You have a lot to learn about how a record is cut and why even suggesting a stereo 30-min/side record is good sounding is preposterous. For Alanis, there's this; http://www.mmusicmag.com/features/V2-02/Alanis-Morissette-M-Mar-Apr-2011.pdf We're going around in circles. You're green yet think you know much more than you do and you refuse to understand the fundamentals of the very concept you keep referring to. At this point, I just have to shake my head, chuckle, and wish you good luck with that.
Nice summary! I haven't heard the ARC or one step obviously, however I'd describe Kevin's cut as watching TV in 4k. The sound is litterally crushing
Again mate you haven't heard it, so you cannot comment on the sound. I'm comparing it to every record in my collection and I'm telling you it sounds better than my original Beatles records and as good as anything in my collection. This is my collection Check out Andrewslattery's music collection on Discogs
The Beatles record was cut in 1981 at EMI. It's AAA. Also I'm going off my ears. You're going off I don't really know what. If you think something that you haven't listened to is digital then show the digital source?
If you want an Abraxas that comes near to the one step you should seek out the German ARS pressing from the late 90s. It seems the so called 50th in Europe is not the KG but it sounds pretty good until you hear the ARS. I searched the usual US sites and there is no mention of KG on 50th Anniv versions now on sale.
If you want to get it buy it from Santana direct. I got mine in Australia from Amazon. Abraxas 180 Gram Reissue Vinyl
Unless you actually hear the better pressings you can't really tell how good your copy is. I'm guessing it's the same version I have and my ARS is a lot better sounding. That 50th which I think is from Optimal is likely a digital source but I would at least agree with you it doesn't sound digital. Often a hi-res file cut to vinyl these days does not sound at all digital but it won't beat a well mastered AAA pressing especially an audiophile specialist one like ARS or MFSL One Step. Abraxas is one of those recordings that is going to sound pretty good on most formats unless something really went wrong in the mastering. For a 'budget' pressing I would certainly recommend the EU 50th but it isn't the best.
Here is the contact email for Cohearent Audio. email at [email protected] Maybe someone can contact KG to get the answer directly about if his Abraxas 50th Anniversary Vinyl is AAA, and post his reply here, if he provides one, instead of arguing about it on this Forum with no confirmation either way. OK, I am headed back to the Prince Threads.
No, it's the EU. Strangely nobody mentions this as a KG anywhere even the Santana site or any info about the source. Usually if something is AAA they make a big thing about it on the hype sticker. You didn't say if you had the KG but Amazon are selling the EU (outside the US at least). Even Acoustic Sounds don't mention this as being a KG.
Yeah I know I said that it was odd above that there is no mention in any of the promo about Kevin cutting it. If your copy doesnt have KG in the deadwax then it's obviously a different cut. Mine 100% has KG@CA in the wax. If you want the actual 50th KG cut then buy it directly from Santanas site
I've done some checking. Seems those idiots at Amazon sent out a 2017 press and not the 2020 (Feb this yr). It's listed as 2020. Obviously mixed up the old stock! Will try and get another? Did yours have any sticker indicating it was 50th or 2020?
It has a 5 times platinum hype sticker but nothing else. See pics here Santana - Abraxas Url: Santana – Abraxas (2020, Vinyl) The Santana site or Acoustic sounds will 100% have the correct cut
Unfortunately postage to UK is more than the record which will make it around £40. Will have to wait until I make a bigger order from Acoustic Sounds, maybe when the KOB 45 rpm is released. There is actually no EU 2020 according to discogs just the 2016 I received. Neither mention KG!
KG cut Tommy from digital and it sounds amazing!!! Whether AAA or not, I'm getting the 50th because KG cut it.
You can't say with assurance that your copy is from digital or not. As I stated before, nowadays, labels, including Sony Legacy, tout when they are AAA. Back in 1981, there was no digital to tout. I don't doubt that you think the Santana sounds great. But how does it compare to what's out there? You can't say. Nor should I or @Strat-Mangler comment about how the Legacy sounds if we haven't heard it. But even if the Legacy sounds fantastic, if you're betting on it being AAA, you'd probably lose. Hey, if it sounds great to your ears, though, who cares about the source.
I was referring to your baseless AAA claims about Abraxas. About the Beatles comp, you need to do some research and educate yourself about the limitations of vinyl. You're spouting off from complete ignorance at this point. Saying to anyone who knows anything about how a record is cut that a 30-min/side LP sounds good will inevitably result in some raised eyebrows at the very least. You're basing all of your opinions on a $150 elliptical cart running on a decades-old $100 turntable. I've been mute about this until now out of respect but at this point,... Check my system and come back to me. Any one of my analog rig's components is worth far more than your entire vinyl rig and factually far more revealing than what you're using. Hell, any one of my amp's *tubes* is worth more. When your source playback is so poor/limited and cuts the end result at the knees from the get-go, the rest doesn't matter one bit.
Here's a thought-if one disagrees with the OP about sourcing and no one has specific dispositive evidence, one has had one's say so move on. If one cannot do A/B comparison, one cannot respond to the original post and otherwise is hijacking an interesting thread. If people want to say "mine's bigger" on some equipment elitism, maybe do PMs or start a different thread. OP, if someone is arguing off topic, follow The Beatle's advice and let it be. Or, you two get a room or something. Your copy is probably not all AAA and maybe a certain system will make its warts all the more apparent. Everybody grow up and move on. I had a one-step and was very nice (admittedly I don't have a billion dollar system) but not a favorite of mine and moved it on, so I can't respond to the original query-only have an old MFSL cd. Thinking about getting both the OP's pressing and an ARS and trying on my system and a friend who has a better one.
I can lift 250 pounds with my eyelid, own 3 countries, and can see through walls. But hey, don't tell me I'm delusional and that it's impossible unless you have evidence of this. Think the ARS is about $200 at this point for a NM copy. That'd be an expensive experiment but I guess not as expensive as getting the 1-Step.
If the ARS is as good as folks say, I'm ok with keeping it. The sliding scope of the factors of price, quality, and my fondness for the particular work could come together at that point.
