180 gram lp's - Are they better?

[Dude111]

Originally Posted by Josquin des Prez

I am more concerned about the quality of source, mastering and the mastering chain.

So am I!!

I do not want digital crap on my records! (I get records for what i think IS BETTER QUALITY)

[Josquin des Prez]

Originally Posted by Dude111

So am I!!

I do not want digital crap on my records! (I get records for what i think IS BETTER QUALITY)

I also avoid vinyl with mastering that entered the digital domain. As far as I'm concerned, once the music enters the digital domain it should stay there. It gets harder and harder to vet LP reissues for that. With so many choices I prefer to focus my vinyl spending on a pure analog presentation.

[speedofsound33-3]

180g doesn't matter as much as mastering and what tape was used. I have been very happy with LPs from Speakers Corner, MoFi, S&P, and Analogue Productions. Generally, I prefer originals or copies as close to the original issue as possible, as I feel that the tapes were in better condition when those LPs were made. Buying 180g or 200g LP's at $30-35 a piece isn't something I do regularly, but it becomes a value proposition when one looks at the cost of original copies of some LP's (there are Blue Notes that regularly go for over $2,500 each). Of course, for the right LP I am willing to pony up to the bar - like for the Original UK copy of The Kinks 'Somethin' Else' in glorious mono (as God intended) that I picked up for $100.

[Josquin des Prez]

You can't always assume the originals sound better because the tapes were in better shape. Take the case of Blue Notes from the 50s and 60s. The mastering equipment had limitations in contrast to modern mastering equipment, so tradeoffs had to be made for mastering that is not true for the remasters done now. Steve Hoffman has discussed this over on his forums and talked about the things Rudy Van Gelder had to do to compensate.

[Dude111]

Originally Posted by Josquin des Prez

I also avoid vinyl with mastering that entered the digital domain. As far as I'm concerned, once the music enters the digital domain it should stay there. It gets harder and harder to vet LP reissues for that. With so many choices I prefer to focus my vinyl spending on a pure analog presentation.

This is an EXCELLENT REPLY!!!!!

Im glad there are others out there like myself

Good for you Josquin -- Dont ever lose that about yourself!!!

[joe1515]

I have not seen a difference. Many of my best sounding vinyls were pressed in the 60's and 70's. In my opinion it is nice to have 180 or 200 graham because of the thickness but I have not heard any huge difference in sound because of the weight.

Joe

[Front242]

Agree that 180gm is not meaningful in and of itself. Agree that current and much old MoFi is outstanding. Agree that the remastering is what counts.

Don't agree that a transfer to the digital domain always means unacceptable degradation. Take the Beatles reissues. They are digital transfers and you would be VERY hard pressed to find old copies that sound as good for $21 apiece. They really sound quite good and unless you happen to have a pristine copy you have held onto for the last 40-50 years, you will be very happy with a new jacket, gorgeous fresh artwork and a fine sounding LP. Same for Led Zeppelin records. Have you seen the prices for good used copies? I bought Japanese pressings to save a few bucks. How about AC/DC? The reissues are excellent and a clean copy of Back in Black will set you back a chunk. The Aerosmith reissues are outstanding given how hard it is to find clean old copies.

I've gladly scooped up all the Beatle albums I care about with no sales tax and free shipping. The first three Zeppelin LPs were reissued yesterday. My order is placed.

[Formerly YB-2]

Just listened to Van Morrison's 'Moondance', a Warner LP that is about as thin and flimsy and fine sounding (clean, excellent dynamics, been played at least 100 times) as any LP I own. Great mastering and careful production are the keys to good vinyl. While I prefer a full-analog stream from master tape to cutter head, not always possible and proper engineering/mastering and production can still yield a fine result.

[psi310398]

You might find this reasonably balanced article on the topic interesting - Gearbox Records | Gearbox

Darrel Sheinman has started a new label in London - Gearbox Records HOME - releasing high quality jazz albums, all done analogue. They are exceedingly high quality but largely domestic Brit jazz so far.

In his own words, it is a vinyl led record label with its own analogue vinyl cutting facility at the Tileyard Studios complex near King's Cross, London. With a commitment to 'put the ritual back in to music listening' and 'to support new music and lost treasures on vinyl', the label releases extremely high quality and previously unreleased vinyl cuts plus new recordings by contemporary artists.

Peter

[Dude111]

Originally Posted by Front242

Don't agree that a transfer to the digital domain always means unacceptable degradation. Take the Beatles reissues. They are digital transfers and you would be VERY hard pressed to find old copies that sound as good for $21 apiece.

I would not EVER disrespect the beatles by listening to thier beautiful music compromised like that..... I dont care what it sounds like... ITS NOT NATURAL,ITS NOT HOW THEY RECORDED IT........ Its garbage!! (I hear enough of that trash on the radio)

Maybe you dont care about PURITY but alot of us do!!