally got a great Canadian first press from a store in Montreal. Has a green vertigo label and the cool booklet attached to the gatefold. Anyway, this is the only Sabbath record I really love from start to finish, so I'm quite pleased.

As I was at it, I was kind of keeping a side-eye at Paranoid hoping a recent press would suffice. I don't like this one as much, but I wouldn't mind a copy.
 
Mather said:
Did a bunch of shootouts yesterday and thought you guys might like to hear the results.

Prince Purple Rain KPG vs the OG JP 1984 pressing on purple vinyl:

The JP took the crown and it really wasn't very close. The KPG had warmer vocals but was much muddier than the JP. The detail and punch on the JP pretty much smoked the KPG. The JP is a bit brighter on the high end but I'd liken it to a similar sound to the Thriller One Step, very detailed and bass accurate but not bass heavy.

Black Sabbath Paranoid VMP KPG vs 2015 EU 50th Anniversary:

The 2015 took this one quite easily. I don't know if this is one that KPG actually mastered or if he just cut the lacquer but I've never been really happy with the VMP cut and this 2015 handily beats it. Punchier, hits harder, snarling guitars absolutely cut through the air whereas the VMP is pretty soft and muddy throughout. Of course this has been repressed twice since 2015 and lord knows if they're actually the same plates/master.

Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life JP 1981 vs 2017 UK Back to Black:

The JP smokes the reissue, and honestly I'd be willing to bet it would give any of the OGs a run for their money. It's a crazy good pressing, and I know @marshall has JP OG and says the same thing about that one.

And that's my story.
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this is heresy and i won't believe a word of it.

but also whats the stevie discogs listing...i need a nice pressing of that.
 
MikeH said:
this is heresy and i won't believe a word of it.

but also whats the stevie discogs listing...i need a nice pressing of that.
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I will add that I had a buddy over and we agreed on all three almost immediately so this wasn't just me picking these.

The Stevie I have is the 81 which isn't actually listed as a year because they aren't entirely sure, but any JP before 81 will likely sound like this.

Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key Of Life
 
Mather said:
I will add that I had a buddy over and we agreed on all three almost immediately so this wasn't just me picking these.

The Stevie I have is the 81 which isn't actually listed as a year because they aren't entirely sure, but any JP before 81 will likely sound like this.

Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key Of Life
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well if you and NightMather agree on something...it must be true! Thanks for the cogs link!
 
Jbraswell said:
Yeah I would like to expand on this one. What's your recommendation for the next?
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As in the next album to get? Probably Exodus or Catch a Fire. My favorites Catch a Fire, Burnin, Natty Dread and Exodus but the best sounding are probably Exodus through Uprising. Really, if you like the music, I’d recommend just picking up all the Island records. Iconic music that never gets old even though the popular songs have been played to death.
 
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