[kenreau]

(I did a search that basically came up empty)

I recently discovered my local one-stop supermarket Fred Meyer store is now stocking vinyl re-issues.  Apparently started out as a mistake by a clerk ordering the wrong format.  When it started selling briskly, they stocked more..etc.

I went to check them out today and they look really nice and all claim to be 180gr audiophile records.  Suspiciously absent is any claims about using master tapes, superior sound, etc.  Most of the titles were from Because Sounds Matters.  There were a lot of classic 70-80s rock, Metallica and Pink Floyd (30th anniversary) and Box Sets (Mothership and Pink Floyd).  Prices were $17 to $23 for singles and $49 for the box sets. 

I haven't read any reviews if these are legitimate audiophile pressing?  Are they worth the premiums?  Great sound quality? 

Thanks
Kenreau

[Wayner]

The Pink Floyd box set I think is called Echos. It's a greatest hits 4 LP box set. I'd buy it.

Wayner 

[chosenhandle]

Because Sound Matters is a Warner/Rhino spin-off company. They have some very desirable pressings (typically those mastered at Accustech) and most of their releases are pressed at RTI. The Warner reissues I purchased are pretty good....I really like the Van Morrison Astral Weeks and Moondance!

As for whether they are worth it, that is a personal decision. For instance, I personally like the Floyd 30th anniversary DSOM and think it sounds great. But at $27, it might be worth looking up a early UK pressing for the same money. The UK sounds better, but you have to work to find one. If you just want the music, buy the reissue. If you want to collect music...find an early press.

The prices you listed sound pretty reasonable vs. what others sell them for.

In the end, it is all about the music. Don't forget to have fun!

[kenreau]

Thanks guys. 

Is there a website/forum to inquire or learn about which pressing or re-issue is desired for best sound quality?  Short of searching and reading the scores of reviews around? 

A few I am interested in include:

Pink Floyd - DSOTM (planning to get this 30th aniv. issue)
Pink Floyd - WYWH (???)

The Who - Who's Next (there is a 180gr Geffen issue and a 200gr Classic Records)

Led Zeppelin - yikes, those 200 gr. re-issues are expensive.

[Bill O'Connell]

If thinking Pink Floyd, Delicate Sound Of Thunder, try to pick up the UK pressing.

[chosenhandle]

Thanks guys. 

Is there a website/forum to inquire or learn about which pressing or re-issue is desired for best sound quality?  Short of searching and reading the scores of reviews around? 

A few I am interested in include:

Pink Floyd - DSOTM (planning to get this 30th aniv. issue)
Pink Floyd - WYWH (???)

The Who - Who's Next (there is a 180gr Geffen issue and a 200gr Classic Records)

Led Zeppelin - yikes, those 200 gr. re-issues are expensive.

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/

the place is full of engineers and collectors. Be careful not to get caught up in details. Although some LP pressings are the most desirable, they can also be very expensive. Other "not-quite-as-good" pressings still sound great and can be found for very little money. For example, the Floyd fans seem to use the japanese first press "The Wall" as THE reference pressing. They go for BIG bucks. I have heard it on my system and it sounds really good. However, my first press US copy with TML-M stampers sounds very good as well and I found it for $5.

[kenreau]

Thanks guys. 

Is there a website/forum to inquire or learn about which pressing or re-issue is desired for best sound quality?  Short of searching and reading the scores of reviews around? 

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/

the place is full of engineers and collectors. Be careful not to get caught up in details. Although some LP pressings are the most desirable, they can also be very expensive. Other "not-quite-as-good" pressings still sound great and can be found for very little money. For example, the Floyd fans seem to use the japanese first press "The Wall" as THE reference pressing. They go for BIG bucks. I have heard it on my system and it sounds really good. However, my first press US copy with TML-M stampers sounds very good as well and I found it for $5.

Thanks man.  I just got logged into that forum.  They are obviously very passionate. 

Kenreau

[SET Man]

...Suspiciously absent is any claims about using master tapes, superior sound, etc.  ....

Thanks
Kenreau

Hey!

  There seems to be a lot more of reissue LPs coming around now from many record labels, even the big players are out to grab a slice of this.

  Yes, like you I always wonder if they actually use analog master cutting the reissued LPs. For example back than I've heard or read somewhere the some of the LP vinyls from "Simply Vinyl" were cut from digital master copy and not the analog master copy... not sure if this is true or not, but I do some a few LP from Simply Vinyl and they sound fine.

   I wouldn't be surprised if some of the reissued LP albums out there are cut from the same digital master they use to cut CD If they are actually cut LP from digital master than I might as well save money and get the CD instead.

  There are some album that I would like to buy and there are now on reissued LP but I'm not sure about it. And this always raised the question of "Should I look for the original (of which sometime cost more) or get the reissued one?"

   Man! Not easy spinning vinyl in the 21th Century isn't it?

Take care,
Buddy

[kenreau]

...Suspiciously absent is any claims about using master tapes, superior sound, etc.  ....

Thanks
Kenreau

Hey!

  There seems to be a lot more of reissue LPs coming around now from many record labels, even the big players are out to grab a slice of this.

  Yes, like you I always wonder if they actually use analog master cutting the reissued LPs. For example back than I've heard or read somewhere the some of the LP vinyls from "Simply Vinyl" were cut from digital master copy and not the analog master copy... not sure if this is true or not, but I do some a few LP from Simply Vinyl and they sound fine.

   I wouldn't be surprised if some of the reissued LP albums out there are cut from the same digital master they use to cut CD If they are actually cut LP from digital master than I might as well save money and get the CD instead.

  There are some album that I would like to buy and there are now on reissued LP but I'm not sure about it. And this always raised the question of "Should I look for the original (of which sometime cost more) or get the reissued one?"

   Man! Not easy spinning vinyl in the 21th Century isn't it?

Take care,
Buddy

Yes, it's a bit of a crap shoot.  I don't mind laying out some green when I know I am getting an audiophile/best sound quality LP, but feel like I got ripped off with a lot of the crap out there.  It should not be this difficult.  It sure would be nice if there was a "hall of fame" and a "hall of shame" that culls them apart.  I've skimmed the steve hoffman site and it can swing way into the minutia level.  I'll keep searching and reading for the cream of the crop.