Post your experience on Reissue Vinyl quality!

Posted by: kuma on 03 December 2011

We all know that not all reissues sound good. Some of them down right atrocious.

I thought this thread could be an interesting data bank to see various folks experience with new vinyls. ( good or bad )

I know that most of them are going to be hit and miss. But I would love to share the experience with others with outstanding reissues as well as Hall-O-Shame releases.

 

I'm gonna start from my recent purchase of...

Sony/BGM Reissue of Beethoven Symphony No.5: Glenn Gould:88697148061

This is a reissue of Columbia Masterworks MS7095 Made in EU

Sound Quality:

High self noise. Sounds veiled and laid back compared to my original reissue from the 70s ( orange/brown label )

It lost the presence and some note decays from the original pressing.

Packaging Quality:

Poor 4 process colour label compared to the original spot colour Label. Disapointing that they couldn't bother to reissue with the original 2 Eye label. ( used the 70s version Label )

The outer Jacket is thin and printing looks faded out compared to the original. Some spine splits.

Record itself is slightly heavier than the 70s reissue.

 

I very much doubt this is made from the original tape. If it is, it's not a very well kept.

I was hoping this issue would sound good enough to replace my rather noisy original copy as well as, if this one works out, I was thinking replacing the Stokowski/Gould Emperor Concerto. But after this, forget it! I am better off keep looking for decent shape original issues or reissues even.

Posted on: 12 March 2014 by mutterback

It is absolutely a digital recording to begin with.

 

I seem to recall an interview with the MD saying that they had deleted all their hi res files in the late 80s due to disk space. how times have changed. Ya, this is exactly why I was trolling for others' experiences with this. It seems to be a different series than the Clear Audio DG sets you reviewed earlier.  I'd take a chance with $20, but $40 makes me think twice

Posted on: 29 March 2014 by Jay Coleman

I cannot say enough good things about the Mosaic reissue of the Clifford Brown/Max Roach Emarcy Albums. Great music, great recordings. 

Posted on: 29 March 2014 by Jay Coleman
Originally Posted by kuma:

Rats!

 

Does this mean you are not getting the Reiner's Lt. Kije?

 

Good news that Music Matter is releasing 33 rmp records.

Any other interesting upcoming titles?

No more from this series. 

 

Check out the Music Matters site for upcoming titles. All great stuff, a lot of which I have already. 

Posted on: 29 March 2014 by kuma

Jay,

 

Who did the remastering on Mosaic box set?

 

Re: Classic Reissue

I am going to try the lt. Kije.

 

Did you get all the Music Matters 33rpm reissues?

I am going to get a couple and would be interesting to compare to Classic or Analogue Productions reissue if there is an overlap in titles.

 

The word on the street is that they are actually better than their previous 45 rpm discs.

 

Mutterback,

 

I was looking at their Misha Maisky release, too. But it is costly to take a gamble.

Posted on: 29 March 2014 by Florestan
Originally Posted by mutterback:

Has anyone tried this one - Emil Gilels Beethoven Piano Sonatas 30 & 31?  It is one of my all time favorite recordings.  I just noticed the dreaded (to me, at least) "Digital Recording" label on this image. Checked the CD, and it is indeed DDD.  So, very skeptical of a $40 reissue on vinyl.

Emil Gilels - one of my favourite pianists too.  While the interpretation to me is very satisfactory I have always had a slight problem with the overly bright CD recordings.  This LP improves or reduces the brightness marginally and so, while not perfect, I do prefer it over the CD.  My copy also does suffer from some surface noise which is bothersome for a record of this price.

Posted on: 29 March 2014 by Florestan
Originally Posted by kuma:

Jay,

 

Who did the remastering on Mosaic box set?

 

Re: Classic Reissue

I am going to try the lt. Kije.

 

Did you get all the Music Matters 33rpm reissues?

I am going to get a couple and would be interesting to compare to Classic or Analogue Productions reissue if there is an overlap in titles.

 

The word on the street is that they are actually better than their previous 45 rpm discs.

 

Mutterback,

 

I was looking at their Misha Maisky release, too. But it is costly to take a gamble.

 

Kuma, if you have a fondness for these suites and / or Maisky I would say this set is worth the price (in my opinion).  Of course, my standards may be different than yours but I am very pleased with my set.  Actually, I am very pleased with most of these new Analogphonic releases with the exception of the Gilels which as I noted has some surface noise and isn't the best recording etc. but can live with it as it turns out to be better than the CD equivalent marginally.

Posted on: 30 March 2014 by mutterback

The Mosaic Clifford Brown/Max Roach Mosaic box was mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound.

 

I can't say enough about the Mosaic box sets. I've gotten all of their new vinyl boxes, and have spent more than I'll admit buying up the out of print Miles Davis ones on ebay.  But, man, are they amazing.

Posted on: 30 March 2014 by mutterback
Originally Posted by Florestan:
Originally Posted by kuma:

 

Mutterback,

 

I was looking at their Misha Maisky release, too. But it is costly to take a gamble.

 

Kuma, if you have a fondness for these suites and / or Maisky I would say this set is worth the price (in my opinion).  Of course, my standards may be different than yours but I am very pleased with my set.  Actually, I am very pleased with most of these new Analogphonic releases with the exception of the Gilels which as I noted has some surface noise and isn't the best recording etc. but can live with it as it turns out to be better than the CD equivalent marginally.

Many thanks for the report on Gilels.  Hopefully - contrary to what I read a long while back - the hi res digital masters of these still exist.  I'll wait for those if they ever come.

 

I'll need to look for my 2nd favorite version of the Late Sonatas by Charles Rosen.  My Sony Classics CD says (c) 1971 and ADD spars code.  Does anyone have this on vinyl? 

Posted on: 30 March 2014 by kuma

Doug,

 

Thanks for chiming in! I love Bach's Cello Suite but I don't own any set. Looks to be like new DG pressing is suffering from production inconsistencies.

Do you see any credits to who's doing the remastering and manuracturing on the vinyl themselves? I can't find any production informations on the new DG reissues.

 

Here's my classical music reissue experience of late.

 

Gould's Beethoven Piano Concerto recording from the 50s is one of my favourite rendition of the score and I was really looking forward to hearing the Speakers Corner 3 LP reissue box set.

The Complete Bach Keyboard Concertos & Beethoven Piano Concerto No.1: Glenn Gould + Vladimir Golschmann/Leonard Bernstein/Columbia Symphony Orchestra

Label: Speakers Corner
180g Vinyl/ Stereo or Mono / Germany/ML 5211/ 3LP Box Set
Re-Mastering by: John Guerrier- Engineer
Pressed at: N/A
Release date: Nov. 2013

Sound Quality:
There are recorded in various time at Columbia's 30th St. Studio in NYC betwteen April 1957 and February 1969, so the sound quality of the take varies by the set. Also, note that earlier recording such as Beethoven Piano Concerto is in mono. For the PC1, I have a several original pressing in both stereo and mono as well as various later CD reissues to compare this newest Speakers Corners' Box Set.

 

As all Speakers Corner reissues, the records has a lower noise floor than the original pressing but the strings are too dry. There is a slight colouration and peaky high piano notes but better than the original earlier Lenny mono set. Massed strings show high degrees of distortion and congestion. The natural open sounding piano tone I hear in the original mono pressing is stripped out in place of cleaning up the background and left with clangy slightly veiled tonal quality. The overall sounds a bit removed from the original lacking an intimacy and openness. I understand that they removed Gould singing even further ( I didn't think that it was that objectionable to begin with, but listener tolerance varies ) Waht kills me tho, this record is slightly off center hole.

I do not know who's pressing their vinyl but not acceptable for a high priced box set like this.

 

The orchestra is given more prominence in the remaster but sounds constipated. it's quiet but the sound quality is a step down from the original 6 eye mono.

 

Overall, the strings are too dry and stark sounding like a bad digital remaster. Pizzicatto strings and bass retain a natural balance but tonally it's keyed up compared to the original. The note decays are cut too short and void of low register key blooms.

 

For Beethoven set, I even prefer the CD reissue ( Jubilee Edition/Sony BGM 2007 ) over this.

 

Fast forward over 10 years and Bach Piano Concerto No.2 is recorded stereo in 1969 with Vladimir Golschmann at the same 30th Studio. I do not have the original US pressing but I have the Holland CBS reissue (CBS 60028/CBS Disques) made in 1982 to compare to. I thought this reissue is pretty decent albeit not the quietest record. On the Speakers Corner reissue, the pIano sounds clearer and slightly more open than the CBS reissue. Luckily, the new remix is geard towards the piano so I can hear Gould's subtle riffs and technique. Low end details and dynamics are improved on this particular tune, but overall it still sounds too keyed up and unnatural. Strings do not have the lucid transparent quality. I find it harder on ears in a long run. This disc also has an off center hole plus  non fill grooves on the 3rd movement.

 

Packaging Quality:
Laminated sturdy box to house 3 LPs in white paper inners. LP sized 8pg 4 colour liner notes reprint booklet.

A bit disappointing that they decided to print gray 2 eye label rather than the earlier more iconic 6 eye label designs.

 

The box is the most impressive thing with bright and sharp cover printing.

Posted on: 30 March 2014 by kuma
 

Originally Posted by mutterback: The Mosaic Clifford Brown/Max Roach Mosaic box was mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound.

Thanks mutterback.

 

Smith worked on a Patsy Cline's Greatest hits reissue and it also sounds fabulous. So, no doubt the mosaic reissues are decent. It's on my wish list.

It's unfortunate about their *bootleg* look on the cover.

Posted on: 30 March 2014 by Florestan
Originally Posted by kuma:

Doug,

 

Thanks for chiming in! I love Bach's Cello Suite but I don't own any set. Looks to be like new DG pressing is suffering from production inconsistencies.

Do you see any credits to who's doing the remastering and manuracturing on the vinyl themselves? I can't find any production informations on the new DG reissues.

 

Kuma, 

For the Bach / Maisky I see that the DMM was cut by Hans-Jörg Maucksch with the cutting at Pauler Acoustics.  Vinyl was pressed at Pallas GmbH in Germany.  I have this and the Starker  set on Mercury.  Can't honestly say I could not do without either.  Both very different interpretations and in general the Maisky is maybe a little cleaner sounding and the Starker is maybe a little more raw sounding with some of the low c's that will shake your floorboards.  It is wonderful.

 

The Paganini for Two / Shaham Sollscher has the same specs as above.

 

For the following:

 - Vivaldi / Mullova

 - Solo Violin works / Mullove

 - Con Amore / /Kyung Wha Chung

 - Strauss - Respighi / Zimerman, Kyung Wha Chung

 - Beethoven / Gilels

 

Lacquer discs cut by Maarten de Boer

Cutting at Emil Berliner Studios

Vinyl pressed by Pallas GmbH in Germany

 

That is all I managed to get so far.  Looking for the others but I must have missed the Maisky / Argerich.  This is one I would really like but it seems it is out of stock everywhere.

 

Nice writeup on Bach, Beethoven / Gould.  Believe it or not my copy came with one Disc 1 and two Disc 2's so I have to pack it up and return it soon.

Posted on: 30 March 2014 by kuma
 
Originally Posted by mutterback:

I'll need to look for my 2nd favorite version of the Late Sonatas by Charles Rosen.  My Sony Classics CD says (c) 1971 and ADD spars code.  Does anyone have this on vinyl? 

The original pressing should not be too hard to get?

Posted on: 31 March 2014 by mutterback

Thanks - funny I searched on yesterday and didn't see any, now there are a few just added in NM condition.

Posted on: 03 April 2014 by kuma

Doug, Thanks for the information! Interesting that cuttings are done in two different places depending on the titles. Starker seems to be the famous set and Classic has released a reissue.

Originally Posted by Florestan:
Believe it or not my copy came with one Disc 1 and two Disc 2's so I have to pack it up and return it soon.

I think that Speakers Corner's QC might be slipping. I do not recall this many manufacturing troubles on their jazz or pop/rock releases in the past. I have had a far better luck with EMI Testament reissues. So far I only had to return one LP for slightly off center hole pressing. This Ravel box set isn't a recent reissue by the Testament but unlike aforementioned Speakers Corner Gould box set, this one has no manufacturing defect on all 4 LPs.

Ravel Complete Orchestral Works:

Andre Cluytens/Paris Conservatoire Orchestra

Label: EMI Testament
180g Vinyl/ Stereo / Germany/EMI 2476/ 4LP Box Set
Re-Mastering by: N/A
Pressed at: N/A
Release date: N/A
Sound Quality:

I have the US Angel release in blue/silver label ( more than likely 2nd pressing ) release in a handsome foil stamped slipcase box set in mono. Comparatively, the Testament reissue has a lot better clarity and the midrange comes forward and gives more intimate perspective. Noise floor is low but not one of those digital inky black background. But all of their discs are flat and no intrusive pops or clicks throughout.

Le Tombeau De Couperin is much more dynamic than the mono. I can hear a larger contrast and swing between the soft and loud passages. There is a better sense of breathing of notes. The music has a better bloom and swings then come to a sudden hault. It brings out the rhythmic structure of the tube better. A slght drawback is that there is a slight congestion in upper midrange particularly on massed strings. But all and all It's cool to be able to hear subtle vibrato on the flute on the final note.

 

On Menuet Antique, Testament reissue has excellent low level detailes. There is a sense of atmoshpere in the intro. This pressing is holidng textures and details a lot better than the Angel mono.
But a bit *keyed up* at times and come off as hyper detailed compared to easier on ear laid back mono original.

 

Now compared to Angel's 45 rpm release ( SS-45018 Angel Sonic Series Martinon/Orchestra de Paris ), Natural instrument balance is about the same but the 45 rpm has better dynamics & transient impact.

 

Packaging Quality:

Sturdy laminated box. White plain inners. It's rather orthodox compared to US mono slip case with foil stamping. Silver/cream coloured label and EMI stereo sticker. A nice touch. A 4 pg. B&W reprint of original liner notes and small Testament catalogue booklet.

 

All records are flat and the center hole right in the center! Low noise pressing.

 

I have a few niggles but all and all, this is a much better sounding reissue than Speakers Corner above.

Posted on: 05 April 2014 by kuma

Has anyone got the MOFI's latest Los Lobos' KIKO reissue?

 

Is it worth 40 bucks?

Posted on: 09 April 2014 by Quad 33

Hi, I am looking for bit of advice regarding this reissue [Back to Black 60th Anniversary edition] or any other reissue for that matter. I am aware that an original copy would be the ideal but as I have not yet won the lottery a reissue is my only option! 

 

Regards Graham.

Posted on: 09 April 2014 by Steve C

+1 Graham some of those early first press Mono and Stereos are going for silly money.

 

Steve

Posted on: 09 April 2014 by matt podniesinski
Originally Posted by kuma:

Has anyone got the MOFI's latest Los Lobos' KIKO reissue?

 

Is it worth 40 bucks?

I thought it turned out very well. The originals are scarce and a lot more than $40.

Posted on: 10 April 2014 by kuma

Thanks matt.

 

Now it's on my Wish List.

Posted on: 10 April 2014 by kuma

Originally Posted by Jay Coleman: Analogue Productions new Living Stereo reissue. I do not like it.

It has neither the sweetness of the original or the clarity of the Classic. I does have some good bass, but the string tone is wrong and it loses the tune, as per usual with Chad.

A reissue for laying down, and avoiding.

I've recently visited Jay and I checked out all of the reissues including the original pressing to see what he's on about.
So here he has the original shaded dog label pressing ( can't recall the deadwax S number ) , later reissue RCA Tomato Red No Shaded Dog pressing, Original Classic reissue as well as Chesky tube remastered Scheherazade pressings.

As usual, the original Shaded Dog pressing had the most natural balance with colourful tone in strings and wonderful inviting midrange. Original Classic reissue wasn't bad either but as most reissues, the textures and colours get stripped out from the strings. The latest Classic Reissue sounds thread bare and dynamically constipated. And this reissue has a very different mix from the previous Classic. The worst lot for me was the Chesky. ( this remix just sounds so wrong to me ) If I were to pick one, then even with slightly rolled off frequency extremes and dynamics, I'd rather have the original. The music sounds a lot more alive and breathing. The second runner up would be the original reissue with a dog label/no shading but even this one suffers a bit from lack of weight in strings.

Thanks Jay for the wonderful evening of sampling of your great record collection. The records were played on his kick arse active DBL and Naimed LP12 all the way.

Posted on: 11 April 2014 by matt podniesinski
Originally Posted by kuma:

Thanks matt.

 

Now it's on my Wish List.

Very good. Also, I think it is only $30. 

Posted on: 11 April 2014 by Jay Coleman
Originally Posted by kuma:

Originally Posted by Jay Coleman: Analogue Productions new Living Stereo reissue. I do not like it.

It has neither the sweetness of the original or the clarity of the Classic. I does have some good bass, but the string tone is wrong and it loses the tune, as per usual with Chad.

A reissue for laying down, and avoiding.

I've recently visited Jay and I checked out all of the reissues including the original pressing to see what he's on about.
So here he has the original shaded dog label pressing ( can't recall the deadwax S number ) , later reissue RCA Tomato Red No Shaded Dog pressing, Original Classic reissue as well as Chesky tube remastered Scheherazade pressings.

As usual, the original Shaded Dog pressing had the most natural balance with colourful tone in strings and wonderful inviting midrange. Original Classic reissue wasn't bad either but as most reissues, the textures and colours get stripped out from the strings. The latest Classic Reissue sounds thread bare and dynamically constipated. And this reissue has a very different mix from the previous Classic. The worst lot for me was the Chesky. ( this remix just sounds so wrong to me ) If I were to pick one, then even with slightly rolled off frequency extremes and dynamics, I'd rather have the original. The music sounds a lot more alive and breathing. The second runner up would be the original reissue with a dog label/no shading but even this one suffers a bit from lack of weight in strings.

Thanks Jay for the wonderful evening of sampling of your great record collection. The records were played on his kick arse active DBL and Naimed LP12 all the way.

Thanks for the write up.

 

Two small corrections on the Scheherazades.  The other original was a White Dog. The latest reissue is not Classic but Acoustic Sounds. 

 

The Shaded Dog is a 1S/7S. 

Posted on: 11 April 2014 by kuma

Jay,

 

But the latest reissues are still marketed as 'Classic' label. Chad bought the brand name, too amongst other Classic's assets.

 

No doubt that there will be some confusion in the secondary market as the *original* Classic record reissue sounds a lot better than than the current release.

 

Was this the White Dog?

The dog without a shaded background?

Posted on: 12 April 2014 by Jay Coleman
That's the white dog.
Posted on: 12 April 2014 by kuma

I saw one at Dave's today for 20$ but I am holding out for the mint Shaded Dog.

 

Good Lord. I now sound like a record nerd. :/