Cozi fan Tutti, EMI or Angel Records?

The EMI pressing was made in France.

EMI it is, then! Now I just need to find the time to return to the shop to pick it up.

I picked up the EMI version. It sounds great except! The vinyl appears in pristine shape but when the soprano hits her high notes (when it should feel like the wine glasses will shatter), the sound turns to $!?@.

There is considerable sibilance, and of course at all the wrong moments. I not sure I can complain for $8. I think I am going to exchange it for the Angel recording maybe the vinyl is in better shape.

Chatta,

I have been away and I didn't get a chance to exchange the record yet. Hopefully over the weekend.

I finally picked up the Angel recording. I now have both pressings in my possession. I haven’t had the time to really listen closely for the subtle differences between the two. However, the EMI record is definitely worn. The Angel recording has no sibilance.

I will post again once I have compared the two more closely.

The EMI pressing is audibly superior.

Here is my review of the Angel vs EMI pressings. The biggest difference is that the pressing is 2 or 3 dB louder. As a result it is more detailed and the sound stage is more forward.

This of course ignores the issue of sibilance.

I now have two big dilemas, first which pressing do I return to the store. The EMI sounds great except for when the sopranos hit the high notes. You know when it really counts! On the other hand the Angel recording sounds mediocre throughout.

But the second dilema is, is it my set-up or the vinyl. My SL-1200 is not the best rig around. The EMI record is pressed louder and thus is more difficult to track. On the other hand my TT sails through the "Audio Obstacle Course" on my Shure test record. Is the test record a valid reference?

Finally to reply to Huntermusic, I don't have an SACD player unfortunately.