Steely Dan Gaucho Analogue Productions UHQR Review & Comparison

[@kieronkelly959]

Great review again! Your videos are so well done and thought out!

[@MikesVinylExperience]

Thank you!

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Agree Mike. AP Gaucho is a home run. I expect some surprises in Katy Lied and Royal Scam since the room for improvement is greater than on Gaucho.

[@MikesVinylExperience]

Completely agree! Thank You David!

[@aa5az423]

Fantastic review! Thanks so much. Due to a bunch of wild circumstances, I'll finally get my preordered copy tomorrow.

[@MikesVinylExperience]

Your going to love it! Thank you.

[@TBNTX]

I have this QRP pressing, and it really is amazing.. I bought two sets. One is for play, the other will be a sealed unplayed set for investment purposes. Analog Productions is in Salina Kansas, a two-hour drive away. I've been in their facilities a few times. Side note: I notice that you have a great set on the wall behind you. Street Corner Talking is a real favorite of mine. I hope that Chad and Company can get the rights re-release it as a UHQR.

[@MikesVinylExperience]

I would love to visit and tour there facilities! Thank you.

[@Cortes1956]

Me lo compré en un supermercado cuando salió. Lo grave en cassette y lo escuchaba en el coche. Alucino con su frescura a día de hoy. Que discazo.

[@MikesVinylExperience]

Completely agree!, it is such a great album! Thank you

[@graemeferdinands5856]

Great video Mike 👍 One of my favourite albums in the Steely catalogue! So glad to hear that this is following on, quality-wise, from Aja! I simply CANNOT WAIT for this treatment to be given to Katy Lied and The Royal Scam (my favourite S.D album!). 🤗👍

[@MikesVinylExperience]

I agree! they are both excellent albums. Thank you.

[@randyg9256]

Hi Mike! A great review as always! I was thinking I was good with my Near Mint Japan 1st pressing of Gaucho, but you've got me thinking now. :) The Japan pressing is REALLY good, but I just might have to spring for the UHQR. I have the AJA UHQR and love it, and if this one is even better sonically, then wow!

[@MikesVinylExperience]

To my ears it is better SQ than AJA but SQ on my Gaucho OG is better than the SQ on AJA as well. Good luck! Thank you.

[@sandyfader4649]

No, of course the Brecker Brothers aren’t related to the late Walter Becker. Love Gaucho, can’t wait to see get my UHQR in the mail from the In Groove. Thanks for the review.

[@MikesVinylExperience]

Thank you for catching that! I went through them way to fast without catching that. Thanks again!

[@GreenArrowNetwork]

I agree with your review, and I love my UHQR Gaucho (and every other SD UHQR), now I can't wait for my UHQR of Royal Scam! Kid Charlemagne alone will be worth it if it's up to this standard.

[@MikesVinylExperience]

I am keeping my fingers crossed they will. Thank you.

[@pernilsson2512]

I have a Gaucho album bought when first released A side label is correct B side label Kenny Rankin ?

[@MikesVinylExperience]

wow thats odd. I have a CD of Kenny Rankin on the Chesky Lable (which is very good by the way) but never heard of this. Interesting! Might be worth some money?

[@Level10Productions]

Ahhh, the wonderful sound of that stylus gouging down into that hard, squiggly vinyl groove. I love how the RIAA curve brings out the bass sounds of that powerful A/C motor. I used to turn mine up sometimes til I got feedback from my speakers. Actually, the stylus makes a great groove cleaner for all your records. Mine were still scratchy however. But you get used to hearing all that scribbly scrobbly scratchy sound after awhile. I really miss it. Now, I suffer with the horrible dead silence behind all my music in those horrible digital quality music. Imagine, we had to actually listen to the music without anything extra. I was able to hear sound up to, maybe 12 kHz? Pretty high up there if you ask me.

[@MikesVinylExperience]

😅 Love that. I am wondering how the SACD's in the Steely Dan Series will sound? I might have to snag one and see for myself how they sound. Thank you.

[@dsonyay]

I bought the LP when it came out During my senior year in high school. I still have that album to this day. It sounds just as awesome as it did when I first played it on my inexpensive “all in one”stereo lol .. I was kind of blown away by how spectacular the record was. At the time, Aja was considered THE LP to demo any of your electronic year -even at the stereo shop; All of the stereo shops in town had a copy of Aja laying around in their rooms rooms. I always thought Gaucho was an even better sounding LP. My copy somehow survived many moves, including some overseas moves.. Maybe I will spend the money to buy this copy. I have a much better stereo system than I did back in 1980,, So I’d be really curious to do a side-by-side comparison.

[@MikesVinylExperience]

I agree with you, the original is excellent in every way. If i wasn’t such a Dan head I would be satisfied with the original. Thank you!

[@stateniland]

Yes! all the UHQR releases are outstanding.

[@MikesVinylExperience]

I agree. Have not been disappointed in any of them.

[@davidenders9282]

Any idea or reasons why they skipped the Royal Scam? I know it's on AP's list to do but weird why they skipped it sinced they've been releasing them in chronological order. I have a pre-order & no release date in to acoustic sounds for the SACD. 2 months ago. But haven't heard a peep of this release. I hope they didn't drop the ball on this one. The only 1 left that is my favorite. If you can share any insight it would be much appreciated.

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

They flipped sequence to get the more popular releases out first putting Aja and Gaucho ahead of Katy Lied and Royal Scam (ironic name given the topic!).

[@davidenders9282]

@@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion Pretzel Logic & Can't buy a thrill released to. more popular than the Royal Scam? My SD Trilogy is TRS, Aja, Gaucho.

[@MitchsVinylCorner]

Mike, great review as always. It may be an unpopular opinion but I think Gaucho is better than Aja both musically and sonically. I have an original RL cut and am hesitant to purchase the UHQR but your review drives me closer to get it. Just imagine if some of the “lost” Gaucho takes like the Second Arrangement made it on.

[@davepounds8924]

Alll of Steely Dans records were well recorded and sound wonderful If you’re not in a position to drop 160 bucks on this version you’re not really missing out on anything The reissue sounds great

[@MikesVinylExperience]

And the OG's sound excellent. You are not going wrong with one of those either. Thank you.

[@nicholassheffo5723]

Universal's 5.1 Super Audio CD has been the best digital version since its release, but Analog Productions will do one in 2.0 only SA-CD. We'll have to see how they all compare,. but everyone's loving this UHQR!

[@MikesVinylExperience]

From the Atlantic 75 series, I have been purchasing a couple SACD's from that series that AP is doing. So far they have been very good and very satisfied with them. Thank you.

[@chrismckee4154]

I have the DVD-Audio disc of this album and it’s always been one of the best sounding hi-res digital albums in my collection. I can honestly say, however, that the UHQR has it beat. Simply stunning. I’ve always thought that Gaucho bested Aja in terms of SQ and I think this also holds true for the UHQR’s.

[@MikesVinylExperience]

It is amazing for sure. Thank you!

[@VinylLatte]

Hey Mike! We’re thinking the same as recorded my interview of Gaucho last night! I do agree that most of the Steely Dan UHQRs are outstanding. I wasn’t impressed with Pretzel Logic. It didn’t feel like it got the same treatment as the others. Great review. Lots of information. Well done my friend!

[@MikesVinylExperience]

Either that or the tapes were not that good. I understand all of the original tapes were lost in a fire or something like that and that they are using tape back ups. Thank you.

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Nice review! I concur 💯

[@MikesVinylExperience]

Thank you David!

[@dsonyay]

Chad should send you a whole boxed set of this series- you did a fine job reviewing Gaucho… and probably tempted me to drop 150 bucks on this LP. I had such a bad experience with Kind Of Blue (33), my first UHQR exper- I swore I’d never, ever buy another UHQR. I returned 4 copies before I settled on the 5th try. All of the previous LPs had static, loud pops, and garble from non-fill.. it was such a letdown. Even the copy I ended up keeping - has very minor issues, so I just gave up and kept it. What had your experience been with the UHQR LPs? Any returns? Excellent review.

[@MikesVinylExperience]

I have the following UHQR's, Kind of Blue 33 & 45, Jimi Hendrix are you experienced, Jethro Tull Aqualung and all of the Steely Dan albums they have done so far (5). So far no problems with any of them. I have however had to return one of the Atlantic 75 series albums because of warped. records. They were. good to send out a replacement. I don't blame you for being a little gun shy spending $150 on one!! And. yes I wish they would send me some albums or even discounts but they don't. Thank you and good luck!

[@greencraig8570]

I know reissues are supposed to be quieter and "smoother", but what I am really interested in energy. For some reason or other, it's almost impossible to recreate that original power of the master tape.

[@MikesVinylExperience]

I would think the original master tapes would be the definitive version of any album for sure. With these albums they are using a one off copy since the original tapes were lost in fire or something like that. Thank you.

[@pnichols6500]

I have on OG RL copy, sounds fantastic but bought it used and has enough small scratches to just be irritating. If it was clean I'd be happy with it, but may have to spring on the UHQR. I have Katy Lied on order, hopefully that holds up to the last two releases.

[@MikesVinylExperience]

I agree, I think both Katy Lied and the Royal Scam are excellent albums. Thank you.

[@robpurviance6391]

I drew #1149 of this UHQR and I almost don’t want to listen to it before I have the last two in the series in hand to listen to first.

[@MikesVinylExperience]

I can see that. I wished they would have kinda just released these in order. The last two being the most popular I guess. I am excited and hopeful for Katie Lied and the Royal Scam coming out this year. Thank you.

[@robpurviance6391]

@@MikesVinylExperience Well I folded and I listened to it (of course) and I have to say that your description of the audio quality was spot on. This is now the absolute best sounding vinyl record that I own. Watching my tone arm, it doesn't even seem to move. It's just that flat and accurate. Usually audiophile differences are very subtle. Not the case with this press. It's clearly superior.

[@MikesVinylExperience]

@@robpurviance6391It does sound amazing!! Thanks

[@alanwolfe2272]

Way way too Expensive for any one title regardless of release. I’ll stick with lesser priced 33/3 version that was just released and dead Quiet sounds Terrific. I did purchase UHQR Aja and believe played 3x and shelved. Guess tired of Flipping 45rpm period.

[@scottkania594]

3/13/2024: Steely Dan, "Gaucho".... No confirmation number is 1103582, May 3rd 2024, Friggin' Christ!!!! IT'S CARELESS!!!!!

[@MikesVinylExperience]

You won't get it until May 3rd??? I wonder why so long?

[@staggerlee6794]

You guys are driving me nuts. I keep on telling myself that the UK OG I have is good enough and I don't need the UHQR for Gaucho but then I watch one of these videos and I start to think maybe I should invest in the AP UHQR. 😭

[@MikesVinylExperience]

I hear you. For me, I am a Steely Dan fanatic and love all their albums so the investment is worth it to me. I don't purchase any of the UHQR' or even some of the other audiophile pressings if it is not an album that I love. I pass on those that either i'm satisfied with the OG or it's just not a favorite of mine. I am also excited about the Van Halen series that MOFI is doing. Got to get them as well. This is really a terrible hobby! Thank you!!

[@staggerlee6794]

@@MikesVinylExperience Likewise. I should stop kidding meself that I won't get 'Gaucho' but the one I am really waiting for is my favourite, which is 'Katie Lied'

[@MikesVinylExperience]

@@staggerlee6794 Katie Lied is such an excellent album. Can't wait to hear the UHQR!

[@michaelschultz1125]

I've been happy with all the UHQR releases of Steely Dan except Pretzel Logic. Analogue Productions decision to cut the high end of that one is a head scratcher.

[@MikesVinylExperience]

That is the weakest album in the UHQR releases of Steely Dan! Thank you.