However... I just now listened to the MOV pressing of Who's Next. Heh, when I ordered it here recently on Amazon it reminded me that I had ordered it before a couple of years ago. I had returned it because at the time I did not like the sound. But, I thought with my new room and setup maybe I'd give it another chance. I've always been happy with MOV pressings, but I don't think I've bought any or very many older Classic albums that they have done, mostly newer ones where I did not have the original. And, consistently they've all been great. But, on doing a shootout just now (and, after getting back from robbing the bank, listening to the records ) on my system I can tell that my MCA 1st US pressing is more open, dynamic, and not quite as 'muffled' sounding. BUT... the MOV is not bad despite the differences; I'm sure they did the best they could, AND, importantly, I would say based upon my own vacuous reasoning, that if a person had a somewhat 'bright' system, this MOV pressing would likely sound better being slightly more subdued. The US original just sounds more 'airy' and 'natural' FWIW... Just thought I'd come back and throw that out here in case that might help anyone. Basically if your system is in ANY way laid-back or 'reserved', I would not suggest getting this pressing. I didn't check the prices of an original, so if they are reasonable, I'd recommend looking for one.
I listened to my recently acquired MOV pressing vs my Decca W3 pressing and had different impressions than you. The MOV sounds more detailed and modern to me, but not at all in a bad way. The vocals and instruments were more defined and distinct on the MOV and a bit more blended on the W3. If one were used to hearing this album based on old pressings, I can see how they might view the MOV as sounding more analytical or even call it digital sounding, but I just see it as it being more revealing. I have a Hoffman mastered CD that I compared the MOV to, and they sounded much more alike to me than different. On my system, CDs are louder, so it’s somewhat difficult to equalize volume on the fly, but trying to do that, they sounded awfully close to each other. I had heard others say they thought the MOV was bright, and while I didn’t find it bright, it was brighter than my W3. So surprised to hear you found it subdued. I know the early UK or W1 are supposed to be the best original pressings, so my W3 may not be the absolute best comparison point, but from what I’ve read, the W1/2/3 are all Doug Sax. At any rate, I concluded that the MOV, esp at the $20 price point, was a very fine version of the album and has its own merits even if you have an early pressing already. Or, if your digital chain is good and you don’t have to have it on vinyl, just get one of the Hoffman mastered CDs.
Okay, this is the last OT post on this one, I promise... Anything subsequent (to those in Ohio that means anything after this post) we can discuss on Music Corner or by PM. But, yeah, you are likely right. Sort of like I mentioned, I honestly think this kind of pressing may simply be more system dependent. Interesting though that you and others feel the MOV is 'bright' I sure got the opposite impression. TBH, I didn't think the album sounded 'digital' at all, as with most MOV pressings I don't. I also noticed, at least on my system, that there seemed to be an odd variance in sound from song to song on this album. Baba O'riley (sp?) didn't sound too bad, but some subsequent songs (please see above ) I felt sounded either muffled or compressed, not 'lifelike' at all. I don't know the history of the mastering/mixing behind this album, but I was rather surprised at how each song sounded quite different in 'quality'... But yeah, bottom line, probably just system dependent, and yeah, MOV's at this price our pretty much always a great deal!
This will be my last post on this too, but to answer your comment, yes, there was variance from song to song, with some pretty muffled/flat sounding to me too. I think one that stood out was Won't Get Fooled Again, which I was going to use as a comparison song, but concluded it sounded a bit crappy on both, so what's the point? I ended up using Baba, Behind Blue Eyes, and I think maybe one other.
Has anyone compared the recent MOV pressing to the older ones? I have the blue vinyl version from a few years ago. Curious if they are slightly different. With possible pressing plant and vinyl formulations being the variable, it might be interesting.
I think they are, but some people say they can tell when something is digitally sourced. I've heard many vinyl releases sound mediocre, but I don't necessarily attribute that to being digitally sourced. And similarly, there's a ton of CDs/SACDs that sound great.
I agree. I’ve got some Lyle Lovett, Peter Gabriel and Cowboy Junkies LP’s that were all digitally recorded and sound great. Apologies to that guy who doesn’t like chat here.
Some recent markdowns - all 2021 releases I think: Speed Of Sound - Museum Of Tomorrow - Manchester "beat combo" w/ fem vocs $12.25 https://www.amazon.com/Museum-Tomorrow-Speed-Sound/dp/B09HKK4SSL Lavender Diamond - Now Is The Time - Becky Stark from Living Sisters - $12.35 https://www.amazon.com/Now-Time-Lavender-Diamond/dp/B099B2K6KZ Rubinoos - CBS Tapes - power pop on colored wax - $12.82 https://www.amazon.com/CBS-Tapes-BLACK-SPLATTER-VINYL/dp/B093KRMDKQ 'Midnight Rock's Secret Tapes' roots reggae comp $12.42 https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Rocks-Secret-Tapes-Various/dp/B08Z5FTQ1X Oliver Wood - Always Smilin' ex Wood Brothers - Georgia rootsy - $10.03 https://www.amazon.com/Always-Smilin-Oliver-Wood/dp/B08ZK3HLFJ Kirk Knuffke - Brightness Live In Amsterdam - jazz trumpet $9.77 https://www.amazon.com/Brightness-Live-Amsterdam-Kirk-Knuffke/dp/B0833XMR4W Naia Izumi - A Residency world pop on Sony Classical label $9.45 https://www.amazon.com/Residency-Los-Angeles-Area/dp/B097F39KT5 Balance And Composure - Light We Made - thrashy emo - $8.51 https://www.amazon.com/Light-Made-Limited-Balance-Composure/dp/B0991FG2X3 Adam Ostrar - Worried Coat - singer/songwriter - limited to 200 - $8.53 https://www.amazon.com/Worried-Coat-Adam-Ostrar/dp/B09FG3G889 Maya Dunietz - Free The Dolphin - modern jazz piano - $12.45 https://www.amazon.com/Free-Dolphin-MAYA-DUNIETZ/dp/B08XN59QQQ Go! Team - Get Up Sequences Part One - $12.99 https://www.amazon.com/Get-Up-Sequences-Part-One/dp/B08Z471BJQ Joey Cape - A Good Year To Forget - ex Lagwagon - folky $12.99 https://www.amazon.com/Good-Year-Forget-Joey-Cape/dp/B096TRWP4N Nils Frahm & F.S. Blumm - 2x1=4 - more experimental - $13.50 https://www.amazon.com/2X1-4-F-S-Blumm-Nils-Frahm/dp/B0991FG2WF Straylight Run - Live At Patchogue - ex Taking Back Sunday - 2LP - $13.54 https://www.amazon.com/Live-At-Patchogue-Theatre-LP/dp/B096D19Y5M The Fall - Assembly Rooms Derby June 5 1994 - $14.57 https://www.amazon.com/Assembly-Rooms-Derby-June-1994/dp/B08J98BGYQ Daniel Avery - Love & Light on colored - ambient-y - $13.68 https://www.amazon.com/Light-Limited-Milky-Clear-Vinyl/dp/B08FP3SQNC Pole - Fading - electronica - $15.27 https://www.amazon.com/Fading-Pole/dp/B08FP9XDL7
A number of good titles there, especially the Pole if you’re into that sort of thing. Amazon had it for $13.77 in May 2021, but that’s still a good price.
My copy has a big wide mark across half of the opening track on side A causing awful noise. So back it goes. Hopefully the next one is better... not a bad sounding pressing otherwise.
While I'm not a big fan of The Chicks, I like this album. Plus its got a great Neil Finn song on it. Hey, any artist that writes the big F to haters works for me, especially when it's probably a significant portion of their fan base.
Already a thread: Four free home covid tests shipped via USPS -- site has gone up early beat the rush
Horace Silver - 6 Pieces of Silver Mono Blue Note Classic Series LP - down to $19.50 https://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Silver-Blue-Classic-Vinyl/dp/B09GXD84MN
I spent part of yesterday comparing an original Blue Note RVG to this new cut. The new cut sounds very good. Loses a little of that RVG hottness, but this is a great reissue and a great price.