Moder vinyl releases: the reissue SCAM

[@katoness]

Got back into buying vinyl but soon stopped, too expensive. Buying CDs is cheaper and the sound is fine.

[@bosshogster6715]

The CD revival is just around the corner. You watch. There was never anything wrong with CDs in the first place. I hate the way big corporates decide what we want. For example, has any car manufacturer actually asked the public whether they want them to take CD players out of their newer models? No. They’ve just decided on our behalf that we don’t want them. Just like they decided we no longer wanted vinyl back in the early nineties.

[@obre9523]

20 years ago it was the other way round. Seeing is believing!

[@arthurgoodman2531]

It strikes me that people are buying the same records over and over in search of some elusive fantasy of audio perfection. Life is about expanding, not contracting.

[@obre9523]

It's hit and miss, really. But originals are more on the safe side

[@PeterMarlow-u2i]

I collect CDs rather than vinyl nowadays. Many post 1998 CDs, particularly pop and rock, are seriously buggered by compression - but sadly vinyl isn't the answer. The truth is that it's the mastering to disc which really matters - for ALL formats. Vinyl also has the disadvantage of its common manufacturing faults - to the point that the chances of buying an LP which is defect free is about 50 / 50 at best. These issues affected vinyl 40 years ago, they still affect vinyl in 2024 - except you now pay 8 times the price! I never disposed of any of my vinyl when CDs appeared, and I'm not disposing of any of my CDs now that we have the vinyl "revival" in full flow! Somebody is getting rich and it isn't the buyer. PS - the Bechet album, I bought this for £2 in Basildon WH Smith in the late 80s - they were selling off their LP stock. I think it was a US Blue Note import. I'm pretty sure it was fake stereo too, it's a shame I don't know where it is to check.

[@obre9523]

Thanks for your input

[@NickP333]

I’m with you on this. The majority of time, the original pressing from the country of origin usually sounds better than reissues, but there’s of course exceptions to that. The idea that one needs expensive gear to hear these differences is just silly. FWIW, I went through a good amount of copies of Disraeli Gears, and the newer Abbey Road mono version easily sounded the best to me. As far as DSOTM, I prefer the original German pressing even over the original UK. Thanks for the video. We tend to agree on things.

[@obre9523]

Don't have the German OG. Too expensive

[@TCHorwood-xq7mw]

Back in the day producers and engineers knew how to make the best possible sounds on vinyl. I wonder if today's people are so used to digital techniques that they can't get the same results.

[@obre9523]

It wouldn't surprise me...

[@brucejoseph8367]

The youtube channel "Wings of Pegasus" proves by showing many examples that recording engineers are now using autotune not only on modern singers recording but also on re-issued music from the past. I wonder if re-issued vinyl has been adulterated in this way. Singers and instruments are never perfectly in tune, that's partly what gives them their character. It's unatural to be perfect, it does not sound "right".

[@obre9523]

Agreed.

[@franksmusic2880]

I agree 100% with you about the new reissues, not all but many are horrible. 75% of my records that I am selling on Discogs are all reissues from the last ten years. Many are from RSD which I will not be buying from anymore. Im selling all those Pink Floyd reissues, my originals are much better. The Jazz reissues are so much better, why can’t they do the same for the rock albums?

[@theshamanarchist5441]

Because people who like 'rock music' are inbreads with poor taste. Obviously.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

​@@theshamanarchist5441 nice generalization 🙄🤣🤣

[@DavidToth-re6zw]

Agree with you 100% nearly every time i've bought a reissue on vinyl they have been incredibly poor,its that bad that unfortunately i no longer bother trying except in the extremely rare case of something i must just own,i bought the Pink Floyd Pulse box set which i think is very good,but i've lost count of how many reissues i've sent back,i now hunt out original or vintage copies at record fairs and stick to those

[@obre9523]

Yes, they are basically recording digital onto vinyl. Only exceptions are boutique labels that cut from Analogue, but there's only a few of them

[@JJ-qs9hu]

Most people buying albums these days or discovering vinyl don't have a stereo system like some of us had back in the 80s or before. So these $200 record players won't pick up how good or bad a reissue sounds. Most also don't care. I myself have been buying records, tapes and Cds since the mid 80s and I have purchased some reissues and have had good and bad luck. The percentage of bad is only around 10 to 12%. I started rebuking albums in 2012 and one thing I do find better about reissues is the weight or thickness. Most albums pressed especially in the late 80s are paper thin . The wobble, they warp easily or Crack. They were terrible. So I'd rather have a reissue of let's say Michael Jacksons BAD than an original. My original plays fine but still skips in the same place. I had to bring that album back 3 times in 1987 because the pressing was terrible and skipped in the exact same spot on all 4 copies. I ended up just giving up and keeping the 4th copy which I still have to this day. Yet I have the bad 25 reissue and it sounds great and doesn't skip. Anything and everything you buy may or may not be perfect. There really is no need to say all are terrible, because they are not.

[@obre9523]

Not all of them, but a great amount

[@Dhhvhjbcghbbb]

Yeah the records in the late 80s Sucked!! Thin vinyl, bad pressings, cheap album covers. Some of the reissues I've seen look fantastic! All my vinyl is original though..

[@michaelturner4457]

Thanks for reminding why I don't buy new records. I only buy CDs.

[@obre9523]

Your call. Thanks for your input

[@ΑπόλλωνΘηρευτής]

I would totally agree with you, especially about Tommy, Amy Winehouse and Dark Side of the Moon. Below is the review I wrote on Discogs for the 30th anniversary edition (2003) of "Dark Side of the Moon". (For someone who has any version before it and makes a comparison, will notice big differences in the sound of this remaster and ... not for the better. I wonder why it was remastered in an award-winning recording (Alan Parsons) and production (Pink Floyd). Everything here sounds more bass, the voices are not so real and the guitar spikes at high frequencies have become sweet, thus losing their rock feel and dynamics. From the first moment I listened to the album, I did not like something, without being able to identify it. The bad thing is that I gave the previous copy to a friend. After a few years - still with the same undefined feeling - I went to my friend's house with the record, to make a comparison of the two records. There everything was clarified! Almost nothing was the same. Perfection can not be made better, only worse. So I bought an older version and can enjoy it again. The overall quality of the edition is fantastic (except the sound), because it contains what a collector dreams of. If they did not play with consoles, this version would be from another planet). I believe that the generation of new sound engineers who grew up with overpowered CDs cannot approach the verisimilitude of vinyl and so the enjoyment is lost - for those in the know who want to replace their over-played records.

[@marcjohnson9270]

.......or you could play Animals instead.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Verisimilitude - now there's a $10 word. 😎 Anyway, your review is kind of surprising, considering the 2003 30th anniversary pressing is the last analog cut of that album to be reissued, and is always held in high regard, commanding high prices. I never heard one in the flesh yet, but was thinking about splurging for a copy one of these days.

[@obre9523]

Thanks for the info

[@edwardalexander9486]

I just recently got back to vinyl and was confused - why do these horrifically expensive records sound worse than a 50p charity CD? Must be me getting old... now I know! Thanks for saving my sanity! Oh - and yeah - vocal compression!!! - 3 months ago I didn't know what that meant - now I do - what an eff&&g disaster.

[@chestrendy]

@@edwardalexander9486 Not everything sounds better on wax. People have been struggling to get the best sound out of records since the day they were introduced. That's why people didn't need a lot of convincing to switch to CD.

[@obre9523]

I have already stopped buying modern reissues unless they are analogue-mastered from reputable companies like Analogue Productions,Speakers Corner,etc. Otherwise, I turn to well-mastered cds. Inexpensive and at least yu get what you pay for

[@fishtolizard3930]

Thank You! Always Be Listening...

[@obre9523]

Thanks! That's encouraging!

[@calimartinez1417]

Agree 100%... Worst cases are the reissues and/or remasterings of albums that now are copyright free (specially jazz albums). There are lot of what you called "dark european labels" with new covers and awfull sound.

[@obre9523]

Yes, and it seems to be getting worse

[@JimLaughlin33]

Your stick mic is not picking up your voice. We are only hearing your computer mic. Need to change the settings. Rock on!

[@obre9523]

Thanks so much. Sound's been driving me mad. I've already bought two mikes. I think the room is to blame. Ill keep trying

[@rayreid6123]

i find all the pink floyd 180 gram reissues base heavy and clicks particularly TheWall . ive sent copies back and replacements all 3 were same. Buy old if possible and you can listen to them to check quality. Great upload youve hit the nail of its head. Well done.

[@obre9523]

I feel we are being disrespected

[@dentanau]

I don't know about these albums, but in my experience more recent printings of the albums I have been looking for are also almost always less dynamic. It's so sad that they can't even let the supposed audiophile format of vinyl alone in this regard. Even some of the Fripp approved masters for recent King Crimson reprints are louder and less dynamic than the original or somehwat older masters. I'm less of a vinylhead myself, but I do have a small collection, because the non vinyl masters are often times just so bad in this regard, and for some albums the difference is massive. Keep in mind, lower (perceived) volume can be an indicator of more dynamic range. Just turning up the volume knob might reveal a very good sounding album. Again I don't know about the vinyls you're talking about, and there's more to it than just dynamics, but it's still something I personally appreciate a lot.

[@obre9523]

Don't even dream of cranking up one of these lousy modern reissues! Dynamite to your ears

[@dimebagdave77]

This is a great big favor you're doing for everyone 🤘✌️ if they're only paying attention

[@obre9523]

Thank you so much. Ill keep going!.Appreciate your encouragement

[@audiononsense1611]

I could not agree more with the fact the majority of reissues are a ripoff and quality controls even worse. Even some Audiophile pressings are poorly mastered/remastered.

[@obre9523]

Vinyl is taking the CD route from some 30 years ago, when they started remastering. Just milking the same cash cow

[@peterlaffey6328]

1st pressings nearly always are the best sounding of any release . The vinyl industry just churn out reissues without any care for the most part apart from a few US labels .

[@obre9523]

Agreed. And they are getting more and more expensive

[@latheofheaven]

Yes, the run of the mill 'Reissues' usually are almost always from a digital source and just not that great, you are quite right! But, don't forget what Analog Productions is doing with the absolutely lovely 75th all analog (as usual) 2-45 pressings. I only have the Stone Temple Pilots Core and Purple albums, and unless they come up with an unexpected surprise, that will likely be the only ones I want. But, WOW! The sonics, especially of Core are bloody amazing! I had the 1st US translucent Purple pressing of Purple, this lovely 2-45 set blows it out of the stratosphere. Also, FWIW, the recent Rhino Hi Fidelity series is also quite good. The Black Sabbath S/T, especially the Cars S/T, and several others sound really dynamic and fantastic! All Analog, and all done by either Kevin Gray or Ryan K. Smith. Also, the Run Out Groove has done some outstanding work on the multi-LP sets of Type O Negative and Morphine, truly stunning! So, please don't forget the reissues/remasters that are done RIGHT! 😊

[@obre9523]

Yes, Analogue Productions, Rhino and a few others respect customers. But at a price, mate...

[@pennymoquin9776]

The other day I just got my favorite Duran Duran album on LP 7 and the Ragged tiger and it sounds horrible on LP even at low volume it hurts my ears, I mean it never was overly great to begin with but it never sounded quite this bad

[@obre9523]

Look for vintage pressings

[@ianmelville452]

I think some care is needed in selecting reissues. You cannot call them all bad and some of those you have highlighted are essentially grey imports from companies who make their LPs from copying CDs and putting them in a nice jacket. I hate these with a passion. On the other hand there are reissues companies out there doing an excellent job such as Pure Pleasure, Speakers Corner, Analogue Production and others. Their reissue LPs are often better than the OGs (not always of course) and sometimes they can be expensive (not always of course) but you are getting an amazing LP. So what you are saying is only partly true and I think you have to be clearer in your messaging to differentiate the good from the frankly appalling.

[@obre9523]

My next video will be on excellent reissues

[@ianmelville452]

@@obre9523 That would help give a more balanced picture, but your headlineon this video doesn't help. I'm just saying.

[@paulov9626]

Completely agree with you. In fact it's not only the vinyl re-issues but these so called "remasters" as well. One in twenty actually sound better, the others are either too compressed, the high-end too harsh (like it was over EQ'ed) to bring out the "air", or the low end as you say is dull and flat and overall dynamic range is very poor. Very often all of the above, they are very poor quality. I have now given up on these re-releases and do my own, it's actually part of the fun in trying to see what can be achieved without the master isolated tracks. Why is it that most times, I can get the song sounding better, every instrument can now be heard instead of being dull and faded, better stereo imaging, and these companies with access to all the tracks (isolated) cannot? It's just a money making racket. Not all but most are just jumping on the bandwagon and fleecing the public.

[@obre9523]

Agreed

[@shaunlynch-u6x]

I am truly dumbfounded that people actually buy Elvis re-issues, these were released in their millions back in the day and can be picked up in near mint for a couple of quid on auction sites, even his first two can be picked up for less than £100 each.

[@obre9523]

Absolutely nuts. My Elvis collection is made up of original copies that I grabbed for less than 10 pounds each.

[@gregorymaine9615]

Been saying this for quite a while, and up until recently, I didn’t have a spectacular setup, and could still hear how bad a few new pressings I picked up were. The worst one I have is a copy of The Beach Boys Greatest Hits purchased from a big box store locally on sale. There’s no depth vibrance to the sound as if the mastering track didn’t have enough amplitude. Listened to it once, and now it sits on my shelf with the other 400ish albums I have, replaced by two other vintage pressings that have nearly all the same tracks and sound so much better.

[@obre9523]

And it's getting worse...

[@SteveOSpielberg]

I have 2 copies of the Elvis album one with the catalogue number of NL 81 382 and states that it is a new orthophonic high fidelity recording and is Belgium Pressing the second one has a catalogue number of SF 75-75B and all the tracks are electronically re possessed this is a UK pressing I prefer the UK pressing. I also got a Deagento Pressing of The Beatles Beatles For Sale PC 3062 I had no issues with it. I love the UV Print of DSOTM my turn table is a Lenco LS 300 with an Audio Technique cartridge. I have enjoyed your review thank you for sharing.

[@obre9523]

My pleasure

[@1697djh]

I agree, modern vinyl is taken and reproduced in PCM, so buying a studio master digital download is the best option. Old vinyl, that was recorded, remixed, and mastered in the analogue domain will sound better.

[@obre9523]

Not always, but that's usually the case

[@LPCLASSICAL]

I have a YT channel for classical records. I have not reviewed any of the reissues yet though the general consensus (not unanimous) seems to be that the DG pure analogue reissues of 70 LPs are better sound due to improved mastering and cutting techniques. One problem with the cutting is a wider groove meaning that some records go dangerously close to the middle where as the original the piece fits comfortable and there is no end of side distortion. Many of these DG originals can be had for just a few pounds or less in NM condition and I wonder why anyone would pay £30 for something that is marginally better sound.

[@obre9523]

Classical music is not my scene but it seems that crappy reissues are commonplace nowadays

[@patricklee6066]

I know exactly what you mean.Listen to blondie or Kate bush lps from the seventies,or even 2nd/3rd pressings from a few years later- great sound.Todays EU pressing;junk.Recycled vinyl not just reissued.Sleeves are thinner too.

[@obre9523]

Unfortunately this is getting worse day by day

[@markhumphries2490]

The very best vinyl pressings are the Japanese releases. Tho I’m a CD collector my vinyl experience from the 1980’s always led me to the Japanese import section of Virgin records. Wherever possible, I buy the Japanese version CD’s. Better dynamics, more accurate soundstage etc

[@PeterMarlow-u2i]

I agree with that. I've about a dozen that I bought in the 80s, several P-Vines and some Atlantic reissues, all blues and R&B - wonderful clean pressings. I have a lovely 3 LP Elmore James Jap box set. Also Big Joe Turner, Prof Longhair, Clyde McPhatter, Otis Rush and Buddy Guy's Cobra sides - also Magic Sam. All from Dobells. I've got my Charlie Parker Savoy sides on Japanese CDs - bought from Adrian's in Wickford - I think they were about £5 each.

[@richardcrook2112]

Agree

[@obre9523]

Japanese pressings are hit and miss. Check my video on "ten vinyl myths debunked"

[@PeterMarlow-u2i]

@@obre9523 That doesn't entirely surprise me. All my Jap LPs were bought in the 1980s and super quality. But of a number of Japanese CDs I have, the Atlantic reissues aren't great.

[@neils8808]

Completely agree. Have bought several reissues and found them to be woefully inadequate. I had numerous Simply Vinyl Limited Edition reissues of very popular albums / bands i.e. Boston; Kate Bush, The Whole Story; Dire Straits, Love Over Gold; Genesis etc which sounded flat and lifeless compared to other pressings, CDs and my streamer. I’ve sold them. I also have a mint copy of Tears For Fears Songs From The Big Chair on Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab which doesn’t sound anywhere near as good as the original pressing. These reissues are marketed in such a way that the expectation is that they’ll sound tons better than originals but a lot of them don’t. It’s very annoying and smacks of yet another money making exercise exploiting fans of music. As per, I ask ‘where’s the artist’ in all of this and what controls are there over producing and selling sub quality products? The worst I’ve heard is a fairly recent 10CC Greatest Hits album which was truly awful compared to my streamer. The ‘Collected ‘ series is another example of rubbish vinyl reproduction but sold as audiophile, heavy, virgin vinyl. We, the music lovers, are being cheated AGAIN by a greedy and generally wealthy family

[@obre9523]

"Music and music industry are two worlds apart" (Mark Knopfler)

[@tweakerman]

Hi, I only buy reissue LP's for the likes of acoustic sounds, blue note tone poet, music on vinyl & other labels that produce quality pressings, otherwise I buy the album on cd, most average LP's sound worse than a cd, but a quality pressing, whipps of CD a new ass😃

[@obre9523]

I do my own vinyl rips with vintage pressings and they beat modern vinyl and even cds

[@JudgeDrokk]

I bought a LES BAXTER LP from AMAZON, I went it back when I discoevered it was a GREY MARKET release - they have no right to sell the music - it is not "theirs" to sell - its just dropped out of copyright. It's like selling bootlegs off the back of a van. .. except outside the law's reach.

[@obre9523]

Yes, it's a grey market. We should stay away from labels like dol, waxtime and others. A ripoff!

[@JudgeDrokk]

@@obre9523 Agreed. When AMAZON is selling them it's hard to avoid, those who just see an LP on there they just think it's the real thing, like if they bought it in the 60s etc. These WAXTIME types are 're selling artists and record companies work and making money for nothing essentially. Weirdly, they do spend money on heavy vinyl and quality sleeves - but it's all smoke and mirors - they have no production expenses bar a digital source which can even have come from a downloaded MP3.

[@Zockopa]

Imho the best sounding reissiue of Dark Side is the first "normal" MFSL version. I mean the one from `79 that was pressed in Japan.

[@florianm3170]

I bought that one when it came out, from MFSL, along with Meddle and Crime of the Century from Supertramp. Back then they were about three times dearer than normal pressings.. I just mentioned before on a previous comment that mastering error on TDSOM end of side one, you ever paid attention to it?

[@obre9523]

That was when MFSL respected customers. Not any more

[@jimbrock1441]

Forgive the unfortunate pun, but I will sound like a broken record regarding the topic of recent reissues. I gave up on Abbey Road and McCartney albums remastered from files by Miles (kiss of death) Showell. They sound dead and compressed compared to OGs. Even his mastering of Luck and Strange is dull and compressed compared to Gilmour's first solo LP on Columbia. There is no reason for a digital file, properly handled, to sound inferior to AAA. (Unless this is what the artist wanted.) The Nightfly, for example sounds excellent as does Brothers In Arms. I have bought the Steely Dan catalog on Japanese NM OG versions since I did not find the UHQR of Gaucho to give any more enjoyment than my Bob Ludwig 33.3 edition. Yes, the UHQR has more detail but the essentials are still intact on the old record. If I can't get a NM OG of what I seek I will get the SACD. The exceptions are the Atlantic 75 and Rhino High Fidelity series. Both are excellent but pricey and I wish the Atlantic were 33.3 instead of 45. For most rock records, the extra fidelity of the 45 is lost and the flow of the album is gone. I am lucky enough to have a Toshiba EMI Dark Side that is from the '70s and it is my go to version as the new digital file version, although very good, is not as alive. It helps when the tapes are fresh when the lacquers are made. So I will not be ordering any new digital source reissues for SQ reasons and my plate is almost full. Oh, and GZ Media is a deal-breaker!

[@obre9523]

We seem to share similar views. Thanks for the following

[@rEdf196]

I acquired a early 2000's reissue of Beach Boys Pet Sounds in mono on the Simply Vinyl label kind of like a Mobil Fidelity like competitor. The sound was OK but I was disappointed to discover over a decade later the outer sleeve was made of PVC which is known to outgas through the cover and sleeves and deposit gooey gas sourced plastic on disc surface permanently ruining the record surface

[@obre9523]

Yes i knew about that. PVC avoid

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

This is so REAl and honest ! I am so happy that all my records ( + 4000 ) are the original vintage old ones , no digital or remasterd , the few I tried I disposed off .......this generation does not have any idea what those albums sound like compared to digital , new digital masterd vinyl or streaming....

[@obre9523]

Some boutique label reissues (Analogue productions, Rhino,etc.) are very good but as a rule of thumb vintage pressings are the real thing. I try to keep vinyl collecting in perspective taking every album individually for best sound. Thanks for your input

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

@@obre9523 I agree with this attitude and life time experience.

[@vinylenthusiast4534]

I think making a generalized comment about how Gen Z doesn't know how the original albums sound isn't ok.

[@vinylenthusiast4534]

Also a lot of albums in the 70s and 80s were sourced digitally. The first ever fully digital album was released in the 70s. Ontop of that poor analog mastering exists, look at the Beatles capital records with weird "stereo" sound

[@obre9523]

@@vinylenthusiast4534 I would avoid Capitol Beatles except for MMT in mono. That one sounds excellent

[@eddiemethot8925]

I have an original UK 1973 first pressing of Dark Side and it sounds spectacular in my opinion.The EMI 1985 CD pressing sounds fantastic as well.

[@obre9523]

Any DSOTM vintage pressing I've got, from nearly every country beats the 2016. As simple as that, imo

[@ogosh8162]

What do they say about the 90s anniversary CD reissue? I have mine somewhere. Only heard it on my old hi-fi years ago.

[@gregorymaine9615]

With expressed disappointment of the 2016 reissue of Dark Side of the Moon, what about some of the older reissues, like the 2003 30th Anniversary Edition? I have a copy, and a third issue from 1975, although slightly different, I personally think they both sound great.

[@obre9523]

I don't have the 30th but I've got a 1978 dutch pressing and some other vintage pressings that do the job

[@creggenen]

Your "HTM" DSOTM pressing is unlikely to be from the 1970's as the sleeve is barcoded, so likely mid/late 1980's? However, overall agree, such a fine sounding record in original format it never needed remastering. Funnily enough I was playing a 1979 5th UK pressing today and boy oh boy it sounded wonderful.

[@obre9523]

I'll check that out thank you

[@damirhlobik6488]

intelligent people buy a new LP when the old one is damaged, naive people buy everything

[@obre9523]

I tend to believe naive people follow gurus without a critical mind. But they'll learn. We all do

[@bertbecker7532]

That Disraeli Gears cover looks a lot more orange than it should. Great idea for a video!

[@obre9523]

It certainly does

[@obre9523]

My pleasure

[@racializedkanadian]

STOP BUYING GARBAGE, only buy what SOUNDS GOOD / BETTER than digital. That said, SOME digitally sourced vinyl sounds good. There are a handful of mastering engineers that I trust with a digitally sourced pressing.

[@racializedkanadian]

Hell I bought an AAA janis joplin album from SPEAKERS CORNER, which USUALLY is great ... but this pressing was horrible ..... my guess is that the tape used was a really old dub. So JUST cuz it says AAA doesn't GUARANTEE sonic bliss. I've been bitten several times, but on the whole, the stuff I've bought after 2014 (when I got back into vinyl) has been GREAT. RESEARCH. KNOW what you are buying !!! I kind of HATE that buying vinyl is STILL like this ...... different pressings sounding .... different. (Not enough of a great AAA pressing, but market flooded by a digital cut of the same album). At least with CDs you get consistency. Too bad they GO OUT OF THEIR WAY to RUIN the sound with their brickwall mastering. I swear if record companies SIMPLY ripped their best pressings retaining their original dynamics ..... NO ONE would be complaining about them (CDs) There's a reason why well done vinyl rips sound waaaaay better than whatever is being officially released on CD. You can investigate for yourself on youtube, as there are some very good channels here ....

[@obre9523]

Thanks for your input

[@jonathanlake6053]

I would say that the quality is low fi on the majority of newly released vinyl these days, and if it sounds right sometimes there are quality issues with the pressing manufacturing process. There were always issues with certain pressings from the seventies & eighties as well. It is still hit & miss on decent vinyl sounding recordings,I personally rate an original 1st pressing over anything reissued or remastered on vinyl.

[@obre9523]

99% of the times

[@MoisesSimana]

Agree with the Amy Winehouse comment. However the repress recorded at half speed is well worth the extra money.

[@obre9523]

Ill seek that one out then. The wife would appreciate

[@ejtonefan]

Jazz and Classical album reissues are mostly authentic.

[@obre9523]

They target a more demanding audience, I suppose

[@ejtonefan]

@@obre9523It least as far as audio fidelity is concerned.

[@rayhiggins8656]

Hi, What are your thoughts on the UHQR releases? I purchased a UHQR of ‘Kind of Blue’ & it sounds amazing.

[@ejtonefan]

@@rayhiggins8656 Yes, I have KOB and it does sound amazing

[@vinylrulesok8470]

DOL and Waxtime reissues should be avoided, they're poor quality reissues and it's not clear what the source material is. They make a big deal of the 180g vinyl but that makes zero difference. I only tend to buy from labels who publicise the source that the reissue is mastered from. Labels like Acoustic Sounds, Blue Note, Mobile Fidelity (until recently of course) or I will try and get an original (or second press) in good condition. A good example, I bought an original copy of MJ's Thriller for around €30 and it's in superb condition and will sound WAY better than any reissue

[@obre9523]

Spot on!

[@JimboP-Outside]

I think I have 4 different versions of Dark Side of the Moon on vinyl. They all sound the same to my 58 year old ears 🙃

[@obre9523]

Not really but it was such a greatly recorded album that it seems you can't go wrong with nearly every pressing

[@VinylPro]

so, agreed: all that youngsters who claim to be "producers" of vinyl, are simple "reissue SCAM" and cheaters too !

[@obre9523]

The music teens and youngsters listen to. Pathetic!

[@PeterMarlow-u2i]

Yes, spot on.

[@stefano.b65stef77]

Dark side of the moon has become the money spinner

[@obre9523]

One of them but big time

[@deanbull7767]

Don't like to have to say it, but I must agree, lots of these reissues is just mickey taking compared to he originals.

[@obre9523]

I'm sorry for the young generations cos as a rule of thumb they haven't heard vinyl from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Even music gear is questionable, imo.

[@Ken_Dodds_Tickling_Stick]

***NEW SUBSCRIBER *** DOL is a European company that issues music thats available on the public domain, hence all the older vinyl catalogue. According to ROUGH TRADE, they specialise in quality pressings.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

DOL does a lot of bootleg titles.. Quality is all over the place.

[@florianm3170]

They use CD's for mastering their vinyl. So you can have a good or compressed to death remastered CD as a source.

[@obre9523]

Quality?

[@obre9523]

Thanks for subscribing

[@Ken_Dodds_Tickling_Stick]

@obre9523 ehhhh not my word, as stated in my initial post, its the word of ROUGH TRADE, whom, we've probably heard of. I would imagine that them being in tje same business, they would know better than us, mere minions.

[@AudioGuyBrian]

The Tommy album was a bit odd. Why would anyone even buy a re-pressing when there are so many first run pressings still available for very cheap prices. I got mine (First Pressing), in VG+/M- condition for something like $10. Sounds perfect!

[@obre9523]

I bought the simply vinyl when it came out due to raving reviews and videos. Now, lesson is learned. I trust my own ears

[@AudioGuyBrian]

@@obre9523 That is unusual from Simply Vinyl. I have several of their re-presses and they sound pretty good. There is always a chance at a lemon. I use the Dynamic Range Database on the Internet now to vet pressings. I only go with the ones that have the best ratings these days.

[@minstrelofMir]

youtube spoils it all ..as its all lower mp3 quality

[@bvfgfvbgch4853]

The reason the quality of modern reissues is so bad is that to most of the people buying them, how they sound is neither here nor there. They will enjoy their souvenirs as they reach for those download codes regardless. Far more important to them is that it comes in a garish colour, is limited edition, and weighs 180 grams. Vinyl is collected like pokemon cards now and with so many completely missing the point there's not likely to be any improvement soon.

[@obre9523]

There are some worthy reissues from boutique labels. But run-of-the-mill reissues are garbage to me

[@keithneal5369]

A couple of years ago I bought a reissue of the wall, Pink Floyd. It was to replace a worn original copy. The reissue was awful. All life seemed to have been removed, like a poor copy from a CD.. noisy as well.

[@obre9523]

Buying the 2016 dsotm stopped me from buying the wall

[@pc750-V4]

Dont forget that if remastering from original analogue tape those tapes would be really quite old now and tape doesn't age well. This no doubt contributes to poor sounding new remasters/reissued albums.

[@obre9523]

God knows what tapes they are using nowadays. But for a few reputable labels, you never know where the sound is coming from

[@PeterMarlow-u2i]

I'm not sure that's quite correct. Very often, cleaning up those minor faults actually results in really unnatural and false sound - depending who does it. I collect all sorts of vintage music - literally 75% of my collection is pre 1960. It's perfectly possible to remaster music from even the 1930s to sound wonderful. For music from the 50s, 60, 70s - there's no excuse apart from ignorance and incompetence. It's more a matter of younger people doing the remastering having no idea how good vintage music CAN sound and using the age of the music as an excuse for inexperience. EMI promoted their "ART" technology in the late 90s and messed up their entire catalogue of vintage classical music: Callas, Du Pre, Schwarzkopf, Dennis Brain etc etc. Some young whizz kid let loose with that week's new digital software! Warner have since remastered everything all over again. I still treasure my original Callas CD issues from the late 80s and e90s - they're not perfect, but they sound the most natural.

[@RaymondPhillimore-ig8ur]

It’s a fraud and gullible people fall for it 💁🏼‍♂️

[@obre9523]

Thats why I opened up this channel

[@greenalishi222]

Research the labels upu are buying from. Waxtime and others take advantage of copyrights n put out junk. Many legit lables put out great reissues. If its real cheap thats a red flag

[@obre9523]

Thanks. I learnt it the hard way

[@erikleenhouts834]

Very interesting. I got DSOTM 2016 reissue as a gift, and it sounds decent. My cd sounds better, one of the early ones, including the one from the Shine On boxset. The vinyl is nice to have, as the og in good condition is way too expensive for my wallet. Thank you again for a very interesting video.

[@obre9523]

Appreciated.

[@jonliapis538]

There are many many very good re-issues. You just need to buy from the wright companies. Analogue productions, VMP, tone poets, even most MOFI.

[@obre9523]

Yes. Ill make a video on that

[@legrandmaitre7112]

Yes, but it seriously limits your choice of music if you must have the very best pressings. My mantra? It's not about the format, it's about the music.

[@vinylrichie007]

Some of those reissues are on dodgy labels. I think the Pink Floyd reissues are very good.

[@kngkrmson2179]

Yes true, although not better than the Pink Floyd reissues on CD. And there is a huge price difference here.

[@kngkrmson2179]

Also as many don't know, the 2016 reissues are the same as those from 2011. Only the design of the packaging and discs are different (more true to the original vinyls).

[@theshamanarchist5441]

@@kngkrmson2179 on..... C.D.???!!! BLASPHEMER. We have a BLASPHEMER here guys.

[@museonfilm8919]

It's not just the mastering. The quality of the vinyl and the stampers make a difference too. I used to work in a pressing plant in the early 90's (at the point where vinyl was collapsing!). The process of making the stampers is organic - the stampers are 'grown' in a solution, which was a 24 hour process. Then the grooves would have to be checked on a special microscope for tracking accuracy, before finally being sent to the presses for production. And then there's the quality of the physical vinyl material.............don't get me started on that!

[@obre9523]

Thanks for the info

[@universalhead]

@@museonfilm8919 So to revive the art and secrets of making good sounding vinyl would be very very expensive and not cost effective these days. So they just come up with something that’s good enough and just a shadow of the original process I’m guessing.

[@JustFortheRecord66]

Tommy on Simply Vinyl pressing was a digital remix by Jon Astley.

[@obre9523]

Thanks for the info

[@jamesm90]

Usually anything reissued and remixed by Steven Wilson will sound very good.

[@obre9523]

Yes, Wilson is reliable. I like most of his output: KC, Jethro,etc. And prices are reasonable tooi

[@SPAZZOID100]

Remixing & remastering are different things.

[@albertquirante6850]

Lessons learn... If you already have a copy.. So why r u buying the same album again2x... The lesson is - WE MUST BE CONTENTED WITH WHAT WE HAVE

[@obre9523]

That's my motto unless I find a copy that trounces what I've got

[@leighdurrant9116]

Great video, totally agree on everything you said 👍

[@obre9523]

Thanks for your input

[@scottwheeler2679]

Definitely steer clear of DOL or Waxtime. Lilith and Back to Black are legit labels.

[@obre9523]

I even wonder if dol and waxtime are legal products

[@scottwheeler2679]

@@obre9523 They are legal in Europe. Copyright laws are different there. They are gray market in the U.S. They do not license the titles and they cut the vinyl from commercial CDs

[@rayhiggins8656]

Hi, What are your thoughts on the UHQR releases? I purchased a UHQR of ‘Kind of Blue’ & it sounds amazing.

[@obre9523]

Hit and miss to me. Some are great, others not so much. What I absolutely abhore is the boxes they come with. I find them an abuse to artificially jack up prices

[@gacekwilkooki]

I have the 2023 anniversary edition of Dark Side of The Moon. To my ears it sounds good. Does anyone have a different opinion?

[@obre9523]

Can't help you on that

[@classicrock7890]

Grey market (unofficial) reissues should be avoided. Record stores should not be selling them. Most of the 2016 Floyd reissues sound good and I found a couple beat early pressings but DSOTM and Animals are failures. Would suggest the 2003 30th Anniv edition other than an early press.

[@obre9523]

Yes, but prices for the 30th have gone thru the roof as of late

[@gregoryirwin263]

Beware of modern reissues coming from the big labels they are always behind when it comes to pressing quality, vinyl formulas as well as mastering Not to mention they almost all come from digital sources. That may be fine for modern music that was recorded digitally but if your looking for classic music recorded with analog tape these big label reissues are no good Either find original analog era pressings or look for true all analog audiophile reissue labels like analog productions or the hifi series from rhino and many others as well They cost more but if you think about how much time effort and money goes into finding original pressings especially now its worth the extra cash to get a premium product from an independent company that cares about high fidelity audio

[@obre9523]

Agreed

[@crunchyfrog555]

I'm pretty careful whenever I buy remasters. I will always buy a CD version straight off because of course. But if I'm buying a remastered vinyl I go deeper. I particularly like the 2009 remaster of Dark Side of the Moon and Wish you were here (2009ish). But I had to return a few of them as they were just pressed badly. I've had them scratched, warped or just play badly for whatever reason. I did get the 2016 remaster of DSOT and I didn't like it - it sounded harsh versus the 2009 version. Nothng improved but the treble pushed up more and it makes it sound worse. Buying Beatles remasters I've not had problems because I've bought ones that are manufactured in Germany. The Czech plants I've always had issues with. Their quality control is just not there. I've never been remotely into checking plants before this, but I have to now. I also make extra sure that I know what the remaster is like before I splash out on vinyl too. I wait for reviews. I guess the pro tip here is never feel you have to put up with anything less than perfect when you're buying.

[@obre9523]

Yes. We buyers should be more demanding. I find it intolerable to cope with modern reissues: warping, off-centred,...

[@crunchyfrog555]

@@obre9523 Absolutely. It never used to happen, and while we can give some leeway to teething troubles from new manufactureres, there's no excuse for those who have been doing this for some years now.

[@JunoReactorOfficial]

Mostly they do not use cutting engineers, which was a massive skill in the day, very rarely will they make an assitate to listen to before agreeing to the cut. This used to be the final polish, and another set of ears, Kevin Metcalfe at Sound masters was amazing… as an artist I make sure the reissues pass this test.

[@obre9523]

They rely on computers to do the job, not human ears

[@mikeg2491]

⁠@@obre9523”well the computer says it measures good!”

[@dhala54]

I have the 2016 pressing and it sounds great. Everybody's ears are different.

[@obre9523]

Of course. Whatever floats your boats. But make sure you compare it to a vintage pressing

[@timlodge8267]

Great advice thank you.

[@obre9523]

My pleasure

[@JohnCiaccio]

I agree. They should just leave the mix and mastering as originaly done. I understand cleanng up poor quality original recording but keep everything else the same. I avoid reissues unless I cant find any original pressing. I normaly just skip and wait. And the price they ask is crazy for reissues.

[@obre9523]

Agreed. I break the rule if i am dead sure the reissue beats vintage pressings

[@JohnCiaccio]

@@obre9523 The Cure Disintegration original was on one record. They reissued it in 2010 as a 2 record set and sounds so much better. It’s a great album. Very long and need 2 records. The only reissue I know of that sounds better than the original.

[@universalhead]

Do they still put the pressing number or letter on re-release albums. It seems so vague the way they are numbered. How do you tell if it’s first or second pressing or more? They all seem to have an A or B on them. Or 1 or 2 Interesting info , i didn’t realize recent copies of originals are as bad as they are.

[@florianm3170]

You can look up the matrix number on Discogs to determine which edition it is.

[@obre9523]

Just ask around...

[@kngkrmson2179]

Tbh, all these late remasters on vinyl or just a money grab. It actually doesn't matter if you buy these on vinyl or CD. They sound exactly the same. I bet they used the CD remaster as the source for the vinyl pressings. The source for the vinyl remasters are (probably) not the original mastertapes as you might expect, but a digital file instead. And now compare the prices of the CD remaster and the vinyl remaster. It's absolutely shocking.

[@obre9523]

Yes, but as long as people jump to the bait...

[@malcolmmuggeridge7862]

Some reissue are great and theres a lot of stuff released on cd that was never released on vinyl.

[@obre9523]

Surely

[@legrandmaitre7112]

Yes, we've come full circle. When CDs first appeared, there was obviously far more music out there on LP. But now it's really not the case - there are millions of CDs out there of every kind of music you can think of. I can't help noticing that many of the black t-shirt vinyl brigade are older, mostly wealthier men - trying to buy back their lost muso status / cool geezer kudos - and often failing miserably! Mostly failed by their limited taste in music it has to be said. In so many cases, the same old same old albums.

[@thelowprofile9767]

Hi everyone. I recently picked up 3 Dark Side of the Moon CDs from my favorite thrift store. They were all of different versions. What caught my attention though is that one of them is dated 1973. I know that the first vinyl release was made in 1973. So I’m wondering why the CD is dated 1973 whereas there were no CDs yet during that time. This copy does not have any defect and in fact it sounds excellent. Any thoughts or explanation? I’m thinking it’s just a digital version copy of the first vinyl release but shouldn’t it be stamped with the actual date when it was made?

[@florianm3170]

No, the original release date is used, even on CD's. What I find astonishing is that no-one ever makes a remark about the mastering error at the very end of side one, where the pitch of the the last fading piano chord suddenly raises by a half-note, then descends again to the normal pitch. This error is audible on the very first Japanese (Black triangle Toshiba) CD pressing and also on the MFSL LP edition. Word has it that the original master tape was accidentally erased and quietly replaced...

[@obre9523]

Yep. It certainly sounds weird. CDs started their marketing in 1983 for sure. I remember (unfortunately!)

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

Modem vinyl is rubbish! I’ve rarely buy new vinyl and have gone back to CD fully for digital excellence!

[@obre9523]

MOst of it. Some labels like AP or Rhino still respect customers

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

@@obre9523 I find the quality of Rhino (Warner) CD reissues are fantastic. Yes, The Doors, Little Feat, and they are not shy with bonus tracks.

[@legrandmaitre7112]

I fought shy from day one of the vinyl revival - whenever that was. I've had a wonderful time buying CDs over the last 10 years. I mostly manage to avoid the ultra compressed stuff - by a mixture of experience and instinct. I gather some vinyl reissues are also afflicted by the loudness wars idiocy - but at 4 times the cost of course!

[@R3TR0R4V3]

I have that Lilith issued Cream disraeli gears too and wasn't happy with it at all. The Back on Black is a little better, but I tracked down US, OG Atco's (with hand etched matrices), both the mono & stereo versions and it's no contest. The Atco's annihilate all of em. The UK Reaction's are also very good, so either/or are worth picking up, although if you have the MFSL cd, you're already set. I hear the new Abbey Road half speed of Tommy is very good, but if you already have the 1st UK, then you're set there too. I'd probably sell that Simply Vinyl, it just can't compete with a UK track. 🍻

[@obre9523]

There are some items I plan to sell. I just can't find the time, but I shoud. Thanks for the tip

[@manofmiracles]

Just discovered your channel and subscribed 👍

[@obre9523]

Welcome to my family. That's encouraging!

[@Ireland-bc2gx]

You right mate got a few albums that were reissued total crap👍

[@obre9523]

Thanks for your input

[@cristinalopez6092]

That's so useful!

[@obre9523]

Thank you so much for your encouragement!

[@jamesm90]

The Micheal kiwanuka vinyl albums are such poor sound quality, I sent them back. Such a shame the music is excellent.

[@obre9523]

Thanks for your info

[@rkmklz7562]

What makes it worse is Remixes.... like they been doing with the Beatles.....the sound field is compromise 😮....not thar good as a remaster

[@obre9523]

Absolutely

[@bsommer1717]

Just found a clean copy of that Days of Future Passed in the dollar binz for $1.

[@obre9523]

Which edition?

[@draytonpark66a]

I’m curious what you think the reasons are for this decline? Personally I wonder if there’s just too much going on now. Too high definition like the tv’s. The eyes and ears don’t normally sense that way. I also think maybe a lot of professionals could be winging it and simply aren’t as good any more. Most of my favourite sounding records seem to be from the 80’s. Proper chunky and rounded in those days.

[@obre9523]

I think that young buyers today do not have originals to act as reference

[@draytonpark66a]

@@obre9523 I see what mean about the buyers. Makes sense. But what do you think the reasons for the decline in vinyl quality?

[@obre9523]

@@draytonpark66a I think people nowadays prefer brand new products instead of vintage pressings, which is deceiving. Sound doesn't seem so relevant to younger generations, unfortunately

[@ejbeekeeper4360]

@@draytonpark66a My guess is that the companies which reissue these albums don't (always) use the original analoge master tape. And modern engineers probably don't care much about dynamics or don't have the knowledge that the "old guys" had. And young buyers maybe don't even care, the only reference they have is KZbin or Spotify or their own music in mp3 format at 196kb/s.

[@draytonpark66a]

@@ejbeekeeper4360 I think that’s all true. I’m guessing, but why would anyone press a record that doesn’t sound as good as the original unless they didn’t know what they were doing or didn’t have access to the original tapes? No one would set out to make an inferior product would they.

[@MeowKing767]

Have you heard the 2003 DSOTM reissue? I think that was the last analogue one.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

That's true.

[@ChristopherLightfoot-zu3kb]

The best sounding reissue of Dark Side Of The Moon is the 30th Anniversary vinyl edition. Apart from my original 2nd pressing, it’s my go to version.

[@obre9523]

NO. I missed out when it came out

[@rkmklz7562]

I have The Dark Side of the Moon Remastered 1992 edition on CD .....it sounds fantastic 😊....

[@obre9523]

Is that the James Guthrie? I love that cd

[@nbramaputra]

Swedish pressings always topp,the german pressing is bad,lost a bowie lp on the flor the otter day and it cracede to pices like it was bakkelitt. Nice to be nabo to sweeden and my colecttjon full of

[@obre9523]

Some german pressings are top notch, imo

[@LivingmusicRomania]

Great Job again.thank you...George Romania

[@obre9523]

Thanks, George. I do appreciate your support from back in the day

[@Nymetssuck02134]

99% of the time your buying am analog pressing of a digital mix. No thanks.

[@SPAZZOID100]

As if anyone could tell?

[@sbatty65227]

Find a really decent second-hand shop and buy an original release.

[@obre9523]

Thanks for your input

[@jcampbell7643]

The last 2. LPs I bought from Amazon sound terrible compared to the originals. War “All day music” and Elton John “Tumbleweed Connection “. Very hollow sounding, no dynamic range.

[@obre9523]

Get a uk first pressing of Tumbleweed. Night and day difference

[@chestrendy]

Lilith is OOO/Universal Music Russia

[@obre9523]

And what are the Russian music sources, I wonder?

[@chestrendy]

@@obre9523 Limited though they were, it's not like western records didn't make it to Russia. It seems like a lot of Polydor records were reissued on Lilith.

[@desmondmccarthy7509]

Like Scott mentions below, I don't bother with DOL releases, Cheap but they sound it too.

[@obre9523]

THanks for your input