Hot Stamper Pressings that Sound Their Best on the Right Reissue Available Now
Which albums sound better on the right vintage reissue pressing?
Just to take one example: The original Reprise pressing of Jazz Waltz, whether in mono or stereo, has never sounded very good to us. The mono is quite a bit worse than the stereo – no surprise there – but both must be considered poor reflections of the master tape.
We sold one many years ago, describing it this way: “Beautiful original with decent sound — rich, smooth and sweet.” Which it was, but from us that’s little more than damning it with faint praise.
The Discovery pressing is so much bigger, clearer and livelier it’s almost hard to imagine it and the 1962 Reprise original were both made from the same tape.
Something sure went wrong the first time around — I think it should be safe to say at least that much.
Does the Original Always Have the Best Sound?
Not for those of us who play records rather than merely collect them.