new Aja 180 gram vinyl pressing just arrived

Well I was the ubiquitous friend listening along to the Cisco version as compared to the original ABC... For me the vocal bits seemed pushed back into the mix on the Cisco, yet the speed and textural detail of the drums, the cymbals ringing clearer and dissipated with a greater delicacy of air, and some guitar work seemed to be more nicely detailed. It's a mixed bag at best IMHO. As much as the new Cisco is well pressed (as always) and a very quiet surface, I would have to side with the ABC original having a greater overall musicality and involvement. If you need a really, really good copy and don't have one, the Cisco version will do this classic album justice. Just don't go fishing around in used record bins for a clean $2.99 copy of the original or you might be left somewhat perplexed.

Happy (reissue) Listening!

MF has spoken...Ohhhhhh! Ahhhh!

May I paraphrase: By the way, if someone says the reissue doesn’t sound any good, be sure to ask about that person’s playback system.

That’s the best argument I’ve heard yet. Lets see, if you disagree in any way, shape, or form with my assessment then you must have an inferior sound system (compared of course to a writer of the same industry getting comp’ed on equipment and records). How will I ever get to audiophile nirvana at this pace?!

Well I guess it's settled then. If you have any qualms about the new Cisco/ ABC Aja it mean that your system is some how deficient or lacking and just doesn't measure up to this writer's Wilson’s etc. ;^)

Contrary to some folk’s idea of Hifi and reproduced music, I think I'll keep my gear and stand by my opinion that this recording may be excellent… and is different from the ABC original in several ways that I don’t necessarily find overwhelmingly flattering. It’s a matter of tastes. For the rest of you thinking about throughing all your hard earned gear up on AudioGon or out to the curb (just kidding) because this record doesn't make you bow before your speakers in humble humility and you are left somehow with feelings of being unworthy, take stock, your Hifi just might be OK after all. Listen and compare for yourselves and see what you think.

Sorry Mikey, Many, many times I find you spot on… for me this time, your approach is just a tad harshing to my buzz.

Happy (first pressing) Listening!

...Hey Johnnyb53, Ya just got to have *Countdown to Ecstasy * to round out you set, there's no two ways about it.

Happy (Dan) Listening!