Half speed mastering

[struth]

Very true. Don't skimp on the vinyl

[Phil Lawton]

Received the half-speed Abbey Rd of "Here Come The Warm Jets" this week.

Played the original to death since it came out, but the difference between that and this newer version is remarkable. One of those "So you think you know every wrinkle and nuance of this album? Think again..." moments.

Recommended.

Got my hands on Herbie Hancock's "Head Hunters" 2 x 45 rpm reissue last month, too...another belter.

[paulf-2007]

Visited a mate on Wednesday who has moved his horns out and using his 57's with hypex power amps and very nice project pre/phonostage. I took a couple of half speed mastered albums, dire straits first album and supertramp crime of the century. He hadn't heard any half speed mastered vinyl before and was impressed to the point he is now looking for some.

[montesquieu]

May as well keep this thread going. Bought another half speed mastered record from the Canadian reviewers collection, Bruce Cockburn dancing in the dragons jaws, excellent, I like every track.
I was looking on Steve Hoffmans forum and people were asking what the 10 best sounding half speed mastered records were. Supertramp crime of the century came up several times and also dire straits first album, I'm ashamed to say I'd never heard it, had a listen on Spotify, really very good so have bought a half speed mastered copy, waiting for it arrive.
I know some vinyl is very expensive, but, if we spend thousands on a set up, why not buy good vinyl.
Not me but some spend 4 grand on a cart ffs, then go to charity shops looking for vinyl.

Charity shops? I do that all the time. (Well, Oxfam in Henley at least - often overpriced but I often find gems in the Early Music section).

Now, spend four grand on a cart and play Supertramp? That does qualify as Crime of the Century

[Barry]

Charity shops? I do that all the time. (Well, Oxfam in Henley at least - often overpriced but I often find gems in the Early Music section).

Moi aussi. Agree some Oxfam branches are hugely overpriced (well certainly mine in Chelmsford is: automatic £15 price tag on any Decca SXL regardless of vinyl condition, and most CDs are priced at £4), but several Oxfam branches elsewhere (including London) are more sensibly priced.

I once spoke to the person who prices up the wares in my local Oxfam, who told me they used ebay as a guide. I suggested that was not the best way of assessing value, but didn't push it as I had just picked up a boxed set on EMI of Beethoven string quartets in excellent condition that had just been recently priced by him and I didn't want him to change his mind!

[Haselsh1]

I have a Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab half speed of Steelye Span's All Around My Hat that like the rest of my vinyl is up for disposal and the sound quality is bloody astonishing. Only been played into double figures, owned from new and on some weird translucent vinyl. If this is how half speed sounds generally then I'm all for it, well I would be but I'm moving away from vinyl replay.

[struth]

I have a Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab half speed of Steelye Span's All Around My Hat that like the rest of my vinyl is up for disposal and the sound quality is bloody astonishing. Only been played into double figures, owned from new and on some weird translucent vinyl. If this is how half speed sounds generally then I'm all for it, well I would be but I'm moving away from vinyl replay.

Got an original cut of that album. Its very good too so guessing the HSM is better

[Si74]

I have a half speed Crime of the Century bought more than 30 years ago. Remember it as being stunning on my modest system. Saw them live four times. The first being in the local Community Centre where they near caused a riot as they had a sax player and the 'locals' thought this was jazz (how they knew about jazz escapes me).
Pulled it out not long ago, listened to a few tracks and thought, my taste has changed in 30 odd years and stuck it back in it's sleeve.
Also a half speed of Avalon, as above, lovely then but not my taste now.
May try the Solid Air as my copy is threadbare and he was a huge influence on my taste in music.

Also have a couple of what were very expensive classicals at the time, can't recall the label but they sounded sublime and probably still would if I could find them:-)
Luxurious covers and if I recall near 30 quid 30 odd years ago, must dig them out. One was Wagner as it got played to death after watching Apocalypse Now Think they were direct cuts as opposed to half speed masters.

[paulf-2007]

Fortunately we are all different, John Martyn doesn't do it for me but supertramp still does

[martinjohn308]

I own about 20 half speed mastered LP’s which I bought in the early 80’s, these come to mind, Supertramp “ Crime of the Century “, Dire Straits 1st album, Carole King “Tapestry “, Beatles “ Abbey Road “, Pink Floyd “ Dark side of the moon “ to name a few and a few dozen Japanese pressings. I find the half speed are just different mainly surface noise is a lot lower.

Regards,

Martin