Hi Michael, I really enjoyed this detailed comparison video thank you, and let me just say this is exactly the kind of video that got me into your channel in the first place - this, the new arrivals, the deep dives into all the new Tone Poets, the crazy massive box sets - really enjoyed it when you were doing all that stuff regularly. Appreciate it is a significant time commitment on your part however. Best wishes and greetings from London.
I am always impressed with these reviews covering high-profile Jazz artist like John Coltrane. In my opinion, investing in the UHQR is the best way to own these great records. Thank you, Michael !
A very interesting comparison, as always. I wonder how the UHQR compares to the 33 rpm edition from the "Accoustic Sounds Series" which is also mastered by RKS and which sounds already very good.
I have an early repress stereo of this record. It quickly became a favourite. Decades later, I happened upon a beat up Mono copy. I paid $5.00 but it needed some serious cleaning. Has lots of light noise but overall it is quite listenable. Ballads was my doorway to Coltrane. It has become important to have a perfect copy of this gem. I have a 45 and the AS 33 which I understand is quite good though I've yet to play it. Love this record!
Maybe for your second video, you could compare the UHQR to the 2020 version pressed by QRP as part of the Acoustic Sounds series. The latter, priced at $35 in 2020, sounds pretty fantastic - as you'd expect from QRP. I'm sure the UHQR sounds better. But is the difference worth the cost? I'd be grateful for your expert perspective.
Remastering with modern equipment an old tape, adding some EQ can but not always sound better. But the original is the original and will always have its place in history.
A Michael, I am a fortunate guy. I still have my original love supreme and my original ballads as a matter of fact. I have the first 10 impulse releases by John coldrin that I bought back in the 60s when I first started listening to Jazz. I feel very fortunate.
Michael!! so great to see that GREEN Trad Gras Och Stenar debut album in the background, all blurred out. One of my all time favourites. I have a copy of the original 1st pressing. Very hard to find!
Interesting comparison. And yet another publication where Ryan K. Smith makes his mark. He's becoming my favorite when it comes to mastering. Listen to the War - Greatest Hits. I thought the RSD cut by Kevin Gray couldn't be topped, but RKS has topped it again. So far my best 45 rpm AP record, brilliant🥰
He usually is great but I found A Love Supreme cut very hot on the saxophone, to the point of ear bleeding for me. Would have preferred Kevin Gray's take on that one for sure.
Thanks Michael. Mine has been on pre order locally, and I picked up my copy today, but due to quite some lack of sleep I’m waiting until tomorrow to spin it. So I watch your video again to psyche myself up! It’s interesting they chose to stick to the original sound, is this a different approach moving forward do you think? Or something they intentionally decided for this record? I’m not opposed to getting more out of the original sound. For a UHQR, I thought the aim was to be the definitive version moving forward. If they can get more out of the tapes, I certainly hope they try. It all comes down to how drastic the mastering changes are, and what the intent is for the changes. Ballads is a classic jazz record, and although I’m not familiar with the OG mastering, I have heard RVG mastered to the average home equipment of the time. I can imagine that due to the softer nature of the music, that the original mastering wouldn’t have needed to sacrifice much to play well on said equipment, so I wonder if this was a case where the OG was mastered particularly better than other, more complex recordings, and so they had no notes.. with RVG, you certainly don’t want to reinvent the wheel.
The mono and stereo originals are extremely similar because the mono is a fold down. If you own the stereo original and want to listen to the mono, just turn the knob on your preamplifier.
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Hi Michael, I really enjoyed this detailed comparison video thank you, and let me just say this is exactly the kind of video that got me into your channel in the first place - this, the new arrivals, the deep dives into all the new Tone Poets, the crazy massive box sets - really enjoyed it when you were doing all that stuff regularly. Appreciate it is a significant time commitment on your part however. Best wishes and greetings from London.
I am always impressed with these reviews covering high-profile Jazz artist like John Coltrane. In my opinion, investing in the UHQR is the best way to own these great records. Thank you, Michael !
A very interesting comparison, as always. I wonder how the UHQR compares to the 33 rpm edition from the "Accoustic Sounds Series" which is also mastered by RKS and which sounds already very good.
That’s what I would like to know as well.
I have an early repress stereo of this record. It quickly became a favourite. Decades later, I happened upon a beat up Mono copy. I paid $5.00 but it needed some serious cleaning. Has lots of light noise but overall it is quite listenable. Ballads was my doorway to Coltrane. It has become important to have a perfect copy of this gem. I have a 45 and the AS 33 which I understand is quite good though I've yet to play it. Love this record!
Maybe for your second video, you could compare the UHQR to the 2020 version pressed by QRP as part of the Acoustic Sounds series. The latter, priced at $35 in 2020, sounds pretty fantastic - as you'd expect from QRP. I'm sure the UHQR sounds better. But is the difference worth the cost? I'd be grateful for your expert perspective.
I received my copy today. I already post a sound impression on my channel. Sounds fantastic and therefore highly recommended
Remastering with modern equipment an old tape, adding some EQ can but not always sound better. But the original is the original and will always have its place in history.
A Michael, I am a fortunate guy. I still have my original love supreme and my original ballads as a matter of fact. I have the first 10 impulse releases by John coldrin that I bought back in the 60s when I first started listening to Jazz. I feel very fortunate.
Michael!! so great to see that GREEN Trad Gras Och Stenar debut album in the background, all blurred out. One of my all time favourites. I have a copy of the original 1st pressing. Very hard to find!
Maybe you should change the picture for the video. It’s A Love Supreme.
I always enjoy your videos (I used to work with Adam OPEL AG in Frankfurt. I had a colleague exactly like you 😜)
Interesting comparison. And yet another publication where Ryan K. Smith makes his mark. He's becoming my favorite when it comes to mastering. Listen to the War - Greatest Hits. I thought the RSD cut by Kevin Gray couldn't be topped, but RKS has topped it again. So far my best 45 rpm AP record, brilliant🥰
He usually is great but I found A Love Supreme cut very hot on the saxophone, to the point of ear bleeding for me. Would have preferred Kevin Gray's take on that one for sure.
Yes, I need this in my collection. Why? Because it’s there.😅
Thanks Michael. Mine has been on pre order locally, and I picked up my copy today, but due to quite some lack of sleep I’m waiting until tomorrow to spin it. So I watch your video again to psyche myself up! It’s interesting they chose to stick to the original sound, is this a different approach moving forward do you think? Or something they intentionally decided for this record?
I’m not opposed to getting more out of the original sound. For a UHQR, I thought the aim was to be the definitive version moving forward. If they can get more out of the tapes, I certainly hope they try. It all comes down to how drastic the mastering changes are, and what the intent is for the changes.
Ballads is a classic jazz record, and although I’m not familiar with the OG mastering, I have heard RVG mastered to the average home equipment of the time. I can imagine that due to the softer nature of the music, that the original mastering wouldn’t have needed to sacrifice much to play well on said equipment, so I wonder if this was a case where the OG was mastered particularly better than other, more complex recordings, and so they had no notes.. with RVG, you certainly don’t want to reinvent the wheel.
Gi Michael, do you know if a 33 RPM UHQR of this album will be coming out?
I think that’s highly unlikely
I wonder whether having a cheap Waxtime pressing vs a solid investment such as a UHQR could be subject to the placebo effect?
Really? A strange thing to say on this type of channel.
@@preservedmoose Don't think so at all! Just saying what everyone's thinking :D
The mono and stereo originals are extremely similar because the mono is a fold down. If you own the stereo original and want to listen to the mono, just turn the knob on your preamplifier.
There are plenty of original ballads LPs on eBay for reasonable prices
Collins Freeway
Ein Gedicht 😏 = ❤🙏
Rogelio Prairie
Do you use a different stylus if it’s a 33 or a 45?
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