Is touch available again - can not find it…
The best recent copy of Rumours on vinyl was the US 45rpm reissue cut by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray. Look for the hype sticker with rounded edges and KPG&SH@ATM in the dead wax. Avoid the European issue as it sounded flat and dead by comparison.
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I went the other way, ripped all my cd’s put them on a hard drive, boxed them up and put them in the loft.
I have thought of buying a reasonable cd transport and giving them another go, especially after the FW update saga which has left me totally underwhelmed with my streaming setup, really hopeful than that will change soon but was the main reason the vinyl has had so much use.
Thanks Richard, to say I was disappointed with the new copy is an understatement.
Just received this today.
Silent pressing. Dynamic and detailed. So much better than the CD.
Have had some duds but good stuff out there too.
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Hi @silverback
At one point I had vinyl, cd and cds ripped to my NAS.
I could never take to ripped music, no matter which format I ripped it to.
One of the other reasons for going back to cd is my arthritic knees, all that getting up and down out of the chair. No sooner had I got myself comfortable I was having to get up again to turn it over, or so it seemed.
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Don’t usually have any vinyl issues but thought I’d treat myself to a fresh pressing of Love Over Gold recently, my original has picked up a couple of minor scratches somehow, right in the wrong parts of Telegraph Road.
Underwhelming doesn’t even describe the replacement bought through Amazon. Made in France, it’s awful. Yes it’s scratch free, but dull, lifeless and almost boring. Even the sleeve is matt rather than glossy. Didn’t think to return it. Should have.
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I feel your pain 
, thinking I will maybe be a little more diligent where I purchase from in future.
One thing that did strike me is how would someone feel buying these modern copies of classic albums if they never had the chance to hear how good the original was, if that makes sense, we know they are cr#p compared to the earlier pressings.
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Hi RG I know the feeling just drifting off with the music waiting for the next track and you get the click,click,click from the dead groove, so annoying.
So looking at your very nice setup list how does your cd transport/dac compare to your NDS/555 combination or should I say which one do you listen to the most.
I’ve had quite a big lift in listening to records after landing a nice LP12 and giving it an upgrade. I already had about 320 records from the classic LP era of the 70/80’s - so really enjoy those.
I dipped my toe into trying some new records. I’ve found that 10 - 20% will have some defect - noise, actual defects like scratches/notches, and warping. New digital recordings I’ve generally found to not quite match digital versions on the ND555 (putting aside the current firmware issues, any record currently sounds better than the ND555). I have filled some gaps in my 70/80’s collections of analogue recordings with new pressings, and generally these are better than the ND555. Most of those have been excellent, including Rumours. I’ve a new pressing of Supertramp Crime of the Century and it’s just stunning.
More recently, I’ve been buying used records (again 70/80’s), usually NZ first pressings. If they are rated VG+ or NM on-line they have been pretty reliable after a good clean. I had one dud - Alan Parsons Project I Robot, which was rated VG+ and has two scratches - unplayable really, so I’m trying another used NZ first pressing before resorting to a MOFI 45 $$.
I’m currently funding my new music by selling some of my old records that I don’t listen to any more. Nicely in credit at the moment with some great old records purchased, and some reference CDs and Blurays.
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Hi Mike shrewd move selling off some of your less loved vinyl to help fund new purchases will have to look through my collection I’m sure I have a few that I could move on.
Like your self I have used my TT much more since the firmware issue, which I’m really hoping will be resolved soon fingers crossed but if things don’t go to plan I may invest more in the vinyl side of my system , I would really like to add a 45rpm option to the LP12, plus a few other mods finance’s permitting,time will tell.
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I could have written most of these posts back in 1985, when vinyl quality was pretty dire. It looks like all the old defects are back with a vengeance, together with poor mastering and poor sound quality sources.
I read somewhere that a good percentage of vinyl records are never played by those who buy them.
I also get the impression that the record companies only worry about sound quality on any format, when they release Jazz or Classical music. I would also immagine that when vinyl almost became extinct as a medium, an awful lot of production knowledge was lost as those with experience left the industry.
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what’s the best way to listen to Led Zeppelin?
I never could listen to much of their albums on digital, finally when I got the Celebration Blu ray with a Chord DAC doing the decoding from LPCM, I finally enjoyed why they so legendary.
Now listening to their older albums on Tidal Hi Res, with an Mscaler/Dave, I will try again.
to my ears, celebration day has a much more modern sound, it brought those songs up to date, and they just sound more fresh and Vibrant,
Is there much point in me searching for early pressings of the albums on Vinyl?
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In a word, yes - it is worth seeking out Zep vinyl. But be prepared to pay.
UK originals are best, except for - if you can afford it - a Robert Ludwig cut of LZII. Otherwise go for the Bernie Grundman-cut Classic Records all-analogue LPs from around the turn of the millennium- I have all of them and they’re great.
Many here on this forum - including me - rate the Japanese “LP replica” SHMCD box set as the best sounding CDs. But it’s very pricey now and you need to beware of counterfeit versions.
If you’re buying TSRTS, go for the 1976 version with the 12’30” version of No Quarter on it. Later versions have extra material but much of the music has been butchered with clumsy edits - and the SQ is nowhere as good.
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Interesting, I have the mini LP SHM-CD box set from when it came out and was surprised by a couple of ebay prices on these when I looked a while back! Fakes then somehow?
Fully agree with @TheKevster ‘s detailed advices. If you got any friends owned a vintage turntable in good condition (probably a pre cirkus LP12), visit your friend along with the early version, for example the IV plum version or Kevster’s suggestions, the sound should be mind-blowing from the start. Expected expansive sound, emotion-committed hard rock sound.
Like you I was grew up with the digital version, seriously I don’t think LZ is a hard rock band until I heard the real deal…You know what, the digital version sounds thin, cause they tried to clean up the ‘poor’ recordings.
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The Jimmy Page 40th Anniversary ReMasters from 2014 were made using 24/192 digital transfers from the original analogue tapes and they sound very good to me on the CD versions.
Im assuming the Tidal Hi-Res versions also come from the same 24/192 digital transfers.
interesting that the remasters were first converted to 24/192… tidal doesn’t have those albums at that bit rate.
I have been listening to the first album carefully… it is to my ears a different sound that the production on the live blu ray celebration day which sounds very modern to me. not only that but the performance was more nuanced, more grown up, more musical, they got it absolutely spot on, an absolute masterclass of a concert. There’s been not that many bands that got it right in the same way, but then Bryan Adams Royal Albert Hall performances are in some ways much better than the recordings… Keith Scott is a wonderful guitar player.
“when the levee breaks” still does sound absolutely fantastic the way it was recorded… I don’t think anyone can ever improve on this recording.
Digital can sound very good and when partnered with a musical DAC (I just happen to like Chord), but still there’s just something about a true analog recording pressed onto vinyl.
The Zep 180gr reissue around 2017, with the original sleeves, are quit good, as per different reviews 2nd or 3rd best…
Hi @silverback
I only use the NDS for the Internet radio and I must admit I am happy with SQ, even with a station that is in MP3.
I also listen to BBC Sounds and Mixcloud via Bluetooth from my phone, via my 2010 Chord Chordette Bluetooth receiver and the SN3. I find the SQ of this arrangement acceptable to my ears.
As for comparisons to my CD system, they are not as detailed and neutral: however I enjoy them just as much.
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