Shout out for Better Records

Absolutely, you can go to used record stores just like Tom does, buy a bunch of pressings of a title, go home and clean them, and listen to see if there is a "hot stamper" in the bunch. I have done just this with Heart Dreamboat Annie, some Cat Stevens titles, and others. If you have the time and patience to do this, you can approximate what Tom does. And if he lists a hot stamper, it gives you hope that some do indeed exist. However, as a record dealer for many years, I am sure Tom is a lot more familiar with which pressings sound best, and furthermore, I don't have the time to do this often. I just pay him to do this for me. I have never bought his really expensive hot stampers, just the ones listed for between $50 and $200. I figure I am getting darn close to his best anyway. I can tell you that I tried for years to find a better-sounding pressing of Steely Dan Katy Lied to no avail and thought such a thing didn't exist. I loved this record but hated the bland and mediocre sound. When I reluctantly bought one of Tom's hot stampers I couldn't believe it. It sounded like a completely different recording, so much so that I thought it had come from a different master or recording session, or that somehow Tom was treating the records in some way. Not all of the HS pressings are that dramatically better, but on certain recordings it makes a serious improvement in the sound.

Rlawry

I agree. ABC Dunhill put out some incredibly bad copies of Steely Dan. Along with RCA and Bowie, I can't tell you how many poor copies I have heard.

I am personal friends with Skunk Baxter and he told me that their albums rarely approximated the level of playing in the studio. I have heard copies of the masters at his home and they are exceptional. I am glad to hear you have a great copy--I seem to only find the less than great ones. I have a Platinum Plus reissue that is the best one (probably B+) in my possession but I keep believing that there must be better copies out there. It appears one lies in your collection!!!:)

Maria: he was a crack alto sax man who died in 2004. He started playing in 1943 in NYC with Glen Miller, came West with Nelson Riddle and Sinatra, played on many seminal Jazz albums in the 1950's, then transferred over to live TV in the 1960's, and was active until the day he died at 78. You can probably put two and two together. Because I have his last name, I prefer to remain anonymous.

PS: none of his three sons inherited his gift. I have had a very successful event and staging career to stay close to live music. Like you, I have love to dig. Don't buy the hype--it is very hard to find great recordings with vinyl. Best to trust your ears and make friends. My album collection averages $4 per record and I have many West Coast store owners who know my tastes and set aside nice product.