Audiophile LP Reissue History with Chad Kassem

[@richardadriver]

A brilliant review of the audiophile label history and fascinating to hear how Chad started out. We are so fortunate in the 21st century, to have such a wide choice of excellent music on vinyl. Long may it last!

[@MelindaMurphy]

I enjoyed this video very much! I am always hoping to find some of those amazing albums while out shopping.🔥 Take care.

[@mwalker2496]

What a fascinating story...

[@elvispresleycollectorsgroup]

What a great history and story of AS!

[@analoguecity3454]

Your a big reason why we have this PERMANENT resurgence of LPs and tapes! You and "Fremer" did 70% of the important work!

[@DorianPaige00]

Chad lifted the weight and Fremer was the spotter!

[@vuzkoth]

Give me a break

[@DorianPaige00]

@@vuzkoth Chad made product and Fremer talked about it.

[@vuzkoth]

2 people are not responsible for an entire consumer trend that’s been growing over the past 20+ years. I would wager most vinyl collectors in the crucial years of late 90s to 2010 had no idea who these guys even were. Where does this myth come from that vinyl interest spiked due to limited supply audiophile pressings and hi fi magazines (lol)? If you think this you were either not there or lived in a bubble. The story is a complicated one and lionizing the involvement of 2 people beyond the scope of anyone’s possible influence, is absurd.

[@DorianPaige00]

@@vuzkoth I think social media (youtube, instagram) led to the resurgence which started around 2008. Record store day was another minor factor.

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Thanks Chad for this history and for all that you and your team does.

[@Azerrmon]

Awesome story, Chad! I've always wondered how it was that you got to where you are today. You did it the good old fashioned way... hard, hard work, persistence, excellent work ethic, and an authentic passion for great music. Thanks for sharing!

[@billa5289]

Amazing OG stuff here man! Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. Super stoked to see that your stick-to-itiveness has paid off in such giant way..... SERIOUSLY, "Hard work pays off" and "Good things come to those who wait" epitomized!

[@67Pepper]

I met Chad at a Hi-Fi show back in 2002, same guy back then, full of enthusiasm. Glad his business model worked out.

[@djjoeykmusic]

Awesome video Mazel Tov

[@kensileo8793]

Great history, great records and great video. Thanks Chad for champion the hifi audiophile resurgence.

[@Raypirri]

This is so good, thank you Chad. you have come from a humble background and have such a passion for our hobby that you have used your time to develop it even further. Man, that is just awesome! Times and technology have progressed - now I just wish I could buy just one of your UHQR releases for a hundred bucks!

[@bradleykay]

This was one of my favorite Chad/Acoustic Sounds videos. I came to this hobby on my own maybe 10 years ago and didn’t know any “elders” who could explain any of this stuff. I’ve pieced some of it together over the years, but it’s invaluable to get a first hand account from a HOF’er like Chad. Thanks.

[@nicholassheffo5723]

Outstanding! We need more videos like this and its great to see how many companies worked so hard to deliver exceptional, priceless music on vinyl in the beginning, including you and it is why we have the higher standards those who love music have today. Some of the earlier pop, rock and soul music acts that were getting audiophile treatment are not now, but that will hopefully change soon.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Do you have plans to ever reissue/repress those early Vanguard classical LPs? Would be wonderful to have those available again.... This was a great video. I got back into vinyl in mid-90s and bought several of your blues records (adore that Otis Spann record) and the Miles Davis/Thelonius Monk boxes. It's been amazing to see your business grow without ever compromising your core values. Here's to many more years!!!

[@acousticsoundsks]

We love Vanguard's classical, folk and blues records. We would love to do some more, but we have a long line of titles scheduled, so we wouldn't be able to for awhile.

[@kennethlui2268]

Awesome, Chad. I only listen to LP. Back in the 80s, a lot of audiophile LPs were out of print. I couldn’t afford $100 record. Because of you, I bought a lot of great sounding reissued LPs from Acoustic Sounds. I still buy from you. You are a legend. You have contributed tremendously to the current vinyl comeback. Keep up the good work.

[@LyndonSoulGroove]

Wonderfull Chad, so amazing packed with Historical recordings, I picked up the studio Two Record a few years back, i just took a chance I thought it might be a good recording , I yes it blew me away, & now I know it was part of your early re-issues will treasure it. Back in 1989 when I was 17, here in UK, i would listen to a local Radio station one Night they had two guest speakers from local Hi Fi Shop, I remember they stated " CD was a New toy " and records played on a good system sounded much better, and records would be around for hi fi people for years to come, so glad i listened to them .I then started buying Uk Hi Fi World mag in 1991, which right up till it went bust in 2022 was Mag that Championed analogue Sound with records, for many years recently I have followed You & Mike Framer on youtube. So glad I Got into Vinyl at a time in 90's when Vinyl was mainly sold for Dance music 12". I would buy 2nd hand Lp's by the like of " Manhattan Transfer " for the sheer quality of recordings

[@DorianPaige00]

I'd rather have better music over better sound. It depends on what you are going for though. Most R&B or popular music with synths, keyboards, loud sounding drums (like Al Green) aren't really going to benefit from an audiophile reissue. Barry White, Tyrone Davis, Motown, Stax, Buddha are some of my fav's but only the Stax complete singles series issued in 3 volumes (on cd) really stood out as having improved sound quality. I have several Manhattan Transfer discs and there okay, layered, and sound good but some of the music isn't my cup of tea. I do like "Mystery" and "Spice of life". How do you find today's non-audiophile Lps compare with yesteryear's non-audiophile Lps?

[@The90sGamingGuy]

Very interesting to hear about the history of audiophile labels and how Acoustic Sounds got started.

[@vinylrulesok8470]

Really interesting trip down memory Lane, thanks Chad. Never fails to amaze me how great 3 track recordings sound. Ever thought of doing a little tour of your music room? Would be great to see what turntable and audio equipment you use.

[@acousticsoundsks]

We will do this one day.

[@raywelsh5335]

Chad, It is so wonderful to see and hear REAL experience and passion. You Sir are a legend. Thank you for the music...

[@djjoeykmusic]

Great video Thank you Chad (Habibi) Happy New Year! Chag Sameach

[@knockshinnoch1950]

A terrific video, totally engrossing. Fascinating to hear about Chads backstory- I had no idea! There is no doubt about his love of music in general and of excellence in all aspects of music production and reproduction. His enthusiasm crackles all the way through the 30 plus minutes.

[@charlesnr]

Wow! 30 years since buying "Songs" at CES. And today, Blow by Blow 45 came today. And who could believe Chad could press a rock record including the drums and cymbals that is so quiet and detailed on even black vinyl. And kudos to my Revox turntable and Soundsmith AIDA cartridge for the amazing reproduction for those of us who don't have $50K turntables and $10K arms.

[@djjoeykmusic]

Great video Chad Had to watch it again Awesome! Mazel Tov

[@therevrockinrollin]

What history of our hobby and an incredible success story too 🎉

[@seand67]

Thanks Chad....this was great.

[@stuartfrederick2373]

Love the history. I've been a customer since 1989. I still have my first invoice # 1650 and sometimes wish I could go back in time and secure some of those old LP's. It's been a great run with lots more down the road. Long Live Acoustic Sounds and Chad!

[@acousticsoundsks]

We all wish we could go back and get some of those records we passed on. The only thing we can do is think twice about not letting that happen again.

[@itsjim2875]

Great history lesson, Chad - thanks, and look to (perhaps)seeing you at the next T.H.E. show in Orange County, CA area.

[@anthonyspeier515]

Great stuff Chad. It’s awesome hearing about how you started out! It’s only out of the passion you and a few others had when vinyl was unloved that we are in such a great spot today. Without that much of the art of LP production would likely be lost.

[@KeithSkronek]

Thanks for sharing your story. That was awesome!

[@Daniel-hk3ru]

Thank you much for this wonderful lesson in the art of collecting. You developed a love for music at an early age, and able to catapult your desire and the guts to create Acoustic Sounds. You produce and excellent product !

[@kyles7087]

Awesome video Chad 👏 thank you for sharing this and for continuing the legacy to this day! I’d love to hear more history like this, and more about your fabulous company!

[@jonnysee5473]

Fascinating. Keep up the good work Chad.

[@bradhurlburt2227]

Thank you so much for sharing your story, Chad. Your passion for vinyl and music is inspiring, Thank you for putting your love into your label and making these great records available to us. Cheers from Vermont!

[@VinylGourmetTV]

Incredible times for audiophile vinyl, mostly thanks to you Chad :)

[@Atodaso]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing! _I'd love to have some AP reissues of Tool_

[@thebiffer100]

Thanks for taking the time to put this wonderful historical video together Chad. We all now have a much better appreciation of what goes into a successful outcome with all the hard work and dedication and wish you nothing but the best.

[@casperdowlen625]

Thanks for doing this Chad. I have collected these labels since the mid 1980s. Many of your clientele are to young to know about these things. My earliest memory of dealing with Acoustic Sounds was when I had a sealed MFSL copy of The Doors first album and wanted to trade some items for it. I wanted BS&T, Moondance, and Dixie Dreggs on Direct to Dics Labs. You're staff thought I was full of shit about a sealed Doors album. But you personally got on the phone and we worked out a deal. I still have those records from that conversation and that deal. Thanks for this refresher course in audiophile label history.

[@Ampersand00]

I don't know if Chad has kids, but it would be awesome to be a member of your family and hear these stories in person; imagine inheriting that collection and all this info - he should write a book! The memories of developing his hobby into a thriving business is truly inspiring & very well deserved.

[@acousticsoundsks]

I have a little girl that's 16, she plays the piano and likes music. Hopefully this will interest her. Only time will tell.

[@pattysullivan5963]

Great video, I live a stones throw from your recording studio. Can't believe I've never met you.

[@krwd]

Always good Chad thanks for keeping the art alive.

[@TheMrMoosy]

Fascinating. I took a lot of notes, took me back to my college days! I can't thank you enough Chad, you're continuously fueling my passion for vinyl records. Salute.

[@yo-yotension4613]

It would be great to see your audio equipment that you play these great albums.

[@markdonnelly394]

Chad, very interesting video for those of us who have been collecting since then. However, I am very thankful for you and your company. Love everything I have purchased from Analogue Productions. Keep up the great work! Thank you, Mark

[@CharlesRBiggs]

I am so thankful for your most excellent work!

[@RichTeer]

What can I add that others haven't already said? Thanks for the interesting video. It's great to hear first hand about the early audiophile vinyl days (I was around, but only as a young (read: impoverished!) customer). Your humility and humbleness is also obviously genuine. Thanks to you and your excellent team for all the hard work!

[@paulspanbauer4125]

I started my audiophile journey as well with the old school Mobile Fidelity! Back then I had less disposable income however… Very glad vinyl has come back and that Analogue Productions is a major contributor to our hobby.

[@danswan1047]

Absolutely brilliant video. Thank you for taking the time to do this. I remember all those labels and your story is just really inspiring.

[@jasonarsenault3791]

Great vid. And the quality of vids is getting better and better. Keep it up.

[@marktubeie07]

This was fantastic to hear, especially having lived through this, great history! Thanks Chad, you're a legend !

[@briansaul6509]

Thanks Chad!

[@JamesKousbaugh]

Excellant video. I started collecting audiophile records in 1984 and still collecting them.

[@acousticsoundsks]

Good time to start collecting! That's about when CDs started to come out.

[@louiscyphre2555]

What a great Video. Thank you so much...

[@carrion_man3700]

Awesome history! Love what you do!

[@ministerofdarkness]

Really fascinating! Thanks for this video. PLAY LOUD!

[@jayzeeshawn]

Wow, it is so amazing to hear your story and see the wonder that is still in your eyes and voice. I think this is why you put out such amazing quality. You have not become jaded in your passion. Thank You for sharing this.

[@SpyderTracks]

Awesome, Chad as always, you’ve already alerted me to the Planets Decca copy which I’ve put an order in for. Love your stuff, and truly inspiring to see how you got started.

[@AngeloKellyOfficial]

What a fantastic video! Thanks Chad! I'm trying to get all the Nimbus Supercuts. Might take a while but they are great!

[@acousticsoundsks]

Looks like some of the titles are going for crazy money. Wish I had kept a few extra myself!

[@musictalkwithjohn]

This is amazing. A lot of great information. Thank you for sharing.

[@audiotomb]

Chad Keep up the great work - we all come here for the 2 week announcement So glad you took a chance on keeping vinyl alive - I came back big time in 2000. Every Superdisc record I have ever had sounded dreadful compared to an original - I have no idea why these are praised. Wished Sheffield Lap did something worth listening to - not just an audiophile lp

[@vinylrules4838]

Nice trip down memory lane for us older guys.

[@freightdawg6762]

Excellent

[@KenVanTassell]

Fantastic video!

[@Vinylman.Rajdeep]

Thanks Chad. Very informative

[@averagejoe8187]

Chad, another great video. I enjoyed hearing some new tidbits on how you got started and what the vinyl community was like at that time. An appreciation of great sounding vinyl is not something new and people have always been willing to pay a little more for that quality. Acoustic Sounds has done a great job providing that quality music not only for the audiophile, but also for the newbie and everyone in between. Thanks to you and your team for what you do.

[@mlmcguire74]

Great video Chad very informative, love what you all do at Acoustic Sounds, keep up the good work, all the best x

[@andershammer9307]

I hated record noise so I loved the Mobile Fidelity's. I used to go to a stereo store called Opus One and take a stack of Mobile Fidelity records into the room on the right where there were a pair of Spica speakers and a Dual turntable and I think a Kenwood receiver and just listen to them all and buy the ones I liked. I have many of those audiophile records you mentioned.

[@christopher.cordova]

Thank you, Chad

[@amosperrine1909]

Thanks, I have some of the MFSL, Nautilus, SuperDisk titles, including one UHQR, as well as direct to disc LPs. Marvelous records. BTW, I also have that For Duke and Le Cid (#1249). Keep the faith, and keep ‘em coming.

[@acousticsoundsks]

Those are killer records, and I know you know this!

[@zackamania6534]

I like my Nautiluses and my Sheffields! Thelma Houston and the pressure cookers and Dave Grusin were two great Sheffield titles.

[@helmutkarllackner3481]

Dear Chad, thanks great albums! I would love to say, your Verve selection is superb!!! So amazing titles! Please keep an eye on: "Once upon a summertime" by Blossom Dearie, "The Individualism of Gil Evans", "Torchy" by Carmen McRae!!! Go in!!! Thanks!!!

[@danielreynosa1804]

Awesome history thanks

[@harrysmusicroom]

Would love to see some re-issues of the Grand Funk titles

[@mr.george7687]

Been buying records since the 70's. Was completely oblivious to Audiophile pressings. Wish I knew back then what I now know.

[@acousticsoundsks]

Never too late!

[@zackamania6534]

Chad is a cultured dude. Very impressive. Please call Jimmy Page and do the thing we all want !

[@russputin6294]

I had the Popular HiFi / Nimbus "kind of blue" and the Mastersound "Born To Run" and, back in the day, sold them both off (cheaply!!) to replace them with c.d's. I've spent the last few years trying to buy back the vinyl titles I disposed of. Such is the folly of youth........ Fortunately I had the good sense to retain my Nimbus "Feats don't Fail Me Now"

[@acousticsoundsks]

Love all of those titles.

[@rca245]

The money on the table story was priceless. Lol

[@festersuncle6298]

I remember the Audiophile section at Musicland. I remember as a teenager thinking "no way it's a gimmick". What did I miss!!!! Hahaha.

[@SamWesting]

Chad, any chance of a Bill Evans Fantasy Recordings box, as a companion to the Riverside Recordings set? Thanks for all that you do.

[@acousticsoundsks]

We love Bill Evans, but sorry to give you the truth - we aren't doing this. We don't have the time. Maybe another label.

[@ivanvillalobos7008]

This is awesome! To my ears, AS/AP best reissues overall are the ones in the AJAZ 45rpm series. Nothing sounds like it!

[@strahljd]

Love hearing the history and perspective of a music/vinyl lover. Do you mind saying what that first song was that your friend have you sit and listen to in between those speakers?

[@acousticsoundsks]

I think it was Beatles on MoFi - I'm surprised I can't remember exactly, but that was many albums ago. I can tell you there were on Mordaunt Short Pageant Speakers. I even bought the pair of the exact speakers from the guy because that was my light bulb moment.

[@strahljd]

@@acousticsoundsks Awesome, thanks for the reply!

[@scabcastle5786]

Any chance we could see some Lee Konitz on Verve (Motion or Tranquility in particular) in the next crop of the Verve Acoustic Sounds Series?

[@jimromanski2702]

That was fascinating to listen to. I have some records from many of those labels but only a few. I bought only audiophile recordings of records that I liked. But my collection is in the hundreds not thousands. Also, I never traded records I only bought them. I love pulling out my direct to disc and Casino Royale records and listening to them. I have to admit the new ones from Acoustic Sounds and Mofi (yea I still like some of their stuff) are the best yet. I bet the record companies are finally realizing the value of analog because you can't easily copy them at the same quality. Back in the day they whined about us making cassettes to play in the car instead of buying another copy. But nowadays they must see the value in high quality records that you have to own to have the quality. Digital is just too easy to copy.

[@juliobeltran3512]

Very cool!

[@joncarpenter984]

Chad the best video on some of the best music pressings from the day. And how you was able to make this hobby the best it can be. As I’m sure you know phase 4 London records from the early 60,s were using a 20 channel processor which they hand built to be able to record 20 microphones of classical music into a 2 channel stereo sound recording. These many records they made sound amazing attention to every detail. They released every kind of classical music from around every corner of the world. Today these records are in the dollar bins. I don’t get it. What’s your take on this and how do they fall into place.

[@mcflash23]

I beg you Chad to do an audiophile reissue of Silk Degrees

[@acousticsoundsks]

I love this album as well, but we're very busy with a lot of other things.

[@mcflash23]

@@acousticsoundsks no doubt but I'd be eternally grateful if this album got the audiophile treatment it deserves

[@robertwoodward9231]

You have to have a decoder for the nautilus presses which I did not know at the time. I paid 55 bucks for the Fillmore east, put it on and was terrible. Still don't have the decoder yet as I already had two copies of it. Just pissed that the guy I got it from didn't give me this bit of info. Anybody have any input on the nautilus records?

[@acousticsoundsks]

You were talking about a DBX encoded record. Nautilus only made a few of those. It was unlucky to get a DBX and not know about it. Now you know to not buy any DBX encoded records, but probably 99% of the Nautilus ever made was not DBX.

[@robertwoodward9231]

@@acousticsoundsks yes I saw the list shortly after and that just happened to be one of them. I was just to excited to maybe hear something more than from the pretty good copies I had. Live and learn. BTW, I've been searching for a good press of eat a peach as my original developed couple skips over the years. Thanks

[@surf01er66]

Would like to hear your thoughts on the quality of the various labels. I have some sealed Mastersound , Nautilus, Direct Disc.....Aloha

[@acousticsoundsks]

Each record has a different story. You have to compare each record with other issues of the same record. Unless it's Analogue Productions is there ever a clear winner, lol. We feel some originals are harder to beat than others, but overall I do like collecting Nautilus and some of the CBS Master Sounds and having different versions of all of my favorite records. Whenever we are reissuing a new title, if there was a SuperDisk or Master Sound, we would send all of these versions or the best of these versions to the mastering engineer for comparison so it can help them do the best job possible.

[@christophercowles2553]

I definitely wish I had been “in the know” about Classic Records. There’s a lot of great titles there that I doubt have been done better… yet?

[@acousticsoundsks]

Check out our detailed history of Classic Records: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6aWnYtndpplqpo

[@heroyaldog]

Great video Chad was very informational as someone who has just recently started to dabble in the audiophile space. Also what's the street date on the Pretzel Logic UHQR?

[@acousticsoundsks]

We're working on this title now. Not sure when it will be released but sometime in the next 6 months for sure.

[@nutanchandrasingh3872]

Revival of vinyl record.

[@chelillingworth9466]

Really enjoyed this and super curious when we might see Sonny Rollins way out west on the new acoustic sounds contemporary series

[@acousticsoundsks]

This will happen, but it will be awhile.

[@chelillingworth9466]

@@acousticsoundsks That's amazing! The exact day I wrote this comment craft announced their box set of the west coast sessions on contemporary!

[@robertocarlos_v]

@acousticsoundsks @Chad Any plans of repressing the Fantasy45 series? You resurrected the Prestige Stereo/Mono series, why not do the same for the Fantasy? …Just asking for a friend😉😅

[@chadkassem5881]

Please do me a favor and tell your friend that I am not positive, We could do a few but if and when this ever happens it will not be any time soon, Like not in the next few years. We had these available for years, Now we have alot of new Lps coming that we have never re-issued before. Before you ask , Yes we should be announcing this soon. I think it is a better idea to bring our customers new titles. I also have committed to to make these LPs. Hopefully you like whats coming in 2023. If you see one you like please get it when it comes out.

[@robertocarlos_v]

@@chadkassem5881 I am definitely open to new reissues. Always trust what you put out there for all of us to enjoy each year. I will tell Roberto to cry less for what’s gone and smile more for what’s to come. 😀

[@chadkassem5881]

@@robertocarlos_v Well I think Roberto will be smiling soon! and as long as he buys what he wants when he see it released he will not be crying! All joking aside the next 5 years will be good ones! And when we get the opportunity to repress something like Solar Energy or Jimmy Reed or Prestige etc, we will!

[@goodknight37]

Nice Kenny Wayne Shepard shirt👍

[@cezarvasile1635]

👌

[@helmutkarllackner3481]

would love to see some THELONIOUS MONK on analogue productions!

[@acousticsoundsks]

This could happen.

[@itsvladzino3246]

@@acousticsoundsks 🎉

[@workwork9052]

I am waiting for AAA vinyl reissues of all Miles Davis albums

[@acousticsoundsks]

Bags Groove, Steamin', Cookin' and Relaxin' should be repressed from the Prestige series in the next couple of months. Please get them this time! They'll sell out fast.

[@casablanca2745]

I’m more of a music fan than an audiophile and I’m seeing a crazy escalation in prices these days. That said, I enjoyed this video. (But would never pay $300+ for an LP)

[@Fatdogrecords]

Any dates on the prestige AP’s getting repressed Chad ?

[@acousticsoundsks]

We have a couple on the press now. Sign up for our email newsletter to get updates: store.acousticsounds.com/index.cfm?get=subscribe

[@VideoArchiveGuy]

I wish you'd talk about some of the newer reissue labels like Friday Music, perhaps discuss why UMe's "Back to Black Vinyl" releases were absolutely HORRIBLE (they didn't even use the right master for reissuing Carpenters The Singles 1969-1973) and why despite all of the reissues over recent years from Craft Recordings, the absolute best sounding LP of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is still the Analogue Productions 45 RPM reissue from 2006 (AJAZ 8431.) Perhaps you could also cover the CBS Mastersound Half Speed Masters which never sounded good and the various Japanese audiophile releases of the 1980s.

[@acousticsoundsks]

I think you already have an opinion of Friday Music and "Back to Black" series that most everyone shares. Not all records are created equal. We would rather be positive and talk about all the great records and not waste time talking about one's that are not as good.