APO Doors Reissues


Anyone heard the new APO Doors reissues on 45 rpm Lp? It sounds like the mix is the same, instruments hard right and left, Morrison in the center for the most part. Is that the case?

While I understand the outrage from some quarters that would follow any change to the original mix, it seems to me that the original mix was a less than ideal decision and I don't see why it can't be improved on.
tomcy6

Showing 4 responses by sonofjim

I have the DCCs of Strange Days, The Doors, LA Woman and also the lizard skin box set. As I recall Fremer also gave the lizard skin box a 10/10 rating. It did not come from the original tapes. Has anyone compared these new reissues to that box set?
Corgy,
Your feedback is of interest to me. You're the first truly negative reviewer of these reissues I've come across and I just pre-ordered the whole set. There are differing opinions on Fremer's reviews I suppose but by and large I agree with him on sound quality. If highly resolving systems reveal the flaws in these reissues as you say where does his 10/10 come from? How many people can you name with a more resolving system or more experience with the LP format? I've also come across little but great enthusiasm from one other formal review and multiple individual accounts. So I respect your opinion but it greatly puzzles me.
The obvious solution would be to order a copy of Strange Days myself to try. However, if I do get the whole box, I'll the be stuck with an expensive duplicate. Still, may be worth a try just to make sure the whole $400 set won't be a let down.
Meanwhile, if anyone else has feedback, good or bad, it would be appreciated.
Thanks for the feedback guys. I think I'll stay the course with my pre-order of the whole set. When you're dealing with a subjective experience like this multiple viewpoints are helpful although confusing. Both Fremer and the reviewer from "My Vinyl Review" compared the 45s to original pressings quite favorably. At least one satisfied customer on Audio Asylum actually applauded the low end on his copy. Several people have also stated that the more resolving the system the better they sound. Go figure I guess.
Along with the subjectivity of the listening experience, I imagine results are also heavily system AND probably copy dependent. At a certain point you just have to take that leap and try it for yourself. I have nine cartridges, four tonearms on two sp-10 MKllls, Allnic phono and preamp with upgraded transformers feeding the MX-R monos and 5As. Hopefully, if the low end is there I'll find it. I also have DCCs and originals to compare to. Should be fun. Here goes nothin'.
I don't buy Tom Port's Hot Stamers but I do believe in sound variation between different copies even of the same pressing. As I recall from the video, QRP made five sets of stamper plates for each album. I think it's entirely possible that some copies will sound better than others even in a relatively small run such as this. There's likely nothing wrong with anyone's system (remember Fremer's is probably close to a $300,000 set up, hardly a close and play). Even if we all heard the same copy on the same system there would be differing opinions. I'm just going to try the set. It's still cheaper tham one Hot Stamper. Maybe someday there'll be a Hot Stamper of the whole set for somewhere around $3,000.