Large Classical Record Dealers

Rushton:

I have a question specifically about collecting versus listening. I am not interested in collecting really at all. However, I find it difficult to choose between various pressings. For example, I found on Ebay "Beethoven-W.Schneiderhan DGG Tulips stereo" which is also sold at AcousticSounds and listed as a record put out by Speakers Corner (Deutsche Grammophon) and is 180g vinyl. Assuming cost isn't a factor, which of these two versions would work better for a musician interested in sonics and in Schneiderhan's interpretation of the beautiful Beethoven violin concerto? This is a more obvious example, as it's new versus old, as you can imagine, the issue becomes more difficult when talking about imports, etc.

What's wrong with regular size records? Oh, you mean large collections. Try these folks. I've had very good luck with the quality. www.dccblowout.com/index.asp

Hi Mre2007, the question you're struggling to answer is complex and not answered in any simple way or in any way that gives one a consistent formula for case-by-case decisions.

With respect to DGG issues... First, DGG does not have a good track record for making great sounding orchestral recordings, but their earlier recordings are far better than their 1970s and later multi-miked messes. Thus, many DGG records that do have a "tulip" release often have a greater liklihood for being well engineered. But this doesn't mean that the "tulip" pressing is itself the best sounding release.

Sonically, I find the original "tulips" to be lovely in a sweet, highly euphonic way. At the same time, I've found some of the later non-tulip pressings of a tulip-era recording to be sonically preferable to the "tulip" original in terms of detail, transparency and immediacy, even though they often lack the bloom and richness of the tulip. A "tulip" pressing is more "collectible," and for some people it may be sonically preferable if their listening priorities strongly favor that sweeter, richer and more euphonic sound. (My listening priorities place a higher value on a more neutral sonic picture. But don't mistake my biases, I'm also a tubeaholic with all-tube electronics in my home system.)

Similar differences will play out for many different labels. Reissues will NOT always sound better, but neither are original pressing always superior. The mantra that "the earliest pressings have the best sound" very much depends on one's listening priorities. More often, I've found I prefer several other pressings to the very early (pre- mid-60s or so) originals. There will be others who would vehemently disagree with me on this. One simply has to figure out one's listening priorities with respect to all the various trade-offs.

The Speakers Corner reissues will be more neutral than any tulip pressing, with greater detail and improved transient response, and probably much closer to what's on the master tape. I haven't heard this particular Speakers Corner reissue, but I've generally had very good success with their reissues.

FWIW, if I were chosing between purchasing the tulip or the Speakers Corner reissue, I'd take my chances with the Speakers Corner as a safer bet for better sonics. Of course this is all based on my listening priorities and my experience with many SC reissues.

I second E-Bay, albeit it, in the UK. I have never had any major problems, beyond slight disappointment in the surface quality compared with the description. I agree, find an E-Bay online trader you can trust, or a few and stick with them. Another good source is those disposing of a large collection, often through death unfortunately. A pretty obvious rule, the larger the collection the less they will have been played and the better they seem to have been cared for. The point about E-bay is the supply is vast, wait long enough and that rare item you are looking for, will turn up. I agree sometimes an item gets to a crazy price, don't bid on it. For example a relatively rare copy of Mussorsky's opera Khovanschina on Melodya went for £25 2 months ago, it came up again and I got it for £6. I buy from online dealers too, but find them more expensive usually.

Agree with Rushton - the DGG lp's are all over the place in quality. The farther back you go, the more consistent they are, but some of the later issues are the best. They often remastered subsequent pressings of the same recording very differently. I have 3 versions of the Carlos Klieber Beethoven's 5th which are all excellent, but have different attributes - the latest pressing is the one I find to be the superior master.

Being that the DGG's on Ebay though, without being able to preview or easily return it, I think I'd go with the Speaker's Corner version.

A couple of other related vinyl suggestions:

Another Schneiderhan on DGG I can heartily recommend is the Tulips issue of Mozart Concertos #4 and #5, (especially the "Red Stereo" pressing if you can find it). #5 is awesome.

Also if you don't already have it - don't neglect the Francescatti/Walter version of the Beeth on Columbia lp. It's a very nice recording, and all the 2 eye pressings I've heard sound good.