Guest rondine Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 (edited) Hi there I have edited this as it seems I have given people the wrong impression. A friend of mine is after a good quality record. It has to be: 1. New, ie a reissue 3. Available from JB hifi at a reasonable price $50 or less I have suggested Norah Jones or Dianna Krall but his taste is fairly middle of the road so artists like Wings, Carole King, Steely Dan etc would I think be suitable. Thanks, ron ...................... Hi there Looking for a record for a friend who has inherited a large collection of records and a few turntables and wants to work out what is worth keeping. The records are mainly light classical, show music etc and I saw a decent old rim drive Dual and a belt drive CEC amongst it. Anyway he's after a new record he can use as a test to check the sound and condition of the collection. It would need to be available from JB hifi and decently pressed. I was thinking along the lines of Norah Jones or Elvis Costello's wife - can't remember her name - but I saw he has Carole King Tapestry and Wings Venus and Mars on cd so something like this would fit as well. I don't listen to this style of music and haven't bought a new record in 20 odd years so can't help him. Thanks, ron Edited July 11, 2017 by rondine Post confusing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrews_melb Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 Wouldnt he do well to buy an album he knows well and then use that to listen to how his new TTs compare to whatever he was listening on before? Tapestry could be that album for him. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Runaway Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 May be a better idea to get a really good secondhand record similar to the type of music in the collection and one which he's familiar with. Stores like Dixons Recycled has different grades - the best is indicated by a star sticker. I'm sure there would be copies of Taoestry as well. It would (usually) be cheaper. Btw Mrs Costello is Diana Krall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregWormald Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 The collection of turntables is best evaluated with a real test record. Heaven knows where one could be obtained these days--mine is at least 30 years old. The collection of LPs is best evaluated by listening and see if that particular record "works" for him. I have a few in shoddy condition or just a poor recording where the music is still worth a listen. Greg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rondine Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 Thanks for the replies but it looks as though I have given peolle the wrong impression so I have edited the original post. ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelossus Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 The David Bowie Ziggy Stardust LP from JB Hi-Fi is excellent. Michael Fremer in his review said it was better than the original UK RCA and the best mastered version he had heard. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicprObe Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 8 minutes ago, kelossus said: The David Bowie Ziggy Stardust LP from JB Hi-Fi is excellent. Michael Fremer in his review said it was better than the original UK RCA and the best mastered version he had heard. LOL! I've got that but only played the CD. I'd better get it out and give it a spin! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelossus Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 Just now, LogicprObe said: LOL! I've got that but only played the CD. I'd better get it out and give it a spin! I have the original RCA UK CD and the 40th Anniversary CD which is the same mastering as the LP. Of course not as good as the LP :D. I can't remember which CD is better but I know the original is collectible and rather expensive. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rondine Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 20 minutes ago, kelossus said: The David Bowie Ziggy Stardust LP from JB Hi-Fi is excellent. Michael Fremer in his review said it was better than the original UK RCA and the best mastered version he had heard. Geez, I might buy this one to compare to the Mobile Fidelity I have stashed away. Thanks, ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelossus Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 1 minute ago, rondine said: Geez, I might buy this one to compare to the Mobile Fidelity I have stashed away. Thanks, ron Direct from Fremers review: The Mobile Fidelity version certainly sounded "better" than the original, with boosted bass, more precise trebles, both of which contributed to greater depth and punch. But is it what was intended or what it a revision? The new reissue makes clear it was a revision because it sounds remarkably similar to the U.K. original, though there's more detail and clearer and more precise high frequency transients, despite the age of the tape. So while the jacket reproduction is mediocre at best and not as good as the original or the Mo-Fi reissue, and that's a damn shame, what's inside is worthwhile. Unless you can find a clean original, this one, nicely pressed somewhere in the E.U. on 180g vinyl is the one to have. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicprObe Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 2 minutes ago, kelossus said: I have the original RCA UK CD and the 40th Anniversary CD which is the same mastering as the LP. Of course not as good as the LP :D. I can't remember which CD is better but I know the original is collectible and rather expensive. I do have on old CD of it.............but I suspect it would be the Aussie one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rondine Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 I'm out of touch but weren't the Bowie cds always considered terrible? Mastered by Toby someone I recall. ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelossus Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 Just now, rondine said: I'm out of touch but weren't the Bowie cds always considered terrible? Mastered by Toby someone I recall. ron Memory is a little fuzzy but I don't recall them being terrible, Not a huge Bowie fan so the only CD I have is Ziggy Stardust which I recall as being pretty good. Not a CD you would demo your system to interested parties with (unless they were huge fans) but good enough to get a thorough hi-fi experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOPSHELF Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 Something from Dire Straits could do? Well produced and probably well known......Sent from my GT-I9507 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rondine Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 Absolutely, why didn't I think of that? Any views on particular titles or reissues? thanks, ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicprObe Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 You really need something you are familiar with and can stand listening to hundreds of times. I used to use Steely Dan but Back In Black is pretty good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrews_melb Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 18 minutes ago, rondine said: Absolutely, why didn't I think of that? Any views on particular titles or reissues? thanks, ron Nothing like testing out some hifi gear by blasting the intro to Money for Nothing on a TT. Cant remember where i got my copy of Brothers in Arms from, but JB would have a copy for sure i reckon. That album also has some Songs with quiet passages that could be good to test out his turntable/carts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t_mike Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 (edited) 3 hours ago, GregWormald said: The collection of turntables is best evaluated with a real test record. Heaven knows where one could be obtained these days--mine is at least 30 years old. This is the most accurate statement here. But, if you want to use a regular lp, find something well produced that your friend knows well. Take his favourite 10 albums that he has played most regularly for the past year or two, and find which current pressings have the best production. But, taking the above quote into consideration... http://www.decibelhifi.com.au/artlp-the-ultimate-analogue-test-lp/ Edited July 11, 2017 by t_mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chigurh Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 My go-to album if I want to show someone how good vinyl can sound is Air's - Pocket Symphony. I have the 2 LP white vinyl version. I'm not sure if it's still available but a 2 LP black vinyl version is at JB. https://www.jbhifi.com.au/music/Whats-Hot/alternative-electronic/pocket-symphony-vinyl-reissue/200584/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat-with-one-t Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 Also, make sure the records he got are CLEAN. Man, it took me way too long to realise that the best turntable upgrade was a good scrub! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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