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Half speed masters. Are they worth the extra scratch?

I just purchased a Dire Straits Brothers in Arms half speed master. I'm using a Pioneer PL530 TT. Can this album be played successfully on my TT? I put it on 45 rpm but there is no way to tell if it is spinning at the right speed. The speed control is working but not keeping a steady reading like when I play a normal 33 record. It sounds good but I'm wondering if they should be played on a different table. Also is it worth it to pay extra money for these? I payed 50$ for this album. Thanks for any information.
knighttodd
slaw's avatar
slaw
20,458 posts
 
Generally lumping all half-speed masters in a bucket is not a valid question. Too many variables to consider.
hickamore
568 posts
 
Like Beatles White Album, this one had no official title and later became known by the dominant cover color. FM's very first album, from the original Peter Green iteration a decade earlier and a continent away, was their only strictly eponymous release. Both "White Albums" became so known in the same way as "Led Zep IV," which in context makes much more sense than "FM 10" would have for a total restart.

glupson
7,842 posts
 
"And then there is DMM."

Are you referring to Direct Metal Master? If so, I do have Beatles for Sale DMM and it may be the worst sounding record I own.
Post removed 
hickamore
568 posts
 
If we take it as given that White Hot Stamper will beat all the others, I'll need another $5 outlay on the vinyl section to find out. But then we always need some excuse or other, eh? Even if Significant Others find our reasons incomprehensible.
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