The Lacquer Cut: Audio Gold or Fools Gold?

[@pinchebolillosrecordranch]

My take on this is this. Having a lacquer is a very cool, "gee whiz" kind of thing to own and show to friends. But considering that they eventually degrade and slowly fall apart, it's kind of like paying $1000 for a bouquet of roses...they're going to wilt and die. So spending a lot of money for a lacquer is a bit much. But if someone just gives you one or you pay very little, then go for it. 👍

[@BarakaPDub]

That's why I sprung for these. I was really curious about the degradation so I figured spending $10 wasn't going to put me out too much. Happy Holiday to you and the Mrs. Mike. I hope you're going to get a day off from the plant.

[@pinchebolillosrecordranch]

@@BarakaPDub We'll be pressing until Thursday and then a nice, long four day weekend. 🙂

[@Baz63]

The debate between Mike Fremer and Mike from The In Groove store was interesting and worth a watch. Anyway many thanks for uploading Paul and may i wish you and your loved ones a Merry Xmas and a healthy and prosperous 2022.

[@BarakaPDub]

Thanks Barrie. The funny thing is, I have had this video in work since July. I shot all of the record footage back then but put it on the shelf. It wasn't till the debate broke out that I decided to try and string it into a video. In my opinion, they both had interesting points but these Supersense lacquers are like that $1000 bottle of Bordeaux wine. Most wine lovers won't spend that kind of money on a bottle but you are going to have a small few that think it's worth it. To each their own I guess. Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@richardriley4415]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@BarakaPDub]

Thanks Richard and I wish you and Heaven the same. I wish you happiness and health going into 2022. BTW - It would be great to hear what you're listening too on camera ;)

[@richardriley4415]

@@BarakaPDub Working on one now.

[@stevedundee866]

So good to see you back !! Another great and informative video as always. I nearly spat my coffee out from laughing when "Audiophile cringe" appeared lol :P All the best to you in 2022 mate. Cheers, Steve

[@BarakaPDub]

That visual was exactly what I saw in the back of my mind when I threw it in the Ultrasonic. I figured if the ultrasonic ruined it, I was only $10 out of pocket. All the best to you as well for 2022!

[@tweakerman]

More interesting than all the other debates, keep up the good work👍

[@BarakaPDub]

Thanks tweaker man for the kind comment. I had this video in work long before the debate even came up. I just wished I would have finished it back then.

[@TheOmahaIntrovert]

Hey Paul! I'm a little late to your recent vids. Not sure the lacquer route is for me but cool to own it for the deal you got! Have to admit that this topic is something I don't know much about in the vinyl realm, but again, that's just one reason I love your videos. You bring something different and informative to the mix compared to everyone else's channels. The Lou Donaldson vinyl was sounding really amazing to my ears! This is off topic, but please, oH please, are you going to do a favorite albums of 2021 video?! Have to say I'm pretty lost without your input this year! I'm so behind on new releases and I guess it hasn't been my focus this year at all, but hopefully you can bring me up to speed if you do a video! 🙂 Merry Christmas, Paul!

[@BarakaPDub]

The lacquer debate blew up a few weeks back between Michael Fremer and the owner of the In Groove in Arizona. At times it was like watching an MMA fight and sort of like a major car wreck, you really know you shouldn't slow down and look but you have to take a peak anyway. I am glad I got these lacquers cheaply as it's not something I would just die to have in a lot of cases. As for new music, it's been a weird year. I have played a lot of new music but there have been very few albums I have really, really connected with. Maybe its because of lack of time? This year's 20 will be another eclectic mix of a variety of genres and there should be a few on the list I know you will like ;) I am working a cut now to figure out what sound samples will be allowed before working on the main cut. Merry Christmas to you, your Mom, and Chris. I hope you have a wonderful day today and tomorrow of course!

[@panleszek]

Thank you for your video and thoughs, Paul. People who actually own, and listened to the ECR lacquer recordings shared with me their admiration for the unique sound experience. If you are buying a $600 ECR record you know exactly what you are doing, with clear, and well defined reasons, and money-no-object attitude.. No expert saying: "do not spend your hard earned $'s" or "not worth it" is needed. Likely the lacquer will be played once or twice any way - as there are too many other fantastic recordings to choose from (including other releases of the same titles...), to play and...to wear out.

[@BarakaPDub]

Thanks Panleszek and your comments are very well put. I see these extreme prices for the uber collector that want's a potential 'ultimate experience' but as to whether it's the ultimate experience, I will leave it to them to decide. I won't judge them either for spending the money on it. Happy New Year!

[@DanRussell-zl9re]

I have a lot of Lou Donaldson on blue note my fave is Everything I play is gonna be funky but now I need Blues walk in my life Great video Lacquar masters would be cool to own nice price for 10 bucks

[@BarakaPDub]

So out of Lou's early output, from the 50's, Blues Walk is the must have for me. I can't recommend it enough and I think it received the Blue Note Classics treatment.

[@therevrockinrollin]

Lacquer- Gate lives! Really enjoyed the video. They ain’t for me but if people enjoy them that’s cool. It’s all cool.

[@BarakaPDub]

Yes it does! Thanks for watching and I do agree with your sentiment.

[@swordfish52]

Hey Paul , Happy Holidays!! Jimmy ...

[@BarakaPDub]

Thanks Jimmy and the same to you! I hope you have a great couple of weeks leading in the New Year.

[@markkopernicky3489]

Hey Paul, Great to hear your comments. I own several Lacquer acetates. ..as I press my own albums...and I have one that's made in 2014...it sounds fantastic. Yes with time they will degrade..but not fall apart. And they are not meant every day play. ..they are meant for reference. So don't spend crazy money for them. ..just my opinion .

[@BarakaPDub]

I am with you on your opinion Mark and you should know better than the vast majority of us through the pressing of your own records. It's going to take something very special to get me to spend high dollar on a lacquer and even still I would consider if I am content with my vinyl copy. Happy New Year my friend!

[@mrjape71]

Hei, Paul! A couple of weeks ago I watched some guy's video about this "lacquer war" and his video was very polite. I can't believe that some people get upset over a thing like this. If it wears faster then so what? If getting lacquers makes you happy it can't be that bad. In my mind lacquers are like novelty items if that's the right word to describe it or they are more like curiosity pieces. No matter what they are not common which makes them more special. Should I end my comment by saying "whatever floats your boat", 😎👍 Jarkko/MyVinylBar PS. Hyvää Joukua i.e. Merry Christmas to you, Paul! 💪🎅👌

[@BarakaPDub]

Hyvää Joukua Jarkko! I think you said it quite well! Whatever floats your boat is exactly what this all means. I don't get why this really became an argument but it would have been fun to see it turned into a Mixed Martial Arts blood match ;)

[@L.E.55472]

Morning Paul interesting video not sure I could actually hear that much difference, but I must say it is good seeing you happy holidays to you and your family, always enjoyed these behind the music (so to speak) videos 👏🏻...take care - Lis 😎🎶 Went around again and vinyl for me sounds more open and full of instrumental air if that makes sense...like a kitchen cooking only one item w one smell...while another kitchen is cooking numerous items w many exciting smells...hahaha

[@BarakaPDub]

Happy Holidays to you to Lis! I hope you are doing well! The family is doing well but that and work have been eating up a lot of my time and not in a bad way either. I love you're cooking analogy ;)

[@MoodyBlue42..]

Would love to hear Mr Ludwig's original test pressing of Zep 2!! The turntable would probably melt!!🤣 let us know what cool vinyl related stuff you got for Christmas😁 and have a Happy New Year!

[@BarakaPDub]

Thanks MoodyBlue42. You and me both on the LZ II. I would die to land my hands on a mint promo copy of that one. As for Christmas, no vinyl for me. My wife sees me as so advanced in the hobby she doesn't even bother. I am going to crank out my favorite albums of 2021 before the New Year...maybe, depending on family events. I do have another video being put up tonight.

[@MoodyBlue42..]

@@BarakaPDub Sweet!

[@bpabustan]

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN! It's been a while... but hey, the actual vinyl sounds a tad louder than the lacquer cut... or that's just me?

[@BarakaPDub]

Thanks Bryan. I have another video being uploaded as I type this and I am starting on a third. The third I am hopeful will be out before New Years...if I am lucky. As for what your hearing, you may not be far off. I recorded these on separate dates and I tried to normalize the audio as best as I could so you might just hear a little bit of a volume mismatch.

[@UberPilot]

I was going to buy one, and than Walmart dropped the 15 dollar blue vinyl RKS version of A Love Supreme and I bought that instead.

[@BarakaPDub]

At the end of the day, it's the music that matters, regardless of format and you can't go wrong with the Walmart version. I am glad they made the album more affordable to people wanting to try this Coltrane classic.

[@leon9021]

Always love to have your input on stuff Paul! For Blues Walk the record sounds much better, full stop. I mean the high end on the cymbals are just gone on the Lacquer. Do the runouts look identical for both? The second fared better on the high end but still seems to have detectable loss while the record has obvious groove wear going on. Too bad you didnt sample the same tracks for both though. For me its too much of a novelty thing. The prices are too high to begin with and what I would do is just play it once while digitizing it and just playing the file from then on. So in my mind Id rather just wait and see if someone is kind enough to share a needledrop or at least samples to compare as you have done here. When it comes to things like Getz/Gilberto I just dont see the Lacquer ever beating out the Sterling cut vinyl either since those are from the 3 track while the Lacquer uses effectively 2 generations down in source quality.

[@BarakaPDub]

You're right about the sample tracks. I should have lined them up to be the exact same cut but I got lazy...and that's god's honest truth. I have some other videos in the queue and some are for family events but I wanted to get this one out. As for the Blues Walk, I need to scrutinize it a bit further but it's hard to tell. RTI didn't get their hands on this lacquer and I think Classic moved to Bill Smith's Custom Records at this time. The only thing you'll see in the deadwax is 'BG' for Bernie Grundman. I agree with you're comment on the vinyl. I thought it sounded much better and I attribute that to the condition of the lacquer. Before I ran it through the ultrasonic though, it would click and pop every ten seconds or so. For the Getz/Gilberto and the others, I think the differences, or improvements will be like splitting hairs. That said, I am going to give the Coltrane a Go. I thought I would try it and I know I can recoup my money easily after a single play. I am wondering if I can get by with a sound sample comparison.

[@leon9021]

@@BarakaPDub would love a sample comparison of Coltrane, preferably against the AP45 or Speakers Corner as those use the same EQ tape unlike the Verve33. Both would be interesting though.

[@BarakaPDub]

I can do the AP45 but I don't have the Speakers Corner version. I would love to hear the Speakers Corner copy though. I wonder if it was cut by Kevin Gray?

[@leon9021]

@@BarakaPDub Yes it was, it sounds great, pretty on par with the Verve33 I think, just slightly different presentation.

[@scottspinner1]

I have the Coltrane lacquer and it sounds fantastic. Way better than the analogue productions issue. One thing they do recommend is don’t clean it with water just a soft brush.

[@BarakaPDub]

I have my order coming in soon and I'll be curious to see if I can get away with an audio clip.

[@scottspinner1]

@@BarakaPDub don’t play it too much. Special occasions. Just bought the triple lp version after watching your video.

[@HighnoonsVinyl]

Hey Paul, loved this topic. I too was intrigued by the announcement of the A Love Supreme lacquers, but in all honesty I had never really dove into the sound quality. I would imagine fresh out of the cut they might sound fantastic, and definitely wouldn't degrade as fast as say an acetate (which really is only good for a handful of plays) but the softer material always gave me a concern for longevity. Your back and forth on the sound convinced me that while owning a historic piece is a wonderful artifact to own (that Lou Donaldson, what a piece!), I would rather pay for a strong pressing from one of the many places offering an above average audiophile grade. I like the idea of having it cut in the hands of one of the current specialists and something that might last longer. I can't imagine the new lacquers will exceed some of the sound quality that the Acoustic Sounds press provides. It is an interesting piece though, but priced way out of my league.

[@BarakaPDub]

Hey Tim. Hope you're home and in Florida as you should be seeing a 36 Chambers arrive at your doorstep in a day or two. Yeah, these pieces I consider to be analogous to a high quality art print. You know the fancy ones that even try and replicate the actual brush strokes. It's not really going to be for everyone and for most, the post card of the Mona Lisa will do just fine. These lacquers were fun to score so cheaply. I've played them both a handful of times and I really haven't noticed any huge loses since I've played them. Since they were both so cheap, I figured, why the hell not try it. If they were Coltrane level prices, I would have to decline. While I love the Lou Donaldson record, I don't $500 dollars love the record.

[@Paneeks1960]

Hello there Paul. Once again you have sledded into the grooves, hit a few bumps and landed smoothly. An excellent observation. I finally heard one of the Clarity Pressings of LZ 4 at In Your Ear Records. Their system is really nice so I could definitely hear the differences. But to my ears there was none. The newer reissues from 2014 sounded great in my humble opinion. They were quiet, punchy with the perfect amount of bass and treble. So I could not hear any major differences. I remember when you showed your copy years ago and it looked beautiful. It looked even better in person. So is it more of a showpiece than a master copy? I would rather have the Clarity Pressings for all of the albums myself. But if the average person could not afford to buy them they could get just the same amount of satisfaction with the 2014 reissues. If owning the lacquers is your thing I say go for it. Your editing and everything else is the best out there. You have come such a long way and I am grateful to have been there for the whole ride. Merry Christmas to you and your family Paul~ Rob/Boston

[@valuevinyl110]

MERRY CHISTMAS ROB!

[@BarakaPDub]

Merry Christmas Rob. So, IMO, the 2014, 2015, etc. pressings are really good for what they are. Yes, the Classic Records pressings are outstanding but at the end of the day, it's really inches on the mile. Sure the mastering and source material will affect the sound but it should be the music that matters at the end of the day. The Clarity version of the LZ IV was really just a lucky opportunity as I hooked up with Michael Hobson's auctions early before the vinyl craze really caught on. I am not sure they did Clarity versions of everything. I have seen Clarity versions of LZ I through IV but nothing beyond that. I've been trying to land a Clarity version of LZ II but I always get beat out of the auctions with seconds remaining and I think he only pressed up 20 copies of this one. I would love to have the Road Case but it's priced far out of my league. I know my wife would divorce me if she ever saw me spend four to five figures on a record set.

[@MelindaMurphy]

This is an interesting topic. I thought the lacquer and vinyl both sounded great. For $10, why not pick up a lacquer but I personally would probably not spend hundreds for one. Thanks for the video.

[@BarakaPDub]

Thanks for checking this one out Melinda. It would have to be something very extraordinary for me to spend significant amounts of money on one but even still, I would be considering how much do I really want it. That said, I did order the Coltrane to try this out once.

[@morrisonAV]

I'm confused. What is the difference between a "Test Pressing", which was on your label and a "lacquer". I thought they were made from completely different materials, no?

[@BarakaPDub]

Don't be confused by the labels that were slapped on these. They are lacquers, you can tell by the cut aluminum discs. These were probably used as reference copies for Classic or Contempary before the father, mothers, and stampers were made. I am betting there were sent out to the label to get a thumbs up on the vinyl mastering before the electroplating was started. A test pressing is made after the metal work has been done at the record pressing plant. I hope that explains things.

[@valuevinyl110]

I found the back and forth between In Groove and Fremer entertaining and educational. I am glad you chimed in! As with most discussions where the 2 parties have extreme views.. reality is somewhere in the middle and I think you showed that in your observation. To me? Could give a crud less... I am not an "audiophile" I am happy with "that sounds pretty good". I understand how and why a lacquer can sound as good as it possibly can by eliminating steps in the process... What I do not understand is how they can charge that price for them... and why they are justified because they will sell out! Most audiophiles have more disposable income than I do... and I guess they are willing to fork out the money. Good for them! The 10 bucks you spent on that one was a really good deal! I do not think they are as frail as IN Groove says.. nor are they going to last and stay sounding as good as Fremer said. Either way... give me a beat up vinyl copy that sounds "good enough"!

[@BarakaPDub]

Yeah. When I saw these, my thoughts and opinions were very much like the In Groove until I tried it. IMO, the truth was in between. I am glad I got these cheap as I thought the novelty of it would be fun. I actually started this video before the controversy erupted but then work got in the way and I couldn't finish it until now.

[@TheVinylverse]

Really interesting, Paul. That is a very cool collectors piece, you have, for a steal, I'd say. Were you holding your breath during the ultrasonic clean? Thanks for the needle drops. I know you will rarely play the lacquer but sharing it with us to hear was a treat especially since the degrading aspect of it with each play. In all honesty I couldn't notice a real difference but this was still fun to compare. I know, for me, this isn't something I'd really bother with unless it was for some album that were really important to me and it'd have to be for a really good price. Fun video! Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@valuevinyl110]

MERRY CHISTMAS BILL! Thanks for the card!

[@BarakaPDub]

Thanks Bill. Before the Ultrasonic Clean, the Lou Donaldson was so noisy, I really couldn't appreciate it. While I can tolerate the occasional pop or tick on a given side of a record, I get really, really anal when I hear a tick or a pop every ten seconds. Since I figured it was only ten bucks, why not try it out. I was anticipating the lacquer just to start flaking away but I was honestly surprised. I should have captured it on video and it's funny, I actually started to shoot this video in July but never got around to stringing it together into something watchable. Merry Christmas Bill.

[@BarakaPDub]

Merry Christmas Steve ;)

[@valuevinyl110]

@@BarakaPDub Same to you Paul!

[@hoobsgroove]

maybe playing with deionised water will make it last longer should reduce noise. what did you use in the sonic cleaner just water?

[@BarakaPDub]

Just distilled water but another commenter said the use of water wasn't recommended with these.

[@hoobsgroove]

@@BarakaPDub no I won't use distilled it's not pure enough! got too many minerals and salt, I wouldn't have thought the water should do any harm you can't get anything more neutral balanced than water. wouldn't be any reaction with the lacquer I can't see it??

[@HoomanR17]

Appreciate your perspective. General comment: would have appreciated hearing the same portions of the same tracks in the video for comparison..

[@BarakaPDub]

Hoorman Rabieh...I am totally with you on your comment. I should have lined it up so the tracks were identical. I got a bit lazy with some other video work in the queue.

[@HoomanR17]

@@BarakaPDub understandable.. these comments are easier typed than the final product created by you!

[@michaelahumada5749]

Hi. What is the name of the cartridge you're using?

[@BarakaPDub]

It’s a Kiseki Purple Heart.

[@jasonhoffer9017]

It seems to me, unless you are a collector the only reason to buy them is for their "audiophileness" which I think would be best served on a Reel to Reel. That said, if you have the money and choose to go this way I'm good with that as well.

[@BarakaPDub]

I agree with the Reel to Reel and I found it funny that Chad Kassem really used the debate to advertise his Reel to Reel copy of the album. I am curious about Reel to Reel but I have far too much invested in Vinyl and CDs at this point to start picking up another format. My wife would probably shoot me if I brought more gear into the house.

[@koylesmasterpeice]

Interesting video. I don’t think that owning something like this is for me. I think that at this point it is just a Uber luxury good that some people are going to find desirable to own and some not. I don’t think that one group should put down the other. This is never going to be a product that can be mass produced and will remain as such. Thank-you for sharing the needle drops. Appreciate everything that you do. Cheers

[@koylesmasterpeice]

@@user-js2dr9gv1u Yeah, the supersense lacquers......? That's what the whole video was about. I am clearly not commenting about Paul purchasing a 10 doller lacquer.

[@BarakaPDub]

Yeah. To me it's all analogous to a wine enthusiast spending $1000 on a bottle of vintage Bordeaux. Most people won't dare spend that kind of money on a bottle of wine but you have those rare few that seek out those kinds of pleasure. Whatever floats a persons boat. Thanks for watching Karl and x.

[@cezarvasile1635]

👌👌

[@BarakaPDub]

Thank you Cezar.

[@VinylRescue]

Well, the vinyl sounded much better!

[@BarakaPDub]

For the Lou Donaldson, that was my perspective as well. For the Shelly Manne, I thought the lacquer just barely edged out the vinyl. It would have been more interesting and an apples to apples comparison, to do the needle drops on a NM vinyl and a freshly cut lacquer.

[@FleagleSangria]

Interesting comparison. Honestly I would say the sax sounds better on the laquer. The frequencies seem to be more present. The highs especially. Just over all more presence. A bit hard to tell since the samples werent the same but got the jest of it. This whole laquer debate is silly to me in a way. Industry professionals that actually work with metal parts, laquers and the process pretty much all agree that laquers are way more fragile and degrade. I think the only way I would pay for one that is in the hundreds of dollars is if I could tape to reel to reel and then see how it competes against other medium such as reel to reel in the case of the John Coltrane. But really it starts getting ridiculous with this. There is a point of am I listening to the music or now having a sound quality competition? First time Ive ever heard anyone put up comparison samples though, thank you! And would also like to hear say comparisons of the old DCC, the more recent Prestige, the AP 45, the small batch and this new laquer cut. That would be a doozy!

[@BarakaPDub]

Ha ha! You said it. I thought it was all pretty silly and the argument was pretty dumb. I would love to hear the Reel To Reel of a Love Supreme but I know my wife would shoot me if I ever spent any more money on more equipment. Not to mention the reel to reels are just damn expensive. As for the sound quality, it gets to the point where you're getting inches on the mile and most of the time, that's not going to be worth for me.

[@dimebagdave77]

Hey brother! Merry Christmas! Which Mike won this debate?😁

[@BarakaPDub]

Ha ha. I think they both lost and Chad Kassem won. At least, he was able to get some advertisement time out of it which I found a bit funny in the end. Merry Christmas my friend.

[@JeffersonDD]

@@BarakaPDub Chad definitly won the debate, if for no other reason than announcing that he’d be doing A Love Supreme on tape!

[@alansenzaki4148]

The lacquers have surface noise. The vinyl sounds better, less surface noise. Lacquers wear out eventually; whats the point?..a good novelty item i guess. Thanks for the video, very interesting.

[@BarakaPDub]

For the Lou Donaldson, I absolutely agree and I attribute that to the condition of the lacquer. On the Shelly Manne, I give a slight edge to the lacquer but then again the vinyl isn't NM.

[@D.E.E.P.Y.]

I'm wondering if second was actually a laquer or a dubplate as usually laquers never have a label. Regardless interesting video

[@BarakaPDub]

I always thought they were one in the same; except, the dubplate was intentionally used for playback in clubs. Classic had these advertised as lacquers when I bought 'em.

[@D.E.E.P.Y.]

@@BarakaPDub Indeed, they call dubplates as "acetates" which is funny cause they made of a different material (but also self-cut)

[@highrantdistrict]

I don't have a strong opinion on this one way or the other, Paul, but I think I'm of the same mind as you: for ten bucks I'd say "sure, I'll give it a try". For €377, I'll pass. In general, I don't believe in spending beaucoup bucks for any "ultimate in sound quality" media unless you have a level of gear that can really extract the full audible benefit. Have a happy and safe new year! Cheers, Tom

[@BarakaPDub]

Thanks Tom for checking it out. I think even the audible benefit will be marginal at best but I don't judge people who want to try as I've done that a few times out of curiosity. Happy New Year my friend!

[@highrantdistrict]

@@BarakaPDub I don't judge anyone who wants to try it either! To each their own. Happy New Year! Cheers, Tom

[@pinkrudy]

on my little PC speakers the laquers sounded brighter and crispier. i get the similar sound with the mofi 1steps. the vinyl versions sounded more full bodied. hard to say which i prefer unless i owned them. im not a jazz fan so unless they cut rock band lacquers then im glad i can save my money.

[@BarakaPDub]

I want to say, I have seen Classic Record auctions for some of the Who lacquers before. If I recall correctly, the fetched far higher sums than $10. Not knowing any better, I didn't even bid on them. They would have been fun to hear though. Thanks for chiming in pinkrudy.

[@onebigholiday42]

I have a hard time believing anyone who collects these does it for the sound quality. It’s done because the people collecting them love to collect. No harm in that

[@BarakaPDub]

You likely hit the nail in the head. If there is an improvement in the sound quality, I think it will be inches on the mile. I heard some things in the Shelly Manne but the Lou Donaldson was a bit different for me.

[@duke86fan]

its probably just a general disinterest in super expensive audiophile products... because.. look the cheap people like me with only a 500 dollar table need some love in audiophile too

[@BarakaPDub]

Totally understand the distaste. Believe me though, most of this stuff is only inches on the mile. Through a cheap system, you're getting most of the sound and don't forget, at the end of the day it's the music that matters.

[@VinylPro]

Sir, but You know there is a way to protect "The Lacquer" from a wear... and even increase the sound quality !

[@BarakaPDub]

Didn't know there was a way to protect the lacquer from wear. I had heard a product being advertised this year but haven't seen it myself.

[@VinylPro]

@@BarakaPDub actually it is a highly profitable business concept that is working not just for a Diamanté thin layer on Lacquer, but most interesting on a vinyl surface of an LP !

[@mymixture965]

No lacquer for me, I don't see it, to me this is stupid. But if you already have everything and you need a kick, why not, do it, I would never recommend it. ...but I also don't drink wine that cost more than an audiophile pressing, so maybe I am cheap.

[@BarakaPDub]

Everyone is going to have a different take on this for sure. Like I said, it's not going to be for everyone and the degree of something being better is very subjective. Thanks for watching and commenting Wolfgang.

[@dixielandfarm]

Yeah, I think it’s pretty much nonsense, but since I have ZERO real world experience, I will stay out of it. But think of it - you sold a record 10x over to an audiophile, probably somewhere close to $1000 invested and how can you trick him into buying something that is more fragile and will need replacing but probably has a touch less surface noise so he thinks it sounds better?

[@BarakaPDub]

I will concede there is a lot of that out there and even with the audiophile pressings, the degree to which something is different can be very, very marginal. I think you said it best, long ago, you're going from an A to A+. It's all inches on the mile but sometime I let my foolishness get the better of me ;)

[@rongreen1538]

The latter.

[@BarakaPDub]

Thanks for chiming in Ron.

[@rongreen1538]

Next time! I’ve marked you down for productivity you Sooner. Get some videos made, I miss you.

[@BarakaPDub]

Thanks Ron. I wish had more time to make videos. With my day job and family, the opportunities can be far and few between. I do have another video in the works which I hope to put out before Christmas. I also have my favorite records from 2021 which I hope to put out before the New Year. The later might be a bit of a challenge though.

[@kuglepen64]

Any Coltrane recording is too crap - technically speaking - to ever warrant being sold as lacquers. This is peak audiophoolery.

[@BarakaPDub]

If you're talking his 'Om' period or anything with Don Cherry. I am with you. I can't go there.

[@mazzysmusic]

Interesting concept to sell these as collectors items. Really limited edition art pieces in my opinion especially for the price. Yours were cheap but these are priced to be placed on a mantle of sorts. Having said all that, I’ve certainly bought collectors pieces of another ilk so to each his own. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@BarakaPDub]

Exactly. I view these very much like art pieces. I have always viewed the ERC records that way and that's why I've picked up a few. That's the one thing I think some folks miss the point entirely. These are not going to be for everyone. It's much like that wine enthusiast that will spend three or four figures on a vintage Bordeaux, when something from five years ago will serve most folks just fine. That Harrison set is one of those items and I thought well put together. I see nothing wrong with producing these items for the uber fans. Hope you'll be around the home on the 27th by the way ;)

[@redcomusic]

I think the whole debate is moot. Just a bunch of out of touch "fools" who still didn't get the memo that phonograph playback has been deemed irrelevant and inferior when in 1982 a thing called compact disc a.k.a. digital audio was launched. Phonograph records are simply a relic of the past (just like the physical CD, actually) that is only being propped up by the nostalgia market and the moneygrab schemes riding that market, preying upon these fools' insecurities and fantasies. Those are my closing thoughts. - Red

[@alansenzaki4148]

I have cd's that sound great. I also have vinyl that sounds better!

[@redcomusic]

@@alansenzaki4148 Wow, comments like mine...It's really THIS fast and easy to hook line and sinker the vinyl nutjob. 🤪🤪

[@martinottmann]

Not only nostalgia, but it has become a fetish.

[@leon9021]

@@redcomusic Good job man, you sure got us.

[@valuevinyl110]

Rabble Rousing Red has been sent to the comments!