Moderators: lazyben, static14, texasvinyl
ScoJo wrote:Very happy to report that my replacement white vinyl copy of The Thing arrived today, spinning it now and it sounds very good. Still a little tiny bit of crackle at the start of Side A, but I'll ascribe that to fact that there's a lot of music on this disc, so it's pushing at the edges a bit. Run in/outs can often be noisier for that reason I believe. Really nothing distracting though, and that opening few bars are incredibly subtle, soft and unforgiving. Cranking it way up, I have to say - this record sounds pretty damn powerful. Will attempt a comparison with my OG at some point.That's great news, mang. The replacement can't get here quick enough for me. Also, I'd be really interested to hear a comparison between the WW re-ish and the OG from your good self. Or any other STBCers for that matter.
All in all, it was worth the wait and once again WW customer service couldn't have been more helpful and straight with me. Shout out to Megan, doing the Lord's work over there! :D
ScoJo wrote:@mateo -Thanks, ScoJ! Very interesting you hear the sims and diffs here. Especially that the WW sounds a bit less harsh than the OG without fussing with the pitch/tone of the original. A subtle, yet effective, mastering can be just what the doctor ordered sometimes. While I'm more than a little bummed that there's still noise on the WW version, I'm glad to hear it's improved enough to enjoy now. Of course I'll need to here this for myself, but this is new wax. And a definitive edition at a premium price to boot. It shouldn't have those issues.
Ok old chap. Here goes....
THE THING
1982 MCA Records
(Black vinyl 140-160gsm)
vs.
2017 Waxwork Records
(White vinyl 180gsm)
Firstly I'm dealing with a fair bit of surface noise on my 2nd hand OG. But even the brand new WW version has some noise at the start. And sad to say - even though it sounds 100% better through the speakers, on headphones the regular 'scuffing' sound that was present in my defective copy is revealed to still be present. Much less prominent, for sure, but it is still there. Lasts for most of HUMANITY PT.1 Also, it has to be said that this white vinyl pressing is dusty as fuck straight out of the inner, and demands a deep clean for sure.
Beyond that, these pressings are very hard to tell apart. Dynamics and levels seem very close - about a third of the way into track one there is some 'music sheet shuffling' by the orchestra, and comparing this section I'd say that this is ever so slightly more noticeable/present in the WW pressing. Which would suggest that it's generally got a little more presence/clarity than the OG, exactly what you'd expect I guess comparing a 1982 master (and 35year old pressing) to a modern one.
Track 3 CONTAMINATION, with it's busy atonal pizzicato strings, is again a smidge punchier in the WW version. Both versions are definitely identical in terms of pitch.
Track 4 BESTIALITY with it's 'sawing' cello opening shows again how close the two are. About a minute in, as the piano chords starts hammering just before the drop down to solo cellos again, the two pressings are virtually identical in terms of range and level to my ears.
There's a fair amount of music pressed on Side A, approx 24mins, but fortunately there isn't a whole lot going in in the very low end - certainly no sub action. Separation seems very pleasing, especially when we are now comparing the previous orchestral tracks to the synth/organ blend of SOLITUDE. Once again I can hear that both pressings are extremely close in terms of dynamics and volume. I actually think I'd struggle to tell them apart on this track, were it not for the low-level fried chicken on my original ;)
Finally, towards the end of the last track, there is again a noticeable increase in regular background 'scuffing' noise on the WW press. Comparing this with the tail of the MCA side, it's cleaner for sure. I'm tempted to say, however, that when the organ is at full tilt, it sounds a bit crunchy/distorted right at the top on the MCA. The WW is much less abrasive sounding in the higher DB during this section.
There you go. Don't have time to dig further into Side 2 but I'm pretty sure I've made my decision for Christ - the new mastering/pressing is extremely faithful to the original in my opinion, no horrible surprises or revelations. As re-presses go, I'd have to rate that a solid win - considering there was nothing broke with the original mastering. Perhaps my last note on the final track does point to some finessing with the WW mastering which was harsher in the OG, but I'd have to pick out some hotter spots on Side B to really test this theory out.
Mateo Sanboval wrote:Fuckin a! Has everyone got a copy of this but me? Re-ish or OG, Frozen?It's an OG I picked up a little while back. Such an excellent record.
ScoJo wrote:Dollar -Cheers! Great to be back,
Welcome back Kotter!
Today's selections are 'fire in the hole' buddy!
