mlsstl wrote: > Yes, you can generally pick up a lot of info about a LP by looking at > the markings in the plastic just outside the label, but... > > 1. If you are buying a new record, there is no way to see this info > prior to purchase. I don't think a record store would be very happy with > you pulling the shrink wrap off of dozens of albums in order to find the > closest relative of the original master. > > 2, If you are buying used records, you can check this info, but odds are > that'll be the only copy in the place, leaving you with a buy/don't buy > decision. Even if there are multiple copies, since the records are used, > the more distant copy may have been treated better than the one with the > more desirable stamper info. > > 3. Even if you can view the info, this doesn't tell you if that > particular record was pressed at the very beginning of that stamper run > or was the last one pressed before the stamper was discarded due to > wear. > > There simply a "wild card" aspect to buying LPs that is well beyond the > control of a buyer (unless you're buddies with someone important at the > pressing plant....)
You paint a very bleak picture. Basically, buying an LP is the same as buying a lottery ticket. You may hit the jackpot, but most likely you'll hit a dud. This sad state of affairs makes the world of analog sound almost impossible to embrace. Unless you're loaded and have tons of free time on your hands, you're at the mercy of a chance event, hoping that the LP you just bought is one of those rare decent copies. I remember back in the day when I was young, a cousin visited and brought me a gift -- a copy of the Beatles "A Hard Day's Night" stereo LP. It was, of all things, some obscure Greek label re-release (we're talking early '80s), but by Jupiter, it was the best sounding AHDN I've ever heard. Even the 2009 stereo remaster doesn't come even close to the sparkling, vivacious, energetic and sweet sound that Greek copy had. The music just leapt out of the speakers when playing that LP. In comparison, the 2009 remaster makes the band stay politely inside the speakers, and presents an overall dull sound. That's why I was hoping that with the new re-relase of the remastered catalog, they'd make an effort to ensure consistency and quality for each and every LP. If that's not the case, I'm not interested in playing another LP lottery game. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ heisenberg's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=59622 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=98603 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
