12" 45 rpm

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by miner

Yes, Ivan. This is what I have in 12" 45rpm format:
Natalie Merchant - Tigerlily

Sara K - Waterfalls

Stevie Ray Vaughan - studio box set - Texas Hurricane (pressed by QRP - I was disappointed in quality)

Thanks Kevin

[Whart]

Didn't Music Matters go back to 33, claiming that their new mastering chain actually makes these sound better than their earlier 45 releases? (Haven't heard their new 33's, so can't comment other than noting it).
Miner, I'm surprised by your comment that the SRV set is a disappointment. I haven't listened to all of it yet, a few cuts so far from a couple of the records, and was impressed, but don't have original pressings to compare with (have a few of the Pure Pleasure ones done several years ago, which I didn't think were anything special, sonically).
I have quite a few 45 rpm 12" records, several standouts, off the top of my head, include:
Sonny Rollins Way Out West- I've been listening to this record for decades, and the extreme panning, hard left and right, always bothered me. The 45 cut, for some reason, gives more of a center image. Steve Hoffman claims that doing the cut at 45/ mastering for that- somehow enables you to hear more of the 'back wall.' I dunno, but it sounds fab.
88 Basie St.- a late Pablo that you can buy in original form for less than 10 bucks used. The 45 recut is really impressive.
St. James Infirmary- some claim the original Audio Fidelity beats it, but I'm not sure how easy it is to find an unmolested copy. This was one of those Classic Records 'specials' that is still around, though obviously OOP.
The Rockitman is very big on the Classic Zeps cut @ 45. I now have a few, along with many of the grail pressings. Gotta say, the Classic 45s are an impressive listen, different than the grails, but equally great in their own way (I still haven't heard LZII on Classic 45, but LZ 1 @ 45 just kills!).
Those are the ones that come to mind off the top. I probably have a big pile of these that I haven't played in years.
The only pain is obviously the shorter playing time, which can interrupt the normal 'flow' of listening, but if you don't mind that, go for it. (I also have some old 'audiophile' stuff cut way back when, which I'll have to pull out and listen to at some point). So many records, so little time....

[427]

I get the 12 single all the time the promos mastered on performance vinyl. One of my local RS gets a lot of them.

[Josquin des Prez]

FWIW: Music Matters mastering of Blue Note titles is now done on upgraded equipment, but they switched to producing 33 RPM instead of 45 RPM remasters starting this year. The 33s sound fantastic, and better than most of the 45s MM did previously. I no longer feel so compelled to seek out 45 RPM specifically, since a lot of the 33 RPM reissues sound great too.

[Number95]

Originally Posted by Josquin des Prez

FWIW: ... I no longer feel so compelled to seek out 45 RPM specifically, since a lot of the 33 RPM reissues sound great too.

+1

[Dude111]

Originally Posted by miner

Stevie Ray Vaughan - studio box set - Texas Hurricane (pressed by QRP - I was disappointed in quality)

Hmmmmm was it digitally compromised I wonder??

[Josquin des Prez]

Originally Posted by Dude111

Hmmmmm was it digitally compromised I wonder??

The Stevie Ray Vaughn set is a full analog mastering chain. The masters were digitally encoded just for the SACDs.

[dubita]

The only one I have bought so far is the Classic Records' HOLLY COLE TRIO DON'T SMOKE IN BED 200g 45rpm 4LP. It's on "Clarity Vinyl", a translucent formulation.

Impressive sound, but disappointing surface noise, even after ultrasonic cleaning.

[miner]

Originally Posted by Dude111

Hmmmmm was it digitally compromised I wonder??

I believe In Step was a digital original (DDD) copied to analog tape that was used for mastering, this according to M. Fremer.

[Josquin des Prez]

Originally Posted by miner

I believe In Step was a digital original (DDD) copied to analog tape that was used for mastering, this according to M. Fremer.

Right, but the others that began as analog recordings stayed in the analog domain for the AP 33 and 45 reissues.