A simple question really, with apologies if you’ve discussed this before.
My 1970s copy of DSOTM is no longer optimal – frankly it’s knackered. I just put it on, because everyone’s tweeting about it being the 49th anniversary of the album’s release. It was played to death back in the day and it shows.
If I’m looking to replace the vinyl, I can see there are various remixes, half-speed masters, etc.
Which is best? Thanks
hem hem
I dunno about best, but the most recent – 2016 edition – (PFRLP8) remastering was done at Abbey Road from the original tapes, and the vinyl cut by Bernie Grundman.
I have a copy, which I’ve never played, bought in an HMV sale.
I’m sure the Steve Hoffman forum have an opinion. There be monsters!
Generally the answer to this question is “original UK pressing”. Should still be plenty around, but you may pay a premium for a “minty” copy
In terms of dynamic range numbers (which are no more than a rough pointer to sound quality) the 2016 pressing is as good as the 1973 original, and an awful lot cheaper.
Highest vinyl DR is the 1993 US pressing in the die-cut sleeve.
Highest ever DR is the Alan Parsons quad mix Blu-Ray.
The SACD version from 2003 sounds pretty damn good, especially in 5:1 ( it also has a CD layer).
There is plenty on youtube of course, here’s one….
I just watched this after posting, and it turns out my UK early pressing (A3/B3 matrix, fact fans) is his second favourite..! It’s mint too….offers.?!
Thing is, is this really the case? What I mean is, can anyone say why technically an original UK pressing will sound better than a pressing from the US, Germany or Japan made at the same time? Or why it will sound better than a recent reissue that has been digitally remastered?
The usual method was for overseas pressing houses to be given safety copy (second-generation) master tapes, from which a (3rd gen) EQ’d for vinyl tape was made.
Local first pressings would have their (2nd gen) EQ tape made from the first-generation master.
So, for a mixed-at-Abbey-Road-in-the-UK first pressings would have their (2nd gen) EQ tape made from the first-generation master. Which should, in theory – all other things being equal – lead to a better vinyl cut.
I read one review that said the 30th anniversary edition of the album—all-analog and mastered in 2003 by Doug Sax and Kevin Gray is “superior in every way” to the other pressings. I can’t face going to the Hoffman forum. Will see how prices compare on Discogs.
That’s the SACD mastering.
I borrowed the SACD to do a review on here and it sounded pretty good to me.
Tempting to suggest purchasing the SACD (assuming you can play it).
You still have the original LP: with its 12” cover, historical and emotional resonances, fag burns, etc.
Win win!
A lot of Blu-Ray players will play SACDs, and SACDs have a CD layer for ordianry CD players. I have quite a lot of these discs and the CD layers generally sound terrific – the Stones reissues are worth getting, and the early Elton John’s are spectacular to my ears.
Yes. The CD layer on a SACD/CD hybrid disc usually uses the SACD mastering downsampled to 16/44.1.
In other words, the CD layer of a SACD disc often sounds better than the standard CD.
Jesus. We went all Hoffman there for a minute.
Nothing wrong with the Hoffman Forum. I’ve picked up some great tips and learned a lot from various members.
I have also received much good advice from there, but the default tone of the Hoffman forum (set by the great man himself) is sneering, snide and condescending. Unlike other music forums I frequent (including this one) the actual music takes a back seat to a pissing contest about DR numbers and eldritch etchings in run-out grooves.
If I were to believe the Hoffman Forum most of my music collection, despite having given me decades of joy and solace, is unlistenable and a source of shame to me and my family (as is my audio equipment). There is also a worrying love on the forum for 70s and 80s MOR bilge.
Then again, I am the outsider coming into their forum where that is what they want to discuss, so I am always respectful in my interactions. I wouldn’t want to be stuck next to one of their forum elders on a long plane ride, whereas I would be delighted to sit next to an Afterworder.
I get what you say about DR numbers (I’ve taken the piss with some about their obsession) but I haven’t come across anyone being ‘sneering, snide and condescending’ without them being immediately taken to task if they are. As to feeling shame because of the views of some people on the SHF, what!? I hope you state this tongue in cheek because, hmm, I don’t really want to go into that subject.
However I do take note that you describe the musical tastes of some on the SHF as ‘bilge’, an example of the kettle calling the pot.
I’ve found there have been a few on this forum (some gone, some still around) who have raised the hackles of members of this forum. Some no longer come on here because of this and even have formed AW groups on other social media.
I have good friends on the SHF and on the AW who I often meet up with sociability. I also find both (AW & SHF) great places to talk shyte.
Right, where were we? DSOTM, 2016 pressing and the SACD as others have already advised are the best to go for. I know, I have both.
So if it came to it, Baron, which side would you choose if it all kicked off between us and them? (SWIDT?)
Wouldn’t blame you if you chose the SHF. We’ve already established that AW’ers would be no good in a fight, so let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Speak for yourself. I have a very menacing glare.
Are you a bear from Peru?
Ooh, I know how to test for this. Is there a marmalade sandwich under your hat?
We are more successful with the opposite sex than the Hoffmanites I would guess …
I’ve just discovered that Tales of Hoffman is available in full HD on Daily Motion. Yer actual Powell and Pressburger.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x806apz
Not actually relevant, but interesting.
PS. this is not a film about humourless hifi nerds. It’s people in daft clothes shouting a lot. Y’know….cultural.
Mmm, maybe I should defect to the Hoffman side then?
I had to check out what SWIDT stood for Nick. Which side would I choose in a rumble? The Hoffmanites, why? Because they outnumber us by at least 100: 1.
But being someone who always supports the underdog I`d defect to the AWers, me and my mate @SteveT can be relied on. Err, hang on, I was thinking about a supping contest. Also as @Dai says the ladies/gents/whatever prefer AWers.
100:1?
I’d fancy us if we still had James Blast..
As they advanced I would throw my black triangle Abbey Road at the throng and they would tear themselves to pieces while I strolled away.
A question like “Dark Side Of The Moon – which vinyl is best?” usually drives the members of the Steve Hoffman forum into a wild FRENZY of excitement.
I once saw a “Do you dig Julian Lennon?” thread run to over 6o pages there.
They dug him, evidently.
The Olivia Newton-John Appreciation thread is at almost 250 pages.
I saw that @podicle
You have to tip your hat…
Make sure you give your original album a shake Nick. Probably enough in there for a spliff.
Here you go 36 pages of discussion
https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/best-vinyl-dark-side-of-the-moon.96168/
Is that all? Those Hoffmanites are getting very succinct
Was probably longer, but the Gorts will have move the Rog vs. Dave vitriol to a different thread, which could be almost any thread on that board.
To be fair they prefer obscure JD Souther albums over there anyway.
There exist somewhere JD Souther albums that aren’t obscure?
Just had a look, JD Souther not mentioned in the 150* pages I saw each containing 25 posts
*I was looking for an unrelated subject.
20-odd page over at Hoffman about the merits of the German pressing of AUS’s third album.
Gets quite heated at one point.
Who’s AUS?
An Unrelated Subject
This is fun. A bunch of music nerds (us), looking down on another bunch of music nerds (the Hoffmanites), cos they are nerdier, when pretty much all of us have difficulty talking to our partners/children/most of our friends about music, cos they think we are as nerdy as it gets! Blimey, along with my other obsessions of Batman, James Bond, horror films and Barnsley FC, my ex and a couple of my friends have regularly queried whether I am on the spectrum. The next time anyone mentions that I shall point them Hoffmanwards!
In response to the OP’s question, my DSOTM vinyl went in the 90s, along with 98% of my vinyl (just my Stephen Duffy and Dream Academy collections remain), but I can echo the comments about the SACD. Even with my tinnitus and slight hearing loss, I can tell that it’s fab, especially when I play it loud.
Barnsley?
The lunatic is on the grarse….
At least we like music.
Have a like Paul 👍
I’m well aware of the irony: that’s where the humour is.
Have you tried a deep clean of your original vinyl ?
I’ve cleaned some really beat up 1970’s records and some of the results have been outstanding.
This is a good point. A Knosti Disco Antistat cleaning bath kit is 50 quid. Or, to put it another way, about a quarter of the price of the 30th anniversary pressing.
Yes. That’s the one I use.
Thanks Steve, and everyone else.
I can source the 2016 remaster locally for NZ$56 (28 of your GB pounds).
A NM 30th anniversary edition is going to be about NZ$300 incl shipping from Europe (none in Oz).
There’s an SACD in Australia that will set me back about NZ$120.
and the half speed master is a snip at $500.
Might give the SACD a go. As Fitter said, I’ve still got the vinyl cover (and the posters). No spliff rolling detritus though, Junior.
On my twitter feed everyone’s talking about the 88th anniversary of white bread, the 48-and-two-thirds-year anniversary of Fat Boy J. last telling the truth, and the 14-years-plus-a-few-days anniversary of Tottenham Hotspur plc last having a pressing need for silver polish.
These anniversaries, eh?
Can’t dodgers do maths? Why not, if anyone feels the need to, wait until next year!
If Waters is involved, the release will be delayed for years unless the sleevenotes say “Rog was always the most handsome and talented in the band”.
But isn’t “Rog was always the most handsome and talented in the band” a little ambiguous? Wasn’t “Syd” Barrett’s real name Roger Barrett? People might interpret that as meaning that Barrett was the handsomest and most gifted of them all….
I’ll answer your question in about two years, after Rog has consulted his lawyers to seek clarification.
Rog has the same birthday as me (as does Tim Henman and did Freddie Mercury).
Should anyone be interested in celebrating, a list of suitable presents will be circulated a little nearer the time (no pets, please. Mrs J and I already have a dog, three cats and the addition of two donkeys is under serious consideration)
Well, if you share a birthday with Rog, and already have a dog, perhaps we could get you some Sheep and Pigs (three different ones)?
You’re three kind
Ullman, Henry and Copperfield
I still have my ’73 Brit pressing which is VGC so I’ve never updated it through the remastered CD sound tremendous too. I did rebuy Wish You Were Here, Atom Heart Mother and Meddle (yes, I know, expensive day out) remastered by numerous people and they sound bloody fantastic. Mind you my AHM was second hand back then and seemed to have been to too many parties even in 1975.
I’ve always thought of it as a CD album! Never owned it on vinyl. But actually I find it’s one of those albums that are recorded and mixed so well that it sounds fabulous no matter what format you listen to it. Even a dodgy tape copy with no dobly.
One of those rare 70s CDs. If you can find one signed by Elvis you will be a millionaire ….
But most important: does it have the stickers and the two posters??
I find those disappointingly cheesey. They look like something out of Look-In.
The posters, yes. But the stickers are an integral part of the Hipgnosis artwork. (My first »Dark Side« was the Japanese replica-CD which had all those items, even the vinyl labels printed on separate cards.)
I’ve just had a look and yes one of the posters is the pyramids, which is cool (I don’t like the band one though). I’m pretty sure my dad’s old copy had the pyramids inside the gatefold. I shall have to have a rummage on Discogs.
60% of the way to a hamper and we diss the Hoffmanites !
tbh I have only a sketchy knowledge of the SH tribe, though I did follow our Steve’s link to the DSOTM rabbit hole. It’s just overkill, so many opinions that you end up knowing only that you know nothing, compared to those guys. And they seem quite highly strung, unlike the placid and not-at-all trigger-fingered crew here at the AW.
Placid and flaccid
FlaccIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!
One pill makes you larger…
Two guys on twitter posting video of their high end systems playing Dark Side on vinyl – and both have warped copies. Hello?!
Who needs vinyl – get yourself an old NES or ZX Spectrum…..
Aural Bliss – my new favourite version of dsom.
where can I find that?
Sorry about the sarcasm
The dentist’s chair remix! With free saw tooth.
Is the dentist Dr Phang?
Incisive.
I own this album – same label as the OP – and I have never noticed “The Gramophone Company Limited”…..WTF is that?
Registered name of EMI Records, same thing appears on your Beatles albums.
It’s like Kobayashi all over again!
I have just been made aware of a 2021 SACD on audiophile label Analogue Productions in the US. Comes in a hardback book-style package.
The SACD layer (stereo + 5.1) is the same as the 30th anniversary version from 2003. The CD layer is remastered (yet again). The crucial 48th anniversary version?
https://www.discogs.com/release/19615816-Pink-Floyd-The-Dark-Side-Of-The-Moon
Expect to pay about 40 quid on import in the UK. There seem to be plenty of 2003 SACDs around at reasonable prices.
I ordered the 30th anniversary 5.1 SACD from a seller in Australia. Should arrive this week. Will still keep my eyes peeled for a reasonably priced vinyl copy. Appreciate all your input, thanks.
Audiophile Recordings. ? Up the road from.me. I have the companion SACD. WYWH. Great package.
It’s coming from Melbourne, but not AR.