Definitive Audiophile pressings

Just spun through a bit of KPG Rhino Cars. So yes it's definitely more dynamic than the Mofi. However it's typical of KPG that in some ways it highlights the limits of the original master, especially in spots like the vocal chorus sections of Let The Good Times Roll which can skew kinda harsh and honestly sound like they were added in post to the original mix. (No idea if this is the case, but on this pressing that's what it sounds like to me) I swear you can almost hear the vocals cutting off at the end of each "Goooood tiiiiimes rollllll". At times during the track I wished that he'd just softened the chorus a bit in order to smooth that out, I think that's the sort of thing that the warmth of the Mofi tends to hide. But then when you hit Best Friend's Girl there's not really much comparison, KPG smokes the Mofi. The bass guitar is punchy as hell, the hand claps actually have depth to them, as opposed to the Mofi where they're pretty flat. The vocals are right there in the room with you.
It's also cut hot so you don't need much volume to really crank it out, and as a result the background is dead silent, just black. I haven't spun through the whole thing yet but so far yes it's probably the keeper despite that fact that KPGs "detail to a fault" style sometimes doesn't make EVERYTHING sound better, but I get it.

That being said honestly... I'd be happy with either of them. The Mofi is still damn good and simply because it's so warm it's crankable as all hell.
 
Last edited:
Mather said:
Just spun through a bit of KPG Rhino Cars. So yes it's definitely more dynamic than the Mofi. However it's typical of KPG that in some ways it highlights the limits of the original master, especially in spots like the chorus sections of Let The Good Times Roll which can skew kinda harsh and honestly sound like they were added in post to the original mix. (No idea if this is the case, but on this pressing that's what it sounds like to me) I swear you can almost hear the vocals cutting off at the end of each "Goooood tiiiiimes rollllll". At times during the track I wished that he'd just softened the chorus a bit in order to smooth that out, I think that's the sort of thing that the warmth of the Mofi tends to hide. But then when you hit Best Friend's Girl there's not really much comparison, KPG smokes the Mofi. The bass guitar is punchy as hell, the hand claps actually have depth to them, as opposed to the Mofi where they're pretty flat. The vocals are right there in the room with you.
It's also cut hot so you don't need much volume to really crank it out, and as a result the background is dead silent, just black. I haven't spun through the whole thing yet but so far yes it's probably the keeper despite that fact that KPGs "detail to a fault" style sometimes doesn't make EVERYTHING sound better, but I get it.

That being said honestly... I'd be happy with either of them. The Mofi is still damn good and simply because it's so warm it's crankable as all hell.
Click to expand...
Man, the opening on that first track is just killer. I don't have a Sterling to compare but I have other Cars titles from Sterling and they are all awesome sounding. Different house sound compared to the KG, which has an incredible clean solid state sound to it.
 
Here’s another really excellent sounding album.

IMG_7914.jpeg
Pass If Music - Sam Gendel. I got the “dark clear” version which looks like the one step or old JVC vinyl. It’s black but see-through when you hold it up to light. Really excellent mastering though and a cool album. Discogs link here:
www.discogs.com

Sam Gendel - Pass If Music

View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 2023 Vinyl release of "Pass If Music" on Discogs.
www.discogs.com www.discogs.com
 
zdkaiser said:
Picked up the Acoustic Sound Series pressing of Jazz Samba today for $18 at a local store.

Wow...I think this is the best sounding album in that entire series. Also in the top 5 now for best sounding in my collection. Just incredibly lifelike. Stunning. Highly recommended!
Click to expand...
Based on your comments I think even at $38 or whatever retail is it's a must buy!
 
Mather said:
Oh also, this is probably the wrong thread but, do any of you have the more recent Tori Amos "Under The Pink" pressing? Whether it's the black or pink vinyl? Curious about quality.
Click to expand...
Haven't seen of anyone's answered yet because I'm a few pages behind, but I have the pink and am not impressed with the quality.
 
Mather said:
Oh. And by the way, impressed with both the Clear Nas Illmatic EU press and the Pink 2LP Tori Amos "Under The Pink" pressing (both Optimal). Both sound really good. Some issues on the last track of Tori with some distortion on the strings which is something I've noticed a few times with stuff out of Abbey Road, which this was. But it's minor. Rest of it is quite impressive all in.
Click to expand...
You must have got a better copy then me. Might need to try my luck on another one.
 
zdkaiser said:
Picked up the Acoustic Sound Series pressing of Jazz Samba today for $18 at a local store.

Wow...I think this is the best sounding album in that entire series. Also in the top 5 now for best sounding in my collection. Just incredibly lifelike. Stunning. Highly recommended!
Click to expand...
It is exceptional IMO too. Beautiful noise floor on the pressing makes a big difference.
 
Mather said:
Hmmm, maybe I got a newer pressing? It's Optimal, on pink. But yeah could just be the usual luck of the draw...
Click to expand...
The Barnes and Noble exclusive from 2021? That's the pink one from Optimal that I have. Although I think they did a wider release of it after it was an exclusive there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top