Michael Hobson, who ran Classic Records, used to have a blog where he discussed the problems encountered when he switched to 200g flat profile records. The blog is now gone as far as I know- since Chad bought what remained of the company. There were well-documented QC problems with the 200g Classics; my impression was that when Hobson switched from RTI to a smaller manual press (Smith? sorry, can't remember without checking) at around the time he did the Clarity vinyl, most of the problems went away, but I can't say that definitively. The Classics at the time gave audiophiles the chance to buy fresh, unmolested copies of what in some cases were expensive, and hard to find in good condition collectible records. I have a few of the Classics, like the Royal Ballet box cut at 45. I have many of the originals- even in good condition, the US RCAs have a different presentation. They are softer, not as bright, not as much 'detail' in an audiophile sense, but the massed string tone was great. They weren't cheap when I bought them in the late '80s- in fact, the market was 'hot' for these at the time due in part to Sid Marks' columns in The Absolute Sound. I also bought a bunch of the old UKs, but haven't listened to them in decades.
I think Fremer had a listening comparison up at one point- between a modern remaster and an old pressing that he got from Tom Port. The differences were obvious, even over a lowly internet stream. Some people may prefer the more modern sound of the re-dos. Haven't heard the ones Chad is releasing under his moniker. I have enough classical; how about some reggae? :)
I think Fremer had a listening comparison up at one point- between a modern remaster and an old pressing that he got from Tom Port. The differences were obvious, even over a lowly internet stream. Some people may prefer the more modern sound of the re-dos. Haven't heard the ones Chad is releasing under his moniker. I have enough classical; how about some reggae? :)