SOUND QUALITY SHOOTOUT: Nirvana's Nevermind!

[@MelindaMurphy]

That MoFi version is sweet! I'm sure it sounds wonderful. I have the Bernie Grundman version that has been around for years. I will probably just stick with that one since the new version isn't a big improvement. The box set is wonderful for the die hard fans. ♥️ There is so much to look forward to. Take care.

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

I would say that the Bernie Grundman is better than the new one as long as you don’t mind it a little brighter.

[@darrens7040]

With you on that Melinda I have ordered the new one though want the single lol

[@michaelhorgan9525]

The latest cut is by Levi Seitz at Black Belt Mastering. 30th anniversary is out of print as well as the BG cut. Levi Seitz cut also shares the same barcode as the BG and 320 cuts. Pressed at Furnace Record MFG and deadwax says + BLACK BELT - LEVI +.

[@stevedundee866]

Enjoyed your shootout and commentary. The BG pressing is my clear winner🏆

[@deejaaywalker2314]

An admirable look at a monumental release. Just a thought: when you factor in what speakers you have, what setting you have your equalizer at (or if you even have one), what turntable and stylus you're sporting, what amplifier you're rockin', what features of the room you're listening to a record in, what concerts (including Nirvana) and the aging process have done to our ears, it's hard to nail it all down to an exact science. The number of variables grows exponentially. Each pressing can reveal a different result under all these influences. Factor in what your personal preferences are for the features of any given recording, and you're into the deep end of the subjective pool. The waters are choppy. The bottom is down there somewhere... Sometimes it's more fun to take a step back and appreciate the music, the message and the emotion without the microscope.

[@MrLovell1971]

Great comparison Jim I just got the 30th Anniversary yesterday from Amazon for $27 I only have the BG pressed at Pallas I was surprised the 30th anniversary isn’t that bad but to me the Bernie Grundman has a slight edge that’s awesome you have the Mofi never seen that copy but I heard it’s pretty good loved you take . I’m definitely keeping the 30th anniversary great packaging and a very cool 7”.

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

Agreed, the packaging and 7” single are worth the price of admission.

[@leon9021]

Great shootout. I like your comment on compression as well, most are scared to even mention it with vinyl but it doesnt have to be a bad thing and all the top mastering engineers definitely use it in moderation when needed. I dont recall any sibilance on my ORG so it may indeed be your stylus, but I could be mistaken. From a distortion and sibilance aspect the ATVM95ML cart is near unbeatable at the price if youre looking for a cheap replacement to hold you over. Very neutral sound and tracking is superb, highly recommended.

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

I have a stylus ready to replace the one on my 2M Black already I just have been lazy (and cheap) to replace the one I have. I am trying to get the most out of the one I am using since they cost so much to replace. The sibilance isn’t bad and I haven’t really been experiencing sibilance on anything else I have been listening to. I rarely get sibilance with my 2M Black so when I do it is quite noticeable even if it’s minor.

[@leon9021]

@@trueaudiofiles8453 Good that you have that sorted. The Ortofons really are pricey indeed. Do you know how many hours are on the used one?

[@latheofheaven]

Leon my friend, you *DO* get around, don't you 😁 Just saw your livestream comments the other day on Michael 45's channel. You REALLY have me longing for that damn ATVM95ML! BTW, do you have an original. I have the one I bought here in the US when it first came out 😊 See you on the Hoffman Forums mate!

[@leon9021]

@@latheofheaven I wish I had a copy. I do have a needledrop of the OG vinyl at least, real rockin sound.

[@rschw76409]

I do not have an original LP, and had only owned the album on cassette and CD when it was released, but when I bought the 2001 German master 320 around 2002, it was a night and day difference to what I was used to. A vast improvement in the low end. I also have the ORG on blue vinyl, which sounds fantastic, so I alternate between these two versions when I want to listen to Nevermind. The 20th Anniversary edition sounds like a much more compressed 320, so I rarely listen to it.

[@aeropro7558]

I own the 1991 European pressing and its phenomenal. The only other pressing i have is the 30th anniversary edition which sounds really good and is well worth getting.

[@fotoram]

You have probably one of the most honest reviews around. Too many people are blasting the 30th anniversary and are basically parroting what Mike from the in groove records posted on his KZbin channel without listening for themselves.. So refreshing to have someone actually do a very honest shoot out. I actually have an OG copy of never mind along with the Bernie Grundman, and just received my copy of the 30th anniversary. The Grundman is pretty good, but the OG rocks! Looking forward to hearing the 30th anniversary and comparing all three myself. Thank you!

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

No thank you for all the kind words and thanks for watching.

[@stevenlapierre1742]

Can’t help but notice nobody ever does a blind hearing test. They always know which version there listening to & rank them accordingly to reputation.

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

Not true. Some have a better ability to be objective then others. Also the Bernie Grundman cut has the better reputation over the Mofi. I strongly believe blind listening tests are overrated. I’m not saying they don’t have their place and they aren’t useful but I really find them to be unnecessary. I am confident of my ability to be non-partial.

[@JamboLinnman]

Thanks. New subscriber and followed you on Twitter.

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

No, thank you.😎

[@BOBBRADLEYCHANNEL]

Fair enough, nice review. ✊🏼

[@memyselfmyvinyl894]

I have a BG/Pallas pressings and just picked up a copy of this. Too bad the indie record shops got shut out on this one. Packaging is awesome and I havent done a heads up comparison yet. At least this new pressing is out there for those who want it.

[@murch13]

My original EU 1991 pressing beats the Bernie Grundman. Not by much but I compared them extensively. Can be found for much cheaper than the US first press.

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

I imagine it might. I have heard that the originals from 91 do. I haven’t been fortunate to hear one though.

[@Ireful]

I have the Target sliver pressing which I guess it's a Bernie Grundman cut? Since I'm a huge fan of Nirvana, I wanted to get a black record pressing. So I went for the 30th anniversary specially with the content included on the 7inch. To me it sounds great, better then the Target pressing I have. I did wondered at first if I should of gotten a different pressing after haring others on KZbin saying it's a horrible pressing, specially since I'm new to collecting vinyl records, but after seeing this video, I'm happy with what I got. I truly feel like my collection of Nirvana on vinyl collection is complete with this album.

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

The 30th anniversary version definitely sounds good from an EQ standpoint and I can see how some may prefer the EQ of it compared to the Bernie Grundman version (which the Target one is BTW). Where the BG version is better is when you have the ability to listen in the sweet spot of a listening area and then you notice that the instruments sound like they have more space between them and the instruments and voices coming out of the center of the mix sound like they are further back from the speakers. If you never listen in the sweet spot or don’t have the ability to I can clearly see someone possibly choosing the 30th anniversary one of the the BG version.

[@iLL-iNNeR-GrOoVe]

kzbin.info/aero/PLew-NkwIUAXkHovVu6p8JPXxHNmOnJ0qL

[@thefools]

I bought the mofi for 25 dollars mid 90s. 25 was a lot for me as a teen. Owner said it would be worth a lot someday.

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

That owner sure knew his stuff!

[@nicholaskruger9460]

I have the original from tower records the day it came out. Endless nameless cd. Didn’t have it. I bought it right away. It had that endless nameless

[@Jamko1970]

My best Nevermind copy’s ranked. #1. 1991 US OG. #2. 1991 Europe OG. #3. 2009 1st ORG pressing done at RTI. #4. 2010 2nd ORG done at Pallas. #5. 1998 MoFi pressing. #6. 2013 Pallas pressing.

[@jeffs12a]

I have so many copies of this record. In order of preference, my list would be: 1. Original DGC US 1991; 2. The ORG 2006/2007 …black or blue vinyl; 3. The 2013 reissue (from the ORG plates; (the best deal!) 4. MFSL

[@austinhunt4260]

You’re missing OG EU (Sonopress) in the 2 slot. It is FAR superior to the BG.

[@jeffs12a]

@@austinhunt4260I have always wondered about that one. I assume it is a very good cutting of a copy of the master tape….when it was fresh. So, yes, I could see how that pressing would be pretty special. Dammit, now I need to go find a clean copy….😂

[@krustydoggo]

I can’t believe that (Mobile Fidelity) pressing goes for $900+ 😭

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

It’s pretty crazy. I fortunately paid nothing close to that about 3 years ago fortunately.

[@skyblinked]

I dont know but i may go for the double CD... i own two pallas on vinyl, and an older copy pressed at CZ. That record shop channel from arizona has done an extensive comparison on a massive $70k sound system... he gave it the 30th anniv a listen, and we wasnt impressed.

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

Well everyone has their opinions. I don’t think it’s as good as either of the other versions but it certainly isn’t bad. If you want to sit and critically listen then the 30th anniversary version certainly isn’t for you.

[@erikmolnar6585]

I just bought Nevermind about 6 months ago. It's number is dgc24425. And I noticed it has the BG initial in the dead wax. Is that the Bernie Grundman copy your comparing?

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

Same cut. Mine is just an earlier pressing.

[@lindsayglenn9611]

I pre ordered the vinyl boxset ! I havnt got any copy in my collection of never mind :0

[@jackiepuppet9289]

I have the Grundman/Pallas pressing and was planning on sticking with that. The Mofi is just way too expensive now. There is however a mofi CD out there that supposedly sounds even better but haven’t seen a shootout on that yet

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

I haven’t heard it but I would be surprised if it wasn’t the same mastering just on CD. It certainly isn’t very cheap either. I would say you are wise to stick with the Grundman cut it’s very good.

[@jackiepuppet9289]

Oh you mentioned the original pressing. I’ve never heard it and probably never will given what that now costs. However Mike from In Groove did a shootout some months back and think he said it sounded like shit so you are probably more than fine with the Grundman and MOFI

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

@@jackiepuppet9289 I watched his video and my recollection was that he thought it sounded the best but it’s not much better than the Grundman cut.

[@jakespencer431]

I have the mofi CD! I love it it! 24 carrot so the CD doesn’t oxidised great comes really close to the mfsl album

[@hurkamur1]

@@jakespencer431 "Oxidized" 🙄 More mofi snake oil.

[@festersuncle6298]

Just like Velvet Underground and Nico, Nirvana Nevermind is not an audiophile recording. It's a ballzy recording. I enjoy the BG Pallas cut.

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

Hard to go wrong with it for sure. Thanks for watching and thanks for your comment.

[@vinylcrow3789]

My own shootout is a Back to Black reissue that uses the 320 stampers that I had since since I got it as a gift back in 2016, and a Back to Black that uses Bernie Grundman's ORG stampers and is made at Pallas, which I'm glad I finally found. After listening to the 320 for years Bernie Grundman wins with more natural sound, better soundstage, the band sounding like they're right in front of you, all instruments have plenty of room to breath, and most importantly it's all analogue. Sadly thanks to UMG not caring about their master tapes by storing the them in a terrible place, it is the last time we will ever have an AAA cut since they got burnt in 2008. If I was a big Nirvana fan and it was an AAA cut I'd buy the 30th, but I'll stick to BG

[@SSSweeper]

Do not spread the crappy headlines around - UMG only lost session Nirvana tapes and not the album masters in the fire.

[@vinylcrow3789]

Where did you get that info? There has been no definite answer if the master tape does exist or not, just like other victims of the 2008 fire

[@clarkegriswold7410]

How collectable will the new one be?

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

That’s always hard to say but it won’t be because of sound quality. It may be valuable because of the single though.

[@stanky1219]

Blue vinyl ORG is my choice hands down. I’ve listened to the mofi , German 320 , pallas , new 30th press , and a few other original pressings. The one I’ve kept out of them all is the blue ORG.

[@jakespencer431]

We’re could I find the blue one? I got the German the 30th I herd org is the best, I love the blue colour!

[@billa5289]

Can you please share your system and cartridge details for reference? 👍

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

Rega RP6 Ortofon 2M black Musical Fidelity MXVinyl pre Rotel RC-1590 pre amp Rotel RB-1582 mkII amp Sonus Faber Venere 3 speakers Martin Logan Depthi sub

[@billa5289]

@@trueaudiofiles8453 Nice, Thanks! I am curious about the difference in dynamic range between the 30th anniversary and the BG release.

[@lindsayglenn9611]

will the boxset be pressed at GZ ?

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

I don’t know. My experience is most box sets are pressed at optimal but GZ pressed some too.

[@380stroker]

People are getting ripped off left and right and they don't even know it when they buy vinyls sourced from digital files.

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

Vinyl sourced from digital when done right can sound just as good as analog sourced. As a matter of fact there’s a better chance of it sounding better as they can repair any tape damage digitally so you won’t have tape dropouts, wow and flutter and alignment issues that you could have with a straight analog cut. I am with you that it should be made clear if it is digital or not but it rarely is full analog anymore. It just causes more damage to already fragile master tapes.

[@380stroker]

@@trueaudiofiles8453 i respectfully disagree. I'd rather have wow and flutter on the vinyl than digital sampled music recorded on the vinyl.

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

@@380stroker you can but I would argue that if they cut from a 24/192 file and they got rid of things like wow and flutter it would sound better than straight analog cut with the wow and flutter. I have heard a before and after example of the Plangent process and it is a big difference. I think the stigma behind digital files is a little overblown personally especially if they are high resolution and done properly. I would prefer to have a properly transferred digital file with the Plangent process done to it cut to vinyl then a analog process where there are issues with the tape and the transfer isn’t done well.

[@380stroker]

@@trueaudiofiles8453 see that's where we differ. I have analog sourced vinyls and the same vinyls sourced from digital. The analog sourced vinyls always sound more 3d and more realistic. The digital sourced ones always sound 2d.

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

@@380stroker I understand but you aren’t comparing apples to apples. They aren’t the same mastering. It is very likely if it is a newer remaster for example they may have added more compression and it may be only a cd quality mastering. If both of those things are the case you will experience what you are experiencing. Most digitally sourced vinyl are remastered and if they have been done within the last 15 to 20 years they almost certainly will be more compressed more than the original all analog mastering. It is rare but I have a few digitally sourced records that are better than the original analog ones. The early Bruce Springsteen albums are a prime example. Most of those recent remasters sound better than the originals and those are all digitally sourced. You are correct however that more times than not the digitally sourced vinyl will sound worse but from my experience it isn’t because of the fact that it’s digitally sourced it’s because of the mastering.