2. music
  3. 1300433927

The difinitive recording of AJA

I have just listened to the SHM SACD recording of Steely Dan's AJA. I am not overwhelmed with the sonics. The cymbals are still too faint, the bass lacks punch and snap and the vocals still seem hidden behind a piece of cloth. I much prefer the MFSL gold CD of this title. As far as vinyl goes, the current Cisco version seems more lively than MFSL. So, which is the ONE COPY of this album that is THE MUST HAVE? I am also looking for the MUST HAVE recording of Supertramp's CRIME OF THE CENTURY. Again, I have the new SHM recording, the MFSL gold CD, the MFSL vinyl pressing, and the Speakers Corner vinyl addition. I like both vinyl versions over the CDs with the Speakers Corner version being better -- more punch, imaging, and gutsy. Feedback please.
dramapsycho

Showing 3 responses by g_m_c

g_m_c
443 posts
 
if you can afford it, go to tom ports site http://www.dccblowout.com/
he sold me an amazing copy of aja (as well as all of the dan's portfolio). there is no comparison.
he has also found great copies of supertramp.
get on there and read his discription of aja on cisco, mfsl, and his found copies.

http://www.dccblowout.com/search_adv.aspx?sp=steely+dan+aja&option=s_name&min_price=&max_price=&manuf=&cate=&so=3
g_m_c
443 posts
 
Dramapsycho, my pleasure. Tom Port, the owner of Better Records, is very knowledgeable and opinionated. He is also controversial. There is a lot to read there. The records can be very expensive, and many here would never spend hundreds of dollars on a record even though tens of thousands often get spent on equipment. I am trying to get to the immediacy of great artists and their masterpieces. A great stereo with mediocre music gets you nowhere. Tom has gotten me there with his amazing pressings. I have never been disappointed.
g_m_c
443 posts
 
Audiofeil- have you ever played and compared one of Tom Port's hot stampers, or you just that all-knowing?

Mapman- 400 x 10 minutes to clean each copy, say 15 minutes of play time for each per copy to compare times maybe a 1000 spins total to narrow it down to the best copy... add the time to find and buy each copy... do the math... and you are still not guaranteed to find a great copy. I don’t have the time or patience to do it and besides, I would hate the album after that effort.

The poster asked "So, which is the ONE COPY of this album that is THE MUST HAVE?" The best usually costs more, right?

Have any of you naysayers had a BAD experience with Tom Port? Have any of you nay sayers even tried one? There is a money back guarantee! Try one and then get back her and give us an opinion with some legitimate evidence to back up your statements. Or, are you all just that all-knowing?
More to discover