I'm wanting a copy of this album on vinyl so I have questions for those who might know. I tried the search engine and there were not any good leads on this particular question, though a billion Ram threads. Admittedly I didn't go through the whole haystack. Seems starting a thread was easier. There is a closed Ram Vinyl comparison thread this could be merged with. 1- What is the difference in the sound between 2012 and 2017, or are they the same mastering? 2-The 2012 seems well regarded but is a digital remaster, which is no deal breaker providing it has a master special for LP, as opposed to identical CD mastering. The 2012 is a 2 disc set with bonus track. I find this appealing but sound comes 1st. Is 2017 also a digital mastering? They are calling it "audiophile mastering", but I'll leave that to the discriminating ears here on the Hoffman forum. 2012 MPL/Hear music 2017 Universal I want the best sound, but prefer not to buy both LP versions. If the better choice is the 2017 for sound, I could get the 2012 on CD for the extras. Thoughts.........thanks in advance... and I don't mind people to post and say they don't know... others may be curious as well. Any comment bumps the thread and increases the chance of answers. Peace
Original UK pressing with -1/-1 matrix is the best, if not, than US Apple pressing which is close and IMO good enough, still plentiful and relatively inexpensive.
Comments about original presses are welcome and I may get one sometime, but I'd really like some comments comparing the 2012 and 2017 lps, particularly the latter which I can find very little info..
I'm assuming 2012 and 2017 come from the same source and the 2017 recycled stampers. If this is your easiest way to get a pressing of this quirky little album, go for it. Why the mono mix? Double a double Y connection on your turntable and you'll find out why.
Although I don't have RAM, I do have several of the other 2012 MPL/Hear/Concord releases and I'm more than pleased with them.
The 2012 and 2017 release are the same. The 2017 is just a re-release/ presssing without the bonus lp and archive banner on the side. I have the 2017 release and while an original is still prefered, it's an amazing sounding lp. Can't go wrong with these new versions from McCartney.
I honestly can't understand the reason of paying at least $25 + tax for new reissue which made from digital sources, if You can still easily find early 70s US Apple pressing ,which is analog and better in every way by definition, for around $10. Unless of course You a newbie and Your criterion - only "new, shiny and sealed". And I don't care how the new reissue sounds. IMO only the original always sounds right by definition, simply because this is what was approved at the time by the band and by people who was working on this particular recording. This is HOW IT SUPPOSE TO SOUND.
The very vast majority of my collection consists of original all-analogue releases and from various countries, but I have no issue with buying an excellent digital reissue, especially if it consists of extra material previously unavailable. The most recent LZ and PF digital releases are excellent examples. I bought some of the 2012 Paul McCartney digital releases for exactly that reason. And they sound fabulous to boot! I respect your reasoning for not wanting to partake, but to criticise others for doing so doesn't do anyone any good.
I respectfully disagree. A lot of people who grew up in the digital era just don't know any better. They just buy modern digital LP version at some place like "Barnes And Noble" and think this is how it suppose to sound. I just share information which people who care about that might use. Or not, still, this is a free country. When i started collecting LP's about 12 years ago I didn't know it either and made some mistakes buying modern "digital" reissues.
What about the SH Californication reissue or projects that were rushed and that have been remastered under supervision of the artist/producer ?
Nah, you’ve bought into audio hype. I managed used LP shops for about a decade, have collected vinyl for about 40 years, and the new pressings of Ram blow away original US Apple pressings - all of which tend to have congestion and distortion on the crescendo of “Back Seat of My Car.” Original UK is the way to go if you must have an original.
The only problem is that blanket statements about modern reissues all being of poor sound quality are not accurate. I see it all the time. Somebody will pass up a quality reissue and go for an original that was poorly mastered (with surface noise) in the first place just because its "vintage".
The mono from 2012 with the white cover was a real ear-opener for me....at the time it kinda made me love my turntable again, after a period where I had been getting a little lazy and sloppy about playing records. It's mono but it has really great "depth" to it....like a thickness in the sound? I hate to use the word "punchy" but you feel the music as much as hear it. The screaming guitar solo and the jammy psychedelic fadeout on "Too Many People"....I'd never heard it sound so good. That first rhythm guitar on "Smile Away," you can really feel how hard he's hitting the strings. I really dug it, the mono mix turned out to be a real treat, but of course your impressions may vary. I do have an Apple original, too.
The mono mix is definitely the best. It doesn't have the phase issue that exists with every stereo version.
All nice and well, but good look finding the mono copy or the DCC, let alone at a good price. The 2012/2017 stereo vinyl is a great sounding release, easy to find.