Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

For $120 shipped, I couldn't say no. Thanks for the heads up :up:

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Damn! :lol:

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

I'm waiting for the individual releases. The Stones' 60s discography has always been super haphazard compared to The Beatles. The Beatles made it real easy. The UK releases are the "real" albums and all the non-album tracks fit onto two discs (unless you're counting mono vs stereo mixes but even then it's not much). All of their albums through Magical Mystery Tour were mixed to mono with the band's approval and then stereo without input from the band, and the band mixed the White Album in both stereo and mono themselves. After that, no mono.

The Stones are not so neat and tidy. The band didn't really care about the tracklisting on their albums until Aftermath, and same with mono or stereo mixes. Releases would have a mix of mono and stereo, or mono fold-downs of albums only mixed in stereo or fake stereo made from mono-only mixes. So there is a lot of content in that box that isn't true mono, and also a lot of duplicated content because there are UK and US versions of the same albums (and US only compilations like Flowers that duplicate material elsewhere in the box). I know that the entirety of Beggars Banquet is a fold down from stereo, albeit a very well done one, and I believe that Let it Bleed is the same. It's a mess really, which is why I can understand the everything and the kitchen sink approach they took.

Personally, all I want is Aftermath and Between the Buttons. Supposedly Satanic Majesties is better in mono but really my problem with that album isn't stereo, it's the songwriting. And maybe I'll get Beggars Banquet too because the fold down on that really is excellent.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, the music in that box is uniformly excellent, and the sound quality is great too.

I'm happy so many people decided to jump on that deal. It's a great set by all accounts and of course the music is just terrific.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

I know the discography is a complete mess and very confusing. Aftermath in the box and some others are supposed to sound superb. I always liked Satanic Majesties but unfortunately this set doesn't reproduce the lenticular cover. I don't think it's as well done as the Beatles mono set (book looks cheap, cover art quality/colors sometimes lacking and the source isn't strictly analog). The attention to detail like the Beatles set just isn't there. I bought the stones mono set for a little under $200 shipped so I couldn't refuse though. I had no intentions of buying it but for that price it wasn't much of a decision.

This is the most detailed review I've seen so far,

Note: I wonder why they cropped UK Aftermath and changed the scaling on Satanic/cropped the back

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Honestly it's a ton of great music, and yes the records themselves are supposed to sound fantastic. Hard to go wrong, IMO.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Another thing I grabbed was the Queen Studio box. Again something I never intended to buy but for a bit over $200 it was a must buy to me.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

It's one of, if not THE greatest box-set I have.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

I don't even know what the "Black Album" is but you need that because it has "Days" - one of the finest Kinks songs ever.

As for mono/stereo, I was once berated by an old guy in a store when I was holding an original copy of "Something Else" - I was told that it was crap and only the mono was worth listening to. I have two stereo copies - monos are hard to find as they are only UK I believe.

Haha. I was just reading a back and forth between Andy Partridge (XTC) and Robyn Hitchcock on Twitter debating what was the greatest psych album of all time: Satanic or Piper. (Andy chose Satanic, Robyn Piper) Andy believes (and I tend to agree) that the Stones get a bad rap for that record - it's actually really good and original stuff.

That being said, I don't buy any reissues if the originals are accessible. I make exceptions - for example, I've yet to find a quiet copy of Love's Forever Changes so the reissue is welcome.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

So my RSD as I mentioned involved no RSD merch but a frenzy on semi-tough to find albums.

I got a bunch of original Blue Notes, some Coltrane, Black Flag, and various other stuff. Anyone ever hear "The Legend of Henry Cow"? Wow.


On Sunday, I went to another record store to see what was left of the RSD merch. I got:

- Bob Dylan - The Real Royal Albert Hall 1966 Concert
- Amanda Palmer and Jherek Bischoff - Strung Out In Heaven (Bowie tribute with ex. cover of Blackstar)
- Jaco (Original Soundtrack)
- Middle Brother 10" pic disc

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

So for you Mondo shoppers, they are doing Free Shipping on Vinyl the next week I believe.

Today they made available an awesome release of Gremlins. I watch that movie every year and though the soundtrack is not epic, I think the package they are doing is very cool where it reacts to sunlight and even moisture. Hope they're not substituting packaging for sound.

I also decided to blind buy Naked Lunch. I have never seen the movie but their write up caused me to hear some of the tracks on youtube and its a pretty neat jazz infused score. Im really excited for it.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Decided to pass on Gremlins, but ordered Ninja Scroll and The Boy and The Beast.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

The Black Album was a compilation, which is fine and it does have some essential non-album tracks as you mentioned, but they could have included a Past Masters style comp that only included tracks not already on the main albums.

As for Satanic, I actually think it's quite overrated. It was panned as a "me too" album after Sgt. Pepper, which is a little unfair, but I think this reappraisal of it as an all time great psychedelic album is giving it too much credit. Also Andy and Robyn are both wrong, the best psychedelic album of all time is The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

I don't know what I'd pick as best psych album, there's so many. The first album and Easter Everywhere by the 13th Floor Elevators deserve a nod. Pretty Things SF Sorrow should be up there too.

I thought Satanic is pretty universally hated but it's got to be at least in a top 10 of 60s psych albums. Some of the songs are crap but 2000 Light Years, Citadel, 2000 Man etc. are great. She's a Rainbow is a total rip of She Comes in Colours by Love but I like it. I agree Piper is way better.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Solid analysis. They essentially needed to combine tracks taken from The Black Album, The Kinks Kronikles and the Lost Kinks album. That should have pretty much covered everything. I agree...I could listen to 'Days' for, well, days.

Piper is tough to beat for psych. I actually think Satanic is a worthy entry in the genre. I also think The Byrds 5th Dimension deserves some credit for its influence.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Got my VPI up and running. I know I haven't got it dialed in with 100% accuracy but I think it sounds pretty damn good.

Edit: Actually I think it sounds great. This is the best some of my music has ever sounded, and I haven't even gotten my new speakers yet, nor do I have a proper tube power amp at the moment.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

I noted, probably inarticulately, that Robyn Hitchcock argued Piper At the Gates Of Dawn as the best. Its what most people agree on including myself. Andy Partridges take was interesting and deserves another look at Satanic. The song "Citadel" in particular is pretty great.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

You did say Piper and I read it as Pepper, as in Sgt. Pepper. That's my bad!

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

My Wang Chung To Live and Die L.A. vinyl just arrived. Time to get my skinny tie out!

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Just saw on Amazon that they're reissuing Blondie's catalog (at least the first four albums) in a couple of weeks - new pressings and all. They're a little steep at $22-$26 per record. I'd only be interested in the first four anyhow.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

And yet for $20 or so, you can get all of the first 4 Blondie albums as original presses.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Yeah, box-sets, even if they include big books or whatever, should always come out to way less per record than buying them separately.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

I need a suggestion guys.

I would like to buy some sleeves for my LPs. Not the record itself, but the whole LP packaging. Can you recommend me anything?

It seems good ones are hard to find. My former local store had ALL their used LPs in great plastic sleeves. I called them to ask where they got them so I can buy some and they wouldn't tell me!!! WTF. They said they may be able to sell me some for about $.50 each. Theyre good sleeves, but I thought that was pretty shitty of them. Can anyone here help?

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

I'm a little confused by your wording. Are you looking for inner sleeves or outer jackets or both?

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Here's a good selection of inner and outer record sleeves, way less than $.50 each, which is a rip off. Stay away from your local record store - sounds like both an rip-off artist and an asshole.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Outer jackets! I want to cover the whole enchilada

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Yup! Guy was very helpful but basically "dont let the owner know I told you this and dont mention me when asking to buy sleeves" :lol: Not a place Ill be giving business to again. It helps that I moved away lol

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Bags Unlimited is another potential source:
https://www.bagsunlimited.com/category/206/jackets

They're probably not the cheapest, but I can attest to the high quality of their record jackets.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Sleeve City is the best there is for jackets and liners.

IOW what slop said.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

How is the new VPI Supermallet? we want video!

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

It's fantastic! I'm still waiting on my upgraded speakers to arrive but even with a budget pair it's a noticeable improvement over my old Technics.

What's a good site to host video? Imgur doesn't seem to recognize my video files.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

I don't know? YouTube?

What speakers are you getting? I am looking at some smaller speakers like KEF ls50. We may be moving to a condo to get closer to my wife's work.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Blumenstein Orcas. They're full range drivers so they're mid-centric, but the imaging and coherency on them is fantastic.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Can anyone give a recomendation for a turntable? Been out of the vinyl world for awhile but dipping toe back in, no more than $100 - $150.

Thanks!

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Bump your budget to $179 and get a U-Turn Orbit. Best entry level table bar none. If you can swing the plus model, that's an even better deal for the included upgrades.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Thanks, where can I find that price?

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

https://uturnaudio.com

They sell direct. I think they have changed a few things recently. Maybe a new tone-arm?

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Yes, a new and improved tonearm is now standard on all new tables they sell.

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Looks like I know what I'm gonna get for X-mas. :thumbsup:

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

Whoa, I think I might be in for one of these too, thanks for the heads up!

Re: The VINYL Thread!
 

I didn't get an Orbit, but I have a Teac TN 300 which seems adequate enough for a decent turntable. Audio Technica LP 120 is another one which people seem to like. I was a bit disappointed to find you can't turn off the internal pre-amp though even when it's switched off. Only way to do it is to take it out. Teac isn't like that.

Out of curiosity, how do you guys clean your records? I saw the spin clean system and I'm not sold on the idea really. I don't understand how it doesn't get the labels wet. I have one of these which I'm happy with:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vinyl-1-Stac...-/161039100163