Steely Dan Aja vinyl shootout

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Sam, Aug 12, 2013.

  1. Dr. Funk

    Dr. Funk Vintage Dust

    Location:
    Fort Worth TX
    I think "we" (Steve Hoffman Forum Members) have had a direct effect on the pricing on the AB 1006. I still find them quite often in my neck of the woods for $15 or less.
     
  2. Echoes Myron

    Echoes Myron Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    In my town clean AB1006 LPs are plentiful and go for around $10. I still pick them up occasionally but I probably have at least seven copies.
     
  3. Slick Willie

    Slick Willie Decisively Indecisive

    Location:
    sweet VA.
    I keep my MoFi to remind how good the originals are!
    :wiggle:

     
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  4. marcb

    marcb Senior Member

    Location:
    DC area
    Along with a slide rule, a telegraph and a Sears catalog, no doubt.
     
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  5. ODShowtime

    ODShowtime jaded faded

    Location:
    Tampa
    I looked at a few this weekend. Supposedly the very first ones have a KENDUN stamp so I'm looking for that.
     
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  6. Echoes Myron

    Echoes Myron Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    Are you thinking of Katy Lied?
     
  7. ODShowtime

    ODShowtime jaded faded

    Location:
    Tampa
    No, I thought I read somewhere, that I don't recall now, that very early Ajas have it. Man now you have me thinking, I should be more careful when I post things here that I think I remember. I don't see that anywhere on Discogs and I don't think Bernie worked at Kendun Recorders.

    It was fun to hunt for it for awhile.
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2018
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  8. marcb

    marcb Senior Member

    Location:
    DC area
    I’m pretty sure neither the AB nor later AA cuts have Kendun in the deadwax. The earlier pressing will have AB1006 and later pressings from the same cut will have the AB1006 crossed out and replaced with AA1006. Those with just AA1006 (and nothing crossed out) are a different cut.
     
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  9. Dr. Funk

    Dr. Funk Vintage Dust

    Location:
    Fort Worth TX
    I've never seen one with a KENDUN stamp......I will do a little research. :pleased:
     
  10. marcb

    marcb Senior Member

    Location:
    DC area
    I would do very little if I were you...
     
    chacha likes this.
  11. tnic73

    tnic73 Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Schaumburg, IL
    You're big on admonishing against wishful thinking aren't you? I think I've heard this argument before it was hand painted on a placard that read "The end is near.............".
     
  12. marcb

    marcb Senior Member

    Location:
    DC area
    Blah, blah, blah. Quote all of the cliched cartoons you want. You’re completely putting your head in the sand. The luddites are always the last to see change is not only coming but it came and went.

    Look I don’t stream either. But the days of buying a physical digital copy of someone else’s intellectual property to own, sell or trade as you choose are clearly coming to end whether you like it or not, acknowledge it or not, or accept it or not.
     
    tnic73 likes this.
  13. tnic73

    tnic73 Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Schaumburg, IL
    Luddites, great word, I like that; worth the price of admission.
     
  14. grbl

    grbl Just Lurking

    Location:
    Long Island
    Wow...I have a ton of copies of this album. In digital I have an old MCA cd (not a holy grail), the MOFI cd (which I love), the SHM-SACD (which, despite the mixed reviews here, I love even more). On vinyl I have my MCA vinyl that I bought in the early ‘80’s (my first copy of His album - not a great pressing), two copies of the Cisco (one still sealed), a promo AA-1006 with AB scratched out, and an AB-1006 on order from Discogs. I have to say that I think the Cisco sounds amazing. It’s crisp, clean, and dynamic. It has a real shimmer. While I didn’t think it was possible, I like my AA-1006 with the AB crossed out even better. It sounds less hard and edgy. It has a more relaxed, natural sound to me. Both are excellent though, and it’s probably a matter of personal preference in the end. You really can’t go wrong with either. Looking forward to hearing the AB-1006 to see if it’s identical to my AA-1006 promo (which it should be based on the other posts o this thread).
     
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  15. Cardanken

    Cardanken Hyperactive!

    Location:
    Minneapolis
    Saw one for $50 yesterday. Passed since a certain Santa Maria AB in my collection sounds absolutely amazeballs. :cheers:
     
  16. grbl

    grbl Just Lurking

    Location:
    Long Island
    Sadly, I think you’re right. I’m beginning to prepare myself for the inevitable. For those of us that still like to listen to new music, there will soon be no other choice than to stream. For me personally, that will be a sad day, but I’d rather stream than not listen to new music.
     
  17. teag

    teag Forum Resident

    Location:
    Colorado
    The original vinyl sounds better than the Cisco. I have both in NM condition. More dynamic.
     
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  18. JP Christian

    JP Christian Forum Resident

    Hehe, can I have one then? :goodie:
     
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  19. Dr. Funk

    Dr. Funk Vintage Dust

    Location:
    Fort Worth TX
    I snagged the MOFI Aja yesterday evening.......It's such a beautiful copy, both inside and out. All the paper work is included, and the corners are sharp on the deep black glossy gatefold. The vinyl looks like it was barely touched, much less played. It's pretty cool finding something nearly 40 years old in this condition. I agree with you, AnalogJ, and Marcb that it is inferior to other pressings.........especially the AB 1006. The mid range definitely has issues with that infamous smiley EQ. I played around with the levels, but wasn't quite able to find the sweet spot. I still think it was well worth the $25, and definitely has it's merits. For me, this hobby all about having fun, and comparing different pressings is a large part of the enjoyment. :righton:
     
  20. AudiophilePhil

    AudiophilePhil Senior Member

    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    I agree. For some reason, my favorite track " Deacon Blues" sounds dull and unexciting on Cisco reissue. I sold it after hearing the better sounding AA1006 and the not-too-perfect Mobile Fidelity reissue.
     
    teag likes this.
  21. Echoes Myron

    Echoes Myron Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    Nothing wrong with that, and great buy. I think I paid $30 for my copy which was in much worse shape than yours. They usually go for a lot more.
     
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  22. Trius

    Trius Forum Resident

    I’ve read through this thread - LONG! So I don’t recall all the dedwax details.

    I picked up an AB copy today for $8US - the deadwax is AB-1006-(RE3) A-P4 and AB-1006-(RE3) B-P3. I don’t see anything more on either side. Does anyone know where this was pressed? I haven’t listened to it - currently I’m just adding to the collection as my turntables need work.

    This copy isn’t pristine - it’s not dirty but there are surface marks, which I don’t think will play, but we’ll see. The gatefold jacket is in fair condition.
     
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  23. steve phillips

    steve phillips Forum Resident

    Location:
    NC
    I have an AA-1006, with the B scratched out. Santa Maria 1A 1A. Sounds great to me.
     
  24. Echoes Myron

    Echoes Myron Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    Maybe a Pittman? Regardless, I am betting it will sound very, very good.
     
  25. Schmeig

    Schmeig Forum Resident

    Location:
    Kirkland, WA
    My clean original from 1977 still sounds glorious after all these years. Its an AA1006 with the B crossed out. I bought the Cisco when it could still be had easily, and it had a pressing flaw and had to be returned. The replacement copy I received had weird discolorations in the vinyl, but they did not seem to affect play at all. I kept it, fearing if I tried a third time I might get a worse copy. I'm happy with the sound of both copies.
     

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