Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um - LP Review And Comparison What Version Is The Best

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I go over the best sounding pressings of Charles Mingus ‎- Mingus Ah Um From 1959. Vinyl LP pressings Review And Comparison. What Version Is The Best? What are the copy's you should own? Check us out online at www.theingroove.com
Project Signature 10 Turntable
Miyajima Zero Mono Cartridge
Mcintosh C1000 Pre Amp
Mcintosh MP 1100 Phone Stage
AMG V12 Turntable
Benz LPS Cartridge
HRS Isolation Table
2x VTL Siegfried Series 2
Wilson Alexandria x2 Series 2

[@hectoralvarez941]

Nice system upgrades. Not many record store owners are as transparent about the records they sell. Good job

[@CWoodOne]

Great video, I really learned a lot! Thanks for making these!

[@curtist358]

Love these jazz reviews, really helpful.

[@ke6533]

Looks like Mike just said, "I want a concert in my home every night."

[@gustercc]

New shoot out! Hell yeah! Thanks Mike!

[@djjoeykmusic]

A lot of information. Great job Michael Thank you so much

[@LPfingstag]

Great review!

[@jamesboyce7467]

Please do more of these there extremely helpful

[@mcintoshkid]

thankyou,great great review,

[@SwimminTunes]

So glad I picked this one up as my 2nd One Step! Is there a video about your home set -up?

[@bikemike1118]

LOVE the looks and sound of the big Wilson‘s 👌🏼

[@djjoeykmusic]

Great video Thank you so much Awesome job

[@afrose71]

Thank you for warning people off of the gray market labels. It's amazing how many vinyl enthusiasts are buying them -- including vloggers of popular KZbin channels.

[@colejensen1035]

Appreciate the list of labels to avoid! Maybe a short video on what labels generally do good pressings and others to generally avoid.

[@sidvicious3129]

Mike I agree, I have the Mofi One-step and it’s quite and sounds great. I don’t regret buying it. These Mofi when they go out of print, the price jumps. I haven’t been dissatisfied with any of my One-steps.

[@MrLovell1971]

Man Mike great review I’m definitely going to get this Mingus One Step I never was able to find a super clean OG so getting the One Step I will be satisfied. My first One Step was Texas Flood man it blew me away when I put the needle down on it definitely killer . Hey Mike I would love for you to do a comparison of John Coltrane A Love Supreme that would be very cool if you have the time take care. Lovellandrew

[@chrisnail]

I second the request for a comparison of A Love Supreme

[@musiconrecord6724]

The only other OneStep I have is the Yes album, and it's unbelievable. Managed to get the Mingus before it sold out but have yet to listen - and am very excited to do so after your review. Quick question. I was surprised to see that Mobile Fidelity is using those foam inserts. They work beautifully but I know from buying used Philips box sets that the older inserts tend to disintegrate. Should I be chucking these new foam inserts and using something else (like bubble wrap), or do you think these newer inserts are manufactured not to disintegrate? Thanks.

[@gtaylor3350]

Those speakers look like they could double as bodyguards

[@gustercc]

If Darth Vader owned high end speakers, I feel like he would own these. Blasting the emperor’s theme.

[@DeAudiofilosyLocos]

Robocop?

[@kelvinsmith6854]

Dickhead !

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Waiting for those speakers to transform into trucks and drive out of the room

[@Dave78Ivey]

Time for another system tour!

[@fredgien]

What a beautiful set of Wilson speakers do you own!

[@derosa1989]

I hope that Analogue Productions will just press more copies using the Classic Records stampers, like they did with Brubeck Time Out.

[@MatthewClark1984]

Boring!

[@lawrencetomczyk9677]

Great to learn that audiophile vinyl community is embracing vinyl LP products that integrate digital technology. Who would of thought analog fans would deem the Mobile Fidelity the best version “significantly better than all the other versions”.

[@StefanoCipo87]

Yes, also the one step vinyl is not the 4th generation copy from the master tape but the 6th: tape -> DSD -> analogue console -> laquer -> stamper -> vinyl. But if it sounds better, who cares?

[@dandevvers]

I bought the One Step a couple of weeks. They cost a lot in the U.K. but I’m glad I’ve finally heard one of these pressings.

[@astracax]

I agree. If they cost $100 over here which is equivalent to £77 I might consider, but they are closer to £200 and that is far too much money

[@omenoflaherty1294]

Those speakers look like they were designed by NASA to communicate with alien life forms.

[@ghiagoo]

Watched this video with anticipation. Last week at the local record show, I bought the Mofi boxed set from a friend of mine. Vinyl has become a minefield for me, without reviews like this comparing pressings. Was worried spending $200 on what might not be one of the better pressings. I know MoFi generally does a good job. Excited it’s what you consider the best pressing so far. I won’t feel I need to buy a better new pressing. I’m done looking for this title now. Too many titles to look for.

[@iblamesummers]

Thank you.

[@michaelmetcalf2427]

Love these shootouts. How about forever changes mofi v chris bellman cut.?

[@frazerspooner7683]

Second this, picked the Bellman cut up the other day as a casual fan and been in constant rotation since

[@boogiewoogie9770]

The original Columbia Mono's sound fantastic! My go to is my Canadian Mono 2 Eye. Just Great!

[@aaronlove3263]

Funny what you mentioned about the bass being buried in the only current in-print version. I got it a couple of months back since I didn’t have a copy and noticed it as well. I mean, how are you going to bury Mingus of all folks in the mix?

[@poetryonplastic]

What amps do you have powering the Wilson’s now? No more McIntosh?

[@TheInGroove]

VTL Siegfried Series II.

[@ginntonic123]

Easy to choose the one step, no brainer, I was not surprised ... I new the end of this movie before it started

[@Josal]

Please do a review of your stereo system again. It’s look like you just purchased a new gears. 🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

[@zackamania6534]

Would you please do a best of “EXILE ON MAIN STREET” please?

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

I’m convinced that the ORG and One Step used the same master and a different one then the Classic Records versions. They seem to sound very similar to the DSD version available for purchase and download. The One Step does cut the treble a little more than the ORG. I had the same issue with the cymbals on the One Step as I did with the ORG. I still feel it’s the best sounding version though.

[@leon9021]

Your ORG remarks remind me of my ORG 45 Night Train. Very cymbal prevalent and just doesnt need to be 45 to begin with. I expected you to like the One Step from the beginning and its apparent that MFSLs EQ choice work well for this title. A lower end lean to get away from that inherent brightness in the recording helps the overall presentation Id imagine. You are mistaken thinking Cassette copying is the same as metalwork steps though. The music signal does not degrade over steps, the grooves dont move, only the noise floor increases.

[@TheInGroove]

I'm not mistaken. When you make a molded copy of a copy of a copy the 4th is not the same as the 1st.

[@leon9021]

@@TheInGroove Im not saying its the same. Im saying how you described the signal quality as degrading is misconception. The groove walls will lose their smoothness and become noisier and the tips less sharp, but this does not determine the audio signal, that is how the groove moves. Which is not changed with a few mold steps, hence the only difference is really the noise floor. If we wanted to prove otherwise one would have to firstly have fair examples to compare, of which there are none.

[@tkbalmeida]

Have you heard the Mosiac Box set "The Complete 1959 CBS Charles Mingus Sessions"?

[@nervouscough7115]

Alexandria XLFs and a pair of what look like VTL Siegfried monoblocks. Wondering if Henry Rollins knows one of his systems has a twin. Absolutely amazing.

[@JakeCatlett857]

I have to agree with him here. I've got the version he picks out as the best, I put out the cash for it because this is my favorite jazz album of all time. Without a doubt, it is the best-sounding album I own. You can hear valves, and the texture of human breath flowing over a reed. Unbelievable fidelity.

[@dionparks8267]

VG

[@dionparks8267]

Bigql❤get. wv🎃❤f/@

[@THEOLOGYnerd]

Hi Mike, wondering your thoughts on the RSD version that dropped in October. Is it digital? Does it use any of the same cuts as the versions referenced here in your video? Thanks for another great video.

[@georgedoughly8682]

@denny b Agreed!

[@lilawatt]

I have the RSD pressing and it really doesn’t sound bad. I can’t speak to it being digital or not, but it’s not that bad at all.

[@THEOLOGYnerd]

Thanks everyone for the info! Most of my RSD haul this year was AAA. I imagine that if it’s not explicitly stated, it is digital.

[@tomhutchison6447]

Sounds pretty darn good to me, but I'm no huge audiophile; plus the extra tracks are great.

[@christiangarcia1546]

@denny b not true. From this year alone, the Craft Recording RSDs were all analog and mastered by Kevin Gray. And at $25 they were a steal (and sound incredible)

[@careyatchison1348]

Thanks for the info! But maybe mention that the Mofi one-steps are out of stock. And $200! These limited edition pressings cater to the wealthy and part of its appeal is as an investment device - they can now sell to well-heeled collectors at eye watering prices. (Very informative segment, though!)

[@Tnapvrvideo]

These certainly sell out fast. Do they circle around and get remastered, again, in time, or is it a one and done on all of these highly regarded re-releases?

[@hemantishwaran5741]

I forgot I bought the one step! It’s still unopened so I guess I’ll open it (or sell it now I see how good it is)

[@astracax]

Is the Mobile Fidelity of this digitally sourced? One of my favourite jazz albums but would like a reasonably priced copy of this. Would that be the Music On Vinyl? Heard that generally people were impressed by that.

[@marksutton8054]

What about the Sony release on Record Store Day?

[@tomwebb7091]

Pretty sure its the same mastering as the 2010 and 2015 Music on Vinyl releases. Sony Legacy has used MOV for years to produce many reissues.

[@vincenzonapoles4371]

Digital

[@musicalchurch]

@@vincenzonapoles4371 Is that the same as the Get On Down release from the last Record Store Day?

[@lisagallegos1685]

Just a general question: how can a german pressing of a record have the same number as the US pressing on the record? thanks

[@dundee12]

I have an original mono Australian pressing on a label called 'Cornet' (?). I've never seen another copy, even online

[@cheng96818]

Hey Boss, besides having genes of good ears, would you hear that much difference if you have an ordinary or standard home audio system compare to something like yours?

[@TheInGroove]

There is always a difference between a good record and a bad one. Even on a crapy system. But the more you spend on your system the more of a deference you will hear.

[@cheng96818]

@@TheInGroove thank you, sir. Always enjoy your videos

[@johnhodgkiss8788]

Orig mono Columbia's sound fantastic and my preference.

[@petrosso97]

Mike, Which Wilsons are they, are they your newest Purchase ?

[@thomasandersen1784]

Hi Mike (Mike, yes?). Off topic: I can see you invest in Audio, and as your from the US i would like to ask you, if you have heard the MOFI decks/Carts? I own the Rega P8/Apheta II combo, and listen to a lot of different music, like pop/rock, 80's new romantic/synth pop/elctro, 90's Indie rock, classic rock, 60's rock, punk/hardcore, metal, but also a lot of Audiophile recordings, jazz, female vocal, singer songwriter, C/W and so forth. The Rega combo can be too much of a good thing, and poor recordings really stands out. From what iv'e have been reading about the MOFI Ultradeck + M (M: Master Tracker MM cart - top of the line), it is a worthy contender to the Rega combo, and the words throwing into these reviews, is somehow what i'm looking for. I have to point out that, the Rega & the Mofi, cost the same here in Europa, and not like in the US, were the Rega deck is more expensive. I have the chance right now to swoop my combo out for the MOFI combo, without paying anything extra. My combo (Rega) is 1 years old, and the MOFI deck is a demo, so i'm good in that respect. So my question is: Have you heard any of those solutions, it would be great to hear about. In advance, thx. Cheers from Denmark

[@thomasandersen1784]

@denny b Hi there again. I toke some time thinking about this, and my conclusion is clear. My P8/Apheta II combo stays right here. I'm thinking a better upgrade for me, would be another phono stage down the line. But for now, i'm pleased with my set-up. Thx for response

[@my2sons8975]

Welcome to the Wilson Family

[@michelraffin7006]

Hello Mike i d like to order Greenfields Barry Gibb album with two vinyls and two bonus tracks… but it s just availabke at Targer records and they don t ship to France… could you help me to get it ? Best wishes Michel

[@Carrera6rennsport]

flexing a little there, huh Mike? nice system BTW

[@TheInGroove]

💪

[@Carrera6rennsport]

@@TheInGroove Like I said before, I wish we had a So. Cal vinyl dealer like you. bravo on a job well done. my last mail order with you was flawless.

[@TheInGroove]

Thanks. Always great to hear.

[@daveyf3144]

Ok, let's talk about this album in 2023. As we now know, the One Step Mingus is a digitally sourced LP. As such, it is an interesting listen when you hear what Mike has to say in this video. The One Step Mingus has a digital sheen that is pretty obvious when you do an AB with a fully AAA sourced record. I recently acquired the Mingus One Step, as it was one of the few One Steps that i did not own and I had heard that it was superb. Well folks, it is and it is not. The One Steps have what a lot of us thought was somewhat of a 'weird' sound until we knew why! The reason is now obvious. Compared to a AAA sourced LP, these albums have a certain something that lets the whole affair sound less convincing than a great AAA LP. For example, I listened to the One Step Mingus vs. a Tone Poet Freddie Hubbard Break-in Point LP. Listening to the difference, it is quite obvious that the TP is far more realistic to the sound of what is happening with the instruments than the MoFi. Now, i don't have speakers that have titanium dome tweeters, instead i use a speaker that does not ring at high frequencies ( utilizing a silk dome). Today, I now know why most a'philes ( including myself) were wondering what they were hearing on the MoFi One Step's but could NOT put our stamp on...never suspecting that we were listening to a digital recording, albeit a good digital recording. BUT, compare any of the DSD sourced Mo Fi's to an AAA recording, and on a system that is resolving enough, the distinction becomes pretty obvious. Mike broke the MoFi debacle wide open, and we should all thank him for that, but i do wonder why the fact that he ( like many others) were giving so much hyperbole to these MoFi LP's, when while they were good, they would have paled In comparison to the likes of a Opus 3 AAA LP in SQ. Was it that their systems weren't quite good enough ( maybe??) or was it something else...we won't know. But what we do know in 2023, is that this MoFi Mingus, while good...is not the absolute. I am hoping for someone, maybe Chad, to release a true AAA UHQR of this album..and to see how great that can sound. For the meantime, i am happy with my One Step Mingus, BUT it is nowhere near the best sounding LP's that i own.

[@thorniestorange]

Cope

[@rixvspinner]

IN case anyone is wondering, that audio system behind Mike is as high end as it gets. Pretty wild system, the sound stage must be 30 feet wide.

[@Monk118]

Those loudspeakers are Wilson Audio Alexandria XLF's. About $200,000 a pair when they first came out in 2012. Not sure about those dual- mono amps. Nice system! Just looked those amps up. Those are VTL S400's.

[@daleclark4160]

The first thing to go with your hearing are high frequencies. Bernie is no spring chicken. Could it possibly be that Grundman is over compensating for high frequencies more now?

[@AsTheTableTurns]

Where does the new RSD fit in?

[@TheInGroove]

Its ok. Digital and NOT in the upper echelon sound wise.

[@AsTheTableTurns]

@@TheInGroove Well, then I don’t feel as bad that I wasn’t able to get it. Thanks!

[@pavlovic1970]

I like very much your channel, but I don't agree with your general opinion of japanase pressings, I think it depends. I have a lot of Blue Note King Records versions and sound excellent, the difference with Blue Note Classics is subtle. Sure I can´t say the same regarding CBS/Sony Japanese versions. My two cents.

[@stevealvi2239]

Hi Mike, are those Wilson XVX's ?

[@ptbfrch]

I was absolutely shocked at how good this record sounded the first time I played it. I could scarcely believe what I was hearing, borderline holographic.

[@aaronross3747]

Did you sell the McIntosh setup??

[@derosa1989]

who's here because they saw MOFI link this video on Facebook?

[@Digginbehindthedikes]

Those speakers require a fire arm license.

[@whitefangoneanime]

How would you rate the recent RSD release?

[@clucking]

Wilson Alexx's? Wowza.

[@lanakias1]

More vinyl comparison even if it is for Madonna!!

[@christiangarcia1546]

Where do you rank the recent RSD version?

[@christiangarcia1546]

I saw that. And it makes sense. I heard it and thought it sounded ok. Then I received some of the new Tone poet reissues and there’s no comparison. Jazz needs analog for sure

[@derosa1989]

so what you're saying is I need to buy the ORG for the nice jacket, and then put the One Step MOFI vinyl in there, and toss the stupid black box and packaging!

[@MatthewClark1984]

Boring!

[@mikewish19]

Mingus um hum?

[@Joe-yi8xj]

Those Spanish labels are run by promoter and his boys that have been underpaying musicians for many years.

[@ChrisAcosta29]

I’m getting the MOV pressing because I don’t want to buy a record that’s more expensive than my turntable 😂

[@AeroModule]

Did you get the MOV? How do you like it?

[@ChrisAcosta29]

@@AeroModule it’s just okay. I would rather wait for a significantly better pressing. I just bought MINGUS MINGUS MINGUS MINGUS MINGUS and that sounds amazing. I hope Acoustic Sounds does a pressing of Ah Um.

[@AeroModule]

​@@ChrisAcosta29 Thanks. Not too encouraging I guess. Do you ever play it? I got both Mingus 5 and Black Saint, both great pressings. Unfortunately I'm not sure when there's going to be a better pressing of Ah Um anytime soon.

[@hbhamilton3410]

The MOV version isn’t bad at all, especially for $30. The MoFi version cost about ten times more as of this writing. I’m also hoping AP releases their version of Ah Hum. That would sound just as good (if not better) than the MoFi version, and be priced well under $100.

[@batuksri]

The LP title is Chinese clickbait. Nowhere does Mingus’ grand or great grand aunt appear.

[@MatthewClark1984]

Clearly trying to make a statement with them speakers!

[@derosa1989]

boring!

[@MatthewClark1984]

@@derosa1989 what you going to do play your records on your Crosley haha

[@derosa1989]

@@MatthewClark1984 boring!

[@MatthewClark1984]

@@derosa1989 I thought you were busy replying to peoples posts that is no concern of yours. 🖕

[@JohnSmith-il6kk]

Three blind mice records?

[@leon9021]

Not much to choose from there. Either get an original or a modern reissue, both will sound good.

[@nathanm8575]

Just bought Misty, Blow Up and Midnight Sugar. All sound fantastic, even on my modest set up. 10/10 recommend and enjoy TBM.

[@leon9021]

@@nathanm8575 Too bad theres some cymbal distortion on Midnight. At least on the Impex 45s.

[@zackamania6534]

Maybe I’m just not rich enough, but those WLP 6 eyes are $400-500. Who in gods name has money for that? I wish these recommendations were geared more to the common man/woman.

[@vincenzonapoles4371]

This is a video on the best sounding version, not the most affordable.

[@the-vinyl-dreamscape5084]

The only difference between the United States copyright law and European law is that the US protects the record companies OVER the artist and consumer. Unfortunately, Charles Mingus is gone. And his family earns very very little from any of these releases. Record companies were permitted to have a temporary exclusive right to a piece of music. They have a long ago made back their money. They are no longer entitled to an “exclusive copyright“ to an artist catalog. It’s just an excuse to gouge the public and resell them product. Some record stores call music “product”. We should watch for those. Defending ridiculously long copyright law does nothing but enrich Record company executives who make ridiculous money off the talent of other people. Time we change US copy law to reflect a more pro artist and pro consumer outlook.

[@delfordwilson7338]

No! Most of your opinions are ridiculous.

[@TheInGroove]

Nonsense. I've reissued two records from the 60's myself in the past two years and cut a check to the artiest both times. How many checks do you thing wax time is writing?

[@the-vinyl-dreamscape5084]

@@TheInGroove It’s absolutely not “nonsense”. Have you studied the purpose of copyright law? Did your check go to the artist or the entity that owns the copyright. Most often a corporation. How long should copyright last? Indefinitely? 100 yrs? 200 yrs?Copyright was intended to be a temporary protection. Why do you think we have generic drugs? It’s based on the same principle. The drug manufacturers own a definite copyright on their invention? Or is the public good better served by restricting the copyright? The hyper-capitalism of America’s copyright law is the result of massive lobbying of Washington DC by Wall Street and banks.

[@delfordwilson7338]

@@TheInGroove Non.

[@delfordwilson7338]

I learn about Wax Time from your KZbin channel, and I'm glad don't own any Wax Time release.

[@TheBodhisattvaWisdom]

Come on, go get yourself some decent speakers, instead of that crap 😵 No, only kidding