The Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness - Vinyl LP Review And Comparison

What Version Is The Best? 1996 EU Pressing VS the 2012-15 Box Set.
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[@thevinyltruffle]

I love this album. I have the US 2014 press. Jimmy Chamberlan’s drumming was fantastic and sounds phenomenal.

[@AhYesIndeedItsFunTime]

To think I bought the original press for $50, sold it for $80 in 1998 and now it's going for over $500. Still kicking myself for that one. Great video!

[@conannanoc8768]

everytime someone asks me why I don't have vinyls if i am so much into music i think of things like this. Vinyl is a perversion. You are taking sacred music and turning it into a collectible.

[@gtaylor3350]

Waited many months for the box set to finally come back in stock, just got it in the mail today and spun all four discs. I had a bit of surface noise even after cleaning and it is definitely cut quiet but it sounds very good, no IGD or sibilance and the packaging is awesome

[@Rkyvz]

My mom snapped both CDs in half when I was 14 (because Satan loves alternative rock), I recently bought the album for me and my toddler to jam to, I'm thinking about picking up the vinyl now.

[@Plarocks]

No, Satan only wants you to listen to HIS music, and nothing else. 😉

[@tooka5777]

Wouldn't you think God would have better taste in music than christian rock lol

[@justayoutubecommentator3059]

That’s awful!!!

[@pearlsswine]

False story. If you were 14 years old, then your parents most likely bought you that album. You were most likely just like most teenagers - disrespectful, inconsiderate, and argumentative. Your mom destroyed it to punish you. Your wife's son is going to follow the same sad path.

[@love2spinvinyl]

Back watching this again after getting a preorder of the repress released this week. Can’t wait.

[@mattthompson6281]

Omg. I buy my Albums from you online. I never even thought you had a KZbin until I just watched this video. I’ve subscribed. Thanks man!

[@9thstreetbrandt]

Oh man I’m so hyped that I have a chance to get this.

[@scottuber5636]

That is the most incredible audio system I have ever seen in my life.

[@toddmusic]

This is great info. Subscribed! MCIS is my all time favorite album. I love the different styles of songwriting and the artwork is stunning. It was my "high school" soundtrack, which usually stays with you for life if it was any good. Which in this case it still holds up. Incredible record.

[@utub1473]

As always, I love the comparison videos. Thanks very much!

[@eqsheiky]

I had to get up and check my personal copy of the album. It's a 1st issue with the number box (4799 for me). I've even got the original sleeve it was sold in with a small white "Made in England" sticker and the price tag ($27.98). I had no idea it was worth so much now, thanks for all the info!

[@trouble9939]

Just enjoy it before you lose your hearing. 😂

[@gliderspace]

I have as part of my collection the The 2012 Smashing Pumpkins ‎- Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness 4 records 180g Box Set and I don't care what people say about not being the best edition to have yatta yatta, it is one of the most beautiful and amazing albums I have. And trust me, I have some pretty funky, strange and hard to find albums.

[@angusiha]

What I liked the best on this review was to be informed that inner groove distortion is frequent on albums that are cut using more of the dead wax. I've never realized that. I have quite a few records that were cut this way, but I've never noticed any inner groove distorion on those. For instance: The Cult's Electric. It's a short album, probably 35 minutes long, that uses a lot of groove space (which is unusual for a short album) and it is a lot hot (I suppose). But there's no inner groove on it. At least the Brazilian edition that I have from 1987 sounds this way. And Brazilian records are not great at all, those 80's pressings are pretty similar to Italian/Spanish albums of that same era - and Brazilian 60/70's pressings were way worse, which is a shame coz those were the years that Brazil was making its best music). By contrat, I've got a Ryan Adams double album (Cold Roses) with lots of inner groove distortion and the album was not cut using much dead wax. So, go figure? Would it be nice if a guy with all that knowlodge like you did a video with all these tips for people not that familiar with these issues. Think about it. Cheers from Brazil.

[@thedrew1011]

Cool. Thanks for your comments! I have the US boxset and I was always satisfied with how it sounds.

[@sittnonchrome]

Thank you for this review, you’ve saved me some money. Any chance you could compare Siamese Dream with the reissue?

[@antonioalbares]

I just learnt so much from this video

[@lopezjurip]

I learned a lot watching this video. Thanks a lot!

[@oziumshift]

Thanks a lot for this, man. I was about to drop $200 on the box thinking it was completely out of print.

[@sourcreampudding]

1 - _Mellon Collie_ was recorded to analogue tape. It isn't a digital recording. 2 - The side lengths on the original 3 record set range from 17 minutes (shortest) to 24 minutes (longest.) None of the records are longer than 45 minutes. That's hardly an excessive length that should impact on sound quality.

[@fbt25]

I saw the video and though, "are there that many versions out there"? Indeed there are actually not. I have 1979 on a 12" 45 rpm single. Sounds amazing. I wish I could find more singles from this album on this same format.

[@Stetho96]

Love these which sounds the best series…must keep doing these! Can't believe how expensive this album is now.

[@flashbak01]

Damn, I just recently moved out of state from Arizona and unfortunately was never aware of your store or I would have definitely checked it out! Nice playback system you have there, and thanks for the review.

[@derh67]

I watch this because of your amazing wood artwork behind there 😁

[@austinhunt4260]

Whack off that lower bass!

[@aaronstark5060]

0:40, yup, I found that out the hard way.

[@user-zx1ir7jt4c]

"whack off that lower bass" 🤣

[@esiu74]

Everything sounds better with that McIntosh set up...

[@gr0nky]

Excellent review. I keep hearing the first pressing sounds better. You explained pretty well the new boxset has been expanded to 4 discs hence the better dynamic range and sound when compared to 1st press

[@richardb2682]

Sacul there is sometimes a section of the vinyl community that like to hype their original pressings regardless of what they sound like. Originals do quite often sound better but not always.

[@TheAlibabatree]

@@richardb2682 Its a nostalgia thing. The original recording of this album (both vinyl and CD) sound terrible. You wont hear many people say that because they grew up with it, but its just true. The remaster sounds a lot better, but still not ideal. The album really needs a remix.

[@noiserocker]

Thought this was Krist Novoselic.

[@christophermendoza4423]

😂😂😂 ty for taking ur time out of ur day to type this comment 😭

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

The CD sounds good enough for me not to have to chase a vinyl pressing.

[@utub1473]

If it brings you joy, I guess that's great. I personally find vinyl has a more *real* sound but that's just me.

[@OwlsRNotWhatTheySeem]

@@utub1473 $100+ heavy ass 4lp record box set vs < $10 convenient perfectly fine sounding cds. No brainer.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

@@utub1473 I'm a vinyl guy too (I'm a DJ) but in regards to this particular album (and others where a vinyl copy is expensive and hard to find and the sound quality difference is questionable) I'm quite happy with a $6 CD copy. Also any album that I currently have on CD and the sound quality is decent, my rule is I don't get a vinyl copy (unless I need it to DJ) there's too much other music I'd rather get so I don't want to have multiple copies of the same album.

[@utub1473]

@@OwlsRNotWhatTheySeem Oh don't get me wrong CDs sound perfectly fine. If you're not into vinyl you're not into vinyl, not gonna try to convince you.

[@utub1473]

@shawngt2 Well I guess that's understandable. I think the distortion on vinyl (which gives it the warmth) makes it sound more real while CDs are more for the analytical listeners.

[@countquackula8539]

My fave Smashing Pumpkins album.

[@TK_5280]

Lol now the US Box is about $240. Really enjoyed hearing you chat about this. I’m so glad I caught the Us Box about 5-6 years ago

[@Sckott01]

Agreed. The box is not only well made, but a really good improvement over a counterfeit pressing and the UK.

[@jonyoungmusic]

Great review! Just dropped $220 + shipping on the 2014 and have no regrets. I love having originals but I'm leaning more & more towards sound quality and choosing whichever is the best press. For example, I bought Fleetwood Mac Rumours from Target recently and it's so muffled like all the highs frequencies were rolled off so I grabbed a clean 1977 press. But had the reissue sounded fine I would've been satisfied with it. Plus I have the original tapes and CD of Mellon Collie which is enough to scratch the nostalgia itch. It's not like I was buying a ton of vinyl in the 90s. I didn't buy my first record until 1997 so the CD's is where most of my nostalgia lies.

[@Imaxandco]

The 1998 reissue is not numbered and has the same stampers than the 1996 original.

[@dingusstuff5864]

I had no idea the box set was sold out! When i first got a job i told myself id get it, but since it was a lot i didnt go through, two years later i quit my job and on my last paycheck i finally bought it. Good thing i got it a few weeks ago

[@godofspacetime333]

I actually burn my cd copies of this album with the vinyl tracklisting. The songs are basically grouped with similar sounding songs to make up 6 themed EPs, it’s a nice way to listen to it. I do switch “Tales of a Scorched Earth” and “Take Me Down” though, it works better, and that way both discs still end with the lyric “..in your heart” (it’s important to me fuck off).

[@origamicrane685]

Would love to see a video on Siamese Dream.

[@themilstead]

First time watching your channel. I love both SP and format analysis like this. Any plans to compare pressings of their other albums?

[@gavinyoung7085]

Yeah, I have the 2012 4 LP Boxset. I find the whole of the first record (A/B) has sibilance issues. Not just Zero. The quieter songs like Tonight Tonight sound great, but Zero and Bullet With Butterfly Wings and the other heavy songs have audible sibilance problems. The other 3 records in the set sound fine, though. The heavier songs on C/D, E/F, and G/H all sound really nice. I don't know what they did to A/B, but it kind of ruined the whole package. I'm not shelling out for another one. Not unless they do another reissue and I can get it for 50 bucks.

[@clinthildebrand8684]

interesting. i sold my original and kept the box set. always wondered if i made the right decision. thankyou for making me feel better about it

[@3dimensionsofmusic3D]

I have the CD and the ' 14 box set. The CD is for enjoying a good Belgian ale. That way I can sit back and savor it. New sub and fellow Mc owner. Cheers.

[@joshuahernandez3216]

I bought the 1996 version when it came out for $50 dollars. I also bought the reissue, both the Hut and box set and the bootleg for about the same price. I personally think the 1996 is the best sounding press. Everyone has their own opinions I guess.

[@TheVinylGuru]

Joshua Hernandez i agree! Love that press.

[@RockfordRoe]

Best version: CD with the '96 vinyl track order

[@anthonylopez6979]

This was my first cd i purchased and really want the vinyl. Been debating if i should splurge or wait and see if it ever comes back in to print.

[@tweakerman]

Another excellent review.

[@uncread]

McIntosh rules!!!

[@joneds]

I'm pretty sure Mellon Collie was originally recorded to tape. They used Pro Tools in the studio, but didn't record directly to it. I'd be interested to hear a sample of the last 30 seconds of the 2012 version of Zero played on your equipment too. I have a hard time believing that any setup, no matter how expensive, doesn't present any IGD on a record cut that ridiculously close to the centre.

[@mrdibdles9252]

One of the best albums of the generation. In my top 5 favorites.

[@lowpassparty]

The most interesting thing to note is the original 1995 pressing has several exclusive songs that were never properly made available in any other format, including CD, MP3, cassette, streaming or even the 2014 repress. Sound quality aside, that's a big deal for completionists!

[@bitlandproductions]

The tracklist on the original is so much better!

[@thejackpotgoldenboys]

Very Interesting indeed, I just got the 4 disk boxset at Christmas I'm guessing it's the newest European version.. But I've gotta go check now👍🏻

[@GIBKEL]

Thanks for the break down of why some of my records don’t sound all that great.

[@BilboFromTG]

Great info, thanks!

[@snapcracklenpop821]

I dig your honesty. OGs of this album in minty condition are worth a decent whack. Would you get rid of it? No. Is it the best sounding. No. Only with a sizeable collection can you stop convincing yourself something sounds great coz you payed up for it. Great review.

[@smokerise]

Damn, I thought I had a lot of vinyl.

[@andromedaneoprog]

Great review!! ¿would it be possible for you to do a comparison between th different versions of Pink Floyd's "The Division Bell" ? Greetings!!

[@mj127871]

Classic!

[@michaelsk87]

If you have the resources can you please do a comparison of Nirvana Nevermind, back to black; Pallas press; org blue vinyl, mfsl, 200 gram Japan and deluxe edition? Thanks.

[@kevinmartins9501]

Nice review, would like to know the difference between the original mix and reissue of the CD

[@tim_brooks]

i have #0486 of the first pressing. i’m wondering if i need to sell that one and get the box set. also, i’m surprised you didn’t mention at all the two tracks on the first press that aren’t on the cd or the newer box set....

[@Macxbarra]

Dude. Never sell that record.

[@starstart23]

how can u tell the diffeeence between the 2012 vs 2014?

[@robertkeene7909]

Hey Mike and the In Groove, would you consider doing a shootout of the London Calling LPs and which one you favor? Thanks for the informative videos!

[@Thevinylscavenger]

I still have my original copy though it has a 2" tear bottom right (though not visible) I'm guessing it's still pretty collectable. I kinda prefer Siamese dream but only as I saw that tour twice.

[@GIBKEL]

Did anything come out of that great Phoenix band “What Laura Says”-That band would have been west coast hit makers had they come out in the 70’s. Got to see them a few time and just killed as a live band. Had this vibe of what the Beatles might have sounded like after Abbey Road had they been American.

[@Plarocks]

Okay, big fan of this album here. I did NOT buy the 2012/2014 version, as I have two copies of this LP set already. Both of the Virgin/Hut pressings came with a really nice large booklet. I am surprised you did not pull that out and make a reference to it. Also, there are two songs on the vinyl version that are NOT on the CD. The 1996 numbered version was released to coincide with their world tour, and cost me about $30 from Music Machine in MD. 😄 It is pressed on the THINNEST of vinyl, but has the different colored center labels and everything. The repress in 1999 cost me about $50 from Red Trumpet, but this time was pressed on 180 gram vinyl from the same plates, plain white box, no number, but has the different colored center labels and also includes another copy of the book. The verdict? The original pressing on the waif thin vinyl sounded better than the 180 gram reissue, which surprised me. I was fully expecting the 180 gram pressing to win, but apparently earlier off of the stampers equals better sound quality. Would LOVE to hear a shoot out with my numbered original vs the recent reissue on a high end set up. Cranking the OG on my friend’s mid-level system, with his vintage Thorens turntable sounded awesome! 🤘🏻 Perhaps this is why I did not feel a need to upgrade. I also prefer the original artwork.

[@dudedude8931]

Plarocks agree.. the original pressing sounds incredible.

[@timgibson3754]

@@dudedude8931 Dude you just said the opposite of his review

[@erikquinn707]

Thanks again for another great vinyl video comparison. Really appreciate the info on this one as I was actually looking for a review on this record. Would really love to see you do a vinyl video comparison for the best vinyl pressing of Nirvana's Nevermind. Such a classic album that had such a huge impact on the music scene at that time. Thanks again and hope business is going as best as it can be at this time.

[@iChannelApple4s]

In the court of the crimson king next please!

[@angelsnaranjolopez939]

My record ls exactly the same but the triangle doesn’t have a number ??? How many they did with out numbers

[@hotel2tango]

I only have a fan bootleg in my collection. but i want to say the bootleg plays gr8.

[@spookey2004]

I own the 2012 box set version, and though it has some bad inner groove distortion, especially on side A I don’t think it sounds bad, just not particularly good. I still enjoyed listening through it and I think people exaggerate how bad it sounds

[@thorstenamesoder4803]

Very interesting. I bought the CD version, after 1 year of thinking, not being able to decide whats best. CD/LP. The album is so damn good. To me, it stands in line with Nirvana. As you said, It's a digital production. So, I can live with my CD and don't have to spent 140 euros on an analoge LP maid of a digital production. The only handycap of my CD Version 1995 is, the vocals could be a little louder. I have to fix it, turning up the Center of my multichannel system. Thanks a lot 4 the info.

[@drbryant23]

I usually enjoy Mike's reviews, but I ran across this one, and was left puzzled. First, I think that Mike is incorrect in assuming that the track order was rearranged in order to "fit the album on three LP's". In fact, while that was often the reason for a different LP tracklist during the CD era, that was clearly not the case here. If they had just taken the CD tracklist in sequential order, limited the sides with the two longest tracks ("Porcelina", "Ruby) to four tracks each, and put 5 tracks on each other side, I don't think any side would have exceeded 22 minutes. However, the reordered tracklist results in three shorter sides, and three longer sides, with two of the sides exceeding 24 minutes. Obviously, they would not have done that if the objective was to fit the material onto 6 LP sides as opposed to 8 sides. Also, the 1996 3LP set actually adds two tracks on side 6, so the 3LP set has 30 tracks vs. 28 tracks on the CD, and the box set. "Tonight Reprise" which is an acoustic reprise of "Tonight Tonight" and "Infinite Sadness" an orchestral closer to match the instrumental opener on Side I. Those two tracks increase the total running time by nearly seven minutes. I think it's pretty apparent that this was not done randomly for economic reasons.

[@jironsr9558]

Smashing pumpkins the greatest alt rock band ever!!

[@vico805]

just got one for $109 I can’t believe cause I was gonna get 1 for like +$175 easily

[@Licoricedisc]

Curious if you have rebuilt your Akai 646 RtR player? I have the same model, but the black version. It works fine, but have not set it up in my system yet. Please let me know what your thoughts are and what you plan to do with yours? Love your videos! Never miss them. Thanks, Rick

[@tplayford2006]

I think Mellon Collie was recorded half Analog/Digi... You also need to mention that the mastering for the 2012/2014 cut is different than that of the original. I like both mastering, they are quite different. I probably wouldnt agree that the new cut is THAT much better. Apples and organes. If you like dynamics, I think the original press is actuallt more dynamic. The 2012 remasters of all SP albums appear to be more compressed.

[@txsailor82]

I can only find this on eBay for 200. Fo you know if they’ll make more.

[@MrLovell1971]

Mike great comparison I've been still after this box to do a comparison the prices are crazy I do have a original unnumbered pressing but my complaint was I wanted it to have the correct running order i had a feeling the 2014 pressing had better dynamics im going to do what you said wait for a $100 price tag thats right up my alley yes Jimmy Chamberlain was a beast on those drum i saw them live in the early 2000s for Machina tour aka farewell tour mind blowing Mike very cool breakdown take care. Lovellandrew

[@matthewg.garcia9415]

Can I have all your mcintosh gear?

[@darrendodson9075]

Found your channel recently and I couldnt disagree more on your evaluation of these two pressings. I have a 1996, 1998 and the box set 4 Lp version. The 3 Lps originals sound a lot better. Yes they are pricey, but they did this one correctly the first time. I see people reviewing the new Alice in Chains Jar of Flies Lp that just had a release this year and feel the same way. The vocals and soundstage is 10x better on the original pressing of that album as well. I do feel that the STP MOV pressings and the 320 Soundgarden Superunknown sounds better than the original pressings by a large margin, but they are the only grunge albums that I can say that about.

[@TheDeftones821]

How can you tell if you got the 2012 or 2014 version?

[@lucalone]

those 90's pressing are so rare because noone was buying vinyl in the 90's anymore!! the 90's, although a great music decade, were a really bad time soundwise. the mastering in the 90''s (on cd and vinyl!) was for some reason worse than in the 80's cause many were using no noise filters and overuse of dynamic compression. the so called loudness war ( that should stop now already!) was "invented" in the 90s ....

[@danieldaniels7571]

lucalone I was buying vinyl in the ‘90s.

[@BOBBRADLEYCHANNEL]

epic record and a nice video!

[@danieldaniels7571]

BOB BRADLEY it’s not on Epic, it’s on Virgin. 🤪

[@BOBBRADLEYCHANNEL]

Lol this is true!

[@daveharttify]

Almost certain the bootlegs come from pbthals rip of the og, been seeing the yellow one around a lot for like 100 lol

[@tooka5777]

I didn't know you were Chris Novoselic's nephew

[@crowner76]

I have a counterfeit that sounds really good!

[@Altamont89]

The unofficial one?

[@crowner76]

I think so. www.discogs.com/The-Smashing-Pumpkins-Mellon-Collie-And-The-Infinite-Sadness/release/1552294 very happy with it.

[@galvinatrix1984]

dang, its almost $150!

[@nibpresscomics]

How is the cd version? Is that a better option?

[@TheCraymanatlanta]

Do lower numbers increase value on the original pressing? Mine is 0192.

[@Macxbarra]

100%

[@cezarvasile1635]

👌

[@danielsimpson2946]

You sound like Bob Parr/Mr Incredible from The Incredibles

[@dudedude8931]

The reason why the order on the lp is “hacked up” - 😂... is because it was a concept album and the order of the songs on the lp was the proper way corgan wanted the concept to be conveyed. So essentially the cd version is the “hacked up” version. Also don’t listen to this guy, the lp sounds absolutely incredible. This review isn’t very good. Guy doesn’t know much about the album as a whole.

[@Kevin-uz6sv]

I compare all my records to my MC Box Set. Kinda ruins the rest of my vinyl lol

[@nicothe2nd.]

Please do "Abbey Road"

[@victorjohnson7512]

This explains why I only bother with CD's, Flac files, and Tapes.

[@dudedude8931]

Lol are trying to say that cds and tapes are gonna sound better than the vinyl? Don’t listen to this guy, he couldn’t be more wrong about the sound of the record. It’s actually quite good. And I’ll argue all day that cassette is not sounding anywhere near close to as good 😂

[@Marco-717]

Who cares you old fart

[@jasonreese4573]

My cat rips up the upholstery when he hears that guy sing.

[@josefbuckland]

Jimmy chamberlain is in my top 5 drummers. Anyway it annoys me when audiopheliacs talk about pressings and comparing them. What is it they are comparing it too. The master ? Not the master vinyls the master tape/Cd etc. how do we know if it’s hotter or not if we are not listening to what is the master we are comparing it too. Anyways top vid enjoy it all jealous of the gear but not of the hobo effort in cabling the interconnects at the back. Take some pride and artistic finesse with the beauty of Hi-Fi Much love

[@TheInGroove]

My cables are arranged in a way that gives me zero interaction with one another. If I strap them together it changes the sound. I care most about how it sounds.

[@Matasky2010]

How can you tell someone to 'Take some pride in the beauty of Hi-Fi' when you don't even understand there can be a difference between a good or bad vinyl pressing lol?

[@josefbuckland]

The 'In' Groove I know it’s just me I’m anal segregation is imperative So is running the Hifi on a dedicated phase not just a circuit but most will never have three phase into their home and that’s cool. Much love though while I have all the power I still dream of the Mac amps or ps audio either way hope to have my vids of my hifi up in the coming months it’s been a labour of love as I’m sure you can appreciate. It’s the things we do. So while you have been blessed to hear so many pressings of led zep II AND I have not I still have to appreciate that KZbin with all its ex hifi friendly options like some swinging vu meters still delivers me to you in the best format I can see. If I could upload some pics (if I even knew how to do that) I would share some of buzzard lengths to get cable Managment and structured cable combing into focus all in good times they will be in the vid. Keep up the great work I love it. I know I paid too much for my box set of pumpkins SDATIS along with Pink Floyd pulse but hey they must be in my collection lol. I don’t mind admitting that my two most prized records are..... dido no angel first press WAIT NO how can I forget they would be aquarium - aqua. And mmmmm original frog stomp silver hair. Althouth the anniversary one on Coloured vinyl I like better cause of the Colour ha ha ha great album and I’m from Australia. Anyways keep it up loving the content

[@Matasky2010]

josefbuckland Somebody forgot to take their meds again...

[@josefbuckland]

Adam lol great album by placebo but my fave track of theirs is : scared of girls from the album without you I’m nothing.

[@d0rky]

lmao... dude you're funny

[@therodgodproject9942]

Is he reading a script?