Charlie Haden Private Collection Vinyl pressing quality

Posted by: Dreadatthecontrols on 13 October 2013

I have the original NAIM CD's of this wonderful recording (the ones sold through NAIM dealers). As vinyl though is my preferred format I though it about time I invested in the 3LP vinyl version, I ordered it direct from NAIM and it arrived yesterday. I put it on the turntable with eager anticipation and was pleased with the wonderful sound quality and vinyl mastering, however my enjoyment was soon spoiled by patches of distracting unwanted noise in the pressing, particularly on LP1, I also found drop outs in the sound on the beginning of LP 2 & 3.

I have contacted NAIM label for a replacement or refund, but would be interested to hear if anyone else has had issues with pressing quality to help me decide if its worth pursuing a replacement or get a refund.

 

Thanks

Posted on: 13 October 2013 by PDavid

Hello Richard 2000,

 

I own this recording on a Naim LP too, and the pressing is fine. I hope you will get a replacement copy from Naim.

 

ATB

 

Pierre

Posted on: 13 October 2013 by Tony2011

I thought I had read about the same issue so to play safe I ordered the CDs from Naim.

Maybe you got one of those test pressings by mistake. Just kiddiing!

Posted on: 14 October 2013 by naim_nymph

This is the first i've heard about a pressing problem on The Private Collection 3 x LP set, only ever read many positive reviews of it being one of the best jazz vinyl recordings and pressings of recent years, which my copy confirms in bucket loads.

Although, as we all know, good quality control with vinyl pressings can occasionally malfunction no matter how careful and dedicated the process.

Perhaps just a case of getting a replacement set, and carry on with the enjoyment.

 

Debs

Posted on: 14 October 2013 by Dreadatthecontrols
Originally Posted by Tony2011:

I thought I had read about the same issue so to play safe I ordered the CDs from Naim.

Maybe you got one of those test pressings by mistake. Just kiddiing!

Hi Tony,

Can you recall where you read about this?

 

Thanks

Richard

Posted on: 14 October 2013 by Dreadatthecontrols

Thanks for the replys,

 

NAIM are sending me out another copy, so lets hope my troublesome one was just a rogue.

 

I am just wondering if those of you with clean copys bought them early on, I note that the vinyl edition came out in 2008 and mine being much later could be from stampers that are starting to wear??

 

Thanks

Richard

Posted on: 14 October 2013 by naim_nymph

Richard,

 

i purchased my set in the naim label sale earlier this year [July i think].

 

Hope you enjoy the replacement set : )

 

Debs

Posted on: 14 October 2013 by Tony2011
Richard,

I cannot remember where I read it but I do recall an initial batch of just over 2000 when it was first released. You probably got a  "bad egg" among the latter re-issues.  I have never been keen on re-issues and, being a live performance, it is probably over "sanitised" for my taste.
KR
Tony
Posted on: 15 October 2013 by Dreadatthecontrols

Well, received my replacement this morning and very disappointed, got as far as side c and gave up. Irritating surface noise, warpage, a scratch and audio drop out (groove crash?), maybe Naim need to get new stampers???

 

Richard

Posted on: 16 October 2013 by naim_nymph

Richard,

 

Just a thought but is your stylus tip okay?

Maybe it's in need of replacement?

or simply in need of a green paper scrub and brush up.

 

Do you clean the vinyl on a RCM before play?

All the naim vinyl I’ve received was clean but came charged with static which was washed away on my Okki Nokki.

 

Which turntable/arm/cartridge are you using, and are they set up correctly?

 

Debs

Posted on: 16 October 2013 by Dreadatthecontrols
Hi Debs,
 
No problems with mw arm/cartridge. But to satisfy your interest:
Dynavector D3 (less than a year old and low hours)
EKOS/LP!2/Trampolin/Prefix/HiCap
Brand new NAP 202
 
In any case my other records play fine
NAIM have asked me to return the offending copy and they are going to investigate
 
Cheers
Originally Posted by naim_nymph:

Richard,

 

Just a thought but is your stylus tip okay?

Maybe it's in need of replacement?

or simply in need of a green paper scrub and brush up.

 

Do you clean the vinyl on a RCM before play?

All the naim vinyl I’ve received was clean but came charged with static which was washed away on my Okki Nokki.

 

Which turntable/arm/cartridge are you using, and are they set up correctly?

 

Debs

 

Posted on: 19 October 2013 by Clive B

A little bit off topic, but I too have the original two CDs of theses performances and very enjoyable they are too. However, I'd be interested to know if anyone has compared the original copies with the remastered double CD set and would the difference justify repurchase?

 

Alternatively, how does the digital download (24bit, 192kHz) compare with the CDs? I still haven't ventured into the digital download arena yet, despite having the NDS since May. Maybe this should be my first venture...

Posted on: 21 October 2013 by Dreadatthecontrols
Originally Posted by Clive Blackman:

A little bit off topic, but I too have the original two CDs of theses performances and very enjoyable they are too. However, I'd be interested to know if anyone has compared the original copies with the remastered double CD set and would the difference justify repurchase?

 

Alternatively, how does the digital download (24bit, 192kHz) compare with the CDs? I still haven't ventured into the digital download arena yet, despite having the NDS since May. Maybe this should be my first venture...

Hi Clive,

I cant answer your first point as I have not bought the remastered CD. But in response to your second point, although I had some issues with the vinyl pressing, which Naim have now resolved, I can tell you that the vinyl which I understand is mastered from the hi-res digital files is sonically and musically in a totally different league. So I would think that it is a fairly safe bet that the 24/192 will also be in a different league to a CD version bounced (dumbed?) down to 44.1

 

Cheers

Richard

Posted on: 21 October 2013 by Dreadatthecontrols

Third replacement copy. This one much better although some slight audio imperfections are present on Bay City and Visa, sounds like these might be present on the master tape which may have suffered some slight degradation or damage since it was first recorded. Has anyone else noticed?

Despite being a little warts n all, this is still a great piece of music and the sound quality is miles ahead of the earlier limited available through Naim dealer only CD's.

 

Richard