Rolling Stones half speed masters available for presale ....

Now, that’s a fantastic day of listening

 

Just to counter some of the complaints about pressing issues, my copies of Black & Blue, and Tattoo You are perfect. Flat, centered and absolutely dead quiet.

 

Mastering wise, yes! Concerning inserts and extras these standalone versions feel a bit like a let down....

 

You got that right! (that percussion has quite the snap to it when it hits) Have listened to Voodoo Lounge twice now, and if a fan of this record and like a good sounding vinyl version with some balls to it and one heck of a bite with some nice clarity, this Half Speed Master is Highly Recommended. It's a shame that some of the other titles here are not in the same league as this one based on previous posts. Got my copy for $33 from my local store and a very good pressing, nice and quiet throughout...nice gatefold with inner inserts including lyrics and pics. Had to put the vinyl in better protective sleeves though.

 

I got "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main Street" this weekend.

I think "Exile on Main Street" sounds spectacular. I think the vinyl has a nice, round sound, and I think that helps the instrumental arrangements--which are big on this album!--come through. I've never heard an original vinyl pressing so I can't compare to that, but I prefer it to the '90s Virgin CD that I normally listen to (and which I still really like). In fairness my turntable is better than my CD player.

On the other hand I think "Sticky Fingers" sounds dull and woolly. I compared the first two tracks on it to the '80s CBS CD that I normally listen to (prefer that to the '90s Virgin) and the old CD sounds better to me, crisper and livelier.

 

true, the 80s CD is really much more detailed and clear... Moreover in my copy there is a noticeable inner groove distortion on moonlight mile towards the end, from 3'30" let's say... on louder passages...
anyone experiencing the same?
maybe I'll try another copy, unless somebody else has the same issue...

 

how does sticky fingers compare to the 2015 edition still available on Amazon?

 

The latest pressing is much more reserved. The 2015 is much fuller, more immediate and more in your face but it lacks the smoothness of 1st pressings (Germany and UK) or the 1997 EMI 100. I actually find it a little too aggressive myself, even harsh.

 

I‘ve got an Original US Pressing and compared it to the new 1/2 speed and its definitely got some digital in it but still sounds very good. Very dynamic open soundstage. Only quibble is I have some non fill/simbilance on moonlight mile which is my favorite track.

 

ok is it a kind of distortion on strings section towards the end?

 

I concur completely. Exile sounds fantastic, although perhaps almost too much so since the murky sludge is, of course, part of the charm of the original. But the sloppiness remains, so there's that!

 

Just got my Voodoo Lounge and A Bigger Bang.
Why does it say on both sleeves that they're mastered by Stephen Marcussen? Where's Miles Showell's credits?

 

Typically in the runout groove? "MILES@ABBEYROAD"?

 

@Neonbeam is correct. On my copy of Voodoo Lounge, Miles/Abbey Road is in the runout groove, not the last name though...

 

I believe so, will need to relisten to it and report back. Remember hearing it more than once on the same track.

 

Yes let me know, or perhaps you can needledrop?!

 

I just got my half speed of Sticky Fingers. It's ok, similar to the double LP version from a few years back. But no comparison to my original 1972 Japanese Warner's pressing. That is the ultimate pressing IMO. Bought it new and love it.

 

OK, help me sift through everything here because my head is spinning I want Bridges To Babylon on vinyl. Should I spend $35 on the new one or hunt down an original? I'm talking sound quality AND packaging quality. Please advise - thanks!

 

OK, after some more listening and checking my setup, it turns out that most of the 2020 releases suffer from distortion in the last track of each side. Anybody else experiencing the same, please share.
The albums were bought from Amazon Italy.

 

I bought Tattoo You and It's Only Rock and Roll. I enjoyed the sonics of both albums. Good, clean presentation. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

 

I haven't got It's only rock and roll.
Tattoo You is not one of the problematic albums, even though Waiting on a friend is not as clean as the other tracks.

 

Anyone knows which one is better: the 2020 half speed remaster or the 2016 half speed? Thanks!

 

Of Exile? The 2020 half speed for sure. Not even a contest.

 

Thank you!

 

I've tried three separate copies of this and they all have the same problem during Melody. Really disappointing. This last copy was off center to boot. Think I'm done with these.