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Interestingly I only recently aquired American Pie on both LP (the original LP in good but not mint shape) and on CD (a best hits CD from Curb Records). Well being one who has a morbid fasination with doing comparisons it was only a matter of time ...The comparison unfortunately can't be definitive since it's clear that the copy on the CD has been slightly remastered ... they screwed up the central image (requiring a rather obvious balance adjustment to put McLean's voice in center) and other small details are different as well, e.g. the Tambourine is left stage on LP, right stage on the CD. So again it's a bit apples and oranges.
Overall impression is that despite not being mint the individual instruments are easier to follow on the LP, instruments more "layered" vs. "mixed". You can also hear fine details on the LP that you'd likely have missed on the CD (they're on the CD but if hadn't been heard on the LP would most likely have just been lost in the mix). The CD is also a tad "hot" compared to the richer/warmer LP but that could easily be due to the remaster/transfer.
But as it turns out another obvious difference was the electric bass ... it was beyond obvious that the walking bass line could be followed easier on the CD, with the LP the looser/louder bass generally obscured much of the bass detail; electric bass mixing with the kick bass in a "boom" soup was a large part of the problem. Truth of the matter is that the bass had been sort of bugging me recently for lack of definition and this surprising comparison immediate got me to thinking it could be improved by a loading adjustment.
First from 100ohm to 300ohm. I was now able to follow the walking bass lines much better. Then 300ohn to 1000ohm. Maybe a tad better still with the overall balance starting to lean toward the CD's sound, but only leaning.
So an interesting comparison that lead to optimizing cartridge loading ... go figure! I'll be doing some more listening to make sure I've get it correct but I'd be very surprised if loading returned to 100; my gut tells me it will settle at 300 but we'll see.
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CDP :: Jolida JD-100 (a sub $1000.00 player that is hellishly good IMHO ... very "analog" sounding if you ask me ... however does require good cables including power cord to perform at it's best)LP :: Roksan Xerxes/Atremiz, Denon DL 103. (the 103 is likely the weak point in this combo but the 103 still deserves "hellishly good" (for price) status IMHO)
No Guru, No Method, No Teacher
Follow Ups:
As the 103 is a popular item around here I figured a follow-up on the loading issue raised in the post above seemed in order.1000 ohm loading is now history. It took only spinning a few other LPs to become convinced (in no uncertain terms) that 1000 ohm in my setup is way too *hot* for my liking.
It's now at 300 and my gut *now* tells me that likely won't last either (perhaps that the original American Pie LP just happens to have been recorded/processed on the warm side of neutral?).
... there'll be one further followup shortly.
No Guru, No Method, No Teacher
I'm sticking at 300 ohm for now, this without even switching back to 100 ohm to compare (for now). Basically the sound has inherited bit more overt resolution, bass definition is better, the sonic picture more coherent overall ... it has raised the *involvement* factor at the expense of just a little ease. I've decided to use long term exposure (couple of weeks perhaps) to decide which I ultimately prefer.This makes me reflect on the facilities of some modern phono stage, e.g. when I read about a new Audio Research phono stage having a remote supporting loading changes on the fly I immediately thought ... how stupid is that! Now I appreciate how it could be quite handy!
No Guru, No Method, No Teacher
300 ohm didn't last ... too agressive, back at 100 ohm ... ahhhh that's better!Oh well, so what if the piano on the the LP version of A. Pie with those great big fuzzy warm low notes casts a sonic image as big as a church organ! I can take it!
No Guru, No Method, No Teacher
Hi BJust some worthwhile info.
I have found a copy of American Pie in UK 12" 45rpm. It is fantastic. Much much better than the US pressing on the LP version.
Cheers
William
I don't doubt it.I picked up a "sealed" copy of Kris Kristofferson - The Man and His Songs which is a 2 LP "best of" collection. The vinyl is dead silent but I immediately noticed that the sonic were nothing near that on an earlier (one) LP collection which I beleive is called Songs of Kristofferson (many of the same tunes on both as expected).
I'm planning to confirm but I have little doubt as I had singled out the earlier LP for use in comparisons (e.g. cable comparisons) because of the excellent sonics. The recording are to the best of my knowledge identical.
No Guru, No Method, No Teacher
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