First pressing LPs

""Can I always identify first pressing just by looking at the record?"

I can just by looking at the label. I have been buying and collecting lp's for so long now I can tell that way."

Really? Can you tell us how if you do not have all matrix numbers memorized?

""Also,does it sound better in almost every case?"

The easy answer is yes they do, but the new audiophile labels like DCC and Classic Records reissues can't be beat.""

The easier answer after a LOT of comparisons is that they can be beat especially Classics.

"The only thing that has been settled is that audiophiles are a strange lot indeed."

Only those that look in the mirror.

"Vinylites always floor me."

Because they insist on making you hear their analog rigs compared to your digital?

"I havn't had that good luck with imported pressings. The surfaces are usually quieter but the sonics have not always been to my liking. I have most problems with Japanese pressings, though there are some very good ones out there."

This is very true. There are some good ones but a guy can drop a bunch of dough buying Japanese pressing expecting them to ALL be the best pressings like some on here say.

Rockinroni, I will inform you that to classify me as a digivite, or whatever, is based on a false assumption and about as far from the truth as possible.

Inna asked:
""Can I always identify first pressing just by looking at the record?"

You replied:
"I can just by looking at the label. I have been buying and collecting lp's for so long now I can tell that way."

Now it sounds like maybe you are saying you can tell a re-issue from a first issue. OK. My question is how you can tell a first PRESSING just by looking at the label unless you memorize the matrix numbers, as opposed to a third or fourth pressing within the original issue? It could be difference of semantics here but I assume you know that there are different pressings resulting from using different plates, even within the same issue. I think it well accepted that later runs in the sam eissue are not as good as earlier runs and sometimes worse that the early run of a reissue.

Goodness, you have a very serious 'tude prob' there, Rock. I could not care less about who is right or who is wrong. What I was trying to get at was how to tell first PRESSINGS by merely looking at the label, because I thought that you would be help to us all after saying you could do that. I guess we will have to leave that tutorial to someone else.

Hey, does anyone know if there is guide for reading matrix numbers used by different labels or is that all an enigma wrapped in a riddle?