@tablejockey- LZ1 was my original entry point to Zep at the time it was released and though there are some tracks on II that I like, the band’s first album is really the one I’m most attached to since it is very much blues based.
Sadly, I don’t think any of the releases of Zep are "audiophile" quality. Among the copies I have of LZ1 are an early UK plum (not a turquoise lettered cover, I’d have to look at the deadwax, but early); the Hoffman forum fav, which is Piros remaster done in the mid-’70s- lot’s of discussion on the SH forum if that interests you- pressed at Monarch as I recall; and among, others, the Classic 45, as well as my go-to, which is (or was) a relatively cheap option. That is, the 2nd Japanese pressing (I think the third pressing may use the same parts and may be a repressing but can’t be sure without digging).
That Japanese copy does achieve a clarity without harshness that cuts through the muddiness of virtually every copy of LZ1 I’ve heard. The Classic 45 (and I think I have the Classic 33 as well, it’s been a while since I dug through the "Zep shelf" here) does have more "air" but to my ears, sounds a little more modern, tipped up in the highs, more midrange detail than the usual old copy. Still, that old Japanese copy is a winner and though I haven’t priced it recently, is probably still far cheaper than some of the uber copies.
On LZII, my go-to has been an RL for a while- it took several copies to find one that was truly clean playing- now people are asking $350 for what they admit amount to noisy, trashed copies. The alternatives include the UK plum (a good listen, but now expensive too). I have not listened to the Classic 45 of LZII.
It would be great if Chad could get licensed to reissue the Bernie G. cuts and make them available in sufficient quantity, quality and at a price that most could afford. I passed on the road case at the time, and remember some of the QC problems Hobson had, partly due, I think, to his move to 200 gram vinyl and flat profile. He certainly filled a gap, despite some of those issues, before the Resurgence of Vinyl.™
Sadly, I don’t think any of the releases of Zep are "audiophile" quality. Among the copies I have of LZ1 are an early UK plum (not a turquoise lettered cover, I’d have to look at the deadwax, but early); the Hoffman forum fav, which is Piros remaster done in the mid-’70s- lot’s of discussion on the SH forum if that interests you- pressed at Monarch as I recall; and among, others, the Classic 45, as well as my go-to, which is (or was) a relatively cheap option. That is, the 2nd Japanese pressing (I think the third pressing may use the same parts and may be a repressing but can’t be sure without digging).
That Japanese copy does achieve a clarity without harshness that cuts through the muddiness of virtually every copy of LZ1 I’ve heard. The Classic 45 (and I think I have the Classic 33 as well, it’s been a while since I dug through the "Zep shelf" here) does have more "air" but to my ears, sounds a little more modern, tipped up in the highs, more midrange detail than the usual old copy. Still, that old Japanese copy is a winner and though I haven’t priced it recently, is probably still far cheaper than some of the uber copies.
On LZII, my go-to has been an RL for a while- it took several copies to find one that was truly clean playing- now people are asking $350 for what they admit amount to noisy, trashed copies. The alternatives include the UK plum (a good listen, but now expensive too). I have not listened to the Classic 45 of LZII.
It would be great if Chad could get licensed to reissue the Bernie G. cuts and make them available in sufficient quantity, quality and at a price that most could afford. I passed on the road case at the time, and remember some of the QC problems Hobson had, partly due, I think, to his move to 200 gram vinyl and flat profile. He certainly filled a gap, despite some of those issues, before the Resurgence of Vinyl.™