"New" Beatles Mono Catalog Release on 180gr Vinyl

Here's a link to an interview with Mono mastering engineer Sean Magee:

http://www.digitaltrends.com/music/what-its-like-to-remaster-the-beatles-for-vinyl/

Two years ago, when it became apparent that the stereo reissue of these Beatles albums were mastered from 24/44.1Khz masters, I started snatching up what I could find among the used albums, coming away with "The Beatles Second Album," "Something New" in mono, a Parlophone stereo version of "Help!" and a Capitol mono pressing of "Sgt Peppers."

Today I took delivery of my order of the new EMI mono LPs from the analog masters. I didn't get the box set, but got everything individually except "Help," MMT, and the White Album. What I have is incredible and exceeded my expectations in every aspect. I'm really surprised how subterranean the noise floor is and how extended the bandwidth is. If I had it to do over I wish I'd just gotten the entire box set. As good as my "Help" (Parlophone), MMT, and white albums are, based on what I've heard, I suspect those new ones are better.

I had a chance to compare side one of the new Rubber Soul mono
release with my Japanese stereo version cut from a digitally
remastered copy of the original tape, so it says. While it
was a relief to be rid of the distracting hard panning of the
stereo, the mono cuts were compressed to the point that I
could not discern the slightest level change. It seemed like a
pure AM radio mix from the old days. The only reason I can
see this being done with this audiophile release is that the
original masters were like that. I mean - really leveled. In
any case, I'm not unhappy with my $23 purchase. I've spent a
lot more on less. The mono release is more
enjoyable to listen to than my stereo version and it is
definitely not bright. While I've only heard this one record,
in all honesty, I don't see what the fuss is about, unless
you're a diehard Beatles fan that wants to know they have the
closest thing to the original master. Like a historical thing.
That's cool, I guess.

I have cleaned and listened to "Please Please Me". From my limited experience with "good" Beatles lps, this is the best I've heard of this title. "I Saw Her Standing There", all of the vocalists are (each) easy to hear, the drums and bass guitar are very relevant.

Being a mono record in my stereo set-up, I'm very pleased. Some mono records in this set-up give me the impression of a false boundary between the speakers, like there is a definite cut-off point "a wall" (as far as soundstage width) that is present. I don't get that feeling here. While it isn't "stereo" wide, it just seems natural.

According to the enclosed book, the monos are from analog masters. There is a lot of information on the history of these recordings in the enclosed book.

The vinyl so far is quiet. This title, (PPM), is dished, and upon inspection I believe some others are also.

Sgt. Peppers has the band/title printed upside down on the spline. Don't know if this was the authentic way?

As good as PPM sounds, I can't wait to get a mono cartridge in the future.

I should have mentioned that on PPM, the dynamics are pretty amazing as far as my experience w/ Beatles & mono is concerned. The ambient information, and sustain on vocals & instruments are darn good.