Beatles mono vinyl aaa box set

Posted by: Premmyboy on 16 June 2014

All the Beatles albums are to be released in mono all analogue vinyl as individual albums and as a box set this September 2014.

 

See analogue planet website for more details. Yippee!!!

 

Prem.

Posted on: 31 August 2014 by Steve J

It was interesting to see what the packaging was like but when it comes to the SQ I only trust my own lug holes.

Posted on: 01 September 2014 by matt podniesinski

Fremer has moved on to With The Beatles. He is favorably impressed with this one as well. So far so good!

Posted on: 04 September 2014 by KRM

Listening to PPM now. Do believe the hype!!!!

 

Keith

Posted on: 04 September 2014 by KRM

Diverse Vinyl are saying that those who didn't preorder will be disappointed.

 

Posted on: 05 September 2014 by Quad 33

A little bit of homework before Mondays 'Mono' box arrives. This probably will be the first album I will play, what will be yours?

 

Posted on: 05 September 2014 by mrclick
Well, my box arrived today. White Album no 26,104. Not that it matters. Haven't played it all yet of course but thought I would give some initial thoughts.
 
Started with Please Please Me because I used to play it constantly in the early 60s. Gorgeous, but I no longer have an original to compare it with. And of course the tapes on this were in the worst condition, but its much better than the CD I have. Steve J will get his lug holes out and put us right on this LP when he returns from his paella eating excursion.
 
On to Rubber Soul because I have a nice clean original 1965 UK copy to compare. Regarding the jacket the colours are slightly different, particularly around the Rubber Soul lettering. The ink isn't the same (but why would it be - the 1965 copy probably has lead, or arsenic, or asbestos in it) and of course you don't get an Emitex inner. No matter again. 
 
What about the tunes?....
 
Drive My Car, Norwegian Wood, You Won't See Me, and then back to the original for the same. Mostly I am so impressed at how good the music is still. The new version is great. Detailed, seamless, rich, vibrant, almost creamy. And the original? Detailed, seamless, rich, very vibrant, punchy, and grabbing of attention. Back to the new one. Oh, this is good too. First impressions are I prefer Drive My car on the '65, because it has an immediacy about it, but Norwegian Wood I prefer the '14 because the detail is better and a bit more sumptious. You Won't See Me? I can hear Mal Evans (or whoever it was) organ better on the new copy, but Paul sounds better on the original.
 
Do you know what? Its rather like taking an old painting you know inside out, and moving it from one room to another. Slightly different light and the painting is the same but you notice slightly different things. Its better in this room. Actually, its better in this room. No hang on....
 
On to a other few tracks. Paperback Writer - wow! It almost rips your head off - in a very good way. Rain - can't believe it. Revolution - simply outstanding. Never heard the Beatles later music like this. Couldn't care less about comparisons any more. Or hi-fi. I'm running around the room playing air guitar, bass and drums all at the same time. 
 
What about Back in the USSR? She Said, She Said? Hearing these in mono for the first time so that's another journey I'm starting. Paperback Writer in mono is revelatory. You can scarcely believe its not stereo (I don't mean it resembles the unfortunate Beatles stereo mix) because the vocal harmonies spread out in front of you like a giant balloon, or mushroom (no - I'm not on drugs!!). Huge soundscale.
 
Anyway, there will be mountains of proper comment from you real Beatles aficianados very soon. So this is my only contribution, and it is especially for anyone still sitting on the fence "should I, shouldn't I??"
 
Good listening,
as JN would say, and still does,
David
Posted on: 05 September 2014 by matt podniesinski

Wow! The reviews are in. Wish I didn't have to wait until the middle of next week for my set to arrive!

Posted on: 05 September 2014 by count.d

Thanks for the review. Interesting stuff!

Posted on: 05 September 2014 by Cdb

Hi David

 

Thanks for the review - everything seems favourable at the moment - v different from the stereo box.

 

Where did your box come from? Perhaps you have industry privileges?! I have been assuming that copies won't be about until next week. Mine is coming from Spin so I would be interested to hear from anyone who gets a copy from them.

Clive

Posted on: 05 September 2014 by mrclick

No industry privileges here sadly!!

 

I got it from What Records and they are close by. Interesting to see the comment from KRM above. I've just checked some sites and both What and Diverse have sold out. Diverse say Universal have announced the box is limited and only available for pre-sale orders - they can't get any more copies. Not wanting to scare monger - but the boxes may not be around for much longer. No problem with individual titles though.

 

I notice Juno have the box in stock and they are very quick to deliver.

Posted on: 05 September 2014 by Zipperheadbanjo

How many will be listening to this with a mono cartridge.... and does it make a huge difference?

 

I have a 2M Black... will I be giving up alot since I don't have a mono cartridge for playback?

Posted on: 05 September 2014 by Cdb
Originally Posted by mrclick:

No industry privileges here sadly!!

 

I got it from What Records and they are close by. Interesting to see the comment from KRM above. I've just checked some sites and both What and Diverse have sold out. Diverse say Universal have announced the box is limited and only available for pre-sale orders - they can't get any more copies. Not wanting to scare monger - but the boxes may not be around for much longer. No problem with individual titles though.

 

I notice Juno have the box in stock and they are very quick to deliver.

Thanks, David

 

Yes, Juno are good and I looked at their site but I don't think they give a price until they have stock and I wanted to preorder. Spin's preorder button is still live but that may be an oversight!

Posted on: 05 September 2014 by Steve J
Originally Posted by mrclick:
Well, my box arrived today. White Album no 26,104. Not that it matters. Haven't played it all yet of course but thought I would give some initial thoughts.
 
Started with Please Please Me because I used to play it constantly in the early 60s. Gorgeous, but I no longer have an original to compare it with. And of course the tapes on this were in the worst condition, but its much better than the CD I have. Steve J will get his lug holes out and put us right on this LP when he returns from his paella eating excursion.
 
On to Rubber Soul because I have a nice clean original 1965 UK copy to compare. Regarding the jacket the colours are slightly different, particularly around the Rubber Soul lettering. The ink isn't the same (but why would it be - the 1965 copy probably has lead, or arsenic, or asbestos in it) and of course you don't get an Emitex inner. No matter again. 
 
What about the tunes?....
 
Drive My Car, Norwegian Wood, You Won't See Me, and then back to the original for the same. Mostly I am so impressed at how good the music is still. The new version is great. Detailed, seamless, rich, vibrant, almost creamy. And the original? Detailed, seamless, rich, very vibrant, punchy, and grabbing of attention. Back to the new one. Oh, this is good too. First impressions are I prefer Drive My car on the '65, because it has an immediacy about it, but Norwegian Wood I prefer the '14 because the detail is better and a bit more sumptious. You Won't See Me? I can hear Mal Evans (or whoever it was) organ better on the new copy, but Paul sounds better on the original.
 
Do you know what? Its rather like taking an old painting you know inside out, and moving it from one room to another. Slightly different light and the painting is the same but you notice slightly different things. Its better in this room. Actually, its better in this room. No hang on....
 
On to a other few tracks. Paperback Writer - wow! It almost rips your head off - in a very good way. Rain - can't believe it. Revolution - simply outstanding. Never heard the Beatles later music like this. Couldn't care less about comparisons any more. Or hi-fi. I'm running around the room playing air guitar, bass and drums all at the same time. 
 
What about Back in the USSR? She Said, She Said? Hearing these in mono for the first time so that's another journey I'm starting. Paperback Writer in mono is revelatory. You can scarcely believe its not stereo (I don't mean it resembles the unfortunate Beatles stereo mix) because the vocal harmonies spread out in front of you like a giant balloon, or mushroom (no - I'm not on drugs!!). Huge soundscale.
 
Anyway, there will be mountains of proper comment from you real Beatles aficianados very soon. So this is my only contribution, and it is especially for anyone still sitting on the fence "should I, shouldn't I??"
 
Good listening,
as JN would say, and still does,
David

You lucky B David. Your experience sounds very promising. The recordings, from what you report, don't sound compressed like the stereo box set. Enjoy. I can't wait to hear mine.

 

Steve

Posted on: 05 September 2014 by KRM

I have only listened to the first side of Please Please Me. I haven't done a comparison with the CD, but first impressions are very positive. It's nice and quiet but there is a little bit of rumble. The sound is big and full and the bass is there. It feels like the live studio performance it is. Paul's bass fluffs on I Saw Her Standing There have never been clearer! You can really hear the sound reverberating around Studio 2, but the real news is that it rocks. It sounds like a great live band giving it everything they have.

 

Keith

 

 

Posted on: 05 September 2014 by Premmyboy

Just had an email that my box set has been dispatched. Ordered from Beatles.com.

Posted on: 06 September 2014 by FangfossFlyer

Lots of interesting postings on other forums as people receive early delliveries, also Neil Gardner reports:

 

 

The bottom line is that with few exceptions The Beatles in Mono is a sonic triumph. And considering that at $200, $300 or more a pop for an original mint Parlophone, The Beatles In Mono represents an almost impossibly great value. And thankfully the stars aligned  just so or it might never have happened. Now we all can hear what was once reserved to a very exclusive club of collectors. And, as the Beatles, I'm sure would certainly agree, “ a splendid time is guaranteed for all”. 

 

 

My copy should arrive on Monday but I am on the otherslide of the planet next week so unable to play them until the week after therefore I  will be interested in your findings  from a far.

 

Richard

 

Posted on: 06 September 2014 by Steve J

I'm in the same boat Richard. Have a good time.

Posted on: 06 September 2014 by bishopla

Your Amazon.com order of "The Beatles in Mono Vinyl..." has shipped!

Your expected delivery date is:

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

 

 

 

Posted on: 07 September 2014 by Steve J

Rather disconcertingly I haven't heard from Amazon, despite preordering on the first day and having Prime. 

Posted on: 07 September 2014 by Bert Schurink
Originally Posted by Steve J:

Rather disconcertingly I haven't heard from Amazon, despite preordering on the first day and having Prime. 

Yes frustrating - it sometimes happen with products you want to have on the day of being available.

Posted on: 07 September 2014 by Quad 33
Originally Posted by Steve J:

Rather disconcertingly I haven't heard from Amazon, despite preordering on the first day and having Prime. 

Same here Steve. Amazon are still saying Monday is the release day which would only seem to apply to the UK. Other parts of Europe have been receiving the box since Friday   Still hoping for a Monday  prime delivery.

 

Graham.

Posted on: 07 September 2014 by Quad 33

From Amazon today @ 11pm.

 

We thought you'd like to know that we've dispatched your item(s). Your order is on the way...

 

Delivery tomorrow (Monday) 

 

Graham.

Posted on: 07 September 2014 by Steve J

I had checked my orders this morning before posting but luckily I received the email from Amazon saying it's on it's way.

Posted on: 07 September 2014 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by Wat:

I hope everybody who pre-order gets theirs in tomorrow's delivery and enjoys it.  

(except for those hoping to resell it on eBay at an inflated cost, of course)

Yep, just got back from work and discovered mine's on its way as well...

 

I'm wondering whether or not a lot of people will decide to offload their stereo boxsets, on the presumption that this new set makes those redundant...

Posted on: 07 September 2014 by Premmyboy

Mine arrived on Saturday while I was away and was taken in by my neighbour. I have only had the chance to play the first record of the white album. Even on my modest system it sounds fantastic. Completely flat quiet pressing. Unfortunately I do not have another mono copy to compare it with so can't say if it is better or worse than the original. All I can say is that it sounds great to my ears and to purchase an original copy in mono in pristine condition would most likely cost more than the cost of the whole box set.