Half speed masters. Are they worth the extra scratch?

Ok just looked up better-records.com. Thanks to maestro MC.

Could not agree with them more; too many variables with vinyl and the only way to tell if a recording is superior is to play it. But, ouch those prices; although it does make sense if you account for the many hours they must spend finding and selecting recordings.

Not only the prices, but also the only reason for buying one is sound quality. They are not dead quiet. They are all used. Sometimes they are quite noisy. But, the sound! This is where we separate the men from the boys. The wanna-bees will listen and say there is hardly any difference. This tells me far more about their system and/or their listening ability than anything. Because I have more than a dozen of these now and every single one is head and shoulders better than anything else I have, vintage or reissue or otherwise. Only rare exceptions like Patricia Barber 1Step, while it is dead quiet and an amazing recording still it is not quite the pressing level of a White Hot Stamper.  

This is where it is so important to be able to understand and keep separate all the different aspects and areas that contribute to, or detract from, a great pressing. There is the recording, as in what is on the master tape. Then there is the mastering, which can be done different ways from the same original master tape. Then there is the pressing run, which is all the records produced from any given stamper. (And even this is sidestepping some steps- many stampers can be made.) Finally there is the pressing, the individual LP you hold in your hand. Each and every one of these is unique and individual. This is why if you understand all this it almost makes no sense even to ask questions like is the 45, or the half-speed mastered, or whatever worth it. You will learn the answer one way only, and that is to be listening when the needle drops.

I have purchased a number of half-speed mastered albums over the years, I’m guessing a dozen or 20. Most 33 1/3 rpm versions... most were noticeably better fidelity and to me worth it. But it has mostly to do with your values... I find now with streaming being so comperable to my vinyl that I probably will not buy any more new.

In the early days of half-speed mastering, companies like Mofi obtained copies of the original master tapes. Over time these master tapes deteriorate with print through and delamination problems, and so now many half-speed 180 gram records are produced from digital copies made by the record companies to protect their analogue archives. In many cases I have found the original pressings superior to the newer "versions" - buyers need to purchase from reputable sources - beware !! Try to seek out Nimbus pressings for Hi-Fi Today magazine (on eBay), these are genuine half-speed masters using the original master tapes and virgin vinyl. Good hunting !!! I bought all but two of the originals when they were first offered to readers, so I am on the lookout to complete my set.

Ok, just purchased my first better-records.com "hot-stamper" records.

Time to put my ears, brain and equipment to the test. Can't wait to start listening when the needle drops...

Great thread.  MillerCarbon, great explanation of how this works.  It is, as you say, contrary to the notion that you generally want tape speed to roll fast--i.e. think VCRs or reel-to-reel--faster taping speed the better.  Here, we're dealing with something different. This makes great sense the way you explained it.