I was in a group of about 5-6 guys at a friends house, and we did an American Beauty shootout. It was the Rhino remaster, Original Green label, and the MFSL 45. Unfortunately, we didn't have the Stan Ricker done MoFi 33rpm from a while back. This was a unanimous win for the Original Green label. It handily beat the Rhino, and in this setup, the Green Label was just more natural sounding, without giving up much to the 45RPM. I would love to do this again, in another setup. I don't take the above as Game Over, but it was very obvious that day, in that system. I'd like to hear another pressing of MARS Hotel. I doubt it's American Beauty level, but would think I could get better. BTW- The Audio Fidelity Shakedown Street LP is excellent. I heard the same about AF Blues for Allah, but haven't heard that one.
Grateful Dead: Mars Hotel LP recording
Was listening last night, starting with Graham Nash: Songs for beginners, Judy Collins S/T, and finished with MFSL Mars Hotel. I have to confess, it was a late one, and I tweaked my VTA at the end of the Nash LP. But to my ears, it was better after the VTA change. The Nash LP was a pleasant surprise, hadn't heard it in years. Great listening session, but Mars Hotel was sonically underwhelming. A bit flat, and diffuse….Such great music, but had nothing going on. I hadn't listened to it in some time, but never remembered it was such a subpar sounding record. A real shame, because it is a NM LP, the old MFSL too. (-: