John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme Supersense LACQUER played on a half million dollar HiFi system

[@karenyfreddy]

Hi, just for information the speakers are Vandersteen Model Seven, not Wilson. Great video, thank you

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Ah, excellent, thank you. the speakers is one of the components I couldn't quite recall. I'll pin your comment at the top so others are aware.

[@robertpannullo5687]

I’ve gone down the equipment upgrade rabbit hole and do not recommend it.. all it does is make you listen to your equipment and the end result is you never enjoy the music which is what matters .. I’m 66 years old and have spent nearly 20 years changing out gear .. don’t do it.. as for your pressing .. enjoy it for yourself that’s why you bought it , don’t worry about what it’s worth or who may want to buy it … you bought it for your enjoyment.. people protect and worry about pressings but in the end you need to enjoy the music you love ,,, sitting there listening to the bass, treble , etc and worrying about that last 3% of what we are missing is actually missing the whole point .. enjoy what you have !!

[@jazzvinylcollector]

That's really good to hear. (pun intended). I've worried that I'll eventually get too far into the equipment at the expense of the music. I do see myself as much more of a music person

[@henricusinstitoris2325]

Amen

[@sensational_cellar8606]

Very well said! Decent cheaper gear is so much less stressful to own. I’m guilty myself of going crazy in the past, but what I have today is mostly classic vintage or modern gear I can justify

[@robertpannullo5687]

@@sensational_cellar8606 agree , if you do your research there is gear out there that punches above its price point and will give you a good bang for your buck and a lot of musical pleasure. .. always remember to enjoy the music first .. otherwise you will always be frustrated thinking you are missing something … we will never attain the system that r the Coltrane record was played on but nevertheless it’s a great recording on any system

[@Robertocamero785]

Couldn't agree more. I've also wasted time and money doing the same. We'll said sir.

[@scotmorrell5637]

Thanks for the video. While that’s big bucks for a record, life is made of experiences. You were able to experience and, more importantly, appreciate a phenomenal recording made in a phenomenal room by a phenomenal engineer by a phenomenal band on a phenomenal sound system. Kudos to you.

[@18000rpm]

A CD transport is just a CD player, sometimes one without a built-in DAC. Since this system is using the dCS DAC, the CD player is acting as transport only.

[@DetlefEick]

It's the law of diminishing returns. Every increment of improvement will cost exponentially more. Certainly a treat to see (hear) what it's like.

[@moogoomoogoo5990]

So cool you were able to listen to that system.

[@AlanSenzaki]

I can imagine what it’s like sitting in front of a great piece of art. I remember being in front of a large (10x10 foot) Robert Motherwell painting.

[@jasonsmith9845]

I have a friend and he has a friend. That gentleman has a $5K cartridge, monoblocks, and Magnepan speakers, $5K preamps etc. I learned a lot by going to his house and hearing what great sound is. Then I came home and started focusing my system the best to my affordability. I got some old Klipsch "heritage" Cornwall speakers and replaced the drivers and caps etc. I bought the Quicksilver Horn Monoblocks used on eBay for $1100. I have tube preamps that were hand built by small businesses in the US and a modified Thorens with an Ortofon Bronze. It wasn't that expensive compared to my friends systems, but it took time and effort and I think I'm in that 96% range. It's probably time for me to listen to every album I own and enjoy it rather than think about my next move (tube rolling, trying other interconnects, a direct power line to the breaker box etc). Thanks as always for your videos!

[@scottspinner1]

I have no. 9 of the first European run of 99. Ours came with a record sleeve. They used a different master tape for this than the usual one which was recalled from the uk when they found that their one had problems.

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Interesting, so you're saying the channel issue was corrected (not corrected as in altered, but they resolved it by using a different tape) for the european run?

[@scottspinner1]

@@jazzvinylcollector no same tape. The supersence issue is of the original tape that wasn’t used. Normal releases of this lp used the uk master which was recalled back to the USA when they discovered the supersence version was flawed.

[@adc4392]

Hi, I’ve got Gregory Porter, Hanss Thessink and “Café Drechsler” as “live cuts” and John Coltrane, Getz Gilberto and Nina Simone as “archival cuts”. So obviously you can consider me as a fan of the SUPERSENSE master cuts. All of them are phenomenal in sound quality. When you put it on your turn table it’s like giving yourself a piece of chocolate to enjoy. It is clearly outperforming any other version except maybe (I can imagine) the reel to reel tape itself… it makes you feel that your stereo system is transforming into a time machine that drops you off right into the recording session. Fantastic! Ain’t cheap though… but for me worth every penny - that’s what makes us human - to let us be overwhelmed by emotions, that rationally judging does not really make sense to do so, right? 😊 By the way, all of my mastercuts were shipped in polymer inner sleeves, screwed together with the disc into the box. You should listen the lacquers (also on) your system - that’s what they are made for - to provide you with a big smile in your face!

[@hifijunkieTX]

I have to agree with you to an extent about equipment. The super high end can be mind blowing with sound, but you can get 90+% there spending just a fraction of the price. Mid-tier hifi is the golden zone, imo. Definitely an investment, but often we spend far more on our record collections, so having a bit of an investment setup isn't too out of the realm of reasonable. A $20-30k setup (all said and done, including wires, stands, etc) can get you most of the way there and will be a night and day difference from something entry level if equipment is thoughtfully paired, and can do even better buying slightly used off of the hifi marketplaces from the always-upgrading audiophile community. Can buy just 1 piece a year and build it over time and it isn't too too crazy. Re: the lacquers, I'm not really sold on them personally. They feel more like a collectable marketed exclusively to squeeze audiophiles versus something to listen to and enjoy regularly. I feel like the UHQR pressings or the one-steps from Craft are going to get most of the way there with sound without introducing the higher risk of degradation and damage that comes with lacquer, and at 1/4 the price. While yes, I'm sure modern tech with production has probably made them more reliable, there is good reason why it isn't really used anymore. However, one could make the exact same argument about vinyl records in general, I suppose! lol. Have a hard time wrapping my head around that price though. I think I'd rather spend that amount of cash on first pressings of rare records that have never seen a repress vs something that's been repressed probably a million times, but that's just me!

[@seand67]

Jeez……this album has been released too many times. I just purchased the Analog Production pressing months ago. Crazy

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Yea that does seem to be the case. And, I’m not sure anyone is going to feel like they are missing something by purchasing that edition. And yet, I just got in the UHQR…..BUT one of these copies is going up on eBay once I figure out what it’s all about and if it’s worth the price

[@Fluterra]

You won’t hear much of a difference from a lacquer if your system isn’t revealing; meaning a low noise floor, high dynamic range, and you have full range speakers with a system that can reveal all the detail of what’s in the recording.

[@Fluterra]

I like your tubes on display...

[@gustercc]

A CD transport is a separate player and DAC. It allows you to purchase and thereby control thR quality and the sound signature of the DAC. If you buy, just a transport, you will not get any sound out of it.

[@jazzvinylcollector]

wow.... so $80k for a cd player essentially.

[@Domonkos.Siegfried]

Yes, in other words, a CD transport outputs a digital signal only. You need to connect it to a DAC (or any other device that has a DAC inside and/or could handle the digital signal).

[@killacallahan1]

The speakers are Vandersteen's model 7 Xtrm with Vandersteen Sub Nine subs. The Best speakers on the planet.

[@Fluterra]

the discs do come in a sleeve

[@lucalone]

What about the 2 track 15 ips reel to reel tape version of this album by acoustic sounds???^

[@jazzvinylcollector]

good question, i've never heard it, and don't see myself getting into R2R just because it's yet another rabbit hole I probably can't afford. I'd love to hear it some day though

[@lucalone]

@@jazzvinylcollector I can only highly recommend reel to reel tape. In my opinion the best analogue audio medium ever.

[@juliensullerot1111]

Yes, thanks for this cool listening experience video. I second about the acoustic sounds tape of Love Supreme, quite precisely at same retail price. Tape is usually really impressive (much more weight and body than vinyl, less bright, great sense of reality...), i intend to buy Love Supreme.

[@ivc5150]

Great video really enjoyed it

[@joz411no8]

Great video. What you’ve described is your place on the sliding scale of audiophile-to-music lover spectrum. We are where we are on it, right? As for those components, I’ve heard good things about them all. I’m jealous of your experience, yet very appreciative of your sharing it. As for the lacquer, I sense you’ll do what’s ultimately right for you. PS a cd transport is essentially a CD player without the built in DAC.

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Thanks. So i guess that makes sense in terms of the CD transport... but not really being a CD person it seems absurd to have two components at around $40k a piece. Of course, I justify purchasing many things that others would have similar reaction to.

[@18000rpm]

Might as well keep the record. I'd be willing to bet the value will beat inflation rate.

[@jerryandlisa27]

Hello I have invested alot in my system and your right, to me it may seem alot but to other people spending 100k my system is just blah, to get 1 to 2 percent like you said you have to pay alot of money .

[@petergaulke4407]

You want to really hear how good it could sound, go across the street and listen on the Sonos Faber Aida’s at Evolution Home Theater & HiFi! It will change your view on sound.

[@recordhead]

I think w/ a Crosley type player you're getting 10% of what a record can do.

[@jazzvinylcollector]

yea fair, i was being generous

[@leon9021]

@@jazzvinylcollector No you were being accurate. The only big difference maker here will be the speakers. Id say youre 85 - 90% there though.

[@weatheranddarkness]

11:30 it's not mass produced. They cut each disc one at a time.

[@Fluterra]

The disc comes in a sleeve!!! Where did you get this? They all come in a sleeve

[@jazzvinylcollector]

I bought this brand new directly from Supersense and paid extra for a low number, and it didn’t come with any type of sleeve. Crazy.

[@Fluterra]

@@jazzvinylcollector they made a mistake. I have 5 or 6 Supersense albums and all have sleeves. Email them and I’m sure they will send you one. The disc is really fragile - not so much to playback but to things touching and hitting it when it’s not being played.

[@aa5az423]

I think if the cost of the systems as in cars or boats. I’ve got friends who have $100,000 boats or $75,000 pickups. I think they’ve lost their minds, but they think me with a $20,000 HIFI system is ludicrous. I can afford a $100,000 RV and we are about to buy one. Eventually, I may jump to $75,000 to $100,000 for a system, but it won’t be tomorrow. Maybe five years. I’ve heard some mega systems and there is great value in it, if that’s your kind of thing.

[@cirenosnor5768]

Well…he did say he was new to this. A integrated Crosley record player doesn’t compare to a turntable and they can damage records. Pretty much common knowledge 🤷🏽‍♂️ If you played a laquer only 1 and 1/2 times, that isn’t enough times for any degradation of sound? Check it after it’s been played 50 times and by then you might not even remember what it sounded like the 1st time it was played. So…just play it and enjoy it

[@tesmith47]

how about using a laser turntable

[@jazzkatt7083]

I'm in the same boat as you because I bought a few ERCs and I don't believe I have good enough equipment yet to play them on. I've estimated a $15k front end is the ticket.🙄

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Yea that's probably right. Maybe ERC should have a baseline requirement so that their customers aren't disappointed lol

[@leon9021]

Why? Do you not see how hysteric that sounds? Maybe you would need a very specifically adjusted rig to make the ERCs sound good because of their generally poor unmastered sound, though you can do that without spending 15K.

[@mikebeleski5595]

Hi , can you please tell me how I can find you on eBay, thanks

[@jazzvinylcollector]

my ebay handle is cbwayo. i dont have anything on there at the moment, but I do plan to list a bunch in the coming weeks

[@DorianPaige00]

Tape dropout is about the worst flaw you can have. I have a couple cds with that and when I look at them years later, that's the first thing I remember. I preferred the cds of this artist that were either fixed or taken from vinyl 45's.

[@ronwatson98]

So….. when is final review

[@vinylrules4838]

Sorry, but a Crossley won't even get you 50%. I would say like 10-15%. Glad you got to experience what is possible with audio playback. Most people have no clue. For starters, the room is the most important component in an audio system.

[@MrJasonMeans]

Thank you for the video. I have this supercut and only played it twice. Just worried about it degrading and also I agree the packaging sucks regarding protection. I considered modifying a MoFi poly sleeve to protect it more. I was able to compare it to a few other copies. Here is the order I personally rank them. 1. Analog Productions Ultra Tape 2. Original Pressing US (VG+) 3. Supersense Lacquer 4. 2021 Acoustic Sounds I made a video on it also (I never make videos so it's not great): kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZ6aeaRprZ2moM0 My gear is: PrimaLuna EVO 100 Integrated with Gold Lion tubes, Sutherland SS phono amp, Clearaudio Concept turn table, Kiseki Purple Heart cartridge, KEF LS50 Meta speakers, and a restored Otari mx-5050 biii-2 reel to reel for the tape. I made some upgrades to the phono amp and turntable. Well in the process of upgraded. Once it's done I will give the lacquer another listen. To be honest...It really should be cleaned and I just have no idea how to clear a lacquer.

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Very interesting, just shows that everyone has a different experience depending on their room and setup. I personally heard a lot more detail from the Supersense compared to the Acoustic Sounds pressing, even if the AS one was pressed hotter (louder). I'll definitely check out your video though as I don't own a R2R setup. Regarding cleaning, I am absolutely no expert, however this website suggests a similar process to a vinyl record: www.nedcc.org/audio-preservation/cleaning-discs

[@cezarvasile1635]

👌👌

[@smallaxe2097]

They used a copy to cut the lacquers. Not saying this diminished the SQ. Master tapes won't be played hundreds of times to cut each lacquer. I've spent many years and quite a bit of money by most people's standards in this hobby. Audiophile is a controversial term. let's not go there... SQ is subjective and personal, however achieving great sound quality is not a mystery. Things to consider.... the room and treating it accordingly. Speakers, are they capable of full range playback and properly setup? Mating amplifiers to the speakers you have chosen (receiver, integrated, separates). .....and the rest of the playback chain depending on digital and/or analog source players. The media itself! Just like 480P video is gonna look horrible on a giant 4K screen. A quality audio playback set-up is gonna expose the weakness of a poor audio recording. Sometimes there's not much that can be done to improve the SQ of a recording and that's ok we just enjoy it for what it is.

[@saltech3444]

The actual master tape of A Love Supreme is famous for having been lost since the 1970s. Not only that, but the master tape was rendered unusable only part way through the first pressing. So what was used for this modern lacquer would be at minimum a copy of a copy. It is very hard to find a pressing of ALS early enough that it actually comes from the master tape.

[@mahabkhatib9377]

Hi, you brought up very good questions that are pretty important for music lovers. I had to ask myself those questions numerous times in the last 25 years and came to the following conclusion: owning a collection of great music such as yours is more important than the gears that play it. I think you weren’t accurate about the percentage analogy and going that route is misleading. I would focus on how natural the sound is and how easy to listen to without a beautiful note from saxophone can puncture your ear drum on a certain system, especially when Coltrane is playing angular and irregular improvised style. I would definitely upgrade gears with time as budget allows, but I would search for the natural sound and not the level of details that comes with expensive gears. As far as owning rare and expensive issues of albums such as the one you showed, it’s great to have but isn’t as important as the other gyms that you have discovered in jazz. I did pay $900 for the Bill Evan’s box set, even though I had owned 7 of those 11 albums, but it was a one time thing, and because what Bill means to me. I wouldn’t make it a habit because it’ll take away $ from other important albums that you might miss out. By the way, there’re tons of things you could do to improve the sound of your system that almost cost nothing in comparison to what you showed. Great discussion and video!

[@bobmurphy3061]

At some point you can stop listening to the music and start listening to the equipment.

[@aa5az423]

A CD player has a DAC. A transport does not.

[@dunkkusaarinen]

Take the Crosley at 20% and go from there 🤣💩 tops

[@dmfdarkness]

You'll get about 10% or less, of what is on a record, by playing it on a Crosley. I don't think people understand what their music really sounds like. It's almost nothing like most people have heard.

[@leon9021]

These Supersense cuts are just not good. Ive heard the Getz and without proper mastering it can sound like an FM radio signal at its worst. ERC has a similar problem and it shows how powerful placebo and marketing is. Just look at BarakaPDubs ERC video, barely anyone likes the ERCs in proper shootouts. If you make samples of the Supersense vs OG and Ryan Smith cut Im sure the same thing would happen.

[@Fluterra]

Your math is funny and very biased. I would say that the sound quality is 100X better on a high end system vs your system, for only 20X the price

[@Fluterra]

A Brinkmann Taurus is not really ultra high-end... it's a great table, but nowhere near the state of the art...

[@paulomontero12]

What’s with the jazz? Play classical music you know Beethoven, Mozart.

[@ronniebiggs4026]

Because Classical music is boring and no one is interested in this crap

[@tesmith47]

silly duck Jazz IS THE CLASSIC MUSIC OF AMERICA, those other guys you mentioned are EUROPEANS!!!

[@terrydrums]

Uh, compared to mine, yours is a phenomenal system, dude. McIntosh owners need not be so humble. 🫤