Hot Stamper Pressings of the Music of Steely Dan Available Now
One of our good customers had this to say about some Hot Stampers he purchased last year. (We are very far behind in posting your letters, trying to catch up.)
Hello Tom,
After your extensive explanations preceding my first purchase at Better Records, I would like to share my experience with the three records that have bought.
[Peter went on to describe the conidtion issues with our records and wanted us to know they were not as quiet as he was led to believe. We did our usual song and dance about old records and such, which apparently satisfied him as he has spent a great deal of money with us since then.]
The sound ratings. Here, I am fully convinced. All three records have fantastic sound, in all respects. I could try to describe what I am hearing, but you have already done that very eloquently in the explanation on you site. I really have nothing to add (or to deduct)
Can only say that I now can enjoy three examples of my favourite music in a way that I have never experienced before.
That is not completely true: I already own a pressing from “Gaucho” from the same series as your copy – it sounded way better than the European pressing that I also have. This made me believe that there ”might be something going on.”
However, be reassured: my copy of the RL mastered Gaucho is quite good but yours is better still!
A big thumbs-up to your ears and your hard work!
Due to financial constraints, I only bought “super hot” pressings – which in my opinion are already great sounding. I find it hard to believe that, apparently, there are also “white hot pressings” in existence …
The Cisco Aja
We also discussed the disappointing quality of the modern 180 gram reissues. For example: after the Gaucho I listened again to my Cisco reissue of “Aja.” In comparison, it sounds flat, dull, with muffled instruments, little soundstage depth and only half of the soundstage between my speakers occupied.
I realise more and more that I have noticed this before. Although bought as a replacement (to be ready for the future with new fresh and better copy) I have discovered that in the past, in many cases I did not dispose of the old record and kept the old and the 180 grams replacement together – because the old one sounded so nice! I think I did not want to believe what I was hearing because I thought it could not be true – a form of “suspension of disbelief”?
Summarized: you have fully proved your point and I will be watching your site with interest. Due to the budget constraints I will only be able to make a purchase now and then, for a record that I really love.
Best regards,
Peter
Dear Peter,
Thanks for your letter. Yes, sometimes it is hard to believe that the sound of one of our Super Hot stamper pressings can be bettered, but there are in fact clearly superior copies compared to the one you bought. They are the ones that win shootouts.
We admit they are expensive. We find at most one or two a year for a title like Gaucho, and they might be noisy or have sub-shootout-winning sound on one of their sides, but the customers who own them tend to be very enthusiastic about what they do for their enjoyment of music.
Some call them a revelation. Since we play every record we sell, we know exactly what they mean.
Here are some letters and commentaries devoted to the ultimate analog experience, the White Hot stamper pressing.
Naturally we keep a good selection of these very special pressings around for those who are willing to commit the resources to acquire sound of this quality.
Best, TP