45 vs 33.3 RPM


Forgive me if this has been discussed. What is the line of reasoning behind reissuing records at 45 rpm, which were originally cut at 33.3? I have a Classic Records reissue of the Living Stereo "Claire de Lune" album, and can't hear a difference between it and the original I have at 33.3.
rosedanny

Showing 1 response by rushton

Cutting and playback at 45 rpm can deliver significant sonic improvements in resolution, dynamics and bass response. For an explanation, read the excellent article by mastering engineer Kevin Gray on Why 45 rpm?

I have most of the Classic Records RCA reissues on both 33 rpm and 45 rpm. Listening here, the 45 rpm pressings are consistently and very noticeably better in the areas I mentioned above. And in the case of Classic Records, if I recall correctly, many of the 45 rpm issues were mastered after Bernie Grundman switched his mastering gear to tube electronics as part of the Mercury reissue project. Thus, many of these Classic Records 45s benefit further with improved tonality and rendition of timbre. (I don't know about the Clair de Lune pressing in this latter respect, and haven't listened to it in a while.)

The Music Matters and Analogue Productions 45 rpm jazz reissues that Kevin Gray has been cutting have been phenomenal. While it's often challenging to accommodate classical music on the 10-12 minute sides of a 12" 45 rpm disc, the jazz recordings are well suited to these shorter sides.
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