7 Years In On My Record Collecting Journey: Sharing My "Forever Pressings" For 10 Classic Titles

Sharing Wisdom and Knowledge! These are my favorite pressings for 10 of my favorite albums.
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[@cranberrysauce9275]

I almost didn't watch this as I thought it was going to be about your collecting "Journey" albums that you will hold forever. So glad that was not the topic. Great selection of albums, Tim. It even prompted me to listen right now to Obscured by Clouds, two years since my last listen. Keep up the great videos -- loved the ending in the chair lift - beautiful.

[@latheofheaven]

😂😂 I am TOTALLY with you there mate! 👍

[@Universityofvinyl]

Ha! I do like those few albums with Rolie & Perry sharing vocals though…

[@cranberrysauce9275]

@@Universityofvinyl although I do have a few Journey albums, I haven't listened to them enough to say how I really feel about them. Whoever the artist is, if the music makes you feel good, go for it.

[@bbfrid88]

At risk of derision 🤣 I would love for Journey - Captured to be reissued. It’s a live tour de force of guitar and vocals. The OG is mastered by Bob Ludwig.

[@robertendsley8312]

That Harvest Promo is SWEET! Santa Maria is my favorite U. S. pressing plant of the day. Listen to Santana - Zebop! SUPER PUNCHEEE!!!

[@jeffreylind3739]

Tim- Always a pleasure when you post these informative, detailed discussions, after all this is the "University of Vinyl"! I have most of the pressings you showed except for XTC. I'm also having trouble finding that elusive NM Fleetwood Mac LP with POGO. I always look forward to next post. I'm sure it isn't always easy to keep finding new material to post and discuss, but frankly I no longer watch the myriad of YT posts out there where everyone has to show you what they just bought-I'm looking for more content and information, and you most certainly do provide that. Keep up the good work!

[@shahzadalam2081]

You are a wealth of knowledge on good sounding pressings ..I’ve sought out a good number of records due to your recommendations and during your videos I pause your video to check and see which pressing I have and I get ecstatic when I have the one you are talking about … really enjoy your channel Cheers !

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks so much. Gratifying. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@MitchsVinylCorner]

I myself am a proud owner of a NM -2 -1 Abbey Road, it truly sounds amazing. I agree on holding off on the Aja UHQR, the AB-1006 pressing sounds fantastic.

[@Stickermania2853]

Tim, the last song on Abbey Road is ‘Her Majesty’, not ‘Her Majesty Request’. Sounds like a Stones reference. MR Stickermania

[@matthewtapley2765]

So many great titles! Love the Floyd

[@jasonsmith2032]

Nice "greatest hits" video for your regular watcbers and cool intro for new viewers! Thanks as always for the content and educational information!

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks

[@elliottcrews4997]

Nice video friend. As to Aja, I have a couple of AB and AA and honestly they all sound good to my old ears. I've never played them back to back to compare, but whichever I've played sounded excellent in the moment.

[@carolecavallaro5039]

I always love your videos because i learn! I collect for the love of the album and artists. Every now and then, i come across a homerun due in part to your information from your channel. My 2 schnauzers appreciate the info also!!!😊

[@KansasRocker]

Tim, I love your channel. Thank you so much for educating us on the very best mastering engineers and pressings.

[@Universityofvinyl]

I appreciate that!

[@VinylLatte]

Man, you have to give the UHQR Aja a spin. I haven’t seen anyone not blown away by it. I just picked up the Cadre pressing of Empyrean Isles, sounds phenomenal. Great video. Really enjoy it!

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks man ✌🏻👍🏻

[@davepounds8924]

Enjoyed your video! I’ve always felt that it’s hard to tell people what the best sounding recording is because everyone has different sound systems and different tastes in their hearing of music! A recording that sounds wonderful on your turntable and amp might sound different on my Rega and amp! Those records you mentioned are all great but may sound different on other systems!!

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Damn, those are some absolutely beauties you got there! I'm pretty jealous of that UK Meddle... I _will_ be hunting one of those babies down, ASAP. That UK Tommy on Track too, though I have the 2014 version cut by KPG, an OG UK is definitely on my shopping list at some point. 😎 I think Mr Hoffman was mistaken and actually likes the AB Aja, even though his copy said AA (B strikeout, which is still an AB cut). If you really love Aja, I'd still get the UHQR. I have both, which are a lot of fun to shootout. Might as well since you have other SD UHQR's. ;) Anyway, great video Tim! 🍻 -TJ

[@user-tv8lx1sl3j]

Thanks Tim. Love your straight shooting solid gold reporting. Educating and informing with accuracy and integrity. I wish there were more like you. Steve

[@jamesscraper3779]

Really enjoy your channel, appreciate your sharing on pressings and mastering engineers. I have learned allot about what pressings to look for when out digging for vinyl.

[@nolan5150yt]

This is an excellent video, Tim! I love your attention to detail. I appreciate it since I am detail-oriented myself. Your recommendations for pressings do not disappoint and are largely responsible for the solid collection that I have built. I have also been able to extrapolate on what you have taught by purchasing other amazing pressings not featured on your channel based on the mastering engineers and pressing plants that you have lectured upon. I am grateful for the information that you have provided over the past 3 years or so, and I am still watching old episodes to get 100 percent completion on your channel. I don't have the restraint like you to only pick up NM or VG+ copies. Sometimes I will pick up a VG copy of one of your recommended pressings or even a G+ copy if it is rare, however, I would rather have "the correct pressing" in less-than-desirable condition than not at all. Later on, I will find a better copy and sell the VG or G+ copy. I have resigned to the fact that buying and selling is part of record collecting, at least for me, which is something I never considered when I re-entered this hobby a little over a year ago. This channel allows me to get my music/vinyl fix since my wife isn't into the details of record collecting like I am. She loves to listen, though! Lol. Thank you for being my #1 resource in the VC, and I am always looking forward to your next video.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Appreciate the kind words 🙏🏻

[@chrislatham1184]

Love what you do and thank you for doing it 👊😎

[@Universityofvinyl]

I appreciate that!

[@davidstein9129]

Great vid. Yes, I rang the bell and have subscribed previously.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks!

[@gmassa7404]

Thanks for sharing Tim. Especially for highlighting XTC. I have that same UK OP and agree it’s awesome.

[@jeffgentile1259]

Always enjoy your content! Would love to see you on other round tables/groups as well!

[@tomdemaline8869]

That was really enjoyable. I always like to watch what other collectors deem to be there favorites. You had a few of mine lol thanks Tim

[@retrospectacle]

Talking about amazing sounding pressings, I was just unexpectedly blown away by a purchase I made today. I bought a NM copy of The Doobie Brothers 1977 album Living on the Fault Line ($6.99). Bought it almost as an afterthought as it’s the only DBs record I didn’t already own. No real hits on it and I wasn’t too familiar with it. I put it on the turntable and my jaw hit the floor with the first cut on side one; You’re Made That Way. A Michael McDonald tune that sounds uh-mazing! Probably not one of their strongest releases but maybe the best sonically (to my ears). I don’t know a lot about the pressing other than it’s on the WB palm trees label and has a run out of “BSK XX 1-3045 JW-3” then a stamped 0. I’m completely ignorant when it comes to pressing info like identifying pressing plant and mastering engineer. Hoping you can help with that. Do you own this record? Wondering what your thoughts on it are, if you do. Keep up the great work! You’re my favorite vinyl channel.😊

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks much. I have the record and agree, it’s strong and a sonic delight. Skunk Baxter thinks it’s one of their most ‘musical’. That O stamp is likely a Jacksonville pressing.

[@dimebagdave77]

This was a fun video man, thanks!✌️

[@robertendsley8312]

Japanese Fleetwood Mac smokes all US copies. Imagine the "Punch" + "Dynamics" of the U.S. and bring in (if possible) even greater "Detail" deep tight bass too. The Japanese White Label Promo is an incredible listen. $250 record.

[@kenjames246]

Thanks for doing what you do sir. I always enjoy your videos Tim.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thank you

[@vinylrules4838]

Always great learning about various pressings, mastering engineers, etc. from your videos. Keep up the great work. I bought the majority of my collection in the late 80's/early 90's before the internet with all this knowledge of the different pressings. With a few 1,000 lps, I am not on the hunt for the best pressing. During that time I picked up all the audiophile lps if they were cheap. Think MFSL, Direct Disk Labs, Nautilus, Sheffield Lab, etc. Wish I knew then what I know now. 🤣

[@Universityofvinyl]

I’m sure you likely have some gems. ✌🏻

[@seand67]

Wow Tim, that LP shelf is filling up FAST......Great job

[@lokitio]

Great video, Tim.

[@mlblue5355]

Nice selections! Boise, Idaho! I use to live at the bottom of Bogus Basin, I would buy a season pass and go snowboarding there all the time! I miss shopping at the Record Exchange.

[@JeffersonDD]

Thanks Tim! I’m really loving the “Crown Jewels” series, but mostly all of your content is useful, to me at least. One request though; please email me the topics / pressings you’re gonna discuss about a day or so in advance!😂. Paying the “Tim Tax” is becoming ALMOST as expensive as the “Westman Tax”😂

[@Universityofvinyl]

Hahahaha….appreciate your kind words Jefferson ✌🏻

[@Cookingwithsteveg]

I couldn’t agree with you more, Tim! All of these are great records! The fact that you have now enlightened everyone to the greatest sound quality versions of these iconic albums is one would expect to get from a University! I’ve learned a lot from your videos that is now helping me tremendously on my digs at you know where. 😅 I can vouch for the incredible sound quality of the Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie and Tommy albums. I also just picked up that 45 rpm Kevin Gray cut of Fleetwood Mac and it sounds unbelievably amazing! I need to grab a copy of that Herbie before everyone gets wind of your video and the market skyrockets lol. Thank you for furthering my education. ✌🏽

[@Universityofvinyl]

Cheers Steve - appreciate your kind words brother. 👍🏻

[@Book-Mark]

What you are putting out is great. Subscribed.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thank you 👍🏻

[@johns126]

Agree that Station To Station is a breath taking album. I always thought how good it would have been to have a follow up that was in a similar vain before the Berlin Trilogy. Just greedy I guess, but his Station to Station style was all too brief. Thanks for a great video ❤

[@kj8525]

I’m still confused why anyone would prefer the aa1006 over the ab1006. Nice video!

[@robertendsley8312]

Japanese Fleetwood Mac smokes all US copies. Imagine the "Punch" + "Dynamics" of the U.S. and bring in (if possible) even greater "Detail" deep tight bass too.

[@VinylLatte]

The 45rpm from Pallas is killer. Worth a spin if you haven’t already 👍

[@bradleykay]

Discogs link?

[@whencloudsattack5467]

I have that abbey road pressing and I think it's the best sounding Beatles lp, even better than the Horzu/Apple MMT.

[@RockNRod.]

You can draw a straight line from Obscured By Clouds to Animals.

[@mikel4797]

I have 7 of yours Tim, I dont have XTC Bowie or Van Halen.. Enjoyed the video..

[@jeremyfoster8366]

1984 is my all-time favorite album. I’m at about 35+ copies😊. For me the Quiex and the 2010 Chris Bellman are my favorites of it. The 2010 CB was pressed at RTI and to my ears beats the 2015 and subsequent presses. Bellman did a great job but there’s just something about having an original US cut and the Quiex is top notch. I’ve also got a white label Japanese sample and various other Japanese copies. They are pretty good but on par with the Quiex and 2010 CB

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ckrunk]

😊

[@leehobbs3968]

Hay how are you , just a little mesage to say ive just started collecting vinyl and have followed your advice a lot , ive picked up some really good sounding albums on your recommendations 👍love your work , ive got mostbof Floyd, zeppelin and rush now , do you have any recommendations on my next band ACDC ???? Hope so

[@Universityofvinyl]

Stay tuned……

[@Jonny_C73]

I don’t believe there is a Hoffman/Gray remaster of the ‘75 Fleetwood Mac self titled. They did Rumours but not this one AFAIK.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Yep, I was mixed up. Here is the '12 reissue/remaster cut by Chris Bellman:www.discogs.com/release/3555444-Fleetwood-Mac-Fleetwood-Mac

[@Chasing_records]

Has there ever been a record where someone in one of the groups that sound compare or run them through their programs that shows all the different frequencies and claims a certain copy to be superior to others. Then you get it and it’s just way off in your opinion?

[@michaelrogers8126]

Tim, general question. Are the Santa Maria pressings pretty good for just about any record that was press there ?

[@Universityofvinyl]

Yes pretty uniformly excellent along with Monarch

[@tlow0510]

@@Universityofvinyl For U.S. East Coasters - Presswell is excellent.

[@VintageLuxmanStereoCollector]

So Tim, after 7 years of collecting vinyl, about how many LPs do you currently have?

[@Universityofvinyl]

1500 give or take…

[@latheofheaven]

Ok Tim... You say you like the comments and feedback, BUT... how often do you reply to us my friend... 😊 Just a thought... Maybe we like to hear back from you too. You know, sometime if we also go to the trouble of giving very detailed and thought out comments, it is honestly nice to see them noticed too, if that makes sense... I have the same year Bowie, same label, but instead of 'H' (Hollywood) I have the 'I' (Indianapolis) Also, I have an earlier Maiden Voyage (although I do have some nice Black 'B' Hancock albums too) it is a 1970 Liberty, but the label is all black except a small slice of blue vertically on the extreme left. About halfway down that left side is a box with Blue Note in dark Blue at the bottom and above that at the left of the box is a football shaped silhouette and above that in the box on the upper right is a black rectangle. Not as familiar with this label. If you have the time, I would really appreciate if you could kindly share your thoughts on some of these pressings also as compared to the ones you have if you could please. Hmmm... I just have the Club pressing of 1984, but the Quiex is mastered at the Sheffield Labs and pressed at Allied, no wonder it sounds so good. Might look into that. Discogs has a couple of VG+ for sale for around $55 or so. Huh... I have a 1975 Los Angeles pressing of Meddle and I have a 1975 Winchester pressing of Obscured by Clouds, sadly not mastered by Wally. I'll hafta drag those out and listen to them, but I bet they won't sound as good as yours 😁 I have a 1980 Gloversville pressing of Tommy, but get this... it was mastered by... Kevin Gray! How about that! And... I had picked up the recent 1/2 speed master from Abbey Road and this blew it outta the water, no question (Don't really care for many of the Abbey Road 1/2 speed these days) Have you heard that one, it actually sounds pretty good. But, really nice presentation today Tim of these great, Classic albums, thanks! (and don't forget to comment back! 😊)

[@Universityofvinyl]

Noted - I’ll come back to this later today. 👍🏻

[@latheofheaven]

@@Universityofvinyl U Da Man! 😁

[@Universityofvinyl]

I just found a '71 Herbie Hancock Inventions and Dimensions on my trip last weekend to Vegas. It sounds fantastic -- my strategy for classic Jazz Blue Note titles is now to always go for the early to mid 70's reissues and ideally with Van Gelder still in the deadwax as I think this signifies the represses are still using the initial Van Gelder mastered plates. I agree with you on most of the WHO half speed mastered reissues....very underwhelming especially last year's Who's Next. I had a Bowie Station to Station Indianapolis and it sounded really really good but had some light, annoying surface noise. When I found the Promo Copy which happened to be the Hollywood, I let the Indy pressing go. Cheers, Tim

[@latheofheaven]

@@Universityofvinyl Heh, thank you kindly Tim! I know you are probably pretty busy 😊Didn't mean to give you a hard time. Yes, the early Liberty pressings I've found are quite nice. Good score on the Herbie, gotta love that guy, what talent! Thanks to your mention, I listened to Maiden Voyage today. I believe it is a 1970 Liberty pressing, probably the label they used maybe just before going to the really cool looking Black 'B' one. I do have some of those too. Thanks again Tim for taking the time to reply, really appreciate it! BTW, there were some really nice comments on the Rhino thread at the Steve Hoffman Forums about your KZbin channel! Don't worry though... I straightened them out 😀

[@Universityofvinyl]

Uh oh….. going to check now!

[@RicardoMargadonaRebeccaRiss]

Beautiful Sony PS-X70! Any complaints about it?

[@Universityofvinyl]

It was a great table - bulletproof direct drive. Only let it go after finding my Thorens

[@RicardoMargadonaRebeccaRiss]

@@Universityofvinylcool! What model is your Thorens?

[@Universityofvinyl]

TD 145