Dark Side OTM Vinyl Query

Good morning Ron

Well you certainly don't need another copy!!

But if you are curious there is a splendid review of the 2003 and 2011 versions on this website: http://musicangle.com/

Looks like consensus is your original is best, closely followed by the 2011, and closely followed by the 2003. But many will argue differently.

If I were a betting man I would wager you will get one anyway!!!

Cheers

David.

Hi Ron, 

IMHO the new DSOM is miles better than the 30yr Anniversary edition but to me is inferior to the original early 70's issue. If your original copy is in good nick I'd stick with that. The new WYWH reissue is better than DSOM and nearer to the quality of the original. 

ATB

Steve

That's good to know.

I was put off of buying WYWH, or any others, because of the inferior 30th Ann' release of Dark SIde.

My originals are quite good condition, but it would be nice to "preserve" them a little, if a comparable copy were available

I have my original EMI Harvest vinyl copy, from around 1974/75 - and a Mobile Fidelity version from a few years later.

The MSFL version has a very low level of surface noise. The standard version is noisier, but still pretty good too.

The original DSOTM is the best IMHO

Although I don't dislike The Dark Side Of The Moon (TDSOTM) by Pink Floyd. I definitely prefer the album DSOTM by Medicine Head made in 1972. Their Heavy On The Drum elpee is even better. 

The 30th Anniversary re-issue is a let-down.  In some respects I find the original 1/2 speed MoFi is even worse, but then as I've mentioned here before, the better my system has become, the more the shortcomings of my MoFi 1/2 speeds have become apparent against regular issues.  I haven't heard the latest re-issue though.  A bit burned these days, so rather shy....

If you can find a nice '70s pressings - i.e. unworn and little played - then go for that. 

The 2011 remaster of both DSoTM and WYWH are a delight. DSoTM certainly beats the 30th anniversary press IMO.

I finally have a free weekend so will be listening to the while 14-album remastered box set saturday.

Hurrah!

The MoFi LPs were enigmatic in terms of sound quality. The earlier ones too often had the 'ten at ten' EQ done (10dB boost at 10kHz) to make them sound impressive on  wooly budget systems. After many years of lying dormant I pulled out my MFSL DSoTM and was really not that impressed by it. Although 'Time' sounded pretty cool.  But Supertramps 'Crime of the Century' is simply brilliantly transferred by the half speed mastering process. Although I suspect the majority of sonic benefits were not a result of the half speed mastering (which sounds like a marketing gimmick) but rather the use of the original master tape and decent electronics upstream.

Years ago I had the opportunity to compare the MFSL LP with the standard A&M one, and the MFSL won by a country mile. Similarly a rip I recently did of this LP soundly and thoroughly trounced both the MFSL Utradisk CD and A&M remastered CD. 

Not on vinyl though.

Enjoy your cd weekend.

Stu

I like the new vinyl remasters of DSOTM & WYWH and am looking forward to The Wall in Feb next year.

The 30th DSOTM was shite on cd and vinyl..

Stu.

Ron,

slightly off-topic (apologies) - have you heard any of the A&M "Audiophile" Supertramp releases?  1/2 speed mastered and pressed on JVC virgin vinyl.  I only have the Crisis, What Crisis? issue (my favourite of their albums) and it's actually rather good but then I haven't compared against the regular issue.  I find that regular UK A&M vinyl can be wildly variable.  Some are really good, and some are pretty murky.

Hi Richard

I have the A&M HSM vinyl of Breakfast In America and I think it is very good quality.

Also have Carole King's Tapestry. 

I have had them for years though.

Not sure they would still be available.

I agree about Crises, but also really like Crime of the Century,

but unfortunately don't have said elpees on the black stuff; only in silver. 

(still the Naim DAC makes 'em sound good). 

All the best, Guy

Guy,

I almost went for the HSM issue of Breakfast, but instead I bought the Practical Hifi release cut and pressed by Nimbus.  Sadly it got totally trashed while at Uni...

My  vinyl fav's are the German original pressings of Crime/Crisis/BIA/EITQM.

Stu

Any comments on the new bluray of DSOTM?  I'll be going to a movie this evening and Amoeba is right across the street in LA.

Actually, they have. The recently-released DSOTM "Immersion" box set has two versions of Alan Parsons' 4.0 quad mix, one at 448 kbps on a DVD-A and a 24/96 version on BluRay. Both discs have also got the 2003 5.1 surround mix, the BluRay's also got the original stereo mix in  24/96.

I do agree that surround sound sits very well with DSOTM but I've not done a comparison between all the different versions in the box set. There're only so many times you can listen to it without DSOTM fatigue starting to creep in.

If the chips were down I'd still go for my original 1973 vinyl copy though... 

The new pressings of DSOTM and WYWH are damn good. First thing i did was get them on the VPI and give them a clean then stick them in Nagaoka sleeves. I have original copy the 30th anniversary copy then 20th Anniversary on CD. I need to get out more.