2. analog
  3. 1272772545

Blue Note reissues

I became a serious vinyl convert less than a year ago and ever since have been buying records regularly to enlarge my collection. I listen almost exclusively to jazz and buy new reissues of jazz releases, most of them on Blue Note, but also Prestige, Riverside and Columbia.

To say that I am disappointed by the quality of the vinyl is an understatement. Virtually every record is warped, which I can live with, reluctantly. A bigger problem is the distortion that becomes more and more prevalent on reissues. It's a short buzzing sound, which sounds kind of like the sound of lost airwaves on the radio but higher in pitch. I know it's not my cart as I have records that sound perfect, and it's in the the same spot on faulty records so it must be a quality issue with transfer and manufacture.
I also own quite a few used original pressings or old reissues and none of them have a similar defect, which leads me to believe that it is a current problem with quality control. It is extremely frustrating as I've spent thousands of dollars on my rig and record cleaning machine only to spin warped records that sound distorted.

I know this topic has been discussed many times here on A-gon but I would actually like to do something about it. I know many designers and manufacturers read the forum, but it seems not record companies' reps as it's not getting any better. As a community of many thousands who pay a lot of money to indulge in our hobby and passion, I think we should be able to exert some level of pressure on companies like Blue Note to release products of high quality. I'm open to ideas and suggestions. Where I could, I emailed the record company, but Blue Note for example has not contact info at all. Also, I'm afraid single emails won't do much.
actusreus

Showing 6 responses by actusreus

actusreus OP
733 posts
 
The stuff that I buy is usually $10 for a record and since I don't have a lot of records, it is very attractive to me, rather than $30 180 gr "audiophile" releases. And it has become so prevalent that I just find it very difficult to ignore. Almost every record I buy has at least one tune where you can hear half a second buzz and it's warped on the outside so that the clamp on my Scout can't do much about it.
Just yesterday I bought a beautifully designed "Slow Drag" by Donald Byrd and after cleaning it with the AIVS formula, I started to listen only to get distortion several times on several different tunes. No CD would make it into stores with such defects; why does vinyl?

I find it very difficult to believe that it is only my experience since I buy brand new records and it's not an isolated problem at this point. I know many 'Goners have expressed their frustration with current vinyl pressings and I think we should demand better quality control. Returning records to my dealer will probably only hurt my dealer who already is trying hard to survive in this economy, and won't send a big company like Blue Note a message. What I think would are letters from hundreds of vinyl enthusiasts expressing their disappointment with the current state of vinyl pressings, and demanding better quality control. I am more than willing to draft such a letter so that others can use it as a template and simply sign it and mail it. I just need to know that there are enough of us who are willing to support my effort.
actusreus OP
733 posts
 
Sibelius,
Funny as I've been eying this release for a while now. My dealer has it for $10 as a Blue Note reissue. I'll get it next weekend. Btw, where do you get the Music Matters Blue Note Series? Is there a link you can provide?
Thank you!
actusreus OP
733 posts
 
Thank you for the link, Sibelius and Dan_ed!
actusreus OP
733 posts
 
Thanks Mikeyc8. I'm glad to hear that someone finally confirmed my negative experience! I knew it wasn't a coincidence but this gives at least some validity to our complaint.

I've never seen reissues with free CDs, but the $10 vinyl reissues are so hit-or-miss, it makes buying vinyl much less enjoyable than it should be. I recently bought Jackie McLean "Action" released by Blue Note and there is an audible distortion (like clipping) on sax solos on few tunes, plus the short buzzing sound I described before in other places. I returned two Coltrane records released by Atlantic Records recently as they were simply unlistenable. Not only warped but had the buzzing sound on virtually every tune. I could go on and on but it is obvious it's a common problem across the board and would not be acceptable with CDs.

On the other hand, I recently was given an original release of the Wall, used, and the surface noise aside, the records sound sublime. I also have several other used and older records that aside from the surface noise just sound great. There should be no excuse for bad sounding brand new records, whether $10 or $30 price sticker. I think it's absurd that the rule of thumb seems to be that one has to spend at least $30 to get a good sounding new record today.
actusreus OP
733 posts
 
Thanks Mmai. Unfortunately it appears there just isn't enough interest in petitioning the record companies. I'll keep this option open, of course. In the meantime, I suggest sticking with releases from Mobile Fidelity (rather limited selection unfortunately), 45s from Blue Note, or select releases from other companies. I've had a more positive experience with 180-gram vinyl than you so I'd recommend going that route, but I agree it can be hit or miss. However, all of the 180-gram vinyl I've bought in the past few months has been terrific. My last purchase was The Dave Brubeck Quartet "Time Further Out" from Columbia and the quality is top notch. I stopped purchasing the $10-12 reissues a while ago and never looked back; it's just a waste of money.
actusreus OP
733 posts
 
Ditto on KOB, the "audiophile" 180 or 200 gr pressing. I think the volume drop is on the original recording as it's the same on the CD but not the distortion.

Doug's explanation is right on the money and fits perfectly. I now use the Lyra Delos with the VPI Classic and the same albums produce the same distortion in the same passages as with my previous Soundsmith Aida/Scout combo; there is no way it's the cartridge misalignment or mistracking (unless the mistracking is caused by faulty vinyl!).

I recently caved in and bought a $11 Blue Note reissue of Lee Morgan's "Sidewinder" with a CD version inside. The release was absolutely unlistenable; not only warped but had horrible distortion throughout side 1. I sold it for $5 at my local record store to cut my losses. But I'd like to get a Blue Note executive to listen to this record and ask him in person what he thinks about the quality.
More to discover