Definitive/Best versions of Steely Dan Albums

I purchased an Aja import which was mastered by Steve Hoffman


Which are the best versions of the following

Aja
Can't Buy a Thirll
Countdown to Ecstacy
Gaucho
Katy Lied
Pretzel Logic
Royal Scam


Thanks in advanced for the help

 

well can someone please help me out because I am confused about many of the posts in the forum.

Thanks,
Jimmy

 

On Aja I will give you a good advice - you have the best one (on my system slightly better than the SHM-SACD).

On Gaucho the SHM-SACD is the best (slightly better than the MFSL)

On the Rest get the MCA's (which are mastered by Roger Nichols) - except on Katy Lied which our Hosts Version is the best.

 

Can't Buy A Thrill: any disc with a 37xxx matrix will do (there's only 1 pre-Citizen mastering)
Countdown To Ecstasy: same
Pretzel Logic: same
Katy Lied: there are some slight variations in level, but any 37xxx matrix should be Steve's mastering
Royal Scam: again, any 37xxx matrix disc is OK, there's only 1 pre-Citizen mastering
Aja: Steve's version or one of its clones should be fine
Gaucho: the 2003 SACD smokes, easily as good as my dad's original 1st pressing by Bob Ludwig. Most unremastered discs, the MFSL and Citizen masterings are at the wrong speed, avoid. Haven't heard the SHM-SACD.

 

For vinyl, the original Jap pressings including the jap Mofi of AJA rule. I have all the albums pressed in Japan. Superior to the US originals and re-issues...imo

 

Agree with everything listed above except Gaucho. I have a Japan for US MCA CD that I preferred over the MFSL and Citizen masterings. The SACD sounds way too modern for me, and I have not heard the SHM-SACD.

 

So I found out that the Aja CD I have actually wasn't mastered by Steve Hoffman.

I was looking at these

Would you believe this to be a Steve Hoffman release

http://www.discogs.com/Steely-Dan-Ka...elease/1259450

and is this Steve's mastered version
http://www.discogs.com/Steely-Dan-Aja/release/438879


Also any good places to get the rest of the collection of Steely Dan CDs and make sure i am getting the correct ones?

 

Japan for US MCA CDs (except possibly Gaucho) and original US ABC vinyl.

 

Would this be the right Gaucho http://cgi.ebay.com/STEELY-DAN-GAUCHO-RM-SACD-/300568050283?pt=Music_CDs&hash=item45fb407a6b


and for all the ones with the 37's that i need how should I be able to find them on the internet? I tried on Discogs but I am not seeing anything that starts with 37. Also how can I find the pre-Citizen mastering of Royal Scam?

The ones that came up with the 37 on the catalog number on Discogs are all vynil not CD. Any suggestions?

 

What is thought to be the difference between the 37XXX Can't Buy A Thrill and the 1998 remaster ( MCAD-11886 Matrix # MCAD11886 0562012126 MFG.BY UNIVERSAL )

Both are Remastered by Roger Nichols

EDIT : Brightness ! MCA used an incorrect mastering...okay. (found by a search of the archives)

 

The 1980 cassette editions are nicely mastered.

 

Did a lot of different countries 1st pressings comparisons and this is what I discovered was the best sounding IMO

 

The 2003 Gaucho SACD is one of my faves, especially for the tasteful multichannel. Thankfully, it just never seems to go out of print even though it probably is. Make sure you get yourself a copy while they're still $15-20.

 

Please note that of these, only the Aja and Gaucho titles are unique masterings. In case of Can't Buy A Thrill, Countdown To Ecstasy, Pretzel Logic and The Royal Scam ALL pre-Citizen CDs are identical. Don't waste your money on expensive Japanese pressings if great sound quality is what you're after,

 

Is this right mdekoning ?????

 

The one thing we agree on is they're all sourced "from" the same mastering.

Instead your suggestion is to waste your time and ample money on finding a USA, or more likely a Japan for USA pressing that does sound the same. I'm not saying one doesn't exist, just that it's a lot rarer to find the SQ of that one equal USA to several multiple Japan for Japan pressings where odds are at least 50% of finding the right one.

Let's see... 11 Japan for USA pressings {rough guesstimate only to make point} at $15.00 delivered each = $165.00 cost compared to {maybe 2} Japan for Japan pressings at $45.00 delivered = $45 - $90. Add time differences for comparing and it's no contest for me.

 

I agree Dave as I have them all as well.

 

What do you mean "find them on the internet"? Discogs is certainly not a resource to find every catalog #.

mdekoning created a series of Steely Dan threads for each album title to document catalog numbers. Using the search engine by title and user name, you can easily locate each thread.

For example:
Search for
Forum: Music Corner (include archives)
User: mdekoning
Keyword (Thread title): Steely Dan CDs Different Masterings

and you will find all of them

You will find these discs via ebay, the classifieds here (after you get enough posts) and your local record shops.

There is no one-stop-shop location to find all of these discs, nor is there one opinion as to what is the best mastering available for each. Be patient and take the time to investigate reading the various threads, their responses and links for each title here at Hoffman.

 

Well the thing is that I am not sure what exactly are the ones on ebay that are mastered by Roger Nichols


Thanks,
Jimmy

 

Anybody have the CDs of the SHM variety?

 

Have the SHM SACD of Aja and Gaucho and I like them both.Sold the Citizen box set because the sound was murky compared to the later remastered versions of all their records.
The regular(non SHM)SACD of Gaucho is also very good!

 

Question:
My "Pretzel Logic" Cd is : MVCM-18517 "MCA Victor Japan".
Is this the right one to have ?

I'm asking because I also have all the other Steely Dan Cd's on Remaster version - and they sound more "Clear" to me. I love "Pretzel" and I'm thinking about getting the "SHM" version from Japan which is too exspansive...

Would love to read your good advise on this.

 

pics of the japans http://www.vintagecd.ru/steely_dan.html

 

AJA: I have the SH mastered UK CD Version and the Cisco LP. The Cisco beats the CD by lightyears
Can't buy a thrill: Speakers Corner LP
Countdown to Ecstasy: Original
Goucho: MCA audiophile mastered LP with colored top banner (digitally mastered, but really good sounding)
Katy Lied: Test pressing (RTI) of Bernie Grundman mastering LP done for Alto
Pretzel Logic: Original
Royal Scam: I have the Simply Vinyl reissue which is astonishingly good (but I never compared to anything else)

 

I'm optimistic that in the near future we'll have definitive new Steely Dan remasters, at least for the pre-Aja albums.