Hi Steve! Glad that you spelled out what many vinyl fans who care about process details increasingly get aggravated about. I have nothing against digital steps, but I clearly would like to know about those. Surely my preference is all analog which is key for me when, as in my case, focusing on vinyl as more or less the one and only media to listen music from in my listening room. I am including little info cards to each record with additional information and a Spars code is one of such. So, it frustrates me when there is unreliable information on the process steps sometimes to the extent that I refrain from buying such records, esp. when higher priced.
I always liked the designation AAA ADA DDD ADD ... is very explanatory, don't understand why didn't became standard. Then woul,d be easily hyped accordingly :)
Hello Steve! Great episode which I completely agree with! So *frustrating* how inaccurate some of these hype stickers are! Purposely vague? Probably. In many event, there is something I have been wanting to ask you about for awhile but I have yet to find the information in any of your videos - have you ever listed what your current audio rig is like at home? If you have video where you address your system please point me to it? I am always curious what those of you who review recordings from time to time listen to at home. Now I realize on occasion you conduct shootouts at your local high-end emporium. And that's cool. But for all those other times when you are listening at home, it would great if you listed what your reference system consists of. Thanks in advance, Oz LTBS
All my shootouts are held at the high fi centre. But at home I have: Rega P6 with Ania MC cart a Rega phono stage MK4 and a Rega Elex MK4 Int amp and B & W 703 floors. I really like my system but the dedicated space at the shop is much better to compare cuts.
@@stevewestman7774 Very cool Rega system but have to wonder why you didn't also decide to go with Rega loudspeakers over the B&W's? I think Rega loudspeakers are absolutely wonderful. Congrats anyway. I am sure it is an utterly musical system.
Hey Steve, I’m an older collector, i own many of these original titles such as the Roxy Music albums for many years. I don’t understand why many new record collectors don’t look for original pressings. I know many of these original pressings are expensive but I wouldn’t give up on trying to find them. I’m just not fan of these reissues. Many of these are over priced and don’t sound anywhere near as good as original pressings. Quality control is still an issue, I bought the new Talking Heads live album, Stop Making Sense. Sounded good on the first a few plays, recently I played it and discovered these new pops through out a few songs. This only happens with new reissues, I’m really tired of it.
Yes. I agree. I too own a lot of original Canadian pressings that my Dad left me. They sound amazing. My original Cdn pressing of Avalon sounds killer mastered by Bob Ludwig.
I agree with you. The issue though for me and many others, I live in Australia. I purchased an original album I was chasing from Germany through Discogs just the other day. The freight cost alone was AUD$80. It's just too expensive unfortunately and appears to be increasing every time I want to purchase from Europe. It's worse from the US.
Really, who needs these hype stickers anyway? They disfigure the cover artwork. Dear Industry writes on the cover back the Recording and Cutting information like it is on the Neil Young releases, then it doesn't need these crappy stickers. If you really need them for advertising, put them on the shrink wrap, not on the cover.
Hey Steve, how goes it?? First, in regards to Avalon Miles did that half-speed in 2017. This is what made me laugh when it came out last year as everyone treated it as if it were new. You can blame Universal for that hype sticker because my 2017 never had one and I'm glad it didn't. Also, Miles sometimes does re-master from the original analog tapes. I believe he eluded to this in one of his videos and also his Alan Parsons boxset video. So yes I think majority of the time he masters from a file but there is a small percentage of what he does from the tapes themselves. You might want to ask him that next week. Who's Next is pretty self explanatory but in the end it's Universal who should be looked at as to why they didn't include those 1/2 speeds in the two boxsets. I assume you're assuming that Gordon Lightfoot one is digital because it came from Friday Music?? Could very well be or ...maybe not but in the end does it matter?? In my opinion they shouldn't put any hype sticker on because it then creates "biased" hearing. In the end the only people who really care about this are the analogue purists but what they do not realize is calling yourself an audiophile does not equate to "analog only" as MoFi has and the likes of others cutting great albums from DSD have proven.
I don´t care about hype sticker. These stickers are for selling the record and are not part of the item to me, same with shrink, I always throw it away. If you think about it, do you keep hype stickers of books, do you leave the book in the shrink? To me all this is not part of the item.
I save hype stickers for sure. Not so much price stickers but may change. Classic old price stickers from peaches or tower for example are cool artifacts. I do remove shrink these days as I think it is a potential negative inducing warp and mold potentially…
Because they are digital and they know there are analog releases from analogue productions out there and can’t take advantage of hype sticker ambiguity for marketing.
C'mon Steve! You put up the Mazzy Rant image all the time so create a Westman Rant photo! lol .... never believe the hype, that is what Mofi taught us. p.s. That Lou Reed does sound fabulous! Cheers
Steve, I am suggesting that you stop interacting with Mazzy, your ranting more and more! Soon you will be wearing a fedora :( On a more serious note, I get the want and passion for these hype stickers. But really, what does it matter? There are DSD transfers that sound awesome, there are AAA transfers that sound subpar. And vice versa. I can name a handful or more of Mofi’s that are a perfect example. Such as The Cars Mofi from AAA, sounds like a sonic turd. Yet the Abraxas One Step which is DSD transfering is pretty much considered the best. I get it though. And if it makes folks feel better then I am for hype stickers that give exact info as to source and mastering.
@@stevewestman7774 lol yall are a good team. I hope the hype sticker situation improves for you fellas and ladies that are passionate about it 👍🏻…I have to run my mouth in opposition from time to time ha.
So spot on. The marketing gymnastics on these hype stickers can be infuriating 🤦🏻♂️
Thanks my friend. Maybe they just need not put hype stickers on any longer.
Hi Steve! Glad that you spelled out what many vinyl fans who care about process details increasingly get aggravated about. I have nothing against digital steps, but I clearly would like to know about those. Surely my preference is all analog which is key for me when, as in my case, focusing on vinyl as more or less the one and only media to listen music from in my listening room. I am including little info cards to each record with additional information and a Spars code is one of such. So, it frustrates me when there is unreliable information on the process steps sometimes to the extent that I refrain from buying such records, esp. when higher priced.
I always liked the designation AAA ADA DDD ADD ... is very explanatory, don't understand why didn't became standard. Then woul,d be easily hyped accordingly :)
Unless the stickers says ALL ANALOG, I assume there is a digital step. I think that is a safe bet if you want all analog.
True
Also, All Analog doesn't mean its from the original tape. It could be from a 4th generation analog copy.
@@juliosanchez95good point yes.
Great point and that may or may not be critical. For example some all analog albums were just mastered lousy.@@juliosanchez95
Hello Steve! Great episode which I completely agree with! So *frustrating* how inaccurate some of these hype stickers are! Purposely vague? Probably.
In many event, there is something I have been wanting to ask you about for awhile but I have yet to find the information in any of your videos - have you ever listed what your current audio rig is like at home? If you have video where you address your system please point me to it?
I am always curious what those of you who review recordings from time to time listen to at home. Now I realize on occasion you conduct shootouts at your local high-end emporium. And that's cool.
But for all those other times when you are listening at home, it would great if you listed what your reference system consists of.
Thanks in advance,
Oz
LTBS
All my shootouts are held at the high fi centre. But at home I have: Rega P6 with Ania MC cart a Rega phono stage MK4 and a Rega Elex MK4 Int amp and B & W 703 floors. I really like my system but the dedicated space at the shop is much better to compare cuts.
@@stevewestman7774 Very cool Rega system but have to wonder why you didn't also decide to go with Rega loudspeakers over the B&W's? I think Rega loudspeakers are absolutely wonderful. Congrats anyway. I am sure it is an utterly musical system.
@@LetThereBeSound1 thank you. I love it.
Ya. It’s ridiculous they just can’t be consistently transparent especially after the drama of the last couple years.
Never believe the hype the proof is in the music. Great video is always Steve I hope everything's going good for you and your family
Thanks Rod. Things are going well. We have a long weekend in Canada this weekend and next. So it’s going good.
They are being consistent. It's just consistently and deliberately misleading.@@stevewestman7774
Hey Steve, I’m an older collector, i own many of these original titles such as the Roxy Music albums for many years.
I don’t understand why many new record collectors don’t look for original pressings. I know many of these original pressings are expensive but I wouldn’t give up on trying to find them. I’m just not fan of these reissues. Many of these are over priced and don’t sound anywhere near as good as original pressings. Quality control is still an issue, I bought the new Talking Heads live album, Stop Making Sense. Sounded good on the first a few plays, recently I played it and discovered these new pops through out a few songs. This only happens with new reissues, I’m really tired of it.
Yes. I agree. I too own a lot of original Canadian pressings that my Dad left me. They sound amazing. My original Cdn pressing of Avalon sounds killer mastered by Bob Ludwig.
I agree with you. The issue though for me and many others, I live in Australia. I purchased an original album I was chasing from Germany through Discogs just the other day. The freight cost alone was AUD$80. It's just too expensive unfortunately and appears to be increasing every time I want to purchase from Europe. It's worse from the US.
'Who's Next' Abbey Road is a dreadful pressing: muffled, choked, anemic. In desperate need of a blood transfusion. I returned after one listen.
I agree Steve, the SC of Transformer sounds incredible. We'll done, and nice explanation on what all the hype is about....cheers....✌️
Agree with the hype stickers, i throw them away and then i forget it, 🥰 your videos
Really, who needs these hype stickers anyway? They disfigure the cover artwork. Dear Industry writes on the cover back the Recording and Cutting information like it is on the Neil Young releases, then it doesn't need these crappy stickers. If you really need them for advertising, put them on the shrink wrap, not on the cover.
Little Feat, tip of the fedora to Mazzy. Great rant.
Much appreciated. Glad u picked up on the Little Feat album as well behind me. Lol. They are no longer banned. My first rant. I have a good mentor.
If its "half speed" their definitely using a digital step for that, id bet money on it! 😊😮
Yes. All of Miles’ 1/2 speed cuts are digital.
The atmos Steve Wilson sounds amazing. I play it in “binaural” mode which produces a vinyl like sound
Interesting.
@@stevewestman7774 for sure. I have my 3 different vinyl pressings but the atmos mix in binaural mode sounds pretty darn good.
Another major concern for the VC turds....oh my...call a doctor, the hype stickers are sick
I love our first world problems.
@@stevewestman7774 As time goes on, you record collectors get more and more like fussy old ladies with hemorrhoids
Hey Steve, how goes it?? First, in regards to Avalon Miles did that half-speed in 2017. This is what made me laugh when it came out last year as everyone treated it as if it were new. You can blame Universal for that hype sticker because my 2017 never had one and I'm glad it didn't.
Also, Miles sometimes does re-master from the original analog tapes. I believe he eluded to this in one of his videos and also his Alan Parsons boxset video. So yes I think majority of the time he masters from a file but there is a small percentage of what he does from the tapes themselves. You might want to ask him that next week.
Who's Next is pretty self explanatory but in the end it's Universal who should be looked at as to why they didn't include those 1/2 speeds in the two boxsets.
I assume you're assuming that Gordon Lightfoot one is digital because it came from Friday Music??
Could very well be or ...maybe not but in the end does it matter?? In my opinion they shouldn't put any hype sticker on because it then creates "biased" hearing.
In the end the only people who really care about this are the analogue purists but what they do not realize is calling yourself an audiophile does not equate to "analog only" as MoFi has and the likes of others cutting great albums from DSD have proven.
Amen brother. Well said. Thanks for your input. I will ask Miles when he is on the show in the coming weeks.
@@stevewestman7774 Can't wait for that discussion.
I don´t care about hype sticker. These stickers are for selling the record and are not part of the item to me, same with shrink, I always throw it away. If you think about it, do you keep hype stickers of books, do you leave the book in the shrink? To me all this is not part of the item.
I consider the hype stickers interesting as both cultural and historical markers, so I save them, along with the price stickers.
I save hype stickers for sure. Not so much price stickers but may change. Classic old price stickers from peaches or tower for example are cool artifacts. I do remove shrink these days as I think it is a potential negative inducing warp and mold potentially…
No hype sticker on the new Aja release from Amazon.
No hype on any of the UMG new Steely Dan releases.
Because they are digital and they know there are analog releases from analogue productions out there and can’t take advantage of hype sticker ambiguity for marketing.
Yep just saying…..I only got it so I can do a comparison with OG and UHQR when it shows up. 😉
Abbey Road Half Speed Mastered is Sub Par anyways
Some are good. The Who’s Next, Inxs Kick and Roxy Music Avalon sound really good.
@@stevewestman7774 Let me try the Who's Next. I gave up after The Rolling Stones failures. Thanks Steve!
I see an artist’s remasters going to Abbey Road Studios and disappointment ensues.
They nevr sound right.
C'mon Steve! You put up the Mazzy Rant image all the time so create a Westman Rant photo! lol .... never believe the hype, that is what Mofi taught us. p.s. That Lou Reed does sound fabulous! Cheers
Maybe next time lol. Yes the Lou Reed sounds killer.
Steve what's all the hype with hype stickers? 🧐
Right!!!
Yes, never believe the hype! Btw Steve, re Who's Next, you keep saying incorrectly Jon Ashley, it is Jon Astley (no 'h' in there).
Thanks.
The biggest question is how records sound Do they sound good??? If they sound good who cares!! It’s about the music!!
Then they need to just stop putting on the hype stickers.
Really only matters what it sounds like, I ignore those, they really are irrelevant.
Just ignore the sticker.
All of the mastering steps make it confusing.
Maybe its best we just play the music.
Thx Steve.
Thanks for checking in.
Steve sounds like we some truth in advertising especially from abbey road huh we know what Bernie thinks of half speed mastering 🤢
Just wants some consistency!
preach
Amen 🙏
1:40 think you mean provenance, not providence?
Yes
In Neil we trust!
Yesss. Neil!!!
Steve, I am suggesting that you stop interacting with Mazzy, your ranting more and more! Soon you will be wearing a fedora :(
On a more serious note, I get the want and passion for these hype stickers. But really, what does it matter? There are DSD transfers that sound awesome, there are AAA transfers that sound subpar. And vice versa. I can name a handful or more of Mofi’s that are a perfect example. Such as The Cars Mofi from AAA, sounds like a sonic turd. Yet the Abraxas One Step which is DSD transfering is pretty much considered the best.
I get it though. And if it makes folks feel better then I am for hype stickers that give exact info as to source and mastering.
Lol. He’s rubbing off on me is he? I just want the hype sticker to be consistent that’s all.
@@stevewestman7774 lol yall are a good team. I hope the hype sticker situation improves for you fellas and ladies that are passionate about it 👍🏻…I have to run my mouth in opposition from time to time ha.
USE YOUR EARS //99% PEOPLE DO NOT CARE ANYWAY THESE DAYS
It’s all about the ears and your own preferences. So true.