Anyone know how good these LP pressings are?

[Paul Williams]

A friend has been enthusing about the prices from Simply Vinyl, but has yet to place an order.

http://www.simplyvinyl.com

They do seem reasonable (postage a bit high though) and have some stuff I'd quite like.

Paul

[alexs2]

On the face of it,they look fine...180g vinyl etc,but the prices are very low compared to the likes of MF etc.

If you buy one,please let me know what you think,and I may be tempted to have a go as well!

[Paul Williams]

Hmmmm, Nitin Sawhney, 'All Mixed Up' a 160gm double album for £6, guess at these prices I'll have to give it a go, although will have to get a known standard like the Beach Boys, 'Pet sounds' (180gm for £7) to really compare.

Paul

[Nike]

For the money, they are fine. They are not in the same league as many so called 'Audiophile' pressings like Classic Records, DCC, etc.
The last few SV titles I've purchased haven't exactly been flat either.

[Paul Williams]

Originally Posted by Nike

For the money, they are fine. They are not in the same league as many so called 'Audiophile' pressings like Classic Records, DCC, etc.
The last few SV titles I've purchased haven't exactly been flat either.

Thanks - I've ordered the Beach Boys, "Pet Sounds" as this will give me a reasonably well known benchmark. Been doing a bit of searching around and definitely not regarded in the same class of some of the Audiophile 'usual suspects' but they don't claim to be. Then again I've got, well lets say quite a few LP's anyway, so don't tend to buy them anymore because of the prices - if the SV ones are good, then there are 10 or so I'd like straight off and will become a regular customer.

Paul

[Paul Williams]

Just got an email from them

180gr - 3 for £18 of £7 each
160gr - 3 for £15 or £6 each

Guess I'll have to order a few more!

Paul

[Nic Rhodes]

have you tried any yet Paul?

[Paul Williams]

Originally Posted by Nic Rhodes

have you tried any yet Paul?

I've just this minute finished playing the Beach Boys, "Pet Sounds".

the LP came packed in its own thick clear PVC envelope, but only posted in a standard cardboard mailer - thankfully no bent corners. The LP sleeve itself is just of average print quality, but as always, its a pleasure to pull out a 180gr disc - you know you got something substantial for your money. On the turntable it was perfectly flat, with the hole in the middle, which always helps. Placing the the stylus into the groove, there is perhaps more vinyl roar-noise than I'd like, but then I would normally run a new pressing through my VPI cleaner first, I didn't in this instance as I wanted to hear the virgin pressing. Now as to the sound (and perhaps some that know this LP could feedback what they think the normal/original pressing is like) there is quite a high level of presence, with both frequency extremes seemingly pushed. this reminded me very much of a Japanese style of super-cut back in the 80's - a tendency to boom & tizz. Finally I feel the overall sound was a little congested, when things got a bit busy.

Please don't get the impression that the above makes this completely damning, because the LP is still very listenable, but this is no Mobile Fidelity (substitute your fav audiophile label) on the cheap and I do have a very analytical system, on others I could imagine people wondering what I was talking about. Overall at £9 delivered to my door I'm happy, if this was an MF pressing, which are 3 - 4 times the price, I'd have been very disappointed. Now what I need is for some people with the original of this LP to tell me how it sounds as a comparator.

Will I buy some more - yes, because it is nice to get new LP's at a reasonable price for a change & for that alone Simply Vinyl should be applauded (& supported).

Paul

[alexs2]

Sounds like a very good value purchase,but given your comments,I may stick to MF etc,as I don't buy a huge amount of vinyl,but want the best out of what I do buy.

I've just got a few from Vivante,incl and Eric Clapton Unplugged(180g),and Keith Jarret's Lausanne Concerts....took ages to arrive,but the weight and quality of the vinyl is superb,as are the recordings,and well worth the considerable cost.

[Paul Williams]

Originally Posted by alexs2

I've just got a few from Vivante,incl and Eric Clapton Unplugged(180g),and Keith Jarret's Lausanne Concerts....took ages to arrive,but the weight and quality of the vinyl is superb,as are the recordings,and well worth the considerable cost.

Keith Jarret's Lausanne Concerts = superb on any format.

Really though, in my brief review I am being very critical and as I suggest it may be that they have produced a very representative pressing of the original master - I still really need someone with an original pressing to comment. Personally, I've got, well shall we say a substantial collection of LP's and don't think I'd ever pay the MF premium. It will be interesting to re-evaluate this disc when I've got the Seduction up and running (left the states at 11:30pm on the 7th so should be in the UK customs process by now).

However on a slightly different tack

http://www.jcbsong.co.uk/jcbvideo.asp

Buy this one - my fav' release for Christmas - enjoy

Paul

[alexs2]

Paul...I know this is completely OT,but this amused me when I was saw it.

http://blueballfixed.ytmnd.com/

[Paul Williams]

Originally Posted by alexs2

Paul...I know this is completely OT,but this amused me when I was saw it.

http://blueballfixed.ytmnd.com/

Well if I can can go OT (even if its my thread) - why not you - thanks for the link

Paul

[alexs2]

Turns your eyes in after a bit!...mine anyway,so I'm off to bed.

[Nike]

Just had a look as I was putting 'away' a few recent purchases - I have more SV titles that I realised. Many (most) don't seem available any more.
All 180s unless stated:
Aerosmith - Toys In The Attic
Def Leppard - Hysteria (2lp)
Jam - Setting Sons
Marilyn Manson - Smell Like Children
- Portrait Of An American Family
Rage Against The Machine - 1st album
Alice Cooper - The Eyes Of Alice Cooper (160)
Nickelback - Silver Side Up (160)
Red Hot Chilli Peppers - 1st 3 albums
Wu Tang Clan - Enter the...

I think SV are just selling what they have left now. There have been no new titles for ages.

[Paul Williams]

Originally Posted by Nike

Just had a look as I was putting 'away' a few recent purchases - I have more SV titles that I realised. Many (most) don't seem available any more.
I think SV are just selling what they have left now. There have been no new titles for ages.

Mine did come with a great big 'Limited Edition' sticker on it, so its perhaps not suprising to see some missing from the list. Can't comment on the lack of new releases, but this may depend on them clearing their catalogue to finance new releases.

Paul