Speaker's Corner Classical Records: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly

Today we are discussing Speaker's Corner, an audiophile all analog reissue label that has a plethora of classical titles. What are the good, bad, and really ugly aspects of this label? Overall, definitely a "good" label with a few minor quips. Please like, comment and subscribe if you want to see more content like this!
The pathetique I forgot in the video at 13:52 is conducted by Martinon. Here is the discogs listing: www.discogs.com/release/96669...
My system is as follows:
Paradigm 800f standing loud speakers
Rega elex-r integrated amplifier
Rega P6 turntable
SKW 5m 14 gauge OCC copper speaker cables
Gaia III isolating speaker stands
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:50 The Good
12:28 The Bad
16:08 The Ugly
18:30 Conclusion

[@alexstewart8097]

Started listening to classical at around 17 after being into classic rock and prog, which I had moved onto from the pop of my early adolescence. 40 years later am still at it, yet without letting go of those groups and melodies from my early years. Have plenty of records but unlike you 1770Vinyl I have never cared much for the labels since I am more of a melomano (music lover)than an audiophile; and the version I stick to is the very first version I heard of whatever piece I fell in love with. Good to see a young kid like you who likes the music of the past. Many wonderful music discoveries ahead of you yet. That's part of the fun. Keep it up and enjoy!

[@rufus_the_cat]

I’m so thankful for your channel. I love classical.

[@scottjones8100]

Hi! I just found you and was really impressed. You explained everything in a really accessible way to me, a person just contemplating and researching for a return to vinyl listening. I want to start right off with purchasing quality media. Thanks for sharing what you have learned, to help me avoid mistakes. You give many helpful tips, and I'll be following you.

[@damian.r.]

Finally a young classical music lover

[@alexstewart8097]

And you makes it two. Very good! There is still hope.

[@dat1phoenix173]

You are super knowledgeable. I'm learning so much from you.

[@mr.classicalmusic5607]

Hope you make more videos about classical records.

[@albertloan396]

Subscribed. Grew up in the progressive rock era and like many began my classical journey with the Baroque composers and made my way forward. I had a kind of musical awakening/conversion at the age of 17 while listening to a piece by Francis Poulenc from which I have never recovered. Just now getting back into vinyl and digging out my old albums. I'm in Guatemala so it's slim pickings to find used vinyl. You have a great presence and seem to know your stuff. Looking forward to learning from you.

[@andershammer9307]

It's nice to see a young guy who likes classical music. I have a lot of the Decca's including that Peer Gynt. He seems to have a lot of experience. I also recommend the Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta's on London.

[@joseluisherreralepron9987]

Love your channel. I got into classical music at about your age...which was 30 years ago! It's great--and a bit rare--to find a young person into not only classical but audiophile interests. Do you know the channel The Pressing Matters with Scott? He's noted some of the same things with Speakers Corner reissues, including the brightness issue.

[@mcgjohn22]

on the decca square box issues, most of those were recorded and lacquers cut with solid state electronics. The earlier Decca wide band 200x series were almost all tube recordings and lacquers cut by tube amplifiers.

[@charlesfagerquist1091]

Thanks for the intro to repress companies. I'm new to classical vinyl and currently learning the genre by way of any deutsche grammophon I can come across at thrift and record stores.

[@christiaanwynn9332]

Great discussion and great channel. Keep them coming please. If you would like an "audiophile" version of that Mitropoulos recording of Tchaikovsky's Pathetique, Sony Japan just released (in January 2022) a new remastering on SACD that sounds absolutely superb. The SACD set includes all of Mitropoulos stereo recordings and they sound superb in this latest remastering done by Andreas K. Meyer. Not sure if you listen to digital but if so, I think you would be impressed.

[@ianng9915]

Finally another classical record channel apart from Hurwitz. It's good to see young ppl discussing this stuff as I'm 16

[@DeAudiofilosyLocos]

My channel is classical too, albeit in Spanish 😃. However, I have interviewed people both in the audio and classical music industry in English, including simón rattle

[@DeAudiofilosyLocos]

And don't forget poetry on plastic!

[@marktubeie07]

Your channel is superb - so refreshing to see someone your age with a great knowledge base and interest. Sub'd for sure! I'd love to see more classical, especially various pressings/reviews and what to look out for. I have a feeling that DG pressing was a reject & it was accidentally packaged up, well, off like to hope that their quality control is better than that, just awful. Take care, again, great channel :)

[@1770Vinyl]

I’m definitely going to make some more videos soon! More pressing comparisons and shootouts!

[@geraldmartin7703]

DGs never sounded that great to begin with: screechy highs and no bass. Surprised to see them given the audiophile treatment.

[@mArc01H1]

17:29 I nearly got a heart attack! Who the hell did this? Anyway, great video! I also have narrow band 70´s decca pressings, also very happy with Japan 70´s london LP´s, even until 1980.

[@werk4408]

Love this channel, keep it up! One topic I'm particularly interested in, and I'm sure plenty others will be too, is how the AP RCA Living Stereo titles compare to their Classic Records counterparts. There are various opinions regarding this online and it seems that for a lot of people it differs title to title. For someone starting their journey collecting RCA LSC titles the Classic Records issues are far more affordable and easier to obtain, so far all of the ones I have sound great to me and I haven't noticed any particular brightness or too much "hi-fi" tone in their mastering. I know Bernie Grundman had more an ear for jazz when he did that catalogue but they definitely don't sound off to me. Then again I am yet to compare the same title from Classic Records vs its Analogue Productions pressing. Would be great to hear your opinion if you have done such comparisons. Take care!

[@1770Vinyl]

I currently don't have any titles that I have both an AP and classic records version of, but I do have multiple classic records titles in general. The sound is definitely different, so it would be interesting if I come across some duplicates in the wild!

[@poetryonplastic]

Awesome to see you're making videos! Yeah the columbias are always tragic, such amazing performers with very bad recording quality. For what its worth I do think the Speakers Corner pressings are a big improvement on the original 6-eyes/2-eyes, but you can only do so much with those tapes I suspect. I just got the big Dimitri Mitropoulos CD box set recently, he's definitely an underrated conductor even if his recordings never had good sound.

[@1770Vinyl]

Definitely love the recording itself, but so unfortunate about the sound. Love your videos btw!

[@markcartwright5243]

Thanks for the video. Any thoughts on the quality of French DGs? Sound quality compared to German pressings? And also the gatefold sleeves with a third inner sleeve for the record, is that common in other countries?

[@1770Vinyl]

Not too sure about the gatefolds that you mention, but I have a French box set of Bruckner's 9 symphonies conducted by Jochum. The LP's are quite thin and riddled with static, don't have any low end essentialy, so I am not at all happy with this release. However, the earlier 60's pressings may tell a different story!

[@Josal]

Great content 👍🏽🤙🏽 any recommendation for one classical records from Analogue Production to showcase your sound system? Thanks

[@1770Vinyl]

I would say the royal ballet double LP if you like that style of music. My personal favourite is witch's brew, particularly the Saint-saens on the start of side 2. Fantastic sounding!

[@Josal]

@@1770Vinyl Thank you

[@ericlubow4354]

Great discussion. You do an excellent job of describing this label. I terms of London recordings, I would also add that THE TREASURY series with the orange label generally has great sonics and is relatively cheap. Sometimes they’re even better and quieter than the Londons. Also, I don’t know if you’ve collected the KING SUPERANALOGUE 9000 series which was sold in the late 90s. I have most of the records in this series and except for a few mediocre ones, they are terrific. Definitely different in sound from the London and Decca. They are darker sounding with more prominent bass which I love. Not everyone agrees with me, though. They are now pretty expensive. But for me, there is no contest between these and the originals. I listen to these far more often. Among the real highlights in this series: Britten: Simple Symphony Beethoven: Septet Munchinger Baroque Concert Bartok: Divertimento Franck, Debussy: Sonatas for violin and piano De Burgos: Orchestral Concert Schubert: Arpeggione Sonata Britten conducts Bach's Brandenburg Concertos Ashkenazy Plays Chopin Borodin String Quartet 2 Mariner Four Seasons Holst The Planets .

[@1770Vinyl]

I also love the heavier sound of the king super analogues. The one with Mozart symphony 35 and Schubert's unfinished symphony is fantastic as well!

[@markusberzborn6346]

You did not name two of my favourites from these series: Bach Stokowski Transcriptions and Ansermet Conducts French Music. Both absolutely awesome.

[@henryoliver2833]

More classical!!

[@geraldmartin7703]

Thanks for getting the Decca/London subject correct. Londons were simply imported Deccas. The only reason for the "London" label is that there was already a U.S. Decca label which had no affiliation with the English Decca. The U.S. Decca specialized in "pop" music on so-so vynl.

[@solidmyke]

How about a video of your favorite Living Stereo original pressings? I would be interested to hear your opinions.

[@1770Vinyl]

i have a few, unfortunately not in the best condition, so it may be difficult to really comment on their sound quality. I will definitely make a video though if I can find a few in real nice condition

[@NotedArchived]

Curious if you have any classical titles from the Classic Records reissues. I've found some of them to be very high quality and beautiful versions. Thanks!

[@1770Vinyl]

I do have a few of them! Might make a video on that soon

[@markusberzborn6346]

I have not found a single Classic Records release that is not better than the original - when I had the chance to compare them.

[@genebowen1927]

Keep up the good, interesting work. You might re-think wearing your Buddy Guy cap. It puts a large shadow on your face.

[@MrThomas2587]

A lot of Columbia records even original ones are very high pitched . I got Witches brew( RCA living stereo)Your recommendation,GREAT Record thanks! (better than my CD)

[@1770Vinyl]

One of the best recordings for sure!

[@MrThomas2587]

We need a new video from you!! Oct 27

[@1770Vinyl]

Yes I am planning to soon! Unfortunately I have been away from my collection for these past few months so I haven't gotten the chance to listen to much classical. But I have been collecting a lot from stores and I have a few ideas for videos!

[@stanleycostello718]

I agree that all of the labels sound different. Decca with the "Decca tree," Mercury Living Presence, RCA Living Stereo and Columbia 360.

[@herb3435]

If you are still looking for a "Pathetique", try the Living Stereo Monteux with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It's thrilling! Don't know if the Classic Records re-issue is still available.

[@1770Vinyl]

I have read about that one. Waiting for it show up somewhere!

[@derekwoolston3564]

Wide band Decca's seem to finish in the late 60's. I used to have a couple of Decca's from that period which had a wide band label on one side and a narrow band label on the reverse. So early narrow bands are not necessarily less good sounding than those wide bands. For the earliest Decca stereo recordings visit the Decca Eclipse label but avoid the many mono processed to stereo ones on that label. Earliest Decca stereo classical recordings from memory was 1954/55, you will find them on that Eclipse label

[@TheHanniballs]

If you want to listen to great Tchaikovsky recordings. Listen to the Mravinsky recordings of 4,5 and 6. To me musically the best versions. And try to find the Ace of Diamonds versions of the Decca catalogue. They often use the same stampers as the original triangle Decca's for a fraction of the price.

[@1770Vinyl]

I am definitely looking for those out and about. The Deutsche Grammophon versions are also highly regarded

[@nattyco]

The balance between the quality of the recording and performance/interpretation can be tricky. On the one hand you have early Decca, great sound but often not so great performances. On the other hand DG had some superb artists and performances but the sound could sometimes be mediocre. For me EMI and Philips offer the best balance between the two, though obviously there are exceptions. I think Speakers Corner deliberately do nothing to alter the original sound so if their record sounds poor it's because the original sounds poor. I like your channel.

[@georgeknowles6806]

Very impressive and enjoyable but some are very expensive i know you are reviewing lps are you thinking of reviewing Cd's? Or sticking to vinyl !

[@1770Vinyl]

I do have a large CD collection, but I mainly listen to those for the interpretation as they don't sound great. Also, my CD player is not that great. Maybe I will focus on some interpretations I have as CD's in the future!

[@jeffl915]

The only thing I do not like about Speakers Corner is they use the absolute cheapest material for the outer jacket.

[@danielmabella]

Optimal as the pressing plant and the galvanization department are the culprits for the horrid groove noises

[@davidbryanbartlett4071]

D.G. Pressings were always terrible I'm talking 1960s Nice to see Classical Youngster ( just kidding )

[@hobhood7118]

Poor production, scratches clicks and pops on new unplayed classical records were normal in the late 1970s when I started buying classical vinyl. That's why CDs were so hugely popular among classical listeners when they came out, and why many classical listeners junked their LP collections and replaced them with CDs. Inherent faults like these are masked by music with fewer dynamic contrasts - e.g. pop, rock etc. With classical, they were a constant source of irritation. I don't mind this so much now when I know I can listen to the same recording on CD or via Streaming. When Vinyl was all there was people longed for something better in this regard - although some early CDs did not equal vinyl sound quality.