I never found the reverb on the '95 Ryko versions of FO, WOIIFTM and LG particularly offensive but when I got them all on original US Verve I did (and still do) prefer the drier original mixes. Some of the editing and separation just sounds...... well, sharper?
I'm also a stickler for original things like the uncut "Girl!" at the end of You Didn't Try to Call Me and the slightly extended fade out of Go Cry.
As for Absolutely Free, I had that on CD first. The previous issue to the '95 Ryko release. When I then got a nice original US Verve Stereo copy I thought it sounded almost identical but lacked the umph that the CD had.
I'd say that was true for all of the above. I decent turntable and pick-up can do wonders for that though.
It's relevant to add that I go for all original lps of this era - UK Hendrix Track etc..... It then became a way of life and for me, the pleasure is all about having the absolute original mix. Nothing beats the UK mono mix for example of Axis Bold As Love. It is f@cking outstanding.
Anyway, back to Zappa. I have never heard and never want to hear the CD version of UM as I have only heard bad things about it on this forum. The original Bizarre realease with the blue and green labels sounds unlike anything that I have heard, let alone for '69. The sound is crystal clear and dry as Gandhi's flip-flop.
Not quite a comparison I know but, I cannot imagine Weasels sounding better on CD. Take Directly From My Heart to You. F@ck me! The sound is again so damned good on the original RSLP release. Many of the instrumentation on those tunes leaps off the vinyl and fills the room. There's an underlying bassy hum that CD's cannot reproduce.
My copy of Burnt Weeny on UK Steamboat however is not in the same category but has it's own great sound and atmosphere. I listened to an audio version the other day on youtube (which one would assume was uploaded from the '95 Ryko release) and Holiday Full Blown had been totally messed with in my opinion. Zappa had brought right to the front various parts of the percussion that were far too loud and the two drummer interplay that was perfectly separated on the original mix was destroyed. That was a masterpiece in every respect on the original vinyl.
Someone earlier mentioned the loss of perfect separation on Chungas (was in Jaypfunk?).
Shame, because again that's what attracts me to the originals (in general).
Most of the rest of my Zappa collection I have only ever had on vinyl and the '80's orchestral stuff and Francesco Zappa and all of the posthumus releases I obviously have on CD
Not quite a comprehensice comparison but something that I feel quite passionate about -there is my 2 cents worth.
Oh, and finally..... I grew up to know HR on original RSLP vinyl and when I started listening to my Dad's '80's CD I heard loads of differences. You all know about those though.
When I was buying my latest hi-fi separates I took my vinyl Hot Rats to demo. Mainly because I knew how it sounded on my then currrent set up but also because I knew just how those opening bars of Peaches made the hairs on my neck and arms stand up. Something I cannot say for the CD.
That lovely 'grunting noise' of the guitar right before Beefheart sings at the beginning of Wille the Pimp doesn't sound as good on the CD either. It rumbles your stomach on the original as it leaps out from the vinyl.
They always seem to tweak things like this for CD mastering and it takes away so much (for me that is).
The CD version of Peaches has all sorts of little differences too. Why oh why?
All those poor people that do not have the enjoyment of the originals.......
PS. I can vouch for that strange little bit of out of synchness on BSDMI on the original mono version of AF. I haven't listened to it in over 10 years but I do have a copy
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