This is an interesting thread. Like a lot of collectors I sometimes find it difficult to find a particular performance/pressing in nm condition at the local area.
There is always ebay and often times I resort to ebay to source particular performances on particularlabels. But this can be sometimes costly and sometimes risky.
For that reason I was happy to read a positive on the Dvorak Symph No. 2 from Classic Recs. So I surfed over to "the music.com" and ordered one online. Price was about $34.00 plus ship. OK so far. The record arrived to my door within 5 days of placing the order and in perfect condition.
The pressing itself from Classic Records appears to be a very good one. No obvious defects. Nice enough reproduction of the outer jacket and artwork. It plays quiet. Very quiet. All in all a nice pressing from Classic Records. Kudos.
Then, a week later, I happened to drive by a local record store on my way home from work. I had some time so I stopped in and started flipping through the bins. Lo and behold! What did I turn up but LSC 2489, Dvorak Symphony No. 2, Monteux/London Symphony Orchestra. nm/nm. Sometimes, luck is with us.
So I brought it home, cleaned it using Disc Doctor and gave it a spin. Because I already had the 180g from Classic Recs I was able to make some a/b comparisons.
In this case, I agree with Kennyb. The original has a better sense of, as Kennyb puts it: "string tone and tonal colors".
I'm spinning on a home brew TT (belt driven w/AC synchronous motor)and Graham 2.2tonearm fitted with an Ortofon Jubilee MC cartridge. With this little rig I can easily adjust vta to accommodate the individual record. I did notice that there was a different setting required for each of the above two records to fully flesh out tonal balance and optimize textures and detail. About 1-1/2 marks difference on the Graham vta scale seemed to do it.
So with this measure of care, I was still able to ascertain that the original pressing offers better tone and textures. In particular violins, violas, cellos. Those frequency ranges.
I don't mean to speak negatively of the Classic Records remaster on this performance. It is great to have this option. But once in a while we get lucky and score a nice original copy. In this case, my ears prefer the original. Besides, it is a true pleasure to discover an old shaded dog pressing, in the wild, so to speak, and still in near mint condition. It doesn't happen that often, in my experience.
-Steve
