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"New" Beatles Mono Catalog Release on 180gr Vinyl

It looks like the Mono CD Collection from 5 years ago did well enough that the collection is to be re-scrubbed & re-mastered and released on 180-gram vinyl.

Scheduled release date is 09/09/14. Not sure if the September release date has any significance, but apparently the box set is part of Apple Corps 50th Anniversary marketing campaign.

Here's the link to the Rolling Stone Article:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-beatles-in-mono-to-get-lavish-vinyl-release-this-fall-20140616

For vinyl junkies, this looks like a no-brainer.

Personally, I'm on the fence as to whether to pull the trigger, especially given the $375.00 US Suggested Retail for 14 LPs (roughly $26.75 per album).

I have the Mono CD Box and the Limited Edition USB-Rom 24-Bit FLAC Collection (Shipped in its own aluminum Green Apple). I passed on the US-Release CD Box, and the UK Stereo CD & Vinyl Boxes. Still, it IS The Beatles, and adjusted for inflation the pricing is about the same as when I bought the record albums the first time...
courant
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
I personally haven't tried this, but for those hoping to find a reasonably-priced mono cartridge, Grado makes two, the MC+ with conical stylus for $90 and the ME+ with elliptical stylus for $150. Both have replaceable stylii as well.

For those of you with removeable headshells, this would be a smart buy and it would only take a minute or two to swap in the mono cartridge when you want to play Beatles mono pressings or other mono for that matter. In addition to 7 of the 2014 Beatles mono pressings, I also have several '50s-'60s mono classical albums such as orthophonic RCA shaded dogs; it might be worth it for me to get one of these myself.
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,332 posts
 
Mofimadness: I gave it one more shot. The cartridge I was using did have a lot of hours on it so I put my Dyna D3 on for another listen. The overall sound is much better, more open than previously noted, (I still don't think it's in the same league as Sgt. Pepper's regarding the following note): Here's what is different from the other lps in this box, the soundstage is more centrally located, very limited width. This can give the impression of being somewhat veiled as well IMO. Song to song consistency is not as consistent, even compared to "Rubber Soul" IMO.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
I got this for Christmas, and I think it's truly amazing. I've had some of the older Parlophone mono pressing (not in perfect shape to be clear), and have heard the Japanese boxes pretty extensively, and I love my MOFI box, but these are exceptional.

First of all the pressings are ridiculously good, so quiet. I have one side out of all the records that has some noise on it, but the rest are completely silent.

Secondly, many of the albums have a much different sound. Sgt Peppers, Please Please Me, and Revolver are just sublime. Much more pronounced bass line, and kick drum. Also, the vocals on some are obviously different tracks then those on the stereo versions.

Overall just a great job by all involved. I don't usually keep multiple copies of any records, so I would probably sell my sublime MOFI box and keep this, except I would have to give up my MOFI copies of Abbey Road (my personal favorite Beatles album) and Let It Be.

Great job by Apple Records on this.
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,332 posts
 
OK, I put myself out there in a big way by reviewing this set. It seems that a few others disagree on "Revolver". I've made my points. I'd appreciate the opinions of those who still think "Revolver" is one of the better sounding lps in this set. (You're not alone, MF liked it).
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,332 posts
 
I've re-listened to all lps. I have a VPI Classic 3 Sig. SE now (much better than my older rig), and a Ortofon Cadenza Mono.

I'm happy to report that my previous findings are still correct in what I'm now hearing.

"Revolver" is still more closed in regarding the soundstage and "For Sale" is still somewhat compressed in relation to the other lps.

tonykay: As you just read, I have a dedicated mono cart and my findings are the same.

johnnyb53: "Revolver"... I really wasn't overly concerned about the width of the soundstage on this title as an overriding factor. It was in the comparison to the other lps in this box set, that I found "Revolver" to have a more closed in soundstage. My review was in the context of my experiences with my previous Beatles lps vs. all of the lps in the Mono box.

Having said this, I enjoy the other lps more because of their lack of those deficiencies.
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