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Beatles on vinyl -- what to look for ...

... and what to avoid.

I'm hoping to buy some Beatles LPs, but I'm confused by all the choices out there. I'm no kind of collector. Nor am I llooking for the absolute best, with cost no object. But I've really been enjoying vinyl again, and it's long past time to get me a bunch of Beatles LPs. Are there certain labels -- or countries -- that are considered as usually good quality? Are there others that ought to be generally avoided? (I understand that the British releases in the earlier years were not the same as the ones that folks my age grew up with in the 1960s in the US, with different songs, different mixes and all.) What I want is to be able to spin some LPs and hear the Fab Four doing their thing. But all in all, I'm overwhelmed. And a look at the archives hasn't made things a whole lot clearer. Do I search for specific stuff on eBay? Are there new pressings that are worth anything? Any direction would be much appreciated. Thanks.
hodu

Showing 3 responses by audiofeil

audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
The Beatles MOFI releases are very good to excellent. However, if you take some time and seek out original Capitol, Parlophone, and Apple pressings the MOFI are basically a waste of money.

My opinion is based on ownership of the original and MOFI pressings.

If you can't find originals another option is the Japanese Toshiba/EMI reissues from a few years back. I own 5 of them and the sonics are excellent. I haven't checked prices lately but they are invariably much better value than the MOFI versions.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>The US Capitol are the absolute worst sounding versions in part due to not using the master tapes.<<

As a blanket statement that is totally untrue.

I have multiple copies of Beatles albums from the US, UK, Germany, and a few other countries. First pressings of the US Revolver, Abbey Road and the White Album (an issue with a low number) are very nice thank you.

Maybe you haven't heard them.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Tmhaudio,
So do I. Perhaps yours are not as pristine as the copies I purchased new.

Widely accepted?
By whom? Don't believe all you read. Listen for yourself. I have.
Thanks.
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