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Post by ChrisB on Sept 15, 2014 17:28:53 GMT
I think the early albums benefit best from being in mono - they were the ones that had instruments in one speaker and voice in the other. Wrong, wrong, wrong!
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Post by ChrisB on Sept 15, 2014 17:49:43 GMT
I have the mono CDs and a mixture of the records - some in mono, some in stereo and some in both. I did have 9 of the albums on factory recorded mono reel to reels but sold them a couple of years ago - they fetched over £600. On the whole, I enjoy the mono versions more. I shan't be shelling out for these new ones though.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 15, 2014 17:50:28 GMT
DQ, I don't know if you can play SACDs but the Japanese mastering for Genesis SACDs is extremely good. I would cite SEBTP as one of the all-time very best remasters I've ever heard, absolutely stonking quality and far and away better than the early vinyl. PG is almost in the room with you. If you can play them, try Amazon.jp (I think HMV.jp have gone) to see what they have in stock. They may also have SHM CDs.
EDIT: they do, see here.
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Post by Paul Barker on Sept 15, 2014 18:29:35 GMT
I need to sort out a mono setup. Certainly some of my best recordings are mono. Have to wander if it is just that mono is easier on the arm and cart, and maybe someone with a better system than mine would get equally results out of stereo recordings. Can't be sure it is just the recording of mono that is better or if my stereo isn't at it's best. OTOH my stereo lp's sound better than digital to me, but that's not saying much as digital is so far behind you'd have to be half deaf to prefer it.
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Post by Paul Barker on Sept 15, 2014 18:31:43 GMT
I'll get my coat. Seee you in a week when the digital lovers have finished tearing me apart in my absense.
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2014 18:42:58 GMT
I think the early albums benefit best from being in mono - they were the ones that had instruments in one speaker and voice in the other. Wrong, wrong, wrong! The one that really surprised me is the White Album. Now I understand why original monos are so sought after. Early albums best in mono but I prefer Beatles For Sale and Help (original mix not used for reissues) in stereo. Rubber Soul is far superior in mono. For Revolver, Pepper and White album a draw but there are interesting differences in the mixes.
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Post by Stratmangler on Sept 15, 2014 19:53:49 GMT
DQ, I don't know if you can play SACDs but the Japanese mastering for Genesis SACDs is extremely good. I would cite SEBTP as one of the all-time very best remasters I've ever heard, absolutely stonking quality and far and away better than the early vinyl. PG is almost in the room with you. If you can play them, try Amazon.jp (I think HMV.jp have gone) to see what they have in stock. They may also have SHM CDs.
EDIT: they do, see here. The Genesis SACDs are not the original mixes! The SACD mixes are very good, but if you want to hear the best digital versions of the original mixes you need to get hold of the CD remasters from the early 1990s.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 15, 2014 19:56:28 GMT
The European release SACDs and Japanese ones are not the same!
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Post by Stratmangler on Sept 15, 2014 20:18:59 GMT
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Post by Stratmangler on Sept 15, 2014 20:19:25 GMT
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Post by daytona600 on Sept 17, 2014 12:41:45 GMT
Mono Ones AAA beat the Stereo Version 16/44 hands down some of my customers compare them highly or better than uk originals
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Post by Clive on Sept 22, 2014 16:20:26 GMT
I promised to post some thoughts on the Beatles Mono Box Set. I've not played all the LPs yet...it's quite a number to work through! I apologize that this is a mishmash of comments on the records and cartridges.
I've compared Sgt Peppers from the box set with my 1st pressing (dead wax shows it as 5N), this LP was originally purchased by my late sister and is in great condition. The new version is a little clearer and less rounded sounding, bass is a little less powerful. The new copy uses thicker vinyl which if anything should increase bass due to VTA. I slightly prefer the 1st pressing but not by a lot. I expect later pressings of the original would be quite similar or worse than the re-issue. I have a 1st pressing of With The Beatles too, I should do a back to back comparison of that too. Overall I'm very surprised by the quality of most of the recordings. It's the first time in decades I've sat down and listened to early and mid-years Beatles, the recordings are a little raw at times but they are very alive and energetic. The new vinyl is very quiet except for one LP which has a slight constant "swish" between tracks.
I used Rubber Soul to compare the Ortofon 2M Mono with 2M Mono SE. The SE version is marketed cleverly in tandem with the Beatles mono set. The SE has a better generator, body and Shibata stylus profile instead of the conical on the standard 2M Mono. The SE shows a decent improvement in clarity, a little smoother on the really raw parts of recordings. Cleaner, more detailed yet more sympathetic, the Shibata tip would appear to be a better "tracer" than the conical tip of the non-SE. It'll not be anywhere near the ultimate of course, the likes of a SPU Mono would be interesting. I'm glad I bought the SE as I have a lot of mono LPs, the last 50 or so LPs I've bought have been mono, this is not counting the Beatles set. The 2Ms were on my Garrard 301 / Origin Live Encounter mk3. I compared Revolver played via my Trans-Fi Salvation with a London Reference. Certainly the 2M Mono SE was not shamed in any way, it sounded every bit as sophisticated as the Reference. The main difference with the (stereo) Reference was a slight loss of the really solid central image on vocals and a slight loss of bass solidity. Neither difference would have been notable had I not had the capability for easy back-to-back comparisons. BTW I was listening to mono with both speakers - I'm so used to stereo that mono from a single speaker just doesn't sound right in my room, a radio is a different matter.
Some other Rubber Soul comments when swapping from a 2M Mono to 2M Mono SE: Top end definition, cleaner, usefully reduced splash, feathery treble on Norwegian Wood.
Notably tighter bass, not that it had been loose.
Clanky and twangy raw guitar still has the correct character but is more cleanly reproduced. Likewise with vocals.
Nowhere Man Ringo's light tapping of the hi hats more distinct..important aspect for timing.
Tracing of details is noticeably improved. Think For Yourself all of the above with more propulsive bass. Better overall detail yet a slightly more sympathetic listen.
Coltrane Blue Train sounds totally sublime but it is anyway.... The std mono is a very decent cart that I've greatly enjoyed making music with but compared to the SE it sounds a tad basic now.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 22, 2014 16:30:37 GMT
Very interesting, Clive. Thanks.
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 24, 2014 8:19:03 GMT
Thanks Clive
I'll have to go back to my Beatles collection, mostly mono to see if I hear different to a few months ago when I thought the production/engineering gradually improved from With the Beatles to Let it be
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Post by Clive on Sept 24, 2014 8:58:48 GMT
Thanks Clive I'll have to go back to my Beatles collection, mostly mono to see if I hear different to a few months ago when I thought the production/engineering gradually improved from With the Beatles to Let it be My feeling is that the early albums are not brilliantly produced in hifi terms but they are very honest and in some respects are all the better for it as this means they retain lots of energy. Simple recording setups no doubt help prevent any muddy sounds. Bass I find is surprisingly good. All in all the early Beatles recordings have the simplicity of recording,verve and energy which is typical of 78s.
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 24, 2014 12:06:26 GMT
Proof will be in the pud !
Recent improvements in my system may reveal more than I have heard before even in the simple stuff. Let's hope so
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Post by Mr Whippy on Feb 7, 2015 12:38:19 GMT
DQ, I don't know if you can play SACDs but the Japanese mastering for Genesis SACDs is extremely good. I would cite SEBTP as one of the all-time very best remasters I've ever heard, absolutely stonking quality and far and away better than the early vinyl. PG is almost in the room with you. If you can play them, try Amazon.jp (I think HMV.jp have gone) to see what they have in stock. They may also have SHM CDs.
EDIT: they do, see here. I see this cd has been reduced by 24% to about £12. The Beatles In Mono cd box set is £83. .Com have the vinyl box set for £187.
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Post by alaska on Feb 7, 2015 14:12:56 GMT
Where is the mono cd set £83 ? Thanks
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Post by Mr Whippy on Feb 7, 2015 15:09:50 GMT
Where is the mono cd set £83 ? Thanks Amazon.co.jp Y15,000 which works out at about £83.
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