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Blue Note reissues

I became a serious vinyl convert less than a year ago and ever since have been buying records regularly to enlarge my collection. I listen almost exclusively to jazz and buy new reissues of jazz releases, most of them on Blue Note, but also Prestige, Riverside and Columbia.

To say that I am disappointed by the quality of the vinyl is an understatement. Virtually every record is warped, which I can live with, reluctantly. A bigger problem is the distortion that becomes more and more prevalent on reissues. It's a short buzzing sound, which sounds kind of like the sound of lost airwaves on the radio but higher in pitch. I know it's not my cart as I have records that sound perfect, and it's in the the same spot on faulty records so it must be a quality issue with transfer and manufacture.
I also own quite a few used original pressings or old reissues and none of them have a similar defect, which leads me to believe that it is a current problem with quality control. It is extremely frustrating as I've spent thousands of dollars on my rig and record cleaning machine only to spin warped records that sound distorted.

I know this topic has been discussed many times here on A-gon but I would actually like to do something about it. I know many designers and manufacturers read the forum, but it seems not record companies' reps as it's not getting any better. As a community of many thousands who pay a lot of money to indulge in our hobby and passion, I think we should be able to exert some level of pressure on companies like Blue Note to release products of high quality. I'm open to ideas and suggestions. Where I could, I emailed the record company, but Blue Note for example has not contact info at all. Also, I'm afraid single emails won't do much.
actusreus
actusreus OP
733 posts
 
Ditto on KOB, the "audiophile" 180 or 200 gr pressing. I think the volume drop is on the original recording as it's the same on the CD but not the distortion.

Doug's explanation is right on the money and fits perfectly. I now use the Lyra Delos with the VPI Classic and the same albums produce the same distortion in the same passages as with my previous Soundsmith Aida/Scout combo; there is no way it's the cartridge misalignment or mistracking (unless the mistracking is caused by faulty vinyl!).

I recently caved in and bought a $11 Blue Note reissue of Lee Morgan's "Sidewinder" with a CD version inside. The release was absolutely unlistenable; not only warped but had horrible distortion throughout side 1. I sold it for $5 at my local record store to cut my losses. But I'd like to get a Blue Note executive to listen to this record and ask him in person what he thinks about the quality.
dre_j
159 posts
 
I had some time this evening to listen so I pulled out both the SACD and Classic 33 1/3 reissue of KOB. I first played the SACD and the opening and closing saxophone sections of the first cut "KOB" by Coltrane and Adderley played cleanly. I then played the LP and it also played cleanly but with much more space and low level detail. I think I got a good pressing since there was no breakup at all. I also played the ending to "Blue In Green" where miles is playing muted. Again it also played back cleanly.

I'll count this one as a lucky pressing.

Dre
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
IIRC, the copy we were listening to was an original. It wasn't mine or I'd have it out playing again. Maybe it got cleaned up in the reissues?

BTW, I'm still impressed with my Music Matters reissues. They're pricey, but not so much when you consider the quality of the vinyl and the jackets and the photos.
doctorcilantro
59 posts
 
Interesting. I have a SS Voice on the way, and after meticulous setup I will try again with the re-issue blue vinyl KOB. I hear that break-up on many versions, even CD in my FLAC collection (not sure which it is yet).
dougolsen's avatar
dougolsen
29 posts
 
A friend of mine moved to France and I have been receiving all of his Music Matters and Acoustic Sounds Blue Note reissues. Before forwarding them on to him, I examined and listened to every one so if any were defective I could secure a replacement from here in the States. Every LP is perfect, no issues whatsoever. And of course they sound superb and I wish I could afford to subscribe to these reissues.

While that is testimony to Music Matters and Acoustec reissues, I regularly receive other reissues that are warped, buzz, click and pop. Or, are so poorly remastered that they sound strident or compressed. Ray Brown's "Soular Energy" from Pure Audiophile Records was unbearably bright and an email to them went unanswered...of course.

This applies to new issues as well. I've been thru four copies of Stanley Clark's "Jazz In The Garden", from Heads UP label, to get one free of problems. Why should that be?

It is disconcerting and frustrating that several new LP's I have purchased in the last year are (censored) up for one reason or another. The buyers of vinyl and their dealers must endure the consequences of poor quality control. I'm weary of the "throw it against the wall and see what sticks" mentality of manufacturers who produce LP's that require me to take a chance every time I buy one. It should not be "like a box of chocolates:!!!

Bottom line? I agree completely with Actusreus but we are probably too small a number to make a case.
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