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Has anyone compared the sound quality of the new Classic Records pressing of Hot Rats to the Old Masters version? I'm curious if the sound quality of one is better than the other. (I know that they are basically the same mix.)

Okay, I am going to answer my own question, given that I just received my own 140g copy of the Classic Records Hot Rats.

The Classic Records LP is drier and crisper than the Old Masters LP.

While the OM LP is very good, it does have a bit of reverb that Frank was fond of using at the time. Unless your sensitive to reverb, it is not particularly noticable, particularly if compared to the CD.

The Classic Records LP, however, sounds like a layer of film has been removed. It has better dynamics and instruments are considerably clearer. I heard a flute in "Son Of Mr. Green Genes". I never heard that before.

The only are where the Old Masters LP bests the Classic Records LP is in the area of surface noise. The Old Masters LP has almost no surface noise. The surface noise on the Classic Records LP is fairly typical. I don't know if the 200g version is better in this regard or not.

For the LP mix of Hot Rats, the Classic Records LP is the best that I have heard. The Old Masters LP is still very good, just not as good.

Thank You!
This will incline me toward getting that sooner rather than later...
I value your research and trust in it's conclusions.
Now what kind of playback mechanism did you use?
blechh, you don't have to answer that if you don't want to.

_________________
" . . . On the outside now . . ."

I'm very happy with my 200-gram copy. It sounds great, and there isn't any surface noise aside from maybe a rare pop here and there. I had been meaning to find a cleaner copy of Hot Rats on vinyl to replace my somewhat noisy LP, so this release was a perfect excuse to finally do it.

Pioneer PL-S30 with a Shure M92E cartridge.

Ain't much but it's mine.

+



= Yummy

If you can find an early pressing on Bizarre Records get it. I compared my Bizarre pressings with the 200 gram Classic which on first listen I thought was better. After comparing though I definitely give the Bizarre #1. Since the Classic has a Barking Pumpkin label it is most likely taken from the later digital remaster and not the analog master tape. I am using a VPI Aries II extended turntable with a Benz LP cartridge and a very good system. Could I live with the Classic, I guess so, but not with the Bizzare copies I have. It's going on ebay today. The clarity some mention, to me, is digititis. If you can find an analog sourced copy get it, clean it well, and you won't be sorry. Mike