5 of the “HOTTEST” sounding audiophile albums in my collection. So “HOT” it’s ludicrous!!

[@DrOz-007]

Isn't it the 50th anniversary of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road this year (which is almost over)... wonder why it hasn't been reissued in a lavish vinyl edition?

[@stevewestman7774]

Good point.

[@Domonkos.Siegfried]

I think a channel that deals with audiophile vinyl - specially since so many recording and mastering engineers are invited to the discussions, to our great delight - shall try to be keen on accuracy when it comes to technical expressions and details. 1) In the recent Q&A, Kevin Gray clearly told that a hot cut is nothing but a cut with a higher volume level set on the console that feeds the signal to the cutting lathe (my note: the LP medium is severely limiting the possible max. volume level). Kevin also told that specially for a rock album (like the Led Zeppelin II.) he can barely imagine more than 2 dB diffidence in terms of volume level, compared to the “regular” cuts. An other engineer, Jamie Howarth has commented in the livestream that the Ludwig cut was 1,5 dB higher than the regular cut. Consequently, cuts with a volume level 5 - 6 dB higher than average is not really conceivable on rock albums. 2) Higher volume does not mean more dynamic. Albeit many of the non-engineer listeners would easily confuse those two. Me including. A hot cut is a louder cut, not a more dynamic cut.

[@nigelgauntlett582]

Wow Steve that yellow brick road is a superb recording! I too have the RL but my UK 1 st press on dark translucent red vinyl is spectacular! Wish I had your half speed to compare

[@stevewestman7774]

Yes the GBYBR is superb. I’m sure they are still out there for not a ridiculous price if you crate dig.

[@chromiumcomics]

Love these kinds of videos Steve, each time they internally make me raise my budget for how much I want to spend on say a UK Vertigo Black Sabbath,. A few more of these and I'll be crazy enough to pony up the asking price.

[@stevewestman7774]

Oh I know. I have had these for years. Very expensive now. 😢

[@LetThereBeSound1]

Whoops! My OCD is compelling me to notate the typo (sorry) It is spelled *ridiculously* not "ridiculusly" Other than that spelling silliness, all your LP recommendations are 100% solid! Well I had not heard about Ms. Cardin but plan to check her music out - so thanks for that recommendation. Cheers, Oz LTBS

[@stevewestman7774]

Lol. Got it. Thanks

[@steve_319]

An original UK press of Sabbath is the key one I'm missing and haven't obviously been able to compare. Ive compared a furst US press, 80s reissue, 2010 Rhino, 2016 Rhino (2012 digital remaster) and the 2010 is preferred. If Rhino High Fidelity pumped out any sabbath I'd be content adding more copies to my collection. Love the videos Steve!

[@stevewestman7774]

Much appreciated Steve. Rhino needs to cut a Kevin Gray of the self titled. 🙏

[@BourbonStreetConsulting]

4:40 Steve, I recall a few years ago when you talked me into buying the Hör Zu. Thank you for that. Absolutely a sleeper on the shelf and as you say, Hot!! Unfortunately, it’s a tough one to find for most people and none available in NA on Discogs.

[@stevewestman7774]

My pleasure DC. I remember that now. Lol. Such a good hot pressing.

[@false_binary]

Glad we were not playing the Steve Westman "HOT!" drinking game during this one! Those were great picks; every time I put on Green from REM or Once Upon a Time from Simple Minds I have to remind myself I do not need so much power relative to an OG Supremes Motown or Monk Vol 2, etc. that is cut MUCH quieter.

[@stevewestman7774]

We need to play the game. Get everyone drunk. 🥃🤔

[@northcarolinavinylpicker]

Really enjoyed Steve. I’d like to to show 5-10-15 more. I will look for these. Thx again. Art

[@stevewestman7774]

Much appreciated. This one was fun to make. I can show more but time is valuable for people. Will do another one like this again. Take care.

[@jasonarsenault3791]

Fantastic collection!

[@stevewestman7774]

Thanks JA.

[@kguy2know]

great video. I love when people highlight the best sounding lps in there collection. Hey, how's that U2 Mofi sound? I have always been curious about that one

[@stevewestman7774]

Hey much appreciated. I love the MOFI cut. I have only a reissue to compare it too not the original but I like what I hear on it.

[@johns126]

My Aus OG GYBR is terrific as well. Played it for the 1st time in about 30 years recently and it blew me away!

[@stevewestman7774]

GYBR was a very well produced and recorded album. That helps a lot. Thanks for watching.

[@nicholassheffo5723]

Steve, back in 1977, a big hit song called ANGEL IN YOUR ARMS peaked at #6 in the U.S. and #3 in Canada. The female trio who sang it was named Hot. Maybe you can get a really good picture of them, every time you bring up the word 'HOT" you can show the image and play a few seconds of their international hit.

[@stevewestman7774]

Great idea. Thanksgiving. 😂

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

I also own the SuperDisk pressing of GYBR. Amazing.

[@stevewestman7774]

So good. love it.

[@rixvspinner]

@@stevewestman7774 So do I and nothing sounds as good, including the OG DJM UK pressing

[@matzeflamingos]

Hi Steve, yea, the Hörzu Series is awesome. If I'm right they use early lacquers. I have also Jimmy Hendrix "live" - it's also, for a live recording from the late 60s a great sounding record. If I'm in the shops and flea markets here in Germany you can find very easily different "Hörzu" records - but not that often the Beatles ;-) Nice video. Cheers Matze P.S. I will try the Black Sabbath German 1st press - it's costs tenth of the UK 1st.

[@stevewestman7774]

Thanks so much. I’m curious about the Black Sabbath German press sounding quality. Let me know if you find one.

[@jodygoeler586]

Thanks, Steve. That GYR direct disk looks interesting. I have the Classic LZ II and like it a lot, so I’ll have to find an RL in the wild. You’re so right about the BS. I do have that version. Outstanding. I hope your Rhino campaign yields results. That would be a great one.

[@stevewestman7774]

Hi Joey. Thanks for watching. Here’s to hoping my campaign yields results. Hoping they call it the Westman cut. Lol. Joking.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

1. Sabbath ST on the Australian Fontana label 2. The Who - Who's Next original UK Track label 3. Alice in chains - Jar of flies/sap MOV reissue 4. AC/DC TNT - Original Australian Albert productions 'Blue Roo' label 5. Pink Floyd - Meddle og Japanese pressing 6. Lou Reed - Transformer og US pressing 7. Midnight oil - 10,9,8,7,6 Og Australian pressing 8. King Crimson- Islands og UK pressing

[@rixvspinner]

The OG Decca US pressing sounds excellent and prob used the Track UK plates

[@kieronkelly959]

I play the FOMO drinking game😂

[@stevewestman7774]

That's to bad. Would be fun. lol

[@lawrence5368]

I've got a question for you Steve. Was that Led Zeppelin 2 RL American only? Was wondering if I could find RL in the dead wax of a Canadian Atlantic original red label?

[@stevewestman7774]

No. There is no RL in the Canadian dead wax unfortunately. But the Cdn red label does sound fantastic.

[@jazzboy]

The old Zep albums were incredible. Not sure why Mr. Page remastered the recent versions, but they are truly horrible. My original albums were stolen during a move, and I wanted to replace them, but the remasters are ghastly.

[@beatleman4paul288]

Enjoy your videos well done I was 50 12 yrs ago LOL

[@stevewestman7774]

Thank you. 50 12 yrs ago. Good one lol.

[@stevewestman7774]

Thanks you. Lol on the 50 12 years ago.

[@jeffwhitehead6268]

Again, love that you want everyone to hear how amazing early UK presses of Black Sabbath S/T are. I agree, they are amazing! But I don’t understand what you sending your copy to Rhino would help? They have the inferior American copy tape, and listening to mastering choices on your UK won’t improve their US copy tape’s quality. And surely you’re not recommending they needle drop your VG+ UK swirl, are you?

[@stevewestman7774]

My reco to a Rhino was to use the UK tapes.

[@davepounds8924]

It’s kind of sad to me that who pressed the music, who mastered the music where it was pressed are more important than the music itself It will take away your enjoyment of the music itself if all your worried about is how good it sounds Is there any little reason to not like the sound

[@false_binary]

I think you have a very good point. Could one not argue the inverse "the quality of the pressing has a direct impact in the level of enjoyment?" I have many high quality pressings that bring out qualities I never heard before and it is like an entirely new experience IMHO.

[@al2813]

Recommending the RL LZii is cool to do but getting anything sounding even OK will cost you a fortune. For those who were lucky to get it from a bin great for them, but come on. This is now a recommendation for wealthy people only…..

[@stevewestman7774]

Yes. Everything costs a fortune these days. Groceries, gas, housing etc. crazy times.

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

Lucky to have found 3 since I opened my store, a G+, a VG, and finally a VG+, which I kept.

[@stevewestman7774]

@@TheAgeOfAnalog good score.