Janis Ian "Breaking Silence" 45RPM 2 disc reissue

Just thought it worth posting my impressions on the new Chad Kassem/Analogue Productions 45RPM QRO two disc set. As this is a well known reference disc many of us have high hopes that this is the "one" to own.

Unfortunately while there’s a lot to like in this set I’m afraid that, at least to this listener, it still falls short of the original (numbered) AP 33RPM issue. I have a very well loved copy of this issue and have tried the other more recent 33RPM pressings which fall well short. What makes this a great disc (other than the music) is the unforced and natural vocal and instrumental presentation as well as the way it spans from very intimate passages to string dynamics, often in the same track. For many years I have used "Walking on Sacred Ground" and "Tattoo" as some of my main reference tracks.

The new 2 disc set is very nicely presented, flat and clean vinyl and nice packaging. This is supposedly a limited release but is not numbered. The vinyl is very quiet but what strikes you immediately is that (unlike many 45RPM issues) this is mastered at a lower level than the original 33RPM. In fact overall it’s a very clean, open but rather polite disc. Some things, especially subtle detail in the bass, seem better but many things are worth. Mainly what seems to be completely absent is all the very high frequency air and room acoustic and/or reverb detail. As a result the 45RPM sounds rather flat and lifeless compared to the original. The vocal in particular while clear and less sibilant than the original lacks the extra realism that comes from hearing all teh details of breathing.

By any normal standards it’s a great disc but whether through the deterioration of the master tapes or decisions taken in mastering this one is not going to replace an original numbered 33RPM. From memory I’d say it’s better than a current 33RPM but I haven’t got one of those on hand for comparison.

So if you don’t have this on vinyl by all means try the 45RPM but if you have the original that’s probably still the one to keep

ps as this one is also available on tape I'd love to hear what anyone who owns that thinks?

pps there's a small possibility some of the above could be partly due to differences between a 180g and 200g record weight and effect on VTA/SRA -- I'd be surprised however as my cartridge while sensitive has never proven to be this sensitive ... maybe I'll try a hairs adjustment