Tom Port's Manifesto......

Lookout Steve. I'm posting again! Get out the scissors.

Let me give you a cop-out answer, because that is a question requiring lots of work to do it justice.

They all have the boost, some more than others. What's your alternative? Even SH, who hates hot top ends, plays them, with some EQ adjusts.

Short advice: Avoid White, Let It Be, MMT.

Others are mostly quite good to outstanding.

As an aside, SH taught me that many German pressings can sound the best. I believe that's true for the White and MMT especially. I heard a German Revolver that blew my mind; just killed the MOFI, but the guy wouldn't sell it to me. Offered him $100, it was used and kinda noisy, no go.

But I got in a nice clean German Apple Sgt Pepper not long ago, and you know what it sounded like?

A little dull compared to my MOFI.

BUT, then I listened longer, and I realized: no 10k boost! Smoother, sweeter, more natural.

Not duller. Better. Correct. Made me think of SH. This is his philosphy. Except that he doesn't beat you over the head with it like I do.

Would the people on this forum prefer the one I did? The majority? I doubt it. I could be wrong.

Some people don't proselytize. I do.

Some people aren't trying to convert you. I am.

Some people don't care if you're listening for all the wrong things, IMO, or your stereo is giving you incorrect information, IMO. I do.

Why? Because it puts money in my pocket if you start thinking like me? A little money. Not much.

Mostly it's because I'd like to help you.

I have spent literally hundreds of hours on the phone with audiophiles, on my dime I might add, convincing them not to buy some high profit version of a record I could easily sell them, but instead trying to get them to try a better, almost always cheaper, record.

Which just means there's work to be done. Let's all get to it.

If you listen for yourself and you get what I consider to be the wrong answer, I might go a little further and say "did you notice this?, or how does this sound in your stereo?, you should try this, that or the other thing maybe...". I might plant a little seed. Many seeds that have been planted in my head by others have borne a lot of fruit over the years, and I am grateful to those who took the time with me to try and help me.

I still make plenty of mistakes. It's easy in this hobby. (There is a lot of voodoo that is hard to explain, but it's every bit as real as anything else in this world. It's real to me anyway.)

So when I go around saying such and such a record is much better than the one you like, take it for what it's worth: an opportunity to find something better. Or stick with what you have if it's good enough for you. Like I say, we try to set a higher standard.

So if you want some better records, I think I can help you. I normally charge for my catalog, but to anybody on this website who wants one, just shoot me an email with your address and I will get you one. If you don't like what you see, no skin off my nose, I'll get over it.

And I will go you one better. On the front page of every catalog are 10 records that represent the best of the recent arrivals. I will guarantee your satisfaction on those records 100% or your money back. I recommend them and I stand behind them, or you get your money back.

Nobody in this business makes an offer like that. I really want you to get good records, not just whatever crap happens to come out on thick vinyl by some label run by "audiophiles".

Because I care.

Warmly and fondly yours,
TP

 

BANG! You've been shot Tom (sorry couldn't resist)

Tom you are definately THE MAN when it comes to vinyl and I do admire your knowledge, hard learned I might add.

Does your knowledge run in the cd format as well as it does in the vinyl?

I would assume that it's not quite as complex as it's vinyl counterpart.

TIA

 

I know a few good ones, but very little in the way of comparisons. If you want something better, don't waste your time trying to find a better CD than the one you have. Get a record!
TP

 

Humorem,

Yeah I kinda figured you were gonna say that. (sigh) As he kicks himself repeatedly for selling 1800 albums 10 years ago including a first generation Their Satanic Majestys Requests and a #13 Beatles White album without a normal label on it.

 

How about selling over 5,000 LP's including MFSL Beatles Box , all individual Beatles MFSL LPs and tons of other MFSL, countless Japanese LPs, etc... Makes me sick! Oh well....

 

Oooh ooohh! I didn't! I kept it all!

(one of the few advantages of being a pack rat!)

HZ

 

Yup no crin' over spilled beer.

Steve how about a recommended Steve Hoffman cd list for those of us who don't have all this help via Humorem aka Mr. Vinyl.

A top 200 would be nice!

 

Hey Steve,

(This is how all the posts on this forum should start. Sort of like Hey Mister...)

Spoken like a true engineer. Since you were nice to me today I won't elaborate.

And if by a ton you mean 2000 pounds worth, forget it! You'd be hard pressed to find your own weight in good CDs. (That's cheating a little since you've managed to maintain your girlish figure well into middle age, quite a feat, for which I am quite understandably jealous.)

I actually have a few tons of DCC CDs over here so I should know! (Just kidding. Love your stuff. Really.)

And one other thing:

You forgot that "IMO" acronym you keep editing into my posts. Make me a moderator and let me fix some of yours for a change, see how you like it!

Jes' messin' wit' cha,
TP

 

That implies that they are not ALL the best. Take it back now before you get nuked!

TP

 

I have this mental picture of Tom rubbing his hands together saying, "Oh, don't worry, I can help you restore your collection. Just call 800-487-8611 and let your ol' pal Tom help you with your vinyl jones."
By the way Tom, your avitar is getting scarier everyday.

 

The MoFi UHQR Sgt Pepper does NOT have this EQ boost to my ears.

I can clearly hear it on the standard MoFi Beatles Box set version, but not on the UHQR. The UHQR doesn't "jump out" and attack you like the standard MoFi does.

 

Well, Geoff Emerick, the engineer on that album, begs to differ. When Fremer proudly played him his UHQR and asked him how it measured up, he said, and was quoted in the magazine: Fine, except for all that 10k boost. He might've said it was 3 db. Someone I'm sure can find it. Stereophile, about a year ago as I recall.

I had the same reaction last time I played mine.

I will be selling it for a lot of money some day. Don't buy it from me. You can do better.

TP

 

It's happened once or twice, I can tell you that. Good for the bottom line around here. Some guy goes to his friend's house who has a turntable and goes away shaken, white faced, after listening to an original LP of his favorite CD.

I love getting that call!

And the good part is, I can get him better sounding versions of all his favorite records, assuming he shares my taste. No Grand Funk around here, sorry.

I know; it's leaving soon. Gives me a headache looking at that thing.
TP

 

Tom, I KNOW you said that the only UHQR you liked was Sgt. Peppers. You said that was the only one they got "right." So, based on what you said above, you now feel differently?

 

The great and powerful Oz was a very scary dude, Dave B! Pay no attention to that man behind the curtains...

 

Tom, I KNOW you said that the only UHQR you liked was Sgt. Peppers. You said that was the only one they got "right." So, based on what you said above, you now feel differently?

 

True. "But that was yesterday, and yesterday's gone." Can't you just hear it, right in your head!?

Steve, please do Chad and Jeremy on gold. I will buy it.

I've lived and learned. That's why I can't write that book. I keep hearing better records. It would have to be in a loose leaf binder...

TP