Definitive Audiophile pressings

MikeH said:
When did they go missing? Cisco did an AAA cut of it but I guess that was back in 2007
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Way before that. In 1999, when they remastered it for CD, Fagen wrote that two of the tapes went missing and put out a bounty for anyone who found them. It could’ve been the multi-track tapes, but I know for sure two songs were missing from their tape vault.

I’ll try and find it.
 
MikeH said:
When did they go missing? Cisco did an AAA cut of it but I guess that was back in 2007
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“When DTS attempted to make a 5.1 version, it was discovered that the multitrack masters for both “Black Cow” and the title track were missing. For this same reason, a multichannel SACD version was cancelled by Universal Music. Donald Fagen has offered a $600 reward for the missing masters or any information that leads to their recovery.”

Steely Dan – Aja (1977) – K-Rock Europe

www.k-rock.eu www.k-rock.eu
 
Story time: As you all probably remember I was incredibly stoked for the release of Impex’s Kenny Dorham - Matador but upon receiving my copy I unfortunately had a scribble pencil scratch across parts of Side B which led to cyclical clicking sounds for minutes on end.

I then wrote into AS for a replacement but discovered they had none to offer and they offered a full refund if I would send the record back. I decided to try another option.

I reached out to Impex via IG explaining my situation and they apologized for the inconvenience and said they’d check to see if they had replacements left. They put me in contact with an employee here in LA and they took on helping get me a replacement. After a few months of touch and go communication with them a replacement finally arrived in the mail today. The rep I was in contact with gave me a heads up that she included something special in the package for me for being such a patient and pleasant customer. Check out what the surprise was below, I’m blown away by this experience with Impex. They’re class acts over there and make amazing products. Made my week.

6B8EAB1A-510B-4E1E-A449-1960E9796A6E.jpeg
 
Colonel4Bin said:
“When DTS attempted to make a 5.1 version, it was discovered that the multitrack masters for both “Black Cow” and the title track were missing. For this same reason, a multichannel SACD version was cancelled by Universal Music. Donald Fagen has offered a $600 reward for the missing masters or any information that leads to their recovery.”

Steely Dan – Aja (1977) – K-Rock Europe

www.k-rock.eu www.k-rock.eu
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That just means they can’t remix it but the analogue tapes probably still exist right? That Cisco pressing was AAA and was after they tried to do the multichannel SACD
 
Colonel4Bin said:
“When DTS attempted to make a 5.1 version, it was discovered that the multitrack masters for both “Black Cow” and the title track were missing. For this same reason, a multichannel SACD version was cancelled by Universal Music. Donald Fagen has offered a $600 reward for the missing masters or any information that leads to their recovery.”

Steely Dan – Aja (1977) – K-Rock Europe

www.k-rock.eu www.k-rock.eu
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$600 hmmmmm.

Tight bastard!

😂😂😂
 
Ghost said:
Story time: As you all probably remember I was incredibly stoked for the release of Impex’s Kenny Dorham - Matador but upon receiving my copy I unfortunately had a scribble pencil scratch across parts of Side B which led to cyclical clicking sounds for minutes on end.

I then wrote into AS for a replacement but discovered they had none to offer and they offered a full refund if I would send the record back. I decided to try another option.

I reached out to Impex via IG explaining my situation and they apologized for the inconvenience and said they’d check to see if they had replacements left. They put me in contact with an employee here in LA and they took on helping get me a replacement. After a few months of touch and go communication with them a replacement finally arrived in the mail today. The rep I was in contact with gave me a heads up that she included something special in the package for me for being such a patient and pleasant customer. Check out what the surprise was below, I’m blown away by this experience with Impex. They’re class acts over there and make amazing products. Made my week.

View attachment 139672
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Amazing! That Sinatra is awesome too. I really like their pressings
 
Ghost said:
Story time: As you all probably remember I was incredibly stoked for the release of Impex’s Kenny Dorham - Matador but upon receiving my copy I unfortunately had a scribble pencil scratch across parts of Side B which led to cyclical clicking sounds for minutes on end.

I then wrote into AS for a replacement but discovered they had none to offer and they offered a full refund if I would send the record back. I decided to try another option.

I reached out to Impex via IG explaining my situation and they apologized for the inconvenience and said they’d check to see if they had replacements left. They put me in contact with an employee here in LA and they took on helping get me a replacement. After a few months of touch and go communication with them a replacement finally arrived in the mail today. The rep I was in contact with gave me a heads up that she included something special in the package for me for being such a patient and pleasant customer. Check out what the surprise was below, I’m blown away by this experience with Impex. They’re class acts over there and make amazing products. Made my week.

View attachment 139672
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It's the little acts of kindness that go a long way. Glad you found a clean copy.
 
MikeH said:
That just means they can’t remix it but the analogue tapes probably still exist right? That Cisco pressing was AAA and was after they tried to do the multichannel SACD
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Possibly, I’m not really sure how all of that works. I just know Fagen was bothered by it. I have the Cisco and it’s unbelievably good. Ironically, I bought a NM all around AB first press today at my local. Can’t wait to hear the AP.
 
Played Relaxin through again today.
Literally cranked volume to see if distortion showed any signs.
notta but my cart was buzzing some.
The pitchforks are coming out on SH. Looks like a battle is brewing with returns.
 
Jbraswell said:
Played Relaxin through again today.
Literally cranked volume to see if distortion showed any signs.
notta but my cart was buzzing some.
The pitchforks are coming out on SH. Looks like a battle is brewing with returns.
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My guess is that there’s a batch from certain lacquers that are either accentuated on certain systems or did have a pressing issue on some. I listened to mine again today and it sounds fantastic

Also there’s always stupid arguments on Hoffman so that’s not surprising. I’ve only seen a handful of people say they are returning it and a few others getting replacement boxes
 
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MikeH said:
My guess is that there’s a batch from certain lacquers that are either accentuated on certain systems or did have a pressing issue on some. I listened to mine again today and it sounds fantastic
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Has anyone seen this type of controversy before with a one step?
I'm not discounting folks reports but wow it seems like shit is hitting the fan.
 
Jbraswell said:
Has anyone seen this type of controversy before with a one step?
I'm not discounting folks reports but wow it seems like shit is hitting the fan.
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Edited my post but there are very few people returning it. Seems like mostly people are trying to figure out why some are experiencing such a difference in sound. I’d hardly say shit is hitting the fan…it’s just the usual Hoffman stuff happening.
 
jamieanderson1968 said:
Curious how that Clash and Jam sounds.
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I played Magnificent Seven and the separation and dynamics are superb. There's a high hat sound I never noticed before - this long-lasting hit that floats above and it's crystal clear. Very preliminary, I know, but this is very promising. I played 3 songs off The Jam (Art School, Batman Theme and In The City) and it seems really promising too - that recording is rougher but still has that japanese clarity to it, if you know what I mean. Both records are pristine, but that's usually par for the course with Record City EX grades.
 
The OG Miles BB shipped.
Really interested to spend some time with this one before another one step hits the market.
I agree with some others... there are some Gucci bag feels to these one steps.


A 2x and 3x price premium becomes questionable in my mind.
It's all difficult and fun to judge, which is probably why we are here in the first place.

I don’t have more than a few one steps. I was more impressed with Folk Singer than Relaxin TBH.
Both are good and an apples to oranges comparison.
 
Ghost said:
Story time: As you all probably remember I was incredibly stoked for the release of Impex’s Kenny Dorham - Matador but upon receiving my copy I unfortunately had a scribble pencil scratch across parts of Side B which led to cyclical clicking sounds for minutes on end.

I then wrote into AS for a replacement but discovered they had none to offer and they offered a full refund if I would send the record back. I decided to try another option.

I reached out to Impex via IG explaining my situation and they apologized for the inconvenience and said they’d check to see if they had replacements left. They put me in contact with an employee here in LA and they took on helping get me a replacement. After a few months of touch and go communication with them a replacement finally arrived in the mail today. The rep I was in contact with gave me a heads up that she included something special in the package for me for being such a patient and pleasant customer. Check out what the surprise was below, I’m blown away by this experience with Impex. They’re class acts over there and make amazing products. Made my week.

View attachment 139672
Click to expand...
Wow. What a great story. And told well! So glad for you that it worked out, and heartened by an act of kindness.
 
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