Just replaced my lost copy of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours so disappointed at the SQ of the album about the only thing going for it is the lack of any clicks or pops!
Is this the new norm as I seem to remember this was a very sweet sounding album or have I just bought from the wrong source, purchased from our friends on the big river.
After playing through the album I thought there must be an issue with the system so put on Paul Simon’s Graceland just to check totally different experience definitely night and day difference and some compared to Rumours.
1 Like
Some new vinyl is unlistenable. Sometimes due to poor pressing QC. Sometimes they just take any old crap recording or even MP3 as the source.
It’s hit and miss. Some new vinyl is superb. But there is a lot of crap out there. Second hand bargain bins often yield a better success rate.
8 Likes
Calling it mp3 quality would sum it up perfectly, this one will definitely be going back.
2 Likes
It’s possible you inadvertently bought a bootleg version. I would expect any official release of Rumours to sound reasonable. There’s a recent version mastered by Chris Bellman that has a very good reputation. There’s an Amazon exclusive edition of that, which is highly rated and issued in 2024. See Discogs:
https://www.discogs.com/release/30771153-Fleetwood-Mac-Rumours-
On Amazon:
I think it’s easy to be over dismissive of new vinyl issues- there are certainly dubious sources and sometimes the mastering is not as good as it might be. But even cutting from digital with proper mastering can produce good results. It’s important to do some due diligence on pressings and be aware of remixed versions that can sound very different. For a record like Rumours that sold in massive quantities it can be better to look for a decent second hand copy,
2 Likes
It can be hit and miss for sure on new LPs. When it comes to rereleases the mastering treatment and source is a big factor as well as pressing quality.
If it is a poor sound overall I would suspect source used or mastering at fault rather than pressing quality. A poorly pressed record is often crackly and generally noisy rather than just poor sound.
For example of my own experience. I have different copies of the Who album Who’s Next one from Polydor/Abbey Studios Half speed mastered (2023) and one from Music on Vinyl release from 2012. I also have an original 1971 Track Record labeled. that I can use as comparison. I do not usually buy duplicates but this album is one of my favourites.
The original sounds great but this is not always the case with Who albums some of them were poorly produced/mastered and can sound a bit dull. The MOV 2012 release is very good and close to original and on some tracks is possibly a bit better. The Abbey Road Half speed mastered version is downright peculiar in its sound quality. I think the guy on the master desk had a cold that day! It is nowhere near as good as the original or the MOV release.
I have an original F Mac Rumours and a 2021 Warner records reissue. The reissue is pretty good and compares well to the original. It is quieter than my original but my old one is not in the best condition.
I buy mostly used records as I generally listen to music from 70s and 80s but I do buy some new LPs and new artists occasionally. On the whole I guess I may have been lucky but as far as pressing quality goes I have not had many issues.
2 Likes
Biggest problems with new vinyl other than the total ripoff prices are.
Warps heavy vinyl 180gm that is packed and then the whole thing heat shrunk meaning that after cooling and time the albums are buckled.
Cheap and nasty imports of albums from really poor quality mp3 or at best CD quality sources.
I’m glad I still have all my vinyl since teenage years in immaculate condition. 
6 Likes
Thanks for the replies guessing a bit more research in future might pay dividends.
Just listening to a hires stream of Rumours puts the new vinyl to shame.
Gutted I can’t find my original copy but such is life, decades of technical improvements don’t seem to guarantee new is better than old, what I keep telling the youngsters 
.
Perhaps a trip to my local s/h vinyl shop is in order, vinyl at it’s best still sounds superb 
.
I have Alan Parson I Robot on Mofi Ultra disc One Step edition, ludricously expensive but pretty flat and boring. I much prefer the CD.
3 Likes
I have one new disc where:
- The record is dished
- The hole isn’t anywhere near centre
- The source or the EQ is so wrong and the dynamics are so lacking, you can visibly see it on the disc. Or lack of. The tracks look like a mere smudge on a blank disc.
$60. You have to be a muppet to get into brand new vinyl. The vinyl sold at my hifi dealer is all first rate quality. But entirely Jazz and classical. Not really my thing. And the fact that the only decent recordings are often Jazz and classical sort of rubs me the wrong way too.
5 Likes
@feeling_zen
Hi
I understand the frustration Jazz is mostly my thing but unless special releases most are poor.
Very disappointing for the new generation.
I was caught into a conversation with some young guys a while ago in a record store they were all standing with bundles of LPs I said I hope you’ve got something good to play them on.
The reply was we collect the records but stream the tunes on our phones. 
Totally agreed. Other good samples are Beatles old vs new, and Led Zeppelin IV so called ‘remastered by Jimmy Page’ vs the ‘plum’ version.
With plum version you know why Led Zeppelin (and a LP12) are legendary, with the latest version it wouldn’t.
1 Like
Do you have any experience with Blue Note’s Tone Poet vs RVG, I bet the latest are technical better, while the RVG versions are more engaging.
1 Like
@juliushui
Hi
I’ve found it a mixed bag although I haven’t had any faulty Tone Poet issues I have had a multitude of badly warped disasters from the Blue Note 75 series.
So far the Blue Note 80 series have been very good too.
I have some of the Music Matters edition Blue Note and I really can’t discriminate between them and the Tone Poet.
Unless otherwise educated I’d say they came from the same place.
Identical quality of pressing and the gatefold artwork.
I have many RVG CDs and find them a very enjoyable listen they were a bargain at £3 each for a while and I bought bagfuls of them at the time.
Arrived today sound quality is a excellent actually considering buying another to stash away unopened just incase I need a future spare.
2 Likes
I always check on condition when new.
I’d rather know now than be disappointed later.
Different story if you’re going to flip it.
See what I did there. 
1 Like
I completely agree with the need to check vinyl.
To my cost, I didn’t check one of the remix discs of a King Crimson double album, where the second album had an off-centre label, making one side unplayable on the last track. As I didn’t see this for a few months, the retailer refused a refund.
1 Like
Stopped buying new vinyl years ago. No matter where i purchased it from, 80% of it was warped, 50% sounded worse than the CD and the prices laughable.
4 Likes
It’ s the same for me. All in all i don’t love jazz and if you want classic rock/pop/wave new records, is better sticking with old/original edition. Generally Vinyl180 reissues have been a disappointment for me
2 Likes
All the reasons why I sold all my vinyl and vinyl replay system and purchased a cd transport with the matching dac.
I do not miss playing vinyl and I am enjoying the SQ of second hand cds purchased at 4 for £5.
The swap from vinyl to cd was cost neutral for me.
5 Likes
Just as a point of reference, the new copy of Rumours was ruler flat, felt heavier than standard and everything dead centre just a shame it sounds 
.
I did receive a copy of one of Billie Eilish’s albums last year as a present from my son and that sounds excellent so some good stuff about.
My son is very heavily into vinyl and has been for years maybe I should double check with him in the future before making a purchase to try and avoid the same thing happening.
2 Likes