Steely Dan UHQR: Are We In For A Thrill? UHQR vs. White Label Promo 1st Pressing

[@thoronmetal108]

Although I will never like Steely Dan, I am happy that you like this release so much. 🙏

[@brentw1888]

Received my copy today. Cleaned it and put it on straight away. My reaction was and is identical to yours. Granted, this is my first UHQR, but I just can’t believe how good it sounds. It’s truly unbelievable. I _so_ wanted it to not be worth spending $150 every time Chad puts out something I’m interested in on UHQR, but I guess I’m out of luck. Time to find another job. 😂

[@stewarteastham]

I listened to the UHQR last night and was blown away by how fantastic it sounds!

[@jerryandlisa27]

It's Bernie's Magic!!! That man is amazing 👏

[@chrismckee4154]

Mine arrives today and I can’t wait to spin it. Thanks for your very insightful review!

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thank you Michael. It is refreshing to hear someone speaking from the perspective of a business owner. It really does take balls and commitment to bring a product to market, something most of the complainers have never done and have little appreciation for the risks involved.

[@ewmcdade]

You are so right with your take on the original press. Too many old men hyping up their “Holy Grail” original presses and then you hear one and go huh? This new re-issue has more clarity than even my Aja and Gaucho first pressings.

[@Geoduck.]

I've played the new UHQR several times now. Absolutely agree with you it's nothing less than amazing.

[@keithryan1913]

I'm in total agreement with you. What a great job they have done at quality pressing.

[@drbryant23]

I love the sound of opening a gatefold jacket for the first time at 2:11. Only a vinyl collector could understand.

[@matthewjerome3496]

Like popping a vintage bottle of wine, as Chad Kassem says !

[@VinylPiper]

That sound always makes me nervous, especially with mofi. Will it rip or not..

[@theheepster]

What have the noises of opening a Stoughton Jacket to do with vinyl collecting? For me, this is just another reason to justify the completely exorbitant prices of audiophile records. Great sounding Lp's ok, but cracking covers?

[@theheepster]

@@matthewjerome3496 The man knows his craft to keep his disciples in line. I would do the same if I made a living out of it.

[@VinylPiper]

@@theheepster it's a detail collectors of these types of records are familiar with. I loved that sounds, just like i love smelling the record, until I realized with Mofi that the sound went along with noticing splits in the inner seem :(

[@ginntonic123]

You should help us with a review of the $30 BG AAD for us audiophiles on a budget

[@jasonarsenault3791]

Great stuff Michael. Thanks for your time and opinion on this.

[@fredbrunetti7256]

Again you inspired me to get this release thank you

[@baruti]

Agreed!!! This is a definite Home Run for Chad and the Acoustic Sounds Team in a long series of great pressings!!! Looking forward to the delivery of rest of the series over the coming months!!!

[@Anthony-fz7uf]

150 plus taxes and s&h. Gee thanks Chad . As F Zappa once said we are only in it for the money,

[@67Pepper]

International shipping is a PITA for sellers. Customs docs to fill out, depending on the receiving country's customs dept. to process the package quickly, and finally the delivery service to do their job. Then when something goes wrong along the way, the seller gets lambasted for poor service. I used to ship items to Germany and they have one of the slowest customs processing of all countries. Packages can sit for weeks to pass through customs via the postal service.

[@YAMAHA808]

Got my copy on Saturday morning and finally spun it Saturday night. I had the same first thought as you: it genuinely sounds fresher than the original. Played my early ABC toy block label right afterward and it confirmed my finding. If Bernie can do this well with CBAT, I can only imagine how good Aja will be.

[@bluecalix]

You've got me super excited ! Also re: 150$ ... I can't see myself buying more than a few UHQRs, it is reserved for my absolute FAVORITE records and not something to buy often. For everything else, I am more than happy to hunt for a good sounding, reasonably priced used record (or new if its a new release).

[@kensileo8793]

Great Michael, looking forward to mine tomorrow, and the SACD eventually.Thanks for your quick turnaround review.

[@michaelfavreau7617]

I can`t wait to receive my copy. Very glad to hear the wonderful reviews

[@VintageStereoCollectorChannel]

I received my copy #797 today. Played it and I was blown away. I have Aja on on preorder. Thinking of preordering Gaucho👍

[@analoguecity3454]

Got me excited about it! Probably go out of print when I can get it!

[@jimmccloskey4254]

The challenges being made to the high end companies when reissues get produced is good for all. Though as you have experienced a high percentage (60% plus) of the OGs are equal or better. $150 is steep for those in a specific client base. Good video.

[@tonyfafoglia2927]

The Speakers Corner "Can't buy a thrill" from about 10 years ago is very good.

[@therevrockinrollin]

This is fantastic news for fans. Others I have spoken to privately also share you’re enthusiasm and opinion.

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Michael - you are SO RIGHT about the shipping-price outside US. They should establish an EU-“outlet” so WE only had to pay the ordinary app. 20 € for shipping. Also when you get faulty records from AS (for me both KoB 33 and Bill Evans RR-box) it costs A FORTUNE to get replacements. Could you please talk to Chad Kassem about this - Thanks in advance 😊

[@ColdWarWarriors]

WoW, I'm sold, your review has sold me, will place my order today. great review.

[@daveshear]

Great review as usual! I received mine yesterday but haven't opened it yet.

[@rufus_the_cat]

Thank you Michael.

[@clausfjeldingwhitt152]

Great review. You almost made me break my promise to myself to not buy more records until 2023. Greetings from Denmark.

[@IvanMusicMan]

Yes, i want the new version 😮 It could be interested to compare the digital version also from Universal , not AAA but maybe also good sound ?

[@quikspecv4d]

My copy is out for delivery today. I am watching my front door carefully. Haha. Great review as usual Michael. I’m even more excited now.

[@SpyderTracks]

I'm a major Analogue Productions / QRP fanboy, simply because they haven't let me down yet, and each year quite frankly IMHO, they push the boundaries further. Chad is my knight, I bow down to him, he is what I aspire to be in life, positive, open to change, patient, attentive to detail. I don't mind the increased cost personally, prices have gone up across the board in all walks of life, we have to accept we're in a worldwide recession and everything is going to get more expensive. The quality of these is only really competed by MoFi UD1s and perhaps Impex One Steps although I haven't heard one of those myself as yet. Chad, fantastic, well done, and really pleased you were shown the trust with his promo copy Michael, well deserved.

[@preservedmoose]

Yeah, you are right Michael, the cost of buying it here in Europe is a fortune. I was almost (almost!) hoping you would say that the original is close enough that you don't need to buy the UHQR! But, of course, like you, I am a fan-boy of the UHQRs and really wanted to hear that they are totally amazing and outclass the original. AP are doing such great work - they really are the best. Great video - thank you for your thoughts, as always!

[@ny8851]

My copy is on the way to New Zealand! Can’t wait. Keep up the good work young man 😉. PS, the shipping to here stings too!!

[@jbmia.]

Currently on #000519 Side C... ;-) and super glad I made the purchase. Price? The highest quality always cost the most... It is typically an exponential curve. Take it or not. Not sure how well these will sell at this price point, but I hate seeing that "sold out" note when I miss a release. For me, it was a no brainer... I reserved all of them.

[@dutchcoyote]

In the Netherlands they ask for it 274 Euro so I bought the regular version for 29,99 Eur and it sounds great but probably not as great as the UHQR ... but for me 274 Euro is way too much😞

[@dentman67]

To each his own. I'm very happy with the CD and streaming sound quality of this album. For me it would make no sense. For others it may make perfect sense. The price is irrelevant. For those who spent $150.00 Enjoy and don't look back.

[@KorbenDenver]

I should be listening to it once I get home from work today! Looking forward to getting the hell outta here today ha ha!!!

[@j.garcia6006]

150$ is really a bargain for us in Europe. 289 eur is the price for the 2 x 45 miles davis uhqr in a famous online shop in Germany

[@liammolyneuxmusic]

Brilliant Michael,great analysis. I hope Chad didn’t send you a duff original 😂 My original Uk copy of which ABC sent over a copy of the master tape sounds stunning,. Now it’s definitely beatable of which Analogue Productions have done on 45 rpm,bravo to Bernie & Chad 👏🏻. Price wise ,it’s scandalous for one album I repeat one album. I get it ,the costs involved licensing & the rights etc. AP produce amazing quality products, I get it. It’s target audience are people who are willing to pay £150 for a record.I’m not one them , Michael 👍🙌

[@cjay2]

Rip the first 2 - 3 tracks and look at the waveforms on an audio editor. Audacity is free. Check the dynamic range and see if and how much it is compressed. Are the peaks clipping? THAT'S what is important. Compression takes the life out of your music and makes it fatiguing to listen to. It's the first thing I do when I acquire music, especially any 'remasters' made after 1994. EDIT: Use any old LP as a reference to learn what compression looks like.

[@brentreyle294]

Thank you Michael! Mine is sitting the box waiting to be opened in my listening room. I waited to open it until I saw some reviews. I have all the SD UHQR pre ordered. I give your opinions the most weight of all the reviewers. At $190 with tax and shipping, I really want these to beat the original by a lot or else it gets returned. Well it sounds like I’m opening this UHQR now!!!! Gonna give it a listen tomorrow!!

[@darrens7040]

#22 Goooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllll. Well done Michael.

[@fts81]

Haven’t heard the UHQR yet, but the OG is not one of their greatest sounding ones. I think Gaucho, Pretzel and Katy are the ones to beat. Glad that they got it right, nice video. When it comes to these releases, not only licensing but insurance costs can be astronomical

[@chaky1978]

Absolutely M45 , excellent business perspective, and once again , grateful that we have this option and the other options that are coming up , not for every budget understandably, but congratulations to Chad and his team , great pressing and package.

[@lorenzonencioni4135]

Michael great video as always, just an FYI, cover your eyes to get the camera to focus on the cover. Those mirrorless are designed to get tack sharp eyes for still images

[@novisnick6928]

Michael is sounding more and more American every day! Don’t get me wrong, he will never loose his German identity but he’s learning American so very quickly. ❤

[@davidjurney]

I'm looking forward to this one. I do wish the price was a bit lower, but mine arrived on Friday. Now, I have to wait a couple of weeks until I have the time to listen to it. Ugh.

[@biggestliberacefan1988]

Thank you Michael first class review and I am not surprised at all this new record sounds so dammed good it comes from a first class company run by a man who cares a great deal. Michael there are many good reports about the new Geffen version for $30 which is a digital source but still mastered by Bernie will you be getting it in and reviewing it ? Cheers Carl

[@MrTravisg]

Steely Dan is my favorite band, and Donald Fagen’s solo work is, in my opinion, unmatched.

[@zundap100]

I'm not sure that I understand this youtube channel anymore, in any case, this is no longer the youtube channel that I followed in the last two years, something has changed.

[@batuksri]

UHQR records are 45rpm so its true to this channel’s raisin d’etre. I myself can’t be bothered as 45rpm pressings of 33 originals are a pain in the neck. All that unnecessary getting up from your comfy listening armchair to flip and play the next side…

[@TheLarsonmanor]

The UHQR is like a fine wine regarding the cost & it's not for everyone. The cost is similar, for a fine wine, it's stored in an expensive French oak barrel for a minimum of 2 years. All the expense is up front & all the labor it takes to make it. The producer doesn't make any money until the wine is eventually in the bottle.🍷 So, sit back, relax, & enjoy, it's all worth it.🎶

[@nicholassheffo5723]

Well, MoFi did AJA as a LP and gold CD, plus this was issued in quad and some parts differ slightly, but I think this album is one of the best-ever recordings of any all-analog studio music production and I am 'thrilled' the original masters have held up and been taken care of so well. If you were this impressed and you have excellent taste, plus the other raves on it so far match your thoughts, it is an important audiophile reissue and may set a new standard for what we should expect. Especially at these prices. Thank you!

[@benpit2762]

Thanks Michael, just preordered Aja 45RPM boxset and I am so excited! Shipping to Asia (Singapore) has been great, no major concerns. Cheers! One more thing as with every new records would you recommend to clean them first? I’ve a ultrasonic product from HumminGuru and on some records that made a huge difference others none.

[@ondrejglembek]

I fully agree with the final note on Analogue Production distribution in Europe. The Acoustic Sounds series titles (pressed in the US at QRP) are widely available in Europe for "normal" prices so why not the AP/UHQR?

[@rodrigollanes7619]

I love Analogue Productions and have purchased and enjoyed UHQR in the past. But $150 (plus shipping) is unacceptable.

[@maxhirsch7035]

For a moment I'd thought it was my cellphone ringing there at the end - like your ringtone; I've chosen that one myself because it's a simple and no-bullshit one IMO. Oh... also thrilled to hear how good the UHQR of this was- I'm a huge fan of their next five albums and obviously am reassured that if they're at all like this one, it's an expense (admittedly a stiff one) that's worth it.

[@mcflash23]

Michael woke up from a bad dream. Back on the audiophile reissue 🚂🚂🚂

[@mattgregory971]

Hi Michael! I am glad the Steely Dan album sounded great! I think I am going to buy the 30 dollar version your right about Bernie he is a wonderful At remastered albums. But I did play my ABC records copy over the weekend and that sounds great for it’s time! That it was released. I enjoy your video hope you have a wonderful day!

[@mattgregory971]

Well Michael I bought the 30 dollar reissue. I find the pressing very quite and I know it’s from a digital master that The Bernie put together from the SACD master. It has a lot of punch and Dynamics in sound I will put this with my original ABC copy. Bernie did a great job again!!

[@12stringblues]

Great review thanks! I compared my 1974 us pressing to the 2022 33rpm LP version and they were equally as good, I liked the better Bass on the 22' and I like the warmer Vocal/Guitar on the 74' both sound fantastic. I probably will be fine with these pressings but It is great to know the UHQR is delivering even better sonics.

[@jimmccloskey4254]

I agree having first week copies of all Steely Dan records. - bought at around $5 each.

[@nicholas6823]

I am waiting for the regular $60 45rpm versions. I can wait. I have a canadian version of CBAT. The best sounding version of SD tracks I have is on the RL greatest hits package. So much more clarity than the album versions.

[@robertb5640]

I agree with you 100% the jethro tull was a nice improvement but this uhqr just went up 3 4 5 6 7 8 levels above

[@tonynewman1694]

Thank you for your honest opinion and I was looking forward to this release but just can't justify the £200 price for a single album , I had it pre ordered but will wait for the standard 45rpm release , I have the previous UHQR releases but they were much cheaper .

[@candelise]

I think that the Katy Lied album will be the real task as it was the one that Donald and Walter felt was most lost in sound, when released.

[@fotoram]

I have the Aja and Gaucho UHQR on pre-order because those are my favorite LPs from SD. I bounced around purchasing the others as I do have OG's of them all but not sure if I wanted to spend $150 for each of the others. I am not mad at the price. It is what it is. With so many records coming out and so many favorites that I enjoy, it puts me in a dilemma of what to spend money on. And, it's not even the money too much as I can definitely afford to buy all of them without any issue, but I'm just rethinking about this spending this type of money on records that are not my top favorites. I'm still mulling it over. Thanks for your post.

[@ewmcdade]

You can buy the $30 version and still be blown away, the mastering is the real star here.

[@sugarbone-cage8497]

Thanks for good video. 👌I wonder how close it is to tape now. 250 Euro here in Germany is however ridiculous to me. Maybe for Led Z, I would go to buy it, but not for AOR music/ soft rock as SD. Still I do not understand when ordering directly in US at Vinyl me Please, I pay ZERO Euro for customs fees (shipping also much cheaper), whereas when ordering at Acoustic Sounds or Music Direct, I pay in addition custom fees & expensive shipping (30% added). For these price range (250 Euro) I rather buy a tape (I have nearly all AP Ultra tapes and ca. 400 R2R 7.5 ips tapes). This makes more sense to me instead of buying an overpriced but inferior vinyl format (in comparision to tape).

[@4-dman464]

16:28 "This is my take on the $150 price..." Bell rings right on the money. That's game-show timing sound fx, right there.

[@kazjja]

Hi Michael, greetings from Latvia. Love your work, keep it up. I was wondering how many lacquers are being cut by Bernie (suppose each time from the tapes) of this one album in order for Chad to press those thousands of copies? And how much would they differ? We have seen so much info on the Mofi case but I am afraid Chad has never explained this in detail. But maybe I am wrong. Thanks.

[@jrdoran]

I don't have originals to compare to but I noticed so much more on the low end of the UHQR, Walter Becker was killing it on bass and never really noticed it much.

[@whitey7998]

I’ve opted this time for the Universal BG version over the UHQR Michael. I know the 33.3 rpm has a digital step (mmmmm….sounds like a MOFI release) but I just can’t justify spending around £200, compared to around £30. My U.K. 1st press has always sounded underwhelming and flat so I will be interested to see how the Universal sounds.

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

What Bernie did with this title is amazing. Even the $30 cut from digital hi-res has a fresh openness to it vs. the OG, albeit at the expense of being a bit brighter and louder sounding (both on vinyl and the hi-res download). The dead wax shows Side A was lacquer Re-6 (7th lacquer) and Sides B, C and D were Re-3 (4th lacquer) which attests to Chad saying it took that 7th effort to get Dirty Work they way he wanted it. I totally agree that the business economics of getting this catalog came with a huge premium price tag. AP is an independent label not the label with whom a rights agreement is already established by Universal. In the US, we would say that Chad was the one to have to "belly up to the bar" to pay the high price of the Steely Dan poker game. I certainly am glad that he did.

[@Elvis-wu6et]

I think Chad should ask people from Craft label how to distribute records all over the world. The Art Pepper records, 2 of them I bought in Germany, in record shop for 36€. He pressed this at QRP. And they cost the same in USA and EU. Tone Poets are pressed at RTI and the price and availability is the same. Needless to say. A lot of new records are pressed only in Europe. Mostly GZ and Optimal for worldwide. There is no George Michael, RHCP , Bowie, and so on, pressed in US. Everything is made in Europe shipped all over the globe, same price for everybody. So. There is definitely a way to do that, just have to know how. Great video Michael, cheers! Hope to see you at record fair 😊

[@bf9616]

As always thanks for tour video! How do you get those UHQR releases? It's difficult for me here in Spain to find them at good price, due to the shipping costs and taxes... Thanks! :)

[@WkRpGuy]

Thanks for the excellent review, Michael. Wow, how cool is it that Chad sent you that promo?! That's fantastic! Wanna pose a question to you.. I asked Steve Westman the same... Do you think AP may have saved the best cut for the UHQR, and sent Universal one of the others? I really believe David Bianco's review of the 33 being way too hot. Steve's guess is that the 33 was cut without EQ... so unless using DSD would make that much of a difference.. what other explanation could there be? Just curious, that's all. Thx

[@AHobbistChannel]

I' looking forward picking up a copy of the 33 1/3 release. My understanding it is the exact same mastering, but there is a digital step involved before making the lacquers. Under $30 is more in line with my budget, and probably a lot of other people too. I hope you review the 33s too as they come out.

[@leighgoldstein3119]

approximately how many copies at $ 150 on average will be sold in a year or so?

[@mpw116]

The illusion is broken, Michael. You’re just a normal guy like me with the same iPhone timer tone. I kid - nice one! Put the haters to rest.

[@sebastianbachert9528]

Ordered by personal Fav's: Katy Lied, Aja, Gaucho few weeks ago. Lot of money for sure. But that's my problem :D

[@jvandam6650]

Thanks for the video Micheal. I don’t comment too much on video’s and just watch. But I need to add I love records as a hobby but it is just getting to expensieve and I stopped… They are asking 230 euro’s for this record in the Netherlands I guess its the same in Germany. Would like to hear your thoughts on that. I mean Audiophile or no audiophile release but is that even normal? (In do understand that you dont want discuss prices everytime).

[@rolandsiegert4858]

Unfortunately, we Europeans have to face the fact that the Euro is a weak currency ("Weichwährung") compared to the dollar now.

[@jvandam6650]

Honestly I missed the last part of the video. But the standard version of this LP is 30 euro’s. So I dont think the “rights” (and a box) is not a valid point. Otherwise I would expect the standard version to be more expensive as well due to the same rights price. I still love LPs but does it really sound 8 times better? Anyway Thanks for the content. Great stuff!

[@FotogInkArt]

Well I live in America and this hobby has gotten stupid. I refuse to see this happen . Pricing is insane stupid and nope. Not gonna do it.

[@jvandam6650]

Yeah. Its not like a US DVD or Blu-ray is 10 times the price (in Europe). I dont know but it just feels we ended up in somewhat of a cash grab everywhere! (Not just in the LP world)

[@Chunksville]

Waiting for mine to come, owned an original from the UK actually it was my sisters but was played to death so I thought I best replace it with a good copy, the Universal release I have heard say are noisy....I see you have a pretty low number "22" nice :)

[@VinylGourmetTV]

I'm not surprised! ;)

[@borisspantic1333]

If only not expensive- especially Canadian $$$$ - not for me I have 3 copies original and sounds great .

[@gregdale1066]

The 40 dollar version sounds damn good as well. Im comfortable with the price points. If you have an amazing system and a little f u money then this would be something worth getting because you can buy a thrill. Long live the Dan ! Looking forward to the rest of the catalog and enjoyed your review.

[@deadquietvinyl]

Michael, I did pulled the trigger and paid for all 7 SD UHQRs. I am aware they are rare records and will be rare finds in future years. The price? Yes, is big. Do I understand Chad? Yes, I do. Do I accept the EU version of 150usd? 😎 I accept it, but this fact will also send me to the next fact: I won’t be able to buy much of the other AP records specifically due to this cost I need to pay for SDs. 🙈 Decissions-decissions…

[@Michael45RPM]

great comment thx for sharing!

[@mem.1968]

One thing to consider that Dan was not the same band that released Aja, production wise, when they put out their debut. I do expect that AP will knock it out of the ballpark with this one. I expect less as their catalogue goes on and you get to Aja and beyond. Just sayin’

[@Banion1]

What kind of a system do you need to really hear the difference between the UQHR and the new 33 1/3rd release of this album? Would love to see that comparison. I suspect that you would need a really high level system, table and cart to be able to resolve the difference in sound quality between these two versions.

[@AnthonyCandaele]

My order has yet to arrive. Can't wait to give it a spin. To me the elephant in the room is not the price, but the import taxes Europeans have to pay. For the Bill Evans: Riverside Recordings boxset I had to pay 234 euros. This is in a way insane.

[@Michael45RPM]

TRUE!!!!!!!!

[@RichTeer]

Jesus! I won't complain about my Canadian fees ever again (which are about half that)!

[@markusberzborn6346]

There are no fixed rules in record collecting, sometimes this sounds better, then that sounds better and one is always in for a surprise - this is what makes it so fascinating. To me, at least. To others this may be what makes it frustrating. :D

[@theheepster]

If you are looking for a good sounding LP of this album, you can strike now. Either the one presented here or the 4.11.22 release on Geffen Records. It's a remaster by Bernie Grundman with a digital intermediate step. Now some will turn up their noses. But the man knows his craft. Great transparency and real punch. Sounds simply great. Pressed by Precision in Canada, clean and without noise. Rarely in recent times have I got such a good sounding LP for 30 Euros. I'm already looking forward to the next Steely Dan reissues, remastered by Bernie Grundman. The nose humpers can of course buy the presented UHQR analogue version from Analog Productions but pay 7 times the price. Does the UHQR sound 7x better?

[@terrywho22]

Excellent info. Any similar hot leads for Gaucho?

[@tomwebb7091]

I agree it will sound 90% as good for a fraction of the cost. In fact i can buy a lovely NM original and the new 33Rpm reissue and still have loads to put in my cart upgrade pot which could make the two cheaper records sound better than the 45 rpm lol. The £200 uk rrp cost of the UHQR is terrible value for money. This is still just a record made of small amounts of pvc at the end of the day in basic if substantial packaging i dont need on my shelf. Most of my friends love music but arent audiophools and have even less understanding of a £200 rrp new LP. I would have much preferred a regular AP 33rpm single LP at £35. AP label trend is to milk the suckers with more money than sense now... i have been known to go there myself for the odd LP lol.

[@cjay2]

'digital intermediate step'? If you want to know what's happening with your music, rip a couple tracks and put them up onto an audio editor. Audacity is free. Look at the waveforms and see if they are compressed and/or clipping. Use any old LP as a reference to learn what compression looks like.

[@jeffbellin8224]

But it's not CUT by Bernie Grundman. The UMe is cut by some guy named Alex Abrash, and don't know where's it's plated and pressed. All of that makes a difference. Michael Fremer says that the UMe sounds different and not as good as a 1st press original.

[@theheepster]

@@jeffbellin8224 Michael Fremder tells a lot of the day if is long enough. Pressed at Precision Canada

[@jbsaudio]

The new UHQR crushes the original first pressing, which I owned in college and every reissue predating this UHQR version. The sound stage is massive and will exceed the capabilities of the midranges of many speakers. The clarity of the recording is staggering. While you can certainly appreciate the amazing quality of this pressing on a modest sound system, we are talking here about the reference for all vinyl recordings that should be heard on the finest sound systems. This is the finest example to date of the sound quality that can be achieved with a AAA pressing with the best of today's record formulations that didn't exist back in the 1970s. I can't wait to hear the rest of the Steely Dan catalog as it's reissued on UHQR!

[@kvmalley]

@Jonathan Sokol do you have to Speakers Corner to compare this one to? I spun it again last night, and I think it is very good. Only complaint I’ve heard about that one is some tape lag on side 2. I’m certainly no amateur to vinyl, or Steely Dan but I’m hard pressed to hear it. Katy Lied will be the one I can’t live without! Let’s see what Bernie do, if anything, to improve the early dbx quality of that record. Especially The crash cymbals, absolutely horrid on any pressing I’ve heard!

[@jbsaudio]

@@kvmalley I will have the check the versions that I have. However, all of the UHQRs will sound better than any other versions of the Steely Dan catalog for two main reasons: 1) they will be pressed on clarity vinyl originally developed by Classic Records which is far superior the vinyl formulations we had in the 70s to early 90s; and 2) Bernie is cutting new lacquers from the original master tapes, which are obviously in great condition and are likely now owned by the band members who likely terminated the grant to CBS.

[@kvmalley]

@@jbsaudio hey Jonathan I have the Hendrix UHQR’s and can certainly attest to the quality, as you’ve mentioned! Thanks for your reply!

[@salimadam104]

Good review, thanks. Are you going to do an honest comparison between the UHQR and the UMe / Geffen edition that came out on Friday as well, please? The big questions being is there a huge difference and if so, is the AP 7 or 8 times better?

[@Michael45RPM]

if i do it, it will be honest Salim :-)

[@salimadam104]

@@Michael45RPM Thanks, Michael, it would brilliant if you could as many trust your opinion and we can’t all shell out £200 for a record. If you say it’s so much better, I can use it as leverage with my wife to get it for Christmas… maybe 🙁

[@ianmelville452]

Sounds like you enjoyed this UHQR quite a bit. Is it correct that the reissue that comes out this week on 33 1/3 on black vinyl, single LP is also remastered by BG? Can you compare this with the UHQR just to see what I would be missing for the very large price delta?

[@jimyager9041]

Mine is waiting for me on my door step!

[@Michael45RPM]

Run :-)

[@savadimitrov]

Chad should really look into better European distribution. I get that he's got a lot to work on right now but it's only gonna improve business here. I personally wouldn't care about shipping delays as long as the price isn't what it is now.

[@michelraffin7006]

Hello Michael Nice review but i imagined it since you have excellent relation with Chad 😉😅(i’mkiddind)i did ordered 3 Steely Dan uhqr but i had to cancel them for it costed me 850 euros with shipping and taxes ……850’euros for just 3 vynils ,i just can t afford it anymore…(i have all other uhqr since now)…and too bad they issued 2last album Steely Dan in 45rpm(i ordered them) without knowing the firsts albums will be issued in the same category…some in uhqr and some in 45rmp …it’s not assorted…and uhqr takes a lot of place …(new mofi one step are pretty good and slimer and that’s nice) It would be more interesting u you compare with the original(we can t have the promo one,so not very intersting for us ,simple consumer)and with the new 30 euros digital edition also mastered by Bernie …could you do it?thanks

[@Venus_Isle]

The big 'up front' payments you speak of, Michael. Who benefits? Straight into Mr Fagen's pockets...or some greedy record executive? That being said, I salute Chad's work. Clear to see he's a sincere guy. PS. Yeah, getting fed up with being a 'European' in this game. Shafted from every angle...😐

[@davidstanton1261]

Awesome, Passionate!! Thank you again Michael as far as the price goes: "You get what you pay for" . Most records are almost 50 dollars and the Quality Control is in the toilet..a McDonalds Big Mac is almost 10 dollars now... this record and release are worth every cent..or you can just send the money to your Insurance Company, they are sucking you dry and no one seems to complain 🤪

[@vasquezovj65]

My opinion about the price is simple it's their product and they can charge a thousand bucks for all I care it doesn't mean I have to buy it. Do they have to incur great cost to produce this record? Yeah, probably which is why the charge what many believe is crazy price for a single record. But this also works both ways. I as a consumer have to weigh in on my expenditures, bills, rent, car insurance you know the basic cost of living. Which is why I have chosen to pass on this release. For me spending $150 on a record just doesn't make sense. It might be the best sounding source, but I guess I will have to settle for a lower costing record or listen to the album on a digital streaming platform and be happy with that. Thanks for the review. 👍🏻

[@chriswitt202]

I received mine today, my first thoughts were I believe this is the best sounding record I’ve ever played, anyone agree?

[@jasonwells7977]

I said the same thing. This is the best sounding record in my collection and I have over 60 Mofi titles and a few AP titles in my collection. I played it three times last night as it sounded that good.