This is spread throughout the SHMF, I do realize. For that reason, I thought it would be good to have it in one single thread, where findings can be summarized every once in a while, for future reference. To cater also to those with more thrifty purses (or with no high-end hifi setup), please identify: a) the top-release version or reissue (typically pricy!) and b) the "cheaper-but-still-very-good-alternative" release (up to, say, US35) I'll start with these three favorites - and risked placing mere examples for COTC - but feel free to add yours, on which people can then undertake the same exercise: A. Crime of the Century ("COTC") Top: US 1981 MFSL MFQR 1-005, or Germany 1999 A&M Records – SP-3647, Speakers Corner Records – SP-3647 Cheap Good Alt: UK 1974 A&M Records – AMLS 68258, or Europe 2014 40th Anniversary Edition A&M Records – 0600753547441 B. Crisis What Crisis ("CWC") C. Breakfast in America ("BIA") Please indicate barcodes and matrix identifiers, Discogs link, or both. Many thanks and happy discussion!
Nice idea. Have to get started on work so I'll make this short. With regard to COTC think it's generally concluded that the out of print and pricey Speakers Corner is the best this record sounds. I don't own this and couldn't justify spending a bunch off money on it. Ken Scott mentioned that the first (I believe) UK press was issued on "high quality" vinyl (the kind of vinyl reserved for more prestigious classical records of their time) and is worth seeking out. For the more budget conscious I would heartily recommend the Canadian "Audiophile Series". It sounds tremendous. In my mind a near demo quality record. I just wish Bob's drums didn't sound like cardboard boxes. Not sure what the consensus is on CWC is but my first UK sounds beautiful.
Canada 1978 A&M Records – SPJ 3467, correct? For info, only three for sale, trading @ 37-46eur (VG+, NM) - one for a Cheap Good Alt (CGA) Germany 1999 A&M Records – SP-3647, Speakers Corner Records – SP-3647, cited in question. For info, only three for sale, trading @ 90-210eur (VG+, NM) - one for a Top UK 1974 A&M Records – AMLS 68258, cited above, but there quite a few versions. These are cheap, so not quoting anything until someone points to the "right one" - one for a Cheap Good Alt (CGA)
The Latest Mofi of Breakfast in America, 2018 reissue, is my favourite now. I think it's the best... Supertramp - Breakfast In America
I have two mint first issue copies of Breakfast In America (Tone Trumpet logo) A 7 B 5 Tony Bridge on matrix run out. And "famous last words..." Uk 1st issue (Trumpet logo) A1 B1 TML-S On matrix run out. Both sound amazing and I found them in a Charity Shop for £3 each. Best sounding copies of these two albums I have ever found sleeves+ inners and vinyl all like new worth finding if you find these in Portugal, Floyd.
I'm more than impressed with mine as well. It's a great record. I was astounded the first time I played it.
You mean: BIA's Canada 1979 A&M Records – SPJ-3708 ("Audiophile Series") - trading (14.1.19) @ 25-65eur - one for CGA category BIA's US 2018 MFSL 1-471 - trading (14.1.19) @ 35-75eur - one for CGA or top category Maybe this one? BIA's UK 1979 A&M Records – AMLK 63708 - trading (14.1.19) at 20-35eur (NM) - another one for CGA category can't seem to find the A7 B5 reference though FLW's UK 1982 A&M Records – AMLK 63732 - trading (14.1.19) for less than 25eur (NM) - another one for CGA category Just don't rub it, ok? Another vote for: BIA's US 2018 MFSL 1-471 - trading (14.1.19) @ 35-75eur - one for CGA or top category Thanks, please confirm if I got you right!
And so far, both for top-and-pricey ('tap') and cheaper but good alternative ('cga'), in no particular order (even if you might want to comment on that, and numbering will come next) we seem to have got: A. Crime of the Century ("COTC") - 1974 Germany 1999 A&M Records – SP-3647, Speakers Corner Records – SP-3647 - trading @ 90-210eur (VG+, NM) - tap Canada 1978 A&M Records – SPJ 3467 ("Audiophile Series") - trading @ 37-46eur (VG+, NM) - cga UK 1974 A&M Records – AMLS 68258 - is this the right variant? any views on how this one compares: Europe 2014 40th Anniversary Edition A&M Records – 0600753547441 B. Crisis What Crisis ("CWC") - 1975 UK 1975 A&M Records – AMLH 68347 - is this the variant? any views on how this one compares: UK 1980 A&M Records – AMLH 68347 C. Breakfast in America ("BIA") - 1979 US 2018 MFSL 1-471 - trading (14.1.19) @ 35-75eur - tap Canada 1979 A&M Records – SPJ-3708 ("Audiophile Series") - trading (14.1.19) @ 25-65eur - cga UK 1979 A&M Records – AMLK 63708 (is this the A7 B5?)- trading (14.1.19) at 20-35eur (NM) - cga D. Famous Last Words ("FLW") - 1982 UK 1982 A&M Records – AMLK 63732 - trading (14.1.19) for less than 25eur (NM) - cga
The one I have owned / heard pretty much every version of is Crime Of The Century. For me, the Speaker’s Corner is the biggest, fattest, hifi sounding version. Incredible transients on the drums which make you feel like you’re in front of a kit. The 1st UK (matrix A5/B6) is quite different. Rounder and “tubier” sounding. But I did feel that it was a nice interpretation of the music and is fun to listen to. Perhaps a little muted or muffled sounding, if there’s any criticism to be given out and that would be system dependent as well. Overall, I feel the SC is probably closer to the “truth” of what the tapes sound like since so many of the other versions, Canadian Audiophile, MFSL and the later “ALLEN” UKs sound similar but, to me, not quite as stunning as the SC. So, a) Speaker’s Corner (pricey but best) b) MFSL, later UKs, 1st UK (cheaper alternatives) Finally, I’d like to cc: @Raunchnroll for his thoughts. I feel like his input would be helpful.
As for the Canadian Audiophile Series: Crime Of The Century = excellent Crisis? What Crisis = excellent Even In The Quietest Moments = O.K. Breakfast In America = don't bother
It would be nice to do album by album to hear what people have, especially interested in S/T, which is a wonderful album. Anyway, here is what I have. Supertramp S/T Side One: TI A&M SP 03149 A T3 Side Two: TI AM 5068 (crossed out) T3 3149 B I don’t think the exact version is on discogs. Here is the closest: Supertramp - Supertramp Indelibly Stamped Supertramp - Indelibly Stamped Crime Of The Century I have two copies of what looks like Indianapolis Press. They differ from one another slightly, this is the closest: Supertramp - Crime Of The Century Crime Of The Century Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-005 Supertramp - Crime Of The Century This is my least favorite version. This is not the same release linked in OP. I’ll do the rest later.
Crisis? What Crisis? My copy is from West Germany. Exactly like this one. Supertramp - Crisis? What Crisis? My favorite album of theirs, not my favorite recording.
Update so far: A. Supertramp ("SPT") - 1970 US 1981 A&M Records – SP 3149 - TI A&M SP 03149 A T3/ TI AM 5068 (crossed out) T3 3149 B - trading @10-15eur - cga B. Indelibly Stamped ("IDS") - 1971 Europe 1977 A&M Records – AMLH 64306 - 1A/1B - Made in Holland - trading @ 10-25eur - cga C. Crime of the Century ("COTC") - 1974 Germany 1999 A&M Records – SP-3647, Speakers Corner Records – SP-3647 - trading @ 90-210eur (VG+, NM) - tap (the one!) Canada 1978 A&M Records – SPJ 3467 ("Audiophile Series") - trading @ 37-46eur (VG+, NM) - cga UK 1974 A&M Records – AMLS 68258 - A5/B6 or A5/B5 or A6/B6 or A8/B12 or A6/B9 or A8/B12 - trading @ 15-35eur - cga US 1974 A&M Records – SP-3647 - ("Indianapolis Press") - cga US 1978 MFSL - MFSL 1-005 - A2/B1 - trading @ 50-200eur (US-based way cheaper) - not really cga any views on how this one compares (or should compare)? Europe 2014 40th Anniversary Edition A&M Records – 0600753547441 D. Crisis What Crisis ("CWC") - 1975 Canada 1980 A&M Records – SPJ 4560 ("Audiophile Series") - trading @ 60-70 - tap? UK 1975 A&M Records – AMLH 68347 - A4/B3 - trading @ low prices in poor state - cga? Germany 1975 A&M Records – 89 651 XOT - cgda any views on how this one compares (or should compare)? UK 1980 A&M Records – AMLH 68347 E. Breakfast in America ("BIA") - 1979 US 2018 MFSL 1-471 - trading (14.1.19) @ 35-75eur - tap (the one!) Canada 1979 A&M Records – SPJ-3708 ("Audiophile Series") - trading (14.1.19) @ 25-65eur - cga UK 1979 A&M Records – AMLK 63708 (is this the A7 B5?)- trading (14.1.19) at 20-35eur (NM) - cga F. Famous Last Words ("FLW") - 1982 UK 1982 A&M Records – AMLK 63732 - trading (14.1.19) for less than 25eur (NM) - cga
Love my UK copy of COTC - don't have it in front of me to get the stamper info. But I preferred it over the standard American and the MFSL, back when I owned all three.
Breakfast In America Stan did good on this one MFSL-1982 Japan JVC For US Supertramp - Breakfast In America
If I could find one at a thrift store for a few bucks, especially in my neck the woods, more should be out there!
I really like it. I think it stands up extremely well to a UK first pressing and if you buy the deluxe edition with the live recording it's a no-brainer IMO..! I really wish they would release an anniversary edition of Crisis? What Crisis? - That's one album that I have struggled to find a nice, quiet pressing of. I think the thick yellow inner sleeve of the UK original destroys it. - By the way, does anyone have the 'free' poster? I have the coupon insert but I've never seen the poster... One more random Supertramp comment: I recently found a DBX encoded copy of Even In The Quietest Moments. That's a strange beast... I'd love to also find a DBX decoder machine so that I could actually hear it..! (No chance..)
My only consolation is that there's a special hot place waiting for you guys that brag about finding a gem for a "couple of bucks" in a "thrift store".