One more format would have been the short lived video disc, not sure about music on them. I was not trying to make this a contest, LOL. It is more about a favorite piece of music and evolution of formats over time. Being 72, I have been buying music for 60 years... how did I get this old?
What album have you bought in the most different formats.
As I reflected on my musical journey, it occurred to me that I have owned one recording in the following formats over time:
Album original release
Cassette - prerecorded
Cassette - recorded from my vinyl
Reel to reel (recorded on my own R2R from vinyl)
Reel to Reel 4 channel - prerecorded purchase
CD
SACD
And NO, I never did 8 track
Also I now own the recording of the entire tour from which the original vinyl was created
The album - Live at the Fillmore East, by the Allman Brother Band
Does anyone have a similar attachment to a singular musical release?
Album original release
Cassette - prerecorded
Cassette - recorded from my vinyl
Reel to reel (recorded on my own R2R from vinyl)
Reel to Reel 4 channel - prerecorded purchase
CD
SACD
And NO, I never did 8 track
Also I now own the recording of the entire tour from which the original vinyl was created
The album - Live at the Fillmore East, by the Allman Brother Band
Does anyone have a similar attachment to a singular musical release?
17 responses Add your response
@stereo5 , "That makes 16 versions. Is it a new world record?" It might be. The only other album I can think that might have as many versions is Kind of Blue, but I’ve not heard of anyone having 16 variants of it! (unless there’s someone over on the Steve Hoffman music forums)... I mean I must have had 3 versions of KOB and 3 of DSOTM and 3 of Led Zep IV (the best was the last). Maybe this is another trait of being an audiophile, multiple copies of the same album. Although I guess it’s partly unavoidable if you’ve been around long enough due to regular changing of the formats. Just how many have there been? Here’s the ones that I know of. 78 LP (45 rpm LP) Cassette R2R 8 track CD / SACD / DVD - Audio / Blu-ray Minidisc MP3 Download / HD download I wonder if we’ve finally reached the end of the format road? |
I have no attachment to it, haven’t heard it in years, but I do have Bob Dylan’s Blood on Tracks. Cassette (prerecorded) CD SACD MiniDisc LP I will get an 8-Track once I run into it despite not having an 8-track player. Elvis Presley’s Moody Blue... LP 1977 (mint condition) LP 1977 (unopened, bought it as a back-up should anything happen to the first one) LP (1970’s European release) LP 2017 LP 2013 (Kevin Gray) CD I never listen to any of those records. If ever, then DSD rip (128) of LP 2013. |
I have several albums in pre-recorded 4 track reel to reel (7-1/2 ips); LP; SACD; CD 1. Original Moody Blues, Go Now, https://www.discogs.com/The-Moody-Blues-Go-Now-Moody-Blues-1/release/1540468 piano based blues, Mike Pinder's voice, before Justin Hayward. The dynamically played piano on some tracks is muddy on both LP and CD, but sounds terrific on R2R 2. Iron Butterfly, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida https://www.discogs.com/sell/item/1142627292?ev=bp_img on the R2R you can hear 'In the Garden of Eden' here and there 3. Beatles, Sgt Pepper's https://www.discogs.com/The-Beatles-Sgt-Peppers-Lonely-Hearts-Club-Band/release/9269315 R2R, You hear subtleties in John's voice, Paul's superbly expressive bass playing, things your ears never caught before. My nephew, a musician cried. 4, others of course, I had over 500 R2R, sold 150, been deep into LP last year now that you mention it, I'm gonna spend some Christmas money on a few R2R if I can find them. |
I would also mention the best sounding, to me at the time, was the dedicated 4 channel R2R. Having seen them in concert on that tour, it captured the moment. I later abandoned that format due to lack of product. In retrospect, too many pieces needed, Main amplifier, rear channel amplifier, four speakers and R2R for discrete input as opposed to "mixed" sound for effect. |
Sophisticated Beggar - Roy Harper, in order of SQ. Original 1967 vinyl - raw, detailed, and transparent. CD 1994 reissue - Sounds good, like original record but with slightly decreased soundstage. Remastered 2019 vinyl - cleaned up but transparency and soundstage removed in digital processing. Tidal Hi- Fi 2019 - A zombie clone of the original. Lifeless. |
Post removed |
Abbey Road Cassette - hissy sound but I loved it Vinyl - late 70s UK pressing, pretty good Picture Disc - couldn’t resist, couldn’t really listen to it either. Surface noise. CD - 1987 UK - ok but not much more CD - 2019 version - good but different I’ve heard other versions too, including the famous Japanese Black Triangle CD. There’s not much in it, but that’s my current favourite digital edition as it’s closest to the UK original vinyl. |