Surrealistic Pillow Question

I am looking to see which is the best sounding disc. After some digging around I have come down to three choices. The Original RCA disc, the Original Grunt disc (though isnt that also RCA? I am not quite sure of the exact difference.), and the 2003 Irwin remaster. I had read the 2003 remaster is the first pressing to feature the correct speed transfer. How far off is the speed on the Grunt and original RCA pressings of the album?

 

I assume you mean vinyl copies. The consensus is that the original Mono and the DCC 180g stereo reissue mastered by Steve Hoffman are the best or among the best. Sadly they will cost you plenty of money. You can use the Search bar to search for posts on vinyl versions of Surrealistic Pillow for the specific issues you cite.

 

Everything he mentioned in his post referred to CDs

 

When someone mentions original pressings I can be excused for thinking vinyl is the subject.

 

First sentence of the post contains the word "disc"

 

Please excuse my ignorance, but what does '"blacked" between songs' mean?

 

Silenced, no noise no tape hiss.

 

Thank you. I learn a new thing ... no, make that NINE new things ... in this forum every day.

 

on CD, the gold disc with both the mono and stereo versions of the album is quite good IMHO. if you can find one.

 

Do you like it better than the 2003 Bob Irwin reissue?

 

have to be honest, haven't heard it.

but i really like the gold one a lot.

 

Personally I was disappointed with the overall sound on SP after hearing Takes Off, their first. I really think TO sounds quite a bit better.

I like my Japan for US Grunt of Surrealistic Pillow the best. I'm not even sure if that's the 'blacked out' one or not...either way, I'm talking about the music not the silence anyway.

 

You're welcome, anytime Steve.

For the record, the DCC Vinyl beats all others I've heard including nearly every CD pressing.

 

No it's not. It's the worst digital mastering ever...smothered in noise reduction with awful EQ.

It does come in handy if you need a coaster or a frisbee though.

 

How is the tape speed on the Grunt and RCA compare to the 2003 remaster?

 

Thank you everyone who replied and offered opinions.

 

The worst digital mastering is the standard (silver) mono stereo twofer. The gold disc has a different mastering and is actually a little better, especially for the stereo portion.

But my preference is for the old RCA CD for the stereo mix and the Bob Irwin remaster for the two singles in mono. Sad that the entire mono album was never well mastered on CD.

 

This doesn't help anyone immediately, but MFSL will be releasing a mono hybrid SACD someday. This could be the best version yet (at least in mono).

Jefferson Airplane Surrealistic Pillow (Numbered Limited Edition Hybrid Mono SACD) at Music Direct »

 

Wow, this'll be something to look forward to!

 

Wait. Those are considered to be better than the MFSL 45rpm mono??

 

Stereo and mono are two entirely different mixes so that is apple and oranges. Since I wasn't even sure the OP was referring to LPs or CDs I restricted it to LPs not45rpm. I am aware of the MFSL Pillow but never heard it. I could not find a single post about it here. What I said is I think accurate regarding this forum: the DCC stereo and the original mono are the most highly regarded vinyl editions. Who knows? Perhaps in the future the MFSL will supplant the original mono. It does have the inconvenience of the 45rpm album format.

 

I have a good original mono. Michael Fremer thought the MFSL mono was the best yet, bettering an original. He samples "Today" on his system on Analog Planet and it sounds mighty good. But he also opined that if I had a good mono original, I may not need to spend $50 on the MFSL reissue.

From listening to the sample, it sounds as if the MFSL is smoother on top and has more presence. I'm torn as to whether to splurge. With the 20% sales going on, it brings the price down to $40. Not cheap, but better.

 

Exactly what do you want me to tell you? If it is your favorite album, then spend until you drop. However, I wonder if the tapes are in great shape because of the rather poor Sundazed issue of the Mono Pillow some years ago. (However their Baxters Mono is excellent.) There they boosted the treble compared to my mono original. But maybe the treble is rolled off now on the tape which is why they felt compelled to fiddle with it. I do not notice unpleasant treble on my Mono original.