What's the best vinyl version of Hotel California?

Is it the DCC? How does the Mofi stack up? What about original issues? Did Rhino release this recently, and if so, how does that stack up? Thanks.

 

I would rely on the original RL (Robert Ludwig) pressing. I come across is them all the time.

 

DCC is tops, original domestic is next. I wouldn't bother with the others since an original is easy to find and affordable.

 

+1

 

I thought that the 180g reissue that Kevin Gray remastered was pretty good too.

 

Agreed. I think that the consensus was that this was the DCC mastering but with a new pressing. To my ears, it sounds just fantastic.

 

So, did Kevin's pressing use the same stampers from the DCC mastering that Steve did? I heard the new Van Halen pressing utilizes the DCC stampers that Steve did. Tell me more about the differences between the DCC Hotel California and the new 180 gram Kevin version.

 

I have, and am quite happy with :

Original US pressing bought shortly after release in 1976

Kevin Gray 180g pressed at RTI

 

I prefer a good clean original 7E series release (US of course), with the 'Sterling' markings.

 

Wasn't Hotel California a Lee Hulko (LH) job rather than an RL? I suppose both could be floating around in the used bins. . .

 

Just please keep this thread bumped until I can get home and check my graduation copy's deadwax...I've discovered more treasures I didn't know were treasures from 1964 to the present, thanks to you guys.

 

The latest re-issue sounds very good. To my ears and system, the mofi reins supreme.

 

Have you compared it to other versions like the old DCC? What differences do you hear?

 

LH methinks!

JG

 

My pick would be the DCC.

 

Can you elaborate? What have you compared the DCC to, and what differences do you hear? Thanks.

 

My copy, bought shortly after release in 1976, is a Lee Hulko with Sterling Stampers.

 

The original pressing is best. On the record label itself, the one to look for is the one with CSM printed on the label. This was pressed by Columbia Santa Maria, high quality virgin vinyl. 2nd best pressing would have SP on the label for Southern Plastics. I'm not sure if they pressed any, maybe only Columbia Record Club, but that one might have been pressed by Columbia Terra Haute, a good 3rd. Also, if they pressed any, avoid any pressed by Monarch Records, identified by MR in the trail-off.

 

Here's my original review comparing the Rhino, DCC, and an off-the-shelf (stampers not noted) original: http://myvinylreview.blogspot.com/2009/01/eagles-hotel-california-180-gram-vinyl.html

 

How do you know they used virgin vinyl at Santa Maria?

Please elaborate. I've always been pleased with Monarch pressings.


Just curious for some further explanation here. Thanks.

 

The one on Jethro Tull's Stand Up ?

<ducks>

:>}

 

I have a 1976 Asylum Canadian pressing # 7ES 1084.

The deadwax on:
Side One reads: 7E-1084-S1 and has Q halfway across.
Side Two reads: 7E-1084-S2 and 3 circled.

Whatever release this is, it is very vibrant, open and doesn't appear to be lacking anything. Happy with it.

 

Thanks for the link and the review. The only version left out was the mofi, but it appears that Kevin's latest pressing for Rhino is a good alternative to the out of print titles. But still, it's always nice to know if, for example, the mofi is superior to all the others. In that case, I don't mind spending the money on an older audiophile pressing.

 

i had 2 different US pressings and both were meh...

the new kevin gray version sounds much better than those but still just shy of greatness...
the greatness i speak of the hotel california dvd-A...that thing sounds amazing..

 

Interesting. I have never heard the DVD-A. I'll have to hear this version.

I also haven't heard the mofi. That's also one I want to hear.

The DCC is nice----but could have used a "tad" more clarity.

I no longer have an original, but I hear those can be hit or miss.