Half speed mastered...

[Enossification]

I have written similar to this in the past regarding half speed mastered LP's and with my new pruchase, The Ziggy Stardust album by Bowie, I find that it is as bad as the others. My library of half speed masters is now this Bowie album, For Your Please by Roxy and Queen II by Queen. Each one of them disappoints for more or less the same reasons. The Ziggy album astounded me by the level of static when I took it from the sleeve for the first time but in terms of sound quality, it is dull, bland and lifeless. In fact the Roxy album was just the same.

Over thirty quid for this crap ! I followed on the Bowie album with the Brand New Heavies and here we go, sharp, crisp and clear. And on white vinyl. So, the three half speed albums are to remain from now on my only ones. The Roxy album I have on a DMM pressing and it is so much better then the half speed.

I guess you pay your money and take your chance.

[Pete The Cat]

When it comes to record mastering and quality I find there are as many exceptions as there are rules in this game.

FWIW the half speed master of Simple Minds' New Gold Dream is excellent.

Indeed, you pays your money...