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33rpm vs 45rpm - which is better

Growing up, I was a big Peanuts comics fan including Vince Guaraldi’s music.

Recently, a remastered from tape “Great Pumpkin” vinyl was announced in both 331/3rpm and 45rpm, both are a single LP each at Elusive Disc. Both albums have the same number of songs.

It seems that playing slower allows for wider grooves, while faster may mean longer grooves. If so, I’ve no clue which one is better.

Which version offer the best sonics?

 

 

 

kennyc
holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

It’s a crap shoot (I would think).
Maybe get them both and put the less liked one onto Disc cogs?

How much are they?

rsf507
2,239 posts
 

It all depends on many factors but I can tell you I have more great sounding 45 cut LPs than 33.

larryi
3,765 posts
 

If it were a two-record set for the 45 rpm recording, I would expect that to be slightly better.  The reason for 45 rpm albums is for the higher quality (grooves with not as tight turns on the wiggles).  But, if both are done to just two sides, you have to now factor in disadvantages of 45 rpm.  The 45 would require closer spacing of the grooves, or lower cutting level, or cutting closer to the label, or a combination of these compromises.  My guess is that it will be cut much closer to the label.  This means playing where the stylus is farthest from the ideal of perfect tangency to the groove.

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