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Pink Floyd The Wall--Which vinyl?

I have the opportunity to purchase early 80's Japanese vinyl in NM vinyl and Ex cover for about $40. I see that there is a new Capitol remaster for about $44. The new remaster has mixed reviews at Acoustic Sounds but some say it is better than the 80's Japanese and CBS (I think half speed).

Has anyone compared the two? I guess I could by both to compare and maybe sell the loser but I would rather not.
bjbcab
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Nothing surpasses the original UK and US pressings.

Shop around a bit; it's worth the effort.
bjbcab OP
131 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. Some good information to follow up on.

Sonofjim, I am inherently lazy but I will probably do as you suggest and listen to a few versions to see what I like best including the new remaster (which I think is based on a high rez digital master). Reading the above I see that there are different takes on what is best so I probably need to listen for myself. I just hate to take a hit on the new remaster if I don't like it. I guess I could always drop $300 on a super hot stamper. Wow, at that rate my record collection would cost more than most of American's homes!

I remember as a kid in middle school listening to this record over and over. I also remember how good it sounded to me even on my cheap rig. I have a remastered CD, 20th anniversary I think, which sounds very good but it I think it lacks some of the warmth that I expect to get from a vinyl version.
actusreus
733 posts
 
I have three copies of the album, including the reissue, and I agree that it's hard to find a bad sounding pressing of The Wall. The reissue sounds quite good, and I think it's well worth the sticker price, but I do prefer the original pressings. One quibble I have about the reissue is that it was mastered at a lower volume that the original, but otherwise it's superb. It was a welcome change in that it was dead quiet as many used copies are very noisy due to wear-and-tear, but still manage to sound glorious. If the used copy you're looking at is indeed NM I'd say go for it over the reissue.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Hot stampers.

LOL
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
I would lean toward the Japanese, or either of the two Audiofeil mentioned over the reissue. BTW-spending $200 for vinyl is not common practice for me. I've bought many great sounding records for less than $10.00. I paid around $10.00 for the majority of my records, and have many gems in that price range. Do I regret paying $200.00 for my Japanese: The Wall? Not at all, that's why I said go for it at $40.00.
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