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Best sounding Beatles albums

I'm looking for Beatles on vinyl to replace the original pressing records my aunt lent me some years ago (She wants 'em back, so to speak). I was going to go for some of the new Japanese pressings but after reading reviews from Fremer, etc. I am thinking this is not the best route.

Does anyone know what the best sounding pressings are (not the individual titles) and where to get them? Also if anyone has info on how much they should go for that would be helpful too.

As always, thanks fellow A'goners for any useful info. THis continues to be a great sight and forum.

Chris
cmo
bongofury
1,160 posts
 
Try better records (dccblowout.com). Tom Port constantly reviews Beatles product and a great source for info.
vinylrowe
31 posts
 
I also prefer the Parlophone Blue Box. I have a number of the later Beatles on MFSL and initially they sound quite impressive. However I found that "the mix" seemed to differ a fair bit from the Parlophone set. The MFSL dynamics in particular are fairly spectacular and the bass and lower registers are a little too overpowering----great if you want to hear Ringo! Its almost like the engineer was "riding" the gain Also the vocals were noticeably different in not a pleasant way. A colleague of mine brought over original Parlophone (France) stereo LP's and these were unbelievably good. The good news is that the Blue Box Parlophone set was close---tonally very similar just not as resolute.

I would look for a good copy of the Beatles Blue Box.
cmo OP
471 posts
 
Since I first posted this question (almost four years ago) I have experimented with a lot of different Beatles titles. IMHO the best sounding are the original (1st pressing if you can) mono Parlophone's from the UK...... They are hard to find (and even harder to find a deal on), but it's kinda fun to track them down. In the end, I really like these better than the MFSL or Japanese pressings I have.

CHris
cbmc
2 posts
 
The MSFL definitely tend to have a sort of "smiley" EQ. The bass (Especially on Abbey Road)" does tend to be over emphasized while lacking in the midrange. This really tends to hurt the vocals. I will say though, that I still think that some of the early recordings sound pretty good on MFSL, up to and including Rubber Soul. I have not got to hear all the Parlphone records (just don't have the money). But I do find that the MFSL sounds better then a lot of the capitol releases. Just my 2 cents.
wildoats
339 posts
 
I'm having a good laugh about all this. Everything and nothing is the best or not. Does anyone want to hear the original master tapes as they were originally done (mostly mono) without any crap added or subtracted, as the BEATLES intended, (warts and all as John said)??? Listen to the Stones sacd's. Can't we have the BEATLES like that ?? I'm 53 and counting. others are older than I !!!
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