greg@olivej.UUCP (Greg Paley) (01/11/84)
I've had a chance to hear several of these "digitally remastered" re-issues from analogue master tapes. In no case have I heard an improvment but in all that I've heard so far, the sound is significantly inferior to the original RCA red seal issue. The originals themselves vary in quality according to the particular time period in which they were pressed. These are identifiable as follows, in descending order of quality (1) Late 50's, early 60's. While these may not have the most silent surfaces, they tend to have the most vibrant and detailed sound. The labels have the old "His Master's Voice" dog at the gramophone at the top. The label has a bright red background with a darkly shaded area around the picture of the dog. (2) Mid 60's. These are distinguishable from the above in that there is no dark shading around the picture of the dog. Also, at the bottom of the label they say "Stereo" as opposed to "Living Stereo" on the earlier ones. (3) Late 60's, early 70's. Brick red label with no picture of the dog. (4) Mid 70's - "Dynaflex" records which wilt when you hold them up. At this point, things seemed they could get no worse until . . . (5) Golden Seal. Not as flimsy as the Dynaflex but generally beset by murky, veiled sound. Some are OK if heard by themselves but vastly inferior to the originals. In short, continuing negative progress. The new "paper bag" records are no improvement on the Golden Seal. Unfortunately, the early pressings are very hard to come by and many specialty shops which might have them won't let you open the seal to examine the label. The good news is that, at least so far as I've been able to compare, imported German and English RCA pressings have much, if not all, the vibrancy of the originals with superior surfaces. These can be hard to find, but there are import dealers from whom one can order by mail. This can be expensive, but I find a $10 record that I enjoy re-playing a better investment that a $5 record that sits on my shelf. Does anyone have comments on the more recent .5 (half-speed remastered) RCA's? Those I've heard so far are similar to digital records in that they seem strikingly better on mediocre equipment (on which the originals seem rather dull) but harsh and unpleasant on higher-end gear (on which the originals sound extraordinary). I'd be very interested in other people's experiences. If anyone is interested in dealers for the above-mentioned import pressings, I'd be willing to dig around and come up with some addresses. It would take a little time, but I'd be happy to do it if the interest is there. Greg Paley Olivetti ATC, Cupertino Ca.
rdg@hpcnoa.UUCP (01/21/84)
Of course the paper bag disks are inferior to the old
red seals, or even the new: they are still GOLD SEAL!
So they are automatically inferior to red seal. Do you
think that the paper bag records are inferior because
they are "digitally remastered?" I think the paper bags
are not remastered at all, but just say "digital" on
them in order to sell.
I quite agree with you about the old RCA's - they are
the most incredible recordings when heard on a good
system. Several used record stores around here have
a good flow of these, and in the last 6 months, I
have acquired about 20 or 30 of the old pressings,
"shaded dogs." People don't believe me when I tell them
I buy 30 year old records!
I was about ready to spend money on the expensive .5
remasterings, when I discovered that the old versions
could be bought locally; I do have one: the Reiner
Scheherezade. I also have the Red Seal pressing for
comparison. I think the .5 surfaces are excellent;
But the Red Seal sound is better: in terms of depth
and ambience, they lost something in the remaster.
The imports: yes, these are quite rare and hard to get,
but try the Serenade Record shop in Washington, DC.
On a recent trip east, I found they had a proverbial
"shitload" of imported RCA's. French, English and German,
and an outstanding collection of other imports, ie
EMI, Decca, etc. However: One of the records I got was the
Reiner '54 version of Also Sprach Zarathustra, VICS1265,German
pressing, and compared it to an old american pressing I got used
locally; The import has better surfaces, but there is
something about the domestic which makes the record
much more pleasant to listen to, it is 'clean.' So don't get
too infauated with imports, they aren't ALWAYS better.
Rob Gardner
{hpfcla,hp-pcd,csu-cs}!hpcnoa!rdg
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