Latest bin find.....Elton John

tablejockey, Thanks for your interest. I pulled out my U.S. copy? I write this because it is somewhat interesting in that it has the feel (the outer jacket being of thinner cardboard stock, normally associated with UK pressings but is on the MCA label.) The actual record label is black with white printing. Both of my copies have the several pages of pictorial inserts. The original lp inner sleeve is solid black w/ MCA printed all over in white lettering. I put on side two and the difference was immediate. The soundstage was compressed drastically on this MCA pressing. There is no bloom, no presence, not a trace of the "goodness" that I just heard from my DLM copy. A total let-down! The bass response doesn't rise to the level an audiophile would like to hear on either pressing.

My DJM was full of bloom/air, wide soundstage, musically satisfying, very fulfilling as a listener. I certainly don’t consider it as a jump the shark title, by a long shot! This label is mostly black with yellow highlights. My memory says that even these DJM labels can vary in their looks.

I dig what you are saying about finding my/your own hot stamper.

Slaw, I’m doing laundry right now,so i have downtime to play with my system while in between loads...good time!

I pulled out my copy of "Don't Shoot me"

Mine is a black label MCA, I haven't heard a DJM of this album. This is another I need to find a nice press.

"The actual record label is black with white printing. Both of my copies have the several pages of pictorial inserts. The original lp inner sleeve is solid black w/ MCA printed all over in white lettering."

A closer inspection of my so-so copy-
perhaps an earlier press from yours?...a single,plain looking MCA logo along with the white lettering. Actually sounds good, but random  ticks/stitches throughout.

After giving side 1 a spin, I like this album now, much more than when it was released. Definitely looking for a nicer DJM of this ablum. Or I could wait unti the stamper site has a "white hot" for $800.00!....

I admit I took the plunge on a "Hot Stamper" years ago. CSN&Y "4 Way Street" for $125.00. I want to hear something before I critique it and I figured this title would be a good one since my feeling was it would be difficult to find in good shape. ( If you need a good laugh, listen to the intro to "Don't Let It Bring You Down.)

I find it to be very transparent and has a very nice you-are-there quality. The bass could be more infectious and I wish the soundstage was slightly wider but it was a live recording from the 70's. I really have no regrets on that purchase. To be a regular Better Records customer, I'd have to be an investment banker that had little time for play.

Thinking about my most expensive lp purchases, almost 30 years ago I bought a used MOFI "Aqualung from Elusive Disc for $120.00. I still consider that to be the biggest rip-off I've experienced. Of coarse he had just separated from Chad and I guess had to build capitol. I have a long memory.

My most costly purchase when cost per song is the consideration is the 10" single song lp of Trixie Whitley "I'd Rather Go Blind". I think it was around $23.00 shipped?

Some of the UK DJMs are on semi-translucent vinyl- though it looks like normal black vinyl, if you shine a light behind it, you can see it is a dark, almost blood red color. The preferred pressings, sonically, are, if memory serves, not these translucent ones, which are somewhat later pressings.