I have a copy of german "Magical Mystery Tour" and i can assure you that it is not just the best sounding Beatles album by far, but as well one of the best sounding pieces of vinyl i've ever come across to. Literally magical!
I don't know, but I love the sound of "Beatles For Sale", in spite of everything you mentioned, which I agreed. Thank you, Andrew! Another wonderful video
I love these audio essays. I'm learning so much - and I thought that I knew everything on this subject. If you can teach me something, you're doing a good job!
Recently picked up that Hor Zu MMT 73 pressing, with the -3 matrix. It's my favorite Beatles album and I've heard it many times, but this really is a firm step up from previous versions. The drums on the title track and Blue Jay Way, the flute at the end of Flying, the bass drum and guitar fills of Hello Goodbye, the way the horn pans across your speakers at the end of Strawberry Fields, and the bass on Baby You're a Rich Man are some of the greatest moments I've had listening to a Beatles record.
I finally own my copy of "MMT" german version.... What can I say?? OMG!! All songs sound so very diffent in an awsome way. So happy to discover this thanks to your videos!! Thank you so much!!
I knew there something special about the German passing. I have the B3 version and baby you're a rich man does sound very tight. Got it in the early 80's. Thanks for this
After watching this, I managed to get both Rubber Soul and Beatles for Sale, £65 for the pair…. Both in immaculate condition and sounding! You were absolutely right, particularly BFS which comes alive in this incarnation. Appreciate the heads up! 👍🏻
Just dug out British Beatles For Sale stereo lp from early 70s -1 and -3 lp and it really sounds great. George's guitar in the right channel is clear and forward. The bass is clear, if slightly buried in the left channel. Nice rich soundstage.Thanks for that review.
In the 80’s, my friend scored a copy of this and told me to drop by and listen in headphones. I was blown away at the detail and beauty of this pressing and immediately got a copy for myself. I am so glad you chose this as number one and I totally agree!
Hi Andrew, great videos. I definitely share some of the same favorites as you. My top 10: 1. Hör Zu Magical Mystery Tour 2. UK Abbey Road -2/1 3. 70s Stereo German Apple Revolver 4. UK Stereo 1978 white vinyl White Album 5. UK Stereo -1/-1 Beatles For Sale 6. Hör Zu Die Beatles 7. 70s Stereo German Apple Sgt Pepper 8. UK Stereo -1/-1 A Hard Day's Night 9. UK 1978 white vinyl Let It Be 10. UK red label original 45 of Love Me Do/Ask Me Why Honorable mentions: -Beatlemania With The Beatles, Canadian purple label "wide stereo" on both sides (VERY hard to find must have "TLC" etchings in both matrices) -best pressing of the second album by a mile -UK Red & Blue Albums -70s German Blue Label "Something Else" (the best sounding versions of the "A Hard Day's Night" songs I've ever heard -Late 70s Dutch 062 prefix Help! Better than the German or UK pressings, in my opinion. -UK original 45 of Hey Jude/Revolution
I live in México, and for me it's very difficult to get these editions, but I was very lucky to find the number one of this list, the German pressing of Magical Mystery Tour, and it does sound astounding. About 7 years ago I made some videos showing the audio of this pressing but sadly RUclips blocked them.
Now you have made me want to listen to some of my Beatles records again which I haven't spin for so long. My German MMT will be the first, althoug I am quite familiar with its sound quality since I bought it many, many moons ago. My Hey Jude export album will be next. Thanks , Andrew, for another great video from you.
I loved these two videos (as well as the others). Thank you for all your work. About five years ago I started searching for the best pressings of each of the Beatles LPs. I came to many of the same conclusions, although you left off one of the very best -the 1st press mono Please Please Me. The German stereo version is intriguing as the UK is so bad, but I love the early mono pressing. It sounds like you’re in the room with a young band playing their hearts out.
Thanks for another great video Andrew. The -1/-1 Beatles For Sale does sound great but finding a copy without inner groove distortion on Kansas City/Hey, Hey Hey is difficult IMO. The Holland 1A 062-04200 Parlophone pressing I think is a very good runner up.
I enjoy and appreciate all the hard work you go into to put out your videos. As for sound quality, it all sounds basically the same to me. I'm getting old, and I have horrible tinnitus from all the years I spent in radio and later as a phone rewards manager. 25 years of wearing headphones cranked up loud for 10-12 hours a day have ruined my hearing. Glad I still have what little hearing I do. Listening to Beatles songs/albums is a big part of my life.
Started to get tinnitus just about the time Covid was declared a Pandemic. Not too severe but still unsettling. Try rainfall sounds at night to mask it. There are dozens of them on You Tube. I have a two hour one (rainfall in Tokyo) that I downloaded and put on USB stick and play it when I go to bed. There are exercises that can help also, tapping the back of you head and tapping your ears, works for some, plenty of advice videos out there. Keep on Beatling.
I got myself a copy of the German MMT album to check out those stereo mixes and you are right, quite a different experience than what I’ve been used to. I’m honestly surprised that this is the only place they are available. Thanks for the tip!
Have to agree with you Andrew the Long tall sally ep is amazing👍, Only got it very recently and cranked it up on my system and the room was shaking brilliant cutting of these songs👍👍👍
I have the Apple Records single Baby You're A Rich Man printed in US 1971 in mono and the bass sound is brutal. I don't know what masters they have used but the sound is delightful. By the way, very good list and thank you very much, as always !!
I have the german true stereo pressing of MMT and it is amazing. I would have added the Japanese pressing of AbbeyRoad, which just takes it to the next level!
I had a sneaky suspicion what your #1 was going to be based on your comments in previous videos. Very interesting. Looking forward to more great content this year, Andrew!
Abbey Road YEX 749-1/750-2 light green PCS7088 (as per your mention) up against the MFSL 1/2 speed, the Japanese Pro Use (also 1/2 speed), and the new remaster from the UK box. The clear winner for best overall most natural sounding sound that begs to be turned up and enjoyed with fantastic clarity & detail, wonderful midrange and a natural bass that is there punching when it should vs sort of there all the time....The clear winner>> You guessed it!! The PCS7088 you mentioned!! Thank You very much once again. I am thrilled to hear Abbey Road this way. It reminds me of when I first heard an A3/B3 UK of Dark Side of the Moon. It is like hearing it for the first time all over again. What a special pleasure to be had!! The mix is really hot just like you said. There's much more emotion coming out in this version. PS> The Japanese Pro Use came in second. The other two get sold!! (both NM !!)
The 1976 German Let It Be is by far the best I ever heard. I tried the US 1st, UK 1st, the white vinyl UK that everyone loves ... nothing came close to this pressing. The clarity and details were off the charts - I heard crystal clear clarity where I used to hear mud. I can't recommend it enough.
Very interesting. I've always loved BFS. My copy, which I bought 40 years ago, is Stereo and has -3 on Side 1 and -1 on Side 2. It also has IRL stamped in the same area, presumably made in Ireland. It also has an indented label section like the Nimbus version of Pepper. My Mono copy of RS is -4 on both sides.
Although I wouldn't call myself all and every bit that picky about sounds, this is still very interesting to me - as a fan and cognoscent - from a purely historical point of view. Thank you, I very much enjoyed it!
THANK YOU SO MUCH !! I took your advice on Magical Mystery Tour and on Hey Jude! I was amazed at how good the sound was! Abbey Road and 67-70 are incoming. I'll report back! What you do for us out here is very much appreciated. You are making people happy with sound (if they're smart and follow your advice!).
I have most of the German Beatles albums in some sort of release. I have a German Apple Hey Jude that I swear has altogether different mixes or something, I'm no expert, just love collecting UK and German pressings of Beatles albums. The Apple German release of MMT does sound amazing. I have sold some of my mint 70's Parlophone pressings, replacing them with black/yellow earlier versions. Perhaps I should not have! Love your videos, Andrew! Greetings from Michigan.
Hi Andrew, great content as always :) I tracked down an Audio 5 however the seller was being unrealistic with the price...and I don't intend on getting divorced. Already looking forward to your next vid. All the best 🍻
I have a copy of the Hor Zu release that I purchased some 45 years ago. I knew side 2 sounded worlds better than my US copy but I didn't know the US was Electronically Re-Processed. No wonder! I will treasure it even more now. Now I have to compare it to the 2010 box set MMT CD.
I bought the German MMT new back in the early 80s. Was totally blown away by Penny Lane when the horns separated out, that being the first time I heard it in true stereo.
I love that magical mystery tour album that’s a really good album I have to check out the German pressing. I love the Beatles for sale album is one of my favorite is a good album in stereo you’re absolutely right about that Andrew I especially loved hearing the echo on everybody’s trying to be my baby which is great.
So much is analysed about The Beatles , their music and albums. It seems that one must know about stampers to get best sound, yet I've heard many records which, to my mind, excellent. I have taken exception to obvious tinny sound and reprocessed stereo and sold albums due to this. Making comparisons can only be done in later years surely, something not available to record buyers at the time. Now, like many things, original, sought after records command obscene prices. Nice video on sound quality.
Thank you again Andrew. Not sure if you mentioned it, but, regarding the German ‘MMT’ 2nd pressing, only ‘Strawberry Fields’, ‘Penny Lane’ and ‘Baby You’re A Rich Man’ were specifically mixed into stereo. ‘Hello Goodbye’ had already been mixed in true stereo (for 1967’s US ‘MMT’ album), as had ‘All You Need Is Love’ (for 1969’s ‘Yellow Submarine’ album). Also, the German album has the October 26, 1971 stereo mix of ‘Strawberry Fields’. A true (not simulated) stereo mix was also made on December 29, 1966, and it graced 1967’s US ‘MMT’ LP. (It can be distinguished from the 1971 mix by the panning cellos at the 1:00 mark.) These three ‘German’ stereo mixes were subsequently included on the stereo CDs, making the superseded 1967 US ‘MMT’ mixes very collectable, as they’ve never appeared on CD. Indeed, it would be nice to see a ‘Capitol Albums Vol. 3’ with the 1967 ‘MMT’! 😊
Brazilian issues were such a mess: Folded monos of stereo version from Revolver onwards to careless mastering on white album. Then fake stereos in many albuns reissues, some remained till 1988 when EMI Odeon released the digitial sourced LPs...
Another wonderful presentation! Bravo; Solely based on sound quality, the Kaempfert recordings should be top of the list, even with that lousy drummer.
Hi Andrew, great video! Question: Is the German stereo Magical Mystery Tour different from the US LP, or is it the same with the drums coming out of one speaker? Thanks in advance!
Different. The US ‘Strawberry Fields’ is also a true stereo mix, but it was made in 1966. The German one was made in 1971. (The former’s most identifiable charcteristic is the panning cellos at the 1:00 mark.) The US ‘Penny Lane’ is simulated stereo from the mono mix. Ditto for ‘Baby You’re a Rich Man’ and ‘All You Need Is Love’. These four US mixes have never made it to CD, which is a great incentive for ‘The Capitol Albums Vol. 3’ (along with the US ‘Revolver’, ‘Yesterday & Today’ (1966 AND 1969 versions), and maybe ‘Hey Jude’)! 😃
IINM, I believe the EMI Electrola Apple labeled pressings actually started in '74, or so I've read from TheHutt on the Hoffman forums. Either way, I'm very pleased with my late 70's Apple A-1/B-3 cut & the +C unmarked DMM pressings and gotta thank you for the heads up on those! 👍Cheers
I have a decent condition original Canadian pressed ,Rubber Soul vinyl (with that beloved rainbow ring) The records sound is "iconic" but typical of the period, very high abrasive treble settings I found the vocals ,especially Paul's voice to be quite ear pearsingly loud and harsh, something that could blow your stereo speaker's mid range's tweeters if turned too loud. I did blow a few tweeters playing classic Beatles and other 60's era vinyl records, way back in the day. I am sure recent remixed Parlophone pressings of Beatles, Rubber Soul sound a lot better on the ears and stereo speakers.
Thanks as always for another great vid, Andrew! Maybe just two things to comment on, both concerning MMT--first, the UK pressing, even with the usual fake stereo, still trumps by far the US cuttings, and is worth it for all the other tracks. Second, the later Electrola copper cutting sounds nothing like the previous ones. Like many of the other Cremer revisions, channel balances are reinterpreted and sudden crescendos of volume occur (particularly on Strawberry Fields)--and yet, I prefer that for the stereo mix of Baby You're a Rich Man, given that the usual mastering has the left channel clavioline way too soft. Still, I'm sure Sir G Martin, if he ever heard it, must have abhorred it (also, tons of overwhelming bass). Cheers!
Excellent! I know when I first heard the German MMTour Lp and heard things for the first time so beautifully separated on The Fool On The Hill…Baby You’re A Rich Man…everything had to be graded from that! Well done and a lot of fun! The Japanese Pro-Use in the future?
Since watching this I've been listening to my Beatles For Sale albums. I really like my mono -3N/-3N copy. I also have the stereo -1/-1 as well as a stereo -3/-2 and a -5/-6 in my Beatles Collection Box Set and not forgetting the De Agostini issue. I agree that the mono Help! sounds lifeless but I can't see it with this. I still have a few of these albums to listen to so maybe I'll come round to your way of thinking by the end. Maybe I just have too much choice. My wife certainly doesn't know why I have five copies of this album and that doesn't include the two CD copies I have either.
"Nimbus," I haven't heard that brand name for decades. I agree with your call on RUBBER SOUL. Even the late 70s Japanese stereo issues on Apple were a tedious, hard panned affair. The original mixes for ABBEY ROAD still stand today. "Hear here" for your saying so. 497 Australian copies of their pressing of SGT. PEPPER? Hopefully, Paul, George & Ringo got the other three. Oddly enough, in spite of the world celebrating the CD issues of SGT. PEPPER, when MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR came out on CD with the proper stereo mixes, that was my "go-to" Beatles album for quite a while. My old copy of the German MMT was gifted to me by an old friend and was either a 2nd or 3rd issue, as it sounded phenomenal. Thanks again so much for being a fine curator of the Beatles.
Thank you, Andrew! As you confirmed earlier, I have “The” German Magical Mystery Tour. I bought it in 1979 while on vacation with my family in Europe. The only reason I purchased it was because of the different cover. 😆
I got my German MMT (Apple one) for about 20 pounds, I didnt knew it was the best version, just bought it because of the pink Vinyl and because it was the first one i saw haha
I have that original cut of Abbey Road. I bought it new in about 71 or 72. Sadly it crackles like a good'un. I'll have it properly cleaned. I agree it sounds gorgeous.
Great to hear that you are planning a video about the Canadian releases. I recently got a hold on a pristine mono vinyl of Beatlemania! With the Beatles, and knowing that it was released here prior to the US, I was curious to learn about the sources / matrices used by Capitol Canada.
Thanks. Another entertaining video. Have to say, my favourite is With The Beatles, followed by Please Please Me. To my ears, they both have a band of top-end energy that just isn't there on the original CDs, which was part of why I couldn't listen to them. Thanks again. P.S. What about the Remaster of MMT?
Rubber Soul is my favourite Beatles album so I've got more versions of that album than the others. I recently acquired a Japanese AP-8156 that I've not had a proper listen to yet. I did have a listen to Drive My Car when I was setting up my new turntable and it sounds great for a stereo mix. At this stage, I'd rank it higher than my 80s Australian repressing. However, the -4 UK mono is probably still going to be the best version in my collection despite not being in pristine condition. That mix is just so much better to begin with. I've not heard the -1 or -5 so I can't compare those ones. The US mono sounds pretty good too, which is rare for the US releases from what I understand (I don't have many). I also have a bootleg of the Rock Band mixes which is an interesting listen.
What about love album? it's my humble honorable mention, the best sounding mix for "i am the walrus" is included in that compilation, also they did an amazing job mixing their songs and gives fresh air to their classics
Imagine going from the disappointment of listening to the MSFL disaster of MMT to accidentally coming upon a mid 70s German pressing - I still remember being in awe at the details I had never heard before. Of course I still have multiple copies of this one. And prices will only go up...
Hi i myself collected Beatle records back in the 60s and found great sounds on most ..when Magical Mistry Tour came out i bought it as an ep it qas on Parlorphone as was Long Tall Sally ..i like my records still better than cds i think ao lets get records back over Cds
Addition to the 1st Place: If you are not a fan of the purple cover for the German MMT, the same brilliant A-1/B-3 cut was also released as a Club edition which used the familiar international yellow cover design (though as a single-sleeve cover). It has the catalog number "28 642-7" (though copies seem to exist which have the B-1 matrix).
Fantastic video as usual... my Discogs wantlist is growing :) I was a little surprised not to see the 80's German DMM White Album on the list. People seem to rave about that one, and it's value has shot up in recent months and is now pretty much un-obtainable for a reasonable sum. Curious to hear your expert opinion on that one.
There's something important I noticed about the german version of MMT : The left channel on side A (the MMT tracks) seems to be quieter than it should be. For instance, the drums are quieter than usual on the first track, etc...
Another great video 👍 and I'm smiling knowing that I own the Abbey Road and Beatles for Sale cuttings...and glad that I also own the Horzu MMT as the value is gonna go through the roof now ☺️
Funny that just last night, I played my German MMT A1 / B3. After which, I thought exactly the same thing. The best sounding Beatles LP ever produced by anyone. Am fortunate to have Hazel Yarwood's mono cut of Rubber Soul, first issue UK mono Pepper and Die Beatles among many others. Thanks for confirming what I already believed. Cheers to you!
Hi Andrew, I’ve been playing a 2014 mono Rubber Soul on a restored 1950s Zenith hi fi phonograph and it’s just beautiful with that slight bass boost ! I save the 60s mono pressing for the modern high end equipment. So many ways to enjoy the Fab Four-It never ends ! Keep up the great work !
I think the original UK pressing of The White Album has a really wonderfully gritty mix to it. It really matches the more earthy, less psychedellic songwriting and while i appreciate the 2018 remix for what it was trying to acheive i still definitely prefer the original mix.
Another great video! I can't believe the 2014 blue album was cut from the analog tapes but they used the digital source for the 2012 reissues. I agree with you about why they bothered to remix Abbey Road, but I guess for the 50th anniversary they had to do something. To me its a little base heavy. I have a later pressing of the German Magical Mystery Tour on Apple red vinyl (or orange, hard for me to tell). The matrix number in the run off groove is MMT 01 A1 and MMT 01 B1 on side 2. The catalog number is 1C 072-04 449. It even has a cassette catalog number printed under the LP one as 244-04 449. There's no UPC on the cover. Maybe a late '70s reissue? I can't find any info on the colored vinyl copy.
I have a copy of german "Magical Mystery Tour" and i can assure you that it is not just the best sounding Beatles album by far, but as well one of the best sounding pieces of vinyl i've ever come across to. Literally magical!
I don't know, but I love the sound of "Beatles For Sale", in spite of everything you mentioned, which I agreed. Thank you, Andrew! Another wonderful video
I have that German pressing of "Magical Mystery Tour". It does sound great.
I don't have the German MMT, but I have a mid70s Israeli pressing of MMT that uses the same cutting! It sounds amazing!!!
I love these audio essays. I'm learning so much - and I thought that I knew everything on this subject. If you can teach me something, you're doing a good job!
Thank you, Tom.
Recently picked up that Hor Zu MMT 73 pressing, with the -3 matrix. It's my favorite Beatles album and I've heard it many times, but this really is a firm step up from previous versions. The drums on the title track and Blue Jay Way, the flute at the end of Flying, the bass drum and guitar fills of Hello Goodbye, the way the horn pans across your speakers at the end of Strawberry Fields, and the bass on Baby You're a Rich Man are some of the greatest moments I've had listening to a Beatles record.
I finally own my copy of "MMT" german version.... What can I say?? OMG!! All songs sound so very diffent in an awsome way. So happy to discover this thanks to your videos!! Thank you so much!!
Enjoy!
I knew there something special about the German passing. I have the B3 version and baby you're a rich man does sound very tight. Got it in the early 80's. Thanks for this
After watching this, I managed to get both Rubber Soul and Beatles for Sale, £65 for the pair…. Both in immaculate condition and sounding! You were absolutely right, particularly BFS which comes alive in this incarnation. Appreciate the heads up! 👍🏻
You’re welcome, Gareth!
Just dug out British Beatles For Sale stereo lp from early 70s -1 and -3 lp and it really sounds great. George's guitar in the right channel is clear and forward. The bass is clear, if slightly buried in the left channel. Nice rich soundstage.Thanks for that review.
In the 80’s, my friend scored a copy of this and told me to drop by and listen in headphones. I was blown away at the detail and beauty of this pressing and immediately got a copy for myself. I am so glad you chose this as number one and I totally agree!
Hi Andrew, great videos. I definitely share some of the same favorites as you.
My top 10:
1. Hör Zu Magical Mystery Tour
2. UK Abbey Road -2/1
3. 70s Stereo German Apple Revolver
4. UK Stereo 1978 white vinyl White Album
5. UK Stereo -1/-1 Beatles For Sale
6. Hör Zu Die Beatles
7. 70s Stereo German Apple Sgt Pepper
8. UK Stereo -1/-1 A Hard Day's Night
9. UK 1978 white vinyl Let It Be
10. UK red label original 45 of Love Me Do/Ask Me Why
Honorable mentions:
-Beatlemania With The Beatles, Canadian purple label "wide stereo" on both sides (VERY hard to find must have "TLC" etchings in both matrices) -best pressing of the second album by a mile
-UK Red & Blue Albums
-70s German Blue Label "Something Else" (the best sounding versions of the "A Hard Day's Night" songs I've ever heard
-Late 70s Dutch 062 prefix Help! Better than the German or UK pressings, in my opinion.
-UK original 45 of Hey Jude/Revolution
Great list, Matt!
I live in México, and for me it's very difficult to get these editions, but I was very lucky to find the number one of this list, the German pressing of Magical Mystery Tour, and it does sound astounding. About 7 years ago I made some videos showing the audio of this pressing but sadly RUclips blocked them.
I bought a stereo copy of Beatles For Sale based on your recommendation and the difference is staggering compared to the mono!
Now you have made me want to listen to some of my Beatles records again which I haven't spin for so long. My German MMT will be the first, althoug I am quite familiar with its sound quality since I bought it many, many moons ago. My Hey Jude export album will be next. Thanks , Andrew, for another great video from you.
I loved these two videos (as well as the others). Thank you for all your work. About five years ago I started searching for the best pressings of each of the Beatles LPs. I came to many of the same conclusions, although you left off one of the very best -the 1st press mono Please Please Me. The German stereo version is intriguing as the UK is so bad, but I love the early mono pressing. It sounds like you’re in the room with a young band playing their hearts out.
Thanks for another great video Andrew. The -1/-1 Beatles For Sale does sound great but finding a copy without inner groove distortion on Kansas City/Hey, Hey Hey is difficult IMO. The Holland 1A 062-04200 Parlophone pressing I think is a very good runner up.
I enjoy and appreciate all the hard work you go into to put out your videos. As for sound quality, it all sounds basically the same to me. I'm getting old, and I have horrible tinnitus from all the years I spent in radio and later as a phone rewards manager. 25 years of wearing headphones cranked up loud for 10-12 hours a day have ruined my hearing. Glad I still have what little hearing I do. Listening to Beatles songs/albums is a big part of my life.
Started to get tinnitus just about the time Covid was declared a Pandemic. Not too severe but still unsettling. Try rainfall sounds at night to mask it. There are dozens of them on You Tube. I have a two hour one (rainfall in Tokyo) that I downloaded and put on USB stick and play it when I go to bed. There are exercises that can help also, tapping the back of you head and tapping your ears, works for some, plenty of advice videos out there. Keep on Beatling.
Thanks for another great video! Looking forward to the Canadian Beatles Vinyl video eh!
I’m only a casual Beatles fan but I love your channel. I’ve learnt so much about them and those old Parlophone labels look cool.
A great two-parter Andrew - as always, the best quarter of an hours viewing on a Sunday afternoon.....
I got myself a copy of the German MMT album to check out those stereo mixes and you are right, quite a different experience than what I’ve been used to. I’m honestly surprised that this is the only place they are available. Thanks for the tip!
Do you have a link for the this version on discogs?
Really looking forward to the Canadian LP episode, especially regarding the much later pressings in stereo and a mishmash of stereo and mono.
Hi. Polygram I have your new ! Channel I like this I will put this in my library so keep documetries coming your no.1 fan
I’d like to know your opinion on the Australian compilations released during the ‘60’s, ‘70’s & ‘80’s, as there’s at least 4 or so.
I agree about the I Want To Hold Your Hand 1N. It sounds superb! Great video and info as always 👍
Thanks again for another great video, Andrew.
Another great video, Andrew to complement part 1! Keep these videos coming!
Have to agree with you Andrew the Long tall sally ep is amazing👍,
Only got it very recently and cranked it up on my system and the room was shaking brilliant cutting of these songs👍👍👍
Hello,hello from Germany. Da muss ich mir meine Kollektion mal genauer ansehen. Thank you for this Tipps. Lg Ellen 🥰
I have the Apple Records single Baby You're A Rich Man printed in US 1971 in mono and the bass sound is brutal. I don't know what masters they have used but the sound is delightful. By the way, very good list and thank you very much, as always !!
I have the german true stereo pressing of MMT and it is amazing. I would have added the Japanese pressing of AbbeyRoad, which just takes it to the next level!
Which of the Japanese ones? AP or EAS?
@@TheHutt or Pro Use?
Fantastic knowledge once again Andrew! Thanks for sharing 👍👍
Thanks for the info, just found your Nr.1 today for 10,00. Sound is really good.
I had a sneaky suspicion what your #1 was going to be based on your comments in previous videos. Very interesting. Looking forward to more great content this year, Andrew!
I just found a copy of the MMT German press. Can't wait for it to arrive!
Great video - I also like the German stereo pressing of Help with the blue coloured type on the front cover
Make a video about the most popular japanese pressings, "Country Flag", "Forever", etc. Thanks.
Keep up the good work. I just love your channel and I'm learning so much. Thank you.🙂
Thanks for watching, Loring!
Abbey Road YEX 749-1/750-2 light green PCS7088 (as per your mention) up against the MFSL 1/2 speed, the Japanese Pro Use (also 1/2 speed), and the new remaster from the UK box. The clear winner for best overall most natural sounding sound that begs to be turned up and enjoyed with fantastic clarity & detail, wonderful midrange and a natural bass that is there punching when it should vs sort of there all the time....The clear winner>> You guessed it!! The PCS7088 you mentioned!!
Thank You very much once again. I am thrilled to hear Abbey Road this way. It reminds me of when I first heard an A3/B3 UK of Dark Side of the Moon. It is like hearing it for the first time all over again. What a special pleasure to be had!!
The mix is really hot just like you said. There's much more emotion coming out in this version.
PS> The Japanese Pro Use came in second. The other two get sold!! (both NM !!)
At least I have the #1 of your list 😆! Great video review as always.
The 1976 German Let It Be is by far the best I ever heard. I tried the US 1st, UK 1st, the white vinyl UK that everyone loves ... nothing came close to this pressing. The clarity and details were off the charts - I heard crystal clear clarity where I used to hear mud. I can't recommend it enough.
Very interesting. I've always loved BFS. My copy, which I bought 40 years ago, is Stereo and has -3 on Side 1 and -1 on Side 2. It also has IRL stamped in the same area, presumably made in Ireland. It also has an indented label section like the Nimbus version of Pepper.
My Mono copy of RS is -4 on both sides.
Although I wouldn't call myself all and every bit that picky about sounds, this is still very interesting to me - as a fan and cognoscent - from a purely historical point of view. Thank you, I very much enjoyed it!
Glad you enjoyed it, Max. Thanks for watching!
THANK YOU SO MUCH !! I took your advice on Magical Mystery Tour and on Hey Jude! I was amazed at how good the sound was! Abbey Road and 67-70 are incoming. I'll report back! What you do for us out here is very much appreciated. You are making people happy with sound (if they're smart and follow your advice!).
Thanks for watching, Michael!
I have most of the German Beatles albums in some sort of release. I have a German Apple Hey Jude that I swear has altogether different mixes or something, I'm no expert, just love collecting UK and German pressings of Beatles albums. The Apple German release of MMT does sound amazing. I have sold some of my mint 70's Parlophone pressings, replacing them with black/yellow earlier versions. Perhaps I should not have! Love your videos, Andrew! Greetings from Michigan.
I've got a 1966 US Mono pressing of Rubber Soul that sounds really fantastic.
Hi Andrew, great content as always :) I tracked down an Audio 5 however the seller was being unrealistic with the price...and I don't intend on getting divorced. Already looking forward to your next vid. All the best 🍻
I have a copy of the Hor Zu release that I purchased some 45 years ago. I knew side 2 sounded worlds better than my US copy but I didn't know the US was Electronically Re-Processed. No wonder! I will treasure it even more now. Now I have to compare it to the 2010 box set MMT CD.
Thanks Andrew for a great video. I now have a greater appreciation for my Audio 5 SP. I hope to have a sound system soon to do it justice.
Cheers Andrew! Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for the brilliant information
You’re welcome, Matthew.
I bought the German MMT new back in the early 80s. Was totally blown away by Penny Lane when the horns separated out, that being the first time I heard it in true stereo.
I love that magical mystery tour album that’s a really good album I have to check out the German pressing.
I love the Beatles for sale album is one of my favorite is a good album in stereo you’re absolutely right about that Andrew
I especially loved hearing the echo on everybody’s trying to be my baby which is great.
So much is analysed about The Beatles , their music and albums. It seems that one must know about stampers to get best sound, yet I've heard many records which, to my mind, excellent. I have taken exception to obvious tinny sound and reprocessed stereo and sold albums due to this. Making comparisons can only be done in later years surely, something not available to record buyers at the time. Now, like many things, original, sought after records command obscene prices. Nice video on sound quality.
Thank you again Andrew.
Not sure if you mentioned it, but, regarding the German ‘MMT’ 2nd pressing, only ‘Strawberry Fields’, ‘Penny Lane’ and ‘Baby You’re A Rich Man’ were specifically mixed into stereo. ‘Hello Goodbye’ had already been mixed in true stereo (for 1967’s US ‘MMT’ album), as had ‘All You Need Is Love’ (for 1969’s ‘Yellow Submarine’ album).
Also, the German album has the October 26, 1971 stereo mix of ‘Strawberry Fields’. A true (not simulated) stereo mix was also made on December 29, 1966, and it graced 1967’s US ‘MMT’ LP. (It can be distinguished from the 1971 mix by the panning cellos at the 1:00 mark.)
These three ‘German’ stereo mixes were subsequently included on the stereo CDs, making the superseded 1967 US ‘MMT’ mixes very collectable, as they’ve never appeared on CD. Indeed, it would be nice to see a ‘Capitol Albums Vol. 3’ with the 1967 ‘MMT’! 😊
I just picked up the one that says Apple in the upper left corner for $50. It sounds amazing.
Great video, Andrew! I like Rubber Soul and Beatles For Sale. Have you already made a vídeo about the brazilian issues of the middle sixties?
Not yet!
Brazilian issues were such a mess: Folded monos of stereo version from Revolver onwards to careless mastering on white album. Then fake stereos in many albuns reissues, some remained till 1988 when EMI Odeon released the digitial sourced LPs...
My copy of MMT (B3) has GEMA and Made In France by Pathe Marconi. I purchased it in early eighties. Apple logo on the cover.
Another wonderful presentation! Bravo;
Solely based on sound quality, the Kaempfert recordings should be top of the list, even with that lousy drummer.
Many thanks!
I got the German pressings of MMT and Hey Jude when traveling there in the 80s. They always sounded great to me :D
Thanks to your recent video, I noticed that my Rubber Soul is a Harry T Moss pressing.
Yex 178-6 HTM
thanks for info on magical mystery tour ... i have a 2nd press !!
Hi Andrew, great video! Question: Is the German stereo Magical Mystery Tour different from the US LP, or is it the same with the drums coming out of one speaker? Thanks in advance!
Different.
The US ‘Strawberry Fields’ is also a true stereo mix, but it was made in 1966. The German one was made in 1971. (The former’s most identifiable charcteristic is the panning cellos at the 1:00 mark.)
The US ‘Penny Lane’ is simulated stereo from the mono mix. Ditto for ‘Baby You’re a Rich Man’ and ‘All You Need Is Love’.
These four US mixes have never made it to CD, which is a great incentive for ‘The Capitol Albums Vol. 3’ (along with the US ‘Revolver’, ‘Yesterday & Today’ (1966 AND 1969 versions), and maybe ‘Hey Jude’)! 😃
@@EltonoutoftheclosetOfficial Thanks very much!
IINM, I believe the EMI Electrola Apple labeled pressings actually started in '74, or so I've read from TheHutt on the Hoffman forums. Either way, I'm very pleased with my late 70's Apple A-1/B-3 cut & the +C unmarked DMM pressings and gotta thank you for the heads up on those! 👍Cheers
Again very enjoyable and here's something strange, I have have EVERY record you listed! Am I lucky or what?!
I have a decent condition original Canadian pressed ,Rubber Soul vinyl (with that beloved rainbow ring) The records sound is "iconic" but typical of the period, very high abrasive treble settings I found the vocals ,especially Paul's voice to be quite ear pearsingly loud and harsh, something that could blow your stereo speaker's mid range's tweeters if turned too loud. I did blow a few tweeters playing classic Beatles and other 60's era vinyl records, way back in the day. I am sure recent remixed Parlophone pressings of Beatles, Rubber Soul sound a lot better on the ears and stereo speakers.
Thanks for posting this terrific and informative video Andrew! The German Magical Mystery Tour a1/B3;is superb.
I got mine many, many moons ago from a friend for 5 DM in 1977.
Thanks as always for another great vid, Andrew! Maybe just two things to comment on, both concerning MMT--first, the UK pressing, even with the usual fake stereo, still trumps by far the US cuttings, and is worth it for all the other tracks. Second, the later Electrola copper cutting sounds nothing like the previous ones. Like many of the other Cremer revisions, channel balances are reinterpreted and sudden crescendos of volume occur (particularly on Strawberry Fields)--and yet, I prefer that for the stereo mix of Baby You're a Rich Man, given that the usual mastering has the left channel clavioline way too soft. Still, I'm sure Sir G Martin, if he ever heard it, must have abhorred it (also, tons of overwhelming bass). Cheers!
some of the Dutch Beatle pressings are very good esp the White album and Help - a Netherlands special video would be interesting (-:
Excellent! I know when I first heard the German MMTour Lp and heard things for the first time so beautifully separated on The Fool On The Hill…Baby You’re A Rich Man…everything had to be graded from that!
Well done and a lot of fun!
The Japanese Pro-Use in the future?
Since watching this I've been listening to my Beatles For Sale albums. I really like my mono -3N/-3N copy. I also have the stereo -1/-1 as well as a stereo -3/-2 and a -5/-6 in my Beatles Collection Box Set and not forgetting the De Agostini issue. I agree that the mono Help! sounds lifeless but I can't see it with this. I still have a few of these albums to listen to so maybe I'll come round to your way of thinking by the end. Maybe I just have too much choice. My wife certainly doesn't know why I have five copies of this album and that doesn't include the two CD copies I have either.
Please do a video about the Brazilian EMI-Odeon releases.
I recently picked up the German magical mystery tour with a different label that was printed in France
"Nimbus," I haven't heard that brand name for decades. I agree with your call on RUBBER SOUL. Even the late 70s Japanese stereo issues on Apple were a tedious, hard panned affair. The original mixes for ABBEY ROAD still stand today. "Hear here" for your saying so. 497 Australian copies of their pressing of SGT. PEPPER? Hopefully, Paul, George & Ringo got the other three. Oddly enough, in spite of the world celebrating the CD issues of SGT. PEPPER, when MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR came out on CD with the proper stereo mixes, that was my "go-to" Beatles album for quite a while. My old copy of the German MMT was gifted to me by an old friend and was either a 2nd or 3rd issue, as it sounded phenomenal. Thanks again so much for being a fine curator of the Beatles.
Thank you, Andrew! As you confirmed earlier, I have “The” German Magical Mystery Tour. I bought it in 1979 while on vacation with my family in Europe. The only reason I purchased it was because of the different cover. 😆
I got my German MMT (Apple one) for about 20 pounds, I didnt knew it was the best version, just bought it because of the pink Vinyl and because it was the first one i saw haha
I have that original cut of Abbey Road. I bought it new in about 71 or 72. Sadly it crackles like a good'un. I'll have it properly cleaned. I agree it sounds gorgeous.
Great to hear that you are planning a video about the Canadian releases. I recently got a hold on a pristine mono vinyl of Beatlemania! With the Beatles, and knowing that it was released here prior to the US, I was curious to learn about the sources / matrices used by Capitol Canada.
Thanks. Another entertaining video.
Have to say, my favourite is With The Beatles, followed by Please Please Me. To my ears, they both have a band of top-end energy that just isn't there on the original CDs, which was part of why I couldn't listen to them. Thanks again.
P.S.
What about the Remaster of MMT?
Rubber Soul is my favourite Beatles album so I've got more versions of that album than the others. I recently acquired a Japanese AP-8156 that I've not had a proper listen to yet. I did have a listen to Drive My Car when I was setting up my new turntable and it sounds great for a stereo mix. At this stage, I'd rank it higher than my 80s Australian repressing. However, the -4 UK mono is probably still going to be the best version in my collection despite not being in pristine condition. That mix is just so much better to begin with. I've not heard the -1 or -5 so I can't compare those ones. The US mono sounds pretty good too, which is rare for the US releases from what I understand (I don't have many). I also have a bootleg of the Rock Band mixes which is an interesting listen.
the german pressing of MM is one of my favourite LPs. the cover isn't too shabby either.
Great thanks 😊
Another great video Andrew. Do you know what's the story behind the Horzu one with the "x" after the matrix? It was cut just before the "+C"
What about love album? it's my humble honorable mention, the best sounding mix for "i am the walrus" is included in that compilation, also they did an amazing job mixing their songs and gives fresh air to their classics
Imagine going from the disappointment of listening to the MSFL disaster of MMT to accidentally coming upon a mid 70s German pressing - I still remember being in awe at the details I had never heard before. Of course I still have multiple copies of this one. And prices will only go up...
4 me help was a surprise sound.compared to earlier lps x
Thank you Andrew! How about an episode on the pressings from Mexico?
Great idea!
Hi i myself collected Beatle records back in the 60s and found great sounds on most ..when Magical Mistry Tour came out i bought it as an ep it qas on Parlorphone as was Long Tall Sally ..i like my records still better than cds i think ao lets get records back over Cds
Addition to the 1st Place:
If you are not a fan of the purple cover for the German MMT, the same brilliant A-1/B-3 cut was also released as a Club edition which used the familiar international yellow cover design (though as a single-sleeve cover). It has the catalog number "28 642-7" (though copies seem to exist which have the B-1 matrix).
Fantastic video as usual... my Discogs wantlist is growing :) I was a little surprised not to see the 80's German DMM White Album on the list. People seem to rave about that one, and it's value has shot up in recent months and is now pretty much un-obtainable for a reasonable sum. Curious to hear your expert opinion on that one.
That is a really good edition, better if you have it in white vinyls
There's something important I noticed about the german version of MMT : The left channel on side A (the MMT tracks) seems to be quieter than it should be. For instance, the drums are quieter than usual on the first track, etc...
Very interesting, thank you. Now I need to hear the German version of Magical mystery tour.
Ii happened upon the German Magical Mystery Tour in Boston in the summer of 1976. I got home and I could not believe how great it sounded
Another great video 👍 and I'm smiling knowing that I own the Abbey Road and Beatles for Sale cuttings...and glad that I also own the Horzu MMT as the value is gonna go through the roof now ☺️
Funny that just last night, I played my German MMT A1 / B3. After which, I thought exactly the same thing. The best sounding Beatles LP ever produced by anyone. Am fortunate to have Hazel Yarwood's mono cut of Rubber Soul, first issue UK mono Pepper and Die Beatles among many others. Thanks for confirming what I already believed. Cheers to you!
I’ve just started but I have a theory that the number one spot is gonna be the German pressing of Magical Mystery Tour
I think you need a fairly decent HiFi to get the best sound out of any record!
It helps.
Hi Andrew, I’ve been playing a 2014 mono Rubber Soul on a restored 1950s Zenith hi fi phonograph and it’s just beautiful with that slight bass boost ! I save the 60s mono pressing for the modern high end equipment. So many ways to enjoy the Fab Four-It never ends ! Keep up the great work !
I think the original UK pressing of The White Album has a really wonderfully gritty mix to it. It really matches the more earthy, less psychedellic songwriting and while i appreciate the 2018 remix for what it was trying to acheive i still definitely prefer the original mix.
Another great video! I can't believe the 2014 blue album was cut from the analog tapes but they used the digital source for the 2012 reissues. I agree with you about why they bothered to remix Abbey Road, but I guess for the 50th anniversary they had to do something. To me its a little base heavy. I have a later pressing of the German Magical Mystery Tour on Apple red vinyl (or orange, hard for me to tell). The matrix number in the run off groove is MMT 01 A1 and MMT 01 B1 on side 2. The catalog number is 1C 072-04 449. It even has a cassette catalog number printed under the LP one as 244-04 449. There's no UPC on the cover. Maybe a late '70s reissue? I can't find any info on the colored vinyl copy.