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Why do my rolling stones albums sound bad?

When I first got into vinyl a few years ago, I purchased a few stones albums. I thought they sounded good at the time but now that I have collected quite a few more records the stones albums sound bad in comparison. A few that stand out to me are the sticky fingers re-issue by mobile fidelity and let it bleed by abkco circa 2003.I am really disappointed with both of those.
The MoFi pressing sounds like the vocals are in the background and it sounds overall muddy. This surprised me because of all the MoFi pressing I own of various artist, this stones album is the only one I was not satisfied with. Really sub par compared to the rest of their work I have. I don't own the original so I can't compare the two. I would hope the original sounds much better.
The abkco pressing is a DSD. I didn't know this at the time of purchase or I might have avoided it. I do own a few other DSD pressings of other artist and they sound pretty good. Let it bleed from abkco (2003) sounds like mick is singing underwater. The instruments sound really flat in this one as well.
I also own hot rocks from abkco (2003) which is also a DSD. It sounds a bit better than the let it bleed album but still nothing to be impressed with.
I thought the MoFi pressing would sound better because it is mastered from the original tapes and done AAA. In my opinion it has the worst sound quality of the pressings mentioned here.
I would love to have some stones albums that sound great but, I have been reluctant to purchase any more of them for fear of getting the same sound quality of the other pressings. Are there stones albums out there that sound really good? I want something I can be impressed with. What would you guys and gals suggest. What stones albums do I need to be on the lookout for. Thanks in advance.

Andy
andyprice44
tablejockey
3,905 posts
 
Man,this quarantine must be getting to us...
8 year old thread. We listen to Stones albums(LP's) because it's the Stones, not the for the SQ.
R&R live albums are always a crap shoot. I don't however, hear the bass as "muddy" on my period press.
sdrsdrsdr
196 posts
 
I also agree about Emotional Rescue. Best sounding Stones album I think. And yes.  very underrated. Listening on a good system to Ron Wood and Richard’s guitar intertwine together on that record is awesome. Yes. I’m a guitar player. On a good system it’s a very exciting album to listen to. Every track. Let it bleed Decca is decent but not great. Great album though. Haven’t tried many monos  yet. Got a mono cartridge and need to find a couple. My December’s Children mono is completely worn out. Been playing that one since I was about 9 years old. As tears go by has decent presence in Mick’s vocals. I was really looking forward to my excellent seats for the stones in Vancouver. I really hope they will reschedule. 
jazdoc
365 posts
 
"Down In The Hole" from Emotional Rescue is one of my favorite Stones songs and very well recorded.  

I've picked up an original UK pressing of "Exile on Main Street" and it is revelatory.  It's actually a pretty good recording and worth every penny.
ltmandella's avatar
ltmandella
153 posts
 

I owned the MOFI Box Set LPs pressings that were 1/2 mastered.  They sounded like crap also, sold the set to a dealer at a loss.

I also have 7 or 8 SACDs, and the GRR! BluRay.

The SACDs also sound like lofi crap.

Only the BluRay sounds decent.  

 

 

 

tablejockey
3,905 posts
 

Nothing has changed in the 10 years this thread started or since  a particular album mentioned was released.

Rolling Stones and most R&R LP's are meant to enjoyed for the musical content, certainly not "audiophile" SQ standards.

Only requirement is playing it LOUD. It does of course help if you have a decent setup and CLEAN period presses-mono for me if we're takin pre-70's albums.

 Ironically, as a life long LP disciple, I do find my early 2000 ABKO CD releases to sound quite good.

 

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