The Top 10 Best Sounding Beatles White Albums In The World
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
- Finding the best sounding pressing of any Beatles album is a challenge. But in this video we give you some help by presenting our top 10 favorite sounding pressings of their 1968 classic double 'White Album' - on both vinyl and CD. Let us know if you agree, or not and tell us what your favorite sounding pressing - be it mono or stereo, remix or original - is in the comments.
RUclips video: Best Sounding Beatles Collection BC13 Box Set: • What is the BEST Sound...
Amazon links to products and equipment mentioned in this video:
Beatles White Album 50th Anniversary Remix (vinyl double): amzn.to/3HYkHsm
Project Debut Carbon Esprit turntable: amzn.to/3ldu8vi
Rega Fono Phono-stage: amzn.to/3lajB3V
Ortofon 2M blue cartridge: amzn.to/3wYXX5j
Neat Petite speakers (manufacturer's website): neatacoustics.c...
Discogs link to analog DMM 'White Album': www.discogs.co...
If you would like to help keep the channel going, you can support us in the following ways:
1. Become a channel member by clicking on this link: / @parlogram
2. Click the 'Thanks' icon below the video to donate an amount of your choice.
3. Join us on Patreon: / parlogram
Treat yourself to some great sounding Beatles vinyl at our website: www.parlograma...
You can get in touch with us using the links below, but please note that we are unable to do individual valuations.
Email: andrew@parlogramauctions.com
Facebook: / parlogram
Twitter: / parlogram
Instagram: / parlogram67
Via our website: www.parlograma...
Finally, why not treat yourself to Parlogram t-shirt, a 'Get Back' tea mug or something else from our RUclips/Spring store: parlogram-auct...
Thank you!
![Tee Grizzley - Blow for Blow (feat. J. Cole) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wNLN5xsx5dc/mqdefault.jpg)
I can't believe Cry Baby Cry wasn't liked enough to be included in either album. Me, I've always liked that song. I guess if everyone liked the same thing, the world would be quite boring. Thank you again, Andrew. I enjoyed this video.
Thanks Scott. Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks, I enjoyed this episode! I've had the German DMM black vinyl in the past and loved it. I foolishly sold it when I got the German DMM white vinyl version. They are my favorite sounding versions of this album. I still have the German DMM white vinyl and treasure it! I also have most of the versions of this album from your list.
In the late 70's when all The Beatles LP's in the US Came out with Apple Labels and were the UK versions These were for me
the best sounding I ever heard
I didn't start to see the UK versions until the early 80s, when they were on the boxed Parlophone label, except of course the records originally released on Apple in the first place.
Sorry I couldn’t disagree more . In my opinion the 78 UK box set is the biggest bang for the buck. You can still find the with all fourteen albums - rarities - for under $500. in pristine . In my opinion Capital Records made more than one Butcher Album, they made fifteen : )
The original U.K.exports were on the " Parlophone," label. But how things go for me in life,it is a no go...😎
I agrée that the 1978 white vinyl UK export pressing is The One. But, per your review, I just snagged that Dutch pressing, via Discogs, and I’ll let you know what I think. Thanks again, Andrew, for a great video and for, again, lightening my wallet 😂
Thanks Tim. Hope you enjoy your copy.
You were correct about that Dutch pressing. It's really fine with great clarity, quiet vinyl, and tight bass, and it gives the '78 UK white-vinyl export a run for its money. But I have to say that the first UK pressing is The One. Quite obvious when putting it on after first listening to the '78 white-vinyl and the Dutch.
The White Album is THE record of my life. It's IMO the greatest LP ever recorded by any artist. I've got a history of 45 years with it. I know it since I was born. I've been listening to it thousands of times and I never get tired of it. It's THE perfect album! ❤ I never skip "Revolution 9".
I own 15 different versions on all kinds of formats. I grew up with the original german stereo pressing so this will always be my beloved version. I love the UK mono mix as well. I must say I absolutely LOVED the 2018 5.1 remix. Enjoying it under the influence of a sporty jazz cigarette was a mind blowing experience.
"The Beatles" is also my Number One favorite album of all time.
"Enjoying it under the influence of a sporty jazz cigarette was a mind blowing experience." 🤔
@@RAFchurchlawford4469 I once listened to it after dropping a tab of LSD. By the time "Revolution 9" came on I was...zonked.
I wish the blu-rays would get separate releases, I sound like a broken record complaining about it, but I would get a box set of just the blu-ray high-res and surround mixes in a heartbeat. I just didn't feel like buying pricey box sets just to get the blu-rays (which is why I also passed on the recent Kinks box set combining Muswell Hillbillies and Everybody's In Showbiz, which were already reissued only a few years ago.
Yes.
The problem with Giles Martin remixes is that they are not homogeneous. Some tracks got better and some got worse. Savoy Truffle's sound is more defined and airy than the original, but it completely ruined Helter-Skelter by stripping it of all its visceral impact. The bass guitar was distinctly muffled in that song. I also don't like the new While My Guitar mix...
1:57 thats why everybody cant take serious audiophiles... whats the problem if something sounds great on a piece of junk? how come is that a bad thing? wouldnt that be the greatest possible scenario? Do people believe lennon and mccartney thought their music was to be played and enjoyed on a hi-fi japanese audio system? Back in the day people listened to music on fucking mono cans jeez. John lennon believed his recordings were complex enough to be mixed on a 4 track machine and that even a now primitive 8track console was unnecesary and pointless.
I like the 30th anniversary White Album CD. I think that it has a very cohesive sound from track to track that makes the individual track mixes sit very well together. And yes, the packaging is the very best of all White Album CDs. I have taken great care to preserve the packaging in mint condition out of respect for the great job EMI/Apple did on this 30th anniversary edition.
It's my go to of all CD copies. Closest to analogue sounding of digital versions. It actually sounds like mid 70s Japanese EAS pressings which is not a bad thing.
@@bobsoldrecords1503 totally agreed. It's a gem!
I recently bought the 30th anniversary CD at a half price bookstore and I tried looking into it, but I never saw many people talking about it online. I really love the packaging for it as well!
*Er.. Andrew ?... How dare you say your equipement is "not an expensive one", sweetie ???... Your equipement is a top notch posh sophisticated Hi-Fi sound system, man and you know it. Most viewers here have Technics record players and JVC amplifiers Andrew !!!!!... Seeing that apparently you consider a "Project Debut Carbon Espirit player with Ortofon cartridge linked to a Rega and a Naim" not an expensive equipement will sound quite perplexing for many people you know...*
Well its not.
I agree it's not the cheapest, but it's nowhere near what I would call a 'high-end' system.
Nowhere near a posh system, when turntables can cost thousands by themselves.
It's very good equipment, but not prohibitively expensive.
I neither have technics nor JVC.
@@jconsolmagno oh come on, it is !... I mean, this is NOT a "cheap" set-up yo can get at your local Walmart is it ?... It is rather high end, you can't deny that.
Mate, you go online and look at some properly expenses stuff and then we'll talk.
Haha love the Python ☎️ reference, excellent video as usual Andrew 👍😬
Glad you enjoyed it, Louise!
Alexa mischief!
The first time I heard it was the '87 double-CD version and it's the one I always go to when I want to listen to the album. And since it was direct from the Masters, I don't feel like I'm missing anything.
I like that one too
It is indeed a fantastic listen. I hear things on this CD I don't hear on my original 1969 vinyl!
#1 on your list was my first White Album I got way up north in Sweden in the early 80's. Totally agree, sounds very good. Played it last week and compared it to some other of the pressings I have today. Including the 30th Anniversary CD. Beats that easily.
The early German pressings sounds really good in my ears as well. Got a 1968, 1969 (both covers are top loaders).
The analogue German DMM is another favorite.
But in the end - the music is the best 😀
The "Best" White album for me is the one I've been listening to for years. It's a Capitol Orange Label from the 1970's
Side one has a #2 and side 2 has a #3 pressing? Any comments Andrew? Thanks, I'm learning so much from you.
I've got the 30th Anniversary CD and the 2009 Mono CD. I can't speak for any vinyl copies, but these are the top of the heap for the digital realm.
Still the best double album I’ve heard. I just buy it every time a new edition comes out. So that’s five CDs and one LP!🍏🍏🍏🍏
After seeing this excellent video I simply HAD to listen to "The Beatles" again. After 54 years it is still as fresh as wet paint, and is just amazing with all the widely varied styles and ideas. It's just sad to remember that the sessions for the album were rife with bickering and bad blood. I try not to think of that when I hear this astonishing and beautiful album.
Always improving my Sunday! Thank you Andrew for putting out these videos, super informative, and great to watch!
Thanks Jack, glad you like them!
I hadn’t listened to this cast prior to writing what I wrote about Andrew’s playback system. I have a very good playback system, all UK, and German made but not over the top. With that said I used to send my high end Beatles albums to Michael Fremer at his home aka Analog Planet. He has a system that must be in the half million dollar arena . I don’t know what the components are but can conjecture they’re not something generally sold on the commercial market. Of all the great, and generally pristine first UK pressings I sent the one he liked best was a mono Decca pressed PPM album for what that worth .
The only mix I didn't really like was "Helter Skelter". It seemed some of the (guts) had been mixed down.
My favorite CD reissue of "The Beatles" is the 30th anniversary edition, which has the most accurate reproduction of the original cover design that I've seen on a CD reissue. It has the blind-stamp embossed title, the cover is a top-loader (like the original LP edition), and the enclosed photos and collage/lyric sheet are the most accurate reproductions I've seen. The edition was numbered also, with an authentically reproduced stamped number in the lower right corner. As for sound quality, I'd rate it about the same as the 2009 CD reissue. The 2009 cover reproduction is not as authentic as the 1998 30th anniversary version. While the title is blind-stamp embossed on the front it is not slightly crooked like the original, and there is no sequential numbering in the lower right. The four glossy photos are printed on the inside four-panel gatefold, not as separate photos. Also, the photo collage poster is slightly clipped off on the top and bottom. A very slapdash production for so great an album. The only advantage is that the 2009 edition has a booklet with rare photos and two short essays; "Historical Notes" and "Recording Notes", although both essays do not have credits for the authors. Also the song lyrics are printed so as to be more easily readable than they are on the reverse of the photo-collage poster.
I was astonished to learn that there are over 800 different pressings of this album! But I am sure Andrew found the best Top 10 of all those.
Have you seen the 2009 mono CD? The packaging is superb!
I’m happy I held onto my 1981 mono even after finding a clean original 1968 copy. It’s my go-to copy for most occasions, even if there is a certain magic with spinning an original.
Regarding the Giles remix, I recall him saying in an interview that early attempts to remix the White Album didn’t sound right, as they were too clean sounding. He thought the music needed to be a little muddier to “sound like the White Album.” Personally I wish he had gone with a cleaner sound to give us something new.
I don’t think we’ll get an all-analog stereo set until the remix program is over. Right now they are selling the remixes as something every fan should own. Once the remix program is over, they can then sell us the original mixes all over again, as if they made some great re-discovery over how good they sound. Hopefully the original tapes are still up to the task. Even if they are, I think the BC13 sets will be hard to beat.
I love the DMM white vinyl version.I love the White Album and this version sounds so good to me.
I've got a feeling that after this video the value of this pressings multiplied 💀
My go to is the 2009 mono cd from the mono cd box set. How would you compare that to the best mono vinyl?
I'm curious if you listen to any of these recordings blind. I ask because I often think, especially when it comes to analogue versus digital, prejudgements are made that influence opinions. Very often people are made aware it's a digital recording and they've already made up their minds - digital = bad.
You must be aware of the fairly recent Mofi OneStep scandal. All those ' digital is rubish' adherents had to eat humble pie when they were told that MOfi had been introducing a digital step in their vinyl pressings for over 5 years. Recodings they had been hailing as 'awesome.'
I have early pressings of all the Beatles albums and love them but I think the sound of the 2009 vinyl box set is great. I believe an all-analogue stereo box may not be imminent but it is inevitable
No US pressings mentioned, big surprise! 😂
The mono White Album may be my favorite sounding album EVER. It's not the most pristine sounding, best engineered or anything like that. It just cooks! It sounds so full and warm, and makes every track work perfectly. Like a perfect collage of sound that never tires the ear. The single channel mix makes it sound dreamy.
The debate about colored vinyl vs black vinyl is an interesting one. I once read in an American record collector magazine that the reason colored vinyl does not sound as good as black vinyl is because it is lacking the carbon black that gives it its color. The carbon black also acts as a lubricant as the stylus travels the grooves. I don’t know if this is true or not, but it does sound plausible.
You make a good point about top of the line hi-fi equipment not being necessary to judge sound quality. I collect CDs rather than vinyl, but I often find that going from a brickwalled disc to a well-mastered one makes such a difference that it sounds like I've upgraded my speakers!
If anything, it’s even *more* evident on my car stereo, which sounds massive with a dynamic disc but extremely harsh with a brickwalled one. My home system actually does a better job of handling a modern disc.
So how about those matrix numbers for that Dutch winner? ;)
This is one of them.
Disc 1: YEX 709--138-04173-A--36407-2Y & YEX 710--36408-3Y
Disc 2: 192-04174 YEX 711A//1-Y & YEX 712//43028-1Y
@@Parlogram Much obliged!
Looks like one of the rarer examples of Dutch pressings with a locally-cut Side D.
@@Parlogram Ah. Turns out I do have a copy of that one, after all. Actually, it's a Dutch Contract pressing for Germany. :)
1. You should mention that the 1982 and 1986 Japanese red mono releases of the White Album are comparable to the original UK monos and
probably in better shape, even if the cost of those LPs are a bit expensive.
2. I have the 1984 Cremer analog DMM Sgt. Pepper where he turns down Paul's organ on Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds and turns up George's guitar in the other channel...and one can hear how it resembles in tone the guitar solo sound on the single mix of Let it Be because George is messing with a Leslie speaker lol.
3. If one can't afford an original UK the 1980's two-box EMI labels done by Harry T. Moss are a pretty good deal...it is what they stuffed in all the 1980s BC-13 blue boxes and are not too expensive on Discogs.
I own about 20 different pressings, but the Japanese EAS was the one that impressed me most so far.
I was actually a bit choked up when I listened to the remix, I have always found the original mix to be poor overall, the remix I find much better to listen to.
Hey Andrew, I always look forward to what you have in store for us each week. The White Album is my favorite by the Beatles. Probably for sentimental reasons, my favorite is the one I talked my mom into buying for me for my birthday. The hard part was it was Summer and I couldn’t have it until December. 😳Like many here, I have quite a few copies of the album in stereo and mono, LP and CD. For sound, I like the mono version from 2009.
Excellent Andrew! I did have the Dutch version…and the DMM version of which was harsh to my ears. But I was a drummer and probably lost some range along the way.
Great show!! The White Album deserves all the attention it gets! A brilliant set!!
Thanks for the in-depth info as always.
Cheers!👍🎶
Cheers Brian!
Good video Andrew and I notice no U.S. version of that Album. There is a story around that George Harrison remixed the album when he was in America. What was George doing in the U.S., he was producing Jackie Lomax album, meeting Bernard Krauss (maybe spelled wrong) for his moog work and writing songs with Bob Dylan Inamely "I'd have You Anytime" and "Window, Window". Cry Baby Cry The U.S. version has a drop in sound during “By the Children” in the last verse, probably a tape Glitch. The MFSL version does not contain the Glitch. Did not hear it on the CD version.
Can you picture the white album being a single disc, but with "Hey Jude" on the album. If the Beatles were signed to Decca, we would never hear the tracks "Dear Prudence", Don't Pass Me By, Helter Skelter, Long, Long. Long or Revolution 9. The unreleased Stones songs from 1968 are still unreleased and they had the Gaul to ask Mick "We need one more song" and Decca still has Unreleased songs from 1963.
Great video, Andrew. I expect the Discogs median price of that Dutch pressing will be rising over the next few weeks! The White Album seems to be the one album that I can't have too many copies of, what a masterpiece.
Well, I have the limited edition 4 LP set w/The Esher Demos (and Giles Martin mixes) which is probably the same as your #10 pick and I do play on a very cheap player. I do like it but don't have the ear to notice any subtle differences in my CD set (CDP7 46443 2).
The 2018 Deluxe Edition actually has a great sounding version.... the mono mix that's included with it.
Brilliant and interesting as usual, Andrew. I don't know if I have the ears to distinguish between all the pressings, although I do enjoy the white vinyls. I never skip Revolution 9 either. I often hear something I think I haven't heard before,
P.S. I'm trying to watch the easiest and cheapest way to get perfect mono sound on a stereo system but it keeps coming up as an error. Do you know if anyone else is having the same problem?
Thank you for activating my Alexa to play the white album. Lol
I'm curious what your thoughts are on the Mobile Fidelity version of the White album if you've heard it. I'm no audiophile, but I thought it sounded good.
Once again you made an amazingly informative video. Thank you for all you do. The Beatles Community is better for it.
Thank you, James. Glad you enjoyed it.
My ears are shot from years of gigging, gig going, clubbing and headphones I can barely tell the difference any more!!!😂
I love these deep dives into Beatles specific releases. I humbly request the same look into their earlier albums, as their quality/mixes seemed to have been less influenced by the band themselves.
I know I'm in the minority, I love my MOFI version. It sounds great on my system.
I recently got the 2009 remastered CD.....it is far better than the 2018 remix... It is like a whole different record ...the two don't sound the same........ The remix don't hold a candle 😮
There was a series of Beatles LPs pressed and issued in Japan in the early 1980s that sound great, and for the longest time, were fairly affordable. They were considered a cheaper and easier alternative to the ever-expensive UK pressings. I bought Japan LPs of Revolver and White Album, loved them both. I see the prices are shooting up, so hurry up and grab a copy. At least you won't be spending hundreds of dollars like some of the other versions mentioned in this video.
Back around the year 2000, I had the 1998 30th Anniversary CD and loved it. I would still pick up a copy of that. I also highly recommend, as always, the Beatles in Mono CD box set. At least you won't be paying through the nose as you would for the LP edition--yikes!
When I first got into collecting vinyl records, I had a 1970s Capital US pressing of many Beatles albums, including White Album. Yuck! That's all I can say. I was greatly disappointed by that experience, and loved the 1982 Japan LPs far more.
As for stereo vs mono, I think White Album sounds best in mono, and several songs sound definitively better there ("Yer Blues," "Long Long Long"). Yet there is also a raw garage-rock groove to the stereo mix that cannot be denied, and it does have the better ending to "Helter Skelter." That said, I'm always reaching for the mono CD on my iPhone.
It would be interesting to do a blind test and see if people really can hear a significant difference between several of these
Audiophiles will notice big differences and the rest won’t.
In 1981 I walked into Sensuous Sounds in Tampa FL and laid down what I thought at the time were big bucks on the Mobile Fidelity pressing of The White Album by The Beatles. I have babied it for the last 40 years; played mostly on a Linn Sondek LP12. It is my understanding that in all likelihood, Capital Masters were used rather than the British tapes. Like Michael Fremer, I have given up on trying to find something better than what I currently own that is making me content and happy. So, I choose to "Let It Be.".
My copy is a UK pressing bought in the early 1970s. It sounds fine to me, good enough not to pine for another pressing. I still think about getting a CD pressing so I can fast-forward over songs I don't like. And on the White Album, there are quite a few.
I remember getting the “White Album” for Christmas in 1968. I just looked at it in awe for a half hour before unsealing it. I felt the raised letting of the Beatles on the front cover, opened it up to reveal a poster and four 6” x 8” photos of John, Paul, George and Ringo. Looking at the Apple Records Labels, Side A & C green, side B & C white, I proceeded to play Side 1 on my Low-Fi Nail. 90 minutes later I was left stunned by its diversity. It wasn’t what I expected from a Beatles Album, it felt like a bunch of solo tracks backed by the Beatles. A glimpse into the future but I didn’t know that or expect it. As “Let It Be” and “Abbey Road” gave the illusion that the Beatles were still a “band of brothers”. Flash forward to the 50th Anniversary Edition of the “White Album” in 2018, I felt the same feelings I had as a 12 year kid unboxing this album for the first time.
I have a BC 13 box set from 1986. What chance is there that it is a DMM set. Does anyone know? The records I have look like DMM it’s but it’s hard to tell. I’m almost 100% sure the Sgt. Peppers copy in the set is DMM but not sure about the rest
I must get the 2009 remastered version...I have the 50th anniversary...I got because of A Dolls House (esher disc).....but for the white album...I must have the 2009 remastered version on CD...that is a must have....the white album and meet the Beatles is in my number #1 spot 👍
I have an original US pressing with a numbered cover. Its had a bit of wear, but what is your opinion? I also have it in the blue box set Beatles Collection, but haven’t compared them. Comments or opinions?
The 1987 CD-- at least certain copies-- has a sticky oxide audio glitch before the coda of "Happiness is a Warm Gun", also found on certain 80's US vinyl pressings. They corrected it by the time of the 30th edition-- comparing waveforms shows that they re-transferred that one song.
It's refreshing hearing some genuine criticisms for the 2018 pressing, I could never really get along with it, but most everything I read about it was positive. For me, the album felt lacking in dynamics and too bass heavy.
In the past month I've somehow gotten two Dutch BC-13 pressings and one 1985 German DMM (which is playing as I type this). So far I prefer the Dutch (although Wild Honey Pie sounds GREAT on the DMM right now) but one funny thing I've noticed on the DMM is that 'The BEATLES' on the front cover is larger than usual and actually very close to the center. Anyway, thanks for the recommendations, brother, they've served me well.
Currently watching this while playing (and digitizing) my Mom's old White Album record. Seems to be one of the first U.S. pressings from 1968. Stereo. Considering how horrendously the packaging has worn, I'm surprised that it sounds mint! Well, Disc one anyway. I'm playing on a setup that's pretty cheap but even still, everything's very well balanced and clear. Considering how muddy and dull the U.S albums sound in genuine mint condition, I'm pleasantly surprised at the quality of this pressing!
Andrew, thanks to you and this video I found a VG+/VG+ copy of the numbered German "172-10 4173 1" with poster and photos for $41. Plus shipping under $18 to the colonies. Not too shabby. I replayed your video a couple times. Do I understand correctly that this the DMM cut? Btw, I bought an unplayed 2014 Mono Box set about 7 years ago for $275. Ha! That was quite the bargain back then even.
Hi Andrew. I gotta say, WA is somewhat of a favourite of mine (and is by far the most present item in my Beatles collection). I am quite d'accord with your assessment of the German analogue DMMs. As for the Dutch, I was very pleased with it as well in terms of smoothness and overall balance (it also has the least sibilance present on most other issues). However, I would still be interested in the matrices of your copy (the Y cut number is enough, like -2Y or -3Y). The reason being: the Dutch were notoriously sloppy as far as matrix combinations went, so the matrices were usually all over the place. Also, even the odd German-cut side found its way into a Dutch pressing (I have two of such Dutch WAs myself, having Side 4 cut in Germany).
Oh yeah, the "Glass Union" typo is on all of them. Even on the rare pressing with red-rimmed Apple labels. :)
Another pressing I found noteworthy was the first French pressing on Pathé Marconi (I found it very smooth-sounding, also quite free of sibilance and in a wonderfully wide stereo).
Excellent video! I own the 1987 CD of the album along with the new remix. The 1987, to my ears, is still the best CD mastering. The fact that it is lower in level than the newer masterings, does not stop me from enjoying it. That's what they made a volume control for. The one complaint that I have regarding it is the pop that is heard at the beginning of Helter Skelter. I also own the 1981 mono pressing of the vinyl and that one is is great! Thank you again for shedding some light on these topics.
Thanks for the watching!
Well said, The Chuckster. I’ve been saying that ever since I heard about the “loudness wars”: “Isn’t that why there’s a volume knob?” Duh.
I have a copy of the 1987 CD, the 1998 30th Anniversary Edition, the 2009 remaster, and the 2018 remix, all on CD. The favourite one to look at is the 30th anniversary version, but listening I do tend to stick with 2009. The only Beatles albums I own on vinyl are the original Red and Blue albums, which I inherited from a deceased relative.
When you ask Alexa to play the White Album, you'll still get the claps on Ob-La-Di Oh-La-Da and Why Don't We Do It In The Road?, the yeah's in the fade-out of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Don't Pass Me By at the proper speed, the mouth bass in the first verse of I Will, Paul yelling during the second bridge in Birthday, the first tamborine hit on Sexy Sadie, and of course, the full ending of Helter Skelter. You won't get any of that with a mono copy of this album.
Yet another masterclass in Sunday sermon's from the Rvt. Andrew. For the 'Number 9' coda alone, a 👍 goes in the weekly collection tray.
Excellent video. I don't have a White album. The facts in this video will be helpful in choosing a copy. Thank you. 😊
I purchased a 1978 white album on white vinyl, only to receive a 1985 DMM white album on white vinyl. They were similar prices on discogs so I didn't complain. It sounds good.
Why include versions that you don't consider best sounding (2018, 2012)? Takes up valuable space for other more quality pressings. I don't quite follow the logic here.
Hey Andrew, in your video, where is the sound effect for the “number 10” and “1968” thing from? It’s a bunch of cool voices and I think I heard some of those effects in the Beatles eight days a week documentary
I have the Dutch 1A 138-04173 but without LC1074 on it and it has green text around the label. Maybe it was sold separate too? It does sound really good, I've heard new things in the mix I've never heard before. Got it for 35 euros with poster and cards, pretty good deal. Got goosebumps when I heard while guitar gently weeps
Where did you get your countdown audio ("number 10", "number 9", etc)? Sounds similar, but slightly different than the American Top 40 singers.....
Best to avoid the late ‘80’s Australian white vinyl pressing - it was cut from DAT, and is considered to be “very digital”. Really only for displaying.
How is the Mobile Fidelity "Original Master Recordings"? No numbering. I opened it back then, and never played it. I have the numbered 1st CD release 183738, and unopened 30th Anniv, CD release. The only other's release I have 3 of is Dark Side of The Moon.
Listening to the Netherlands edition I am even more convinced that my Argentine edition SWB01-101 is the best I have heard, although it may seem strange (it surprised me too)...
I love the 2018 remix. It has a lot of punch to it.
I recently purchased a 1976 German LP. It sounds amazing! Best sounding pressing of the white album that I’ve ever heard. Ive never heard the Dutch pressing…
I bought one when I was in Germany. in 1976 and I have to agree it is Excellent !
I have a 1978 French white vinyl pressing made by PATHE MARCONI EMI. I remember only playing once, because I wanted to preserve it, but also because I thought it didn’t sound good compared to my regular vinyl versions (USA) that I had - including one that I received as a Christmas present in 1968, when I was 11 years old. Any idea on the value of the French white vinyl version?
I have quite a lot of copies of The White Album. Best sounding to are a 1984 UK pressing and the 1985 German DMM on white vinyl. Excellent video as always, Andrew!
Thank Matt!
Personnaly, I love the 30th anniversary cd, because of it's harter medium. "Helter Skelter" sounds at its best. In comparison, the new version by Giles lost the impact of the song
Andrew, have you listened the White album from the japanese BC13? What do you think about this boxset? Best regards!!
My favourite analogue stereo pressing is the 1985 DMM German one on white vinyl. The first UK stereo and mono pressings, the 2014 mono and the 50th anniversary mix are great too.
Agreed! Side 3 is absolutely devastating on the '85 German DMM white vinyl pressing, no other version I've heard even comes close to delivering that kind of power when you crank up the volume. Some people complain that this pressing is bass-heavy but I'm convinced the German DMM fully delivers what's actually on the tapes.
OK, you lost me at all analog... yet I wanted to say my 2 cents on Giles remix.
I'm absolutely not a fan of 2009 remasters pressed to vinyl. They just sound like someone decided to throw them onto a piece of vinyl without any real care. I WELCOME Giles remix to get that one off the shelves. While Giles remix has its problems I don't think they are what you say. I, however, feel the opening to "Back in The USSR" is a bit anti-climactic and that set up the whole album wrong... yet the remix and remaster of it is much better than 2009 pressed to vinyl. I would rather a new Beatles fan be introduced to them with Giles re-mix.
BTW, my favorite version so far is the UK stereo!
my uncle was tasked at work with cleaning out an abandoned garage, and he brought me a few records he found because i only recently got into it at the time. one of them was a 1973 copy of the white album. i never listened to the beatles much before, but when i heard blackbird, i was hooked. love that album so much
The stereo system comment and debate There is no ending of money you can spend on Hi Fi equipment it’s what you can afford and sometimes it’s overkill like audiophiles trying to out do themselves . Andrews system sounds a nice but I don’t know what the monetary value it’s his business but I don’t think he mortgaged his house for it . Quality systems can take time to build up like mine and my pride and joy is my Vincent hybrid valve amp that I bought 15 years that’s is a massive 20 kilos but now in my life I could not afford . Just one point in Australia entry level Rega or project might set you back maybe $600 ? But you can go up to $3000? but then you go to speakers and that’s another subject on how much you can spend.
The Giles Martin mix of this lp is abominable. Absolutely terrible.
Any doubt listen to While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Appalling.
Long Long Long , Julia etc. eye wateringly bad. So bad i had to make up a word.
Whenever you can’t understand the corporate logic just remember they couldn’t care less about quality. They have zero understanding of music and fans. Thats the way they like it. Its only about money and giving people the bare minimum.
This Beatles Collection BC13 from Nederland is a beautiful box set. The White Album is an German pressing, but it dosnt metter becouse it sounds very good.
Your listing is so far ok. However, I miss among the first 10 places the German original pressing from 1968, which would have found its place there. ✌
If you guys were going to buy a Beatles Boxed Set today on CD or SACD what version would you buy? Is there a difference between the CD and the higher bit rate version of SACD. I have only listened to one SACD, and that was Hemispheres by Rush. Am also wondering on what a Beatles Boxed set would sound like.
One of my copies of the white album matches the Dutch you consider number one sound wise. It has Glass Union and the mispelled Gently, however it doesnt have the LC 1074 on the labels, is this the same? Thanks for any clarification.
I do not know, how to say this! but... a lot of Lp's/cd, etc... have the 4 track(quadraphonic) mix. and it creates distortion and problems in stereo! I have posted many times how to build the wire I use, which in ear phone mode(Two Speaker) you can swap channels A-d and B - C to fit the need you need for playback and etc. it is a way better experience. because all of the Artifacts are present vs Stereo! but of course you need 4 speakers for full true art's!
in an earlier video comparing the japanese, UK '82, and 2014 mono sets, it is mentioned that the 2014 white album sounds best. here, there seems to be a revision where the '82 (aka original cuts) are better. i guess it's pretty close.
You scamp. My alexa played the white album by someone called "janeet" (?) - at least for 3 seconds it did.
I know the white album since 1981. I owned a few of them. Interesting you like the 1987 mix on cd. I just bought one on ebay last week really cheap. It looks the same. So I bought it and like it ! It says made in Italy. Is it still the same mix? Thank You a lot . Greetings from munich ... Alex
more info about the 1981 mono?
Seek out the 2004 metal mastered version from Japan…TOJP-60139 ¥3670. It’s packaged very nicely and sounds great
Great presentation! You mentioned there needs to be a proper analog stereo mix of the White album not using a digital source and I certainly agree. Apple/ Universal sadly may not want to go the extra mile and bake the original tapes yet again and subject them to damage. The less cost and care using a DSD seems to be a growing trend as the Rolling Stones new In Mono box set.
Unfortunately for the Stones set, it seemed muddied, even after the new mastering. I enjoy having the new mono set due to its clear vinyl, but dislike the mastering/dsd sound.
I still have two SEALED copies of the German-pressed DMM white vinyl, which I should put up for sale.
I would very much enjoy videos just like this about other bands like Pink Floyd for example.
I managed to get a rip from the Dutch BC13 press, and one from the 1982 mono red vinyl. Hope to get the real thing some day. Is the red pressing worthy of your money as much as the 2014 or 1981 or would it be ranked lower?