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Rubber Soul from Mono Box

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Posted on September 20, 2014 at 09:46:55
Shakey
Audiophile

Posts: 871
Joined: March 1, 2002
I played Rubber Soul last night and noticed that the pitch on side 1 is way off. The songs sound much slower than normal. Next I played my original pressing of the LP and it was fine. Side 2 of the reissue was fine, as was other LPs I played. I went back to side 1 of the reissue and the pitch was off.

I have not listened to all of the LPs in the box but the onesI did listen to were all fine. I never had this happen before.

 

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RE: Rubber Soul from Mono Box, posted on September 20, 2014 at 11:03:38
bruckner9
Audiophile

Posts: 1184
Location: So Cal
Joined: August 14, 2003
when you say the pitch is off, do you mean the notes are sharp or flat, or do you mean the songs in general are slower or faster than should be?

 

RE: Rubber Soul from Mono Box, posted on September 20, 2014 at 12:00:23
Shakey
Audiophile

Posts: 871
Joined: March 1, 2002
They are slower. It was very strange. The first time I thought it was the turntable. But then I played 4 or 5 other LPs and they were fine. I went back to playing RS and the songs sounded noticeably slower than normal.

 

my earlier comments on side 1 of the new mono pressing of Rubber Soul, posted on September 20, 2014 at 13:01:49
mikel
Audiophile

Posts: 2773
Joined: July 4, 2000
below read my comments that i posted on Monday night.

in those comments i compared 2 cuts from side 1 of Rubber Soul 'Drive My Car' and 'Norweigian Wood' to an early Parlophone Mono pressing. i also compared 'Norweigian Wood' to the MoFi Stereo pressing. the guitar sustain and vocals on Norweigian Wood should have clearly revealed any speed issues. quite the opposite they were clear and 'right' to my ears in terms of tonality and speed.

just my experience.

********

it arrived today.
I just spent about an hour doing a quick sample taste of my 2 favorite mono mastered Beatles albums; Rubber Soul and Revolver.

I compared one cut on Revolver, 'Tax Man'; and two cuts on Rubber Soul, 'Drive My Car' and 'Norwegian Wood'.

I played the first 30 seconds of each cut on my mono cart/arm/phono and then on my stereo cart/arm/phono.......and went back and forth 3 times.

the mono rig is the Miyajima Premium Be Mono cartridge, Durand 'stock' Telos, and the lesser of the two phono stages in my dart preamp.

the stereo rig is the Ortofon MC Anna cartridge, Durand Telos Sapphire, and the better of the two phono stages in my dart preamp.

the differences were consistent across all three cuts. the stereo rig sounded very good by itself, but the mono rig made the stereo playback sound muted in direct comparison. the mono rig had quieter backgrounds, better decay and bloom, and had more sparkle and energy. voices were more delineated. there was more space and front to back depth.

some might view these differences as minor, even marginal. and I cannot say that every system would equally reveal the same differences or that every listener would agree.

when I was listening to Norwegian Wood I also pulled out my early Parlophone Mono pressing and my MoFi Stereo pressing to compare to the new mono pressing just to get a feel for that comparison.

the early Parlophone was a bit warmer than the new mono pressing, but it gave up quite a bit of energy and focus.....and it was much nosier....no surprise for a 50 year old pressing. I preferred the new mono overall....maybe some systems/listeners might prefer the warmth of the early Parlophone.

the MoFi stereo was a wet noodle in direct comparison......kinda lifeless.....mono is where it's at for these early Beatles albums.

one more note; with my stereo rig there was no difference with the mono button engaged or not engaged. I could hear zero difference.

anyway....it's just a first taste.....there is lots more ground to cover. and I reserve the right to adjust my perspective as I spend more time.

*****

as I sit here a bit later I've listened all the way thru Revolver and Rubber Soul......and am half way thru Sgt. Peppers. this is the best I've ever heard these mono mastered albums sound. for now I'm only listening to the mono rig. but I'd guess it would also be a new reference with the stereo rig too.

'A Day In The Life' is epic.

just a little larger viewpoint

*******

 

Can you time it?, posted on September 20, 2014 at 13:34:52
Paully
Audiophile

Posts: 5909
Location: West Virginia
Joined: February 15, 2004
I don't know if the grooves separating tracks are longer or shorter, but maybe timing each side would tell you something.

 

RE: Rubber Soul from Mono Box, posted on September 20, 2014 at 13:40:58
You really know how to have fun, seriously.

 

RE: Rubber Soul from Mono Box, posted on September 20, 2014 at 14:28:08
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 18614
Location: Ontario
Joined: November 22, 2003
I read somewhere recently about speed differences between the mono and stereo versions. Apparently only for some. Unfortunately I didn't bookmark the page.


 

Record it, posted on September 20, 2014 at 15:10:39
With anything... IPhone whatever, a minute of it, and post it here. Should be easy enough to verify any changes then.

Dave

 

RE: Rubber Soul from Mono Box, posted on September 20, 2014 at 23:09:53
jumpsturdy
Audiophile

Posts: 194
Location: New England
Joined: April 5, 2002
Try cleaning that side in case its excessive mold release that is physically slowing the rate the stylus plows through the goo.

 

RE: Rubber Soul from Mono Box, posted on September 21, 2014 at 06:12:55
Shakey
Audiophile

Posts: 871
Joined: March 1, 2002
I cleaned the LP using my Loricraft prior to playing.

 

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