Compare the new Beatles vinyl to early pressings

I guess you just never know;

I read an article in the Chicago trib that claimed that some of the new LP releases shined above all the rest, including the original pressings and the MoFi release. They had 3-4 polished audiophiles and a six figure system. Each reviewer rated each LP and overall the new pressings won out. I bought most of the latest Beatles LP's and overall I'm very pleased. (I only have the MoFi Abbey Road to compare it to). I think it's well worth the $19/LP I paid on the release date.

The 'White Album' lost out in our home. My wife and daughter (who plays two instruments) both thought my Apple original had more life and tonality. The reissue sounds like a processed soundstage width and vocals coming from a well. My wife used the term 'dirge-like' when listening to the first three songs ( that's as many as we could choke down). So my new Beatles is for sale, barely used. My MFSL 'Abbey Road' didn't fare much better. I'm on the lookout for Parlaphones.

Fremer is going LP by LP over at Analog Planet. He has liked some of the LPs, was pretty disappointed in others. Elizabeth's review is among the most positive I have seen of these records.

I bought Magical Mystery Tour because it was the only one that was not included in my recent (incredible) find of the Dutch Blue Box of 1978. I conclude that these reissues may need to played in a bit. After the fourth play on either side the ambience has begun to open up and the highs are now more airy. I also cleaned it a couple of times (VPI16.5/MoFi Super wash) and there must be excess stamper release compound that was used in my pressing, simply because every time I clean it and play it, it seems to improve.

Anyone else experience this?

I think these sound surprisingly good for what they are but nowhere near as good as a clean Blue Box. Quality control is also substandard.

Agreed,

both the Blue Box and 1st Japan pressings are going to be tough to beat!

I listened to Revolver and copared it to my original US and MFSL. The reissue was nice and quite, and had great dynamics. The insruments were better focused, but it seemed the bass response was far lower than my original on Taxman. On my original and MFSL, Taxman has great bass response-Paul's bass pumping. But the reissue its nearly gone. Other than that, I liked the reissue better in nearly everyway.

When you start comparing pressing a lot of factors including personal tastes go into which you may like better. For me the Best of the British Blue box collection of their LP's. MoFi was expensive at not nearly as good and eq differently. The new master could sound closest to what they heard on the master tape, but does not mean you will like it due to the factors above, we like what we remember does not make that right though.

For me enjoy the music no matter the format. Regardless of what your read. Because it a digital does not mean poor sound as does vinyl mean always good sound. Mastering is the key and man they can do so much when they start to master or in this case remaster. They could very well taken the flaws of the early mastering out of the Beatles and what your hearing now could well be much more balanced and correct.