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The difinitive recording of AJA

I have just listened to the SHM SACD recording of Steely Dan's AJA. I am not overwhelmed with the sonics. The cymbals are still too faint, the bass lacks punch and snap and the vocals still seem hidden behind a piece of cloth. I much prefer the MFSL gold CD of this title. As far as vinyl goes, the current Cisco version seems more lively than MFSL. So, which is the ONE COPY of this album that is THE MUST HAVE? I am also looking for the MUST HAVE recording of Supertramp's CRIME OF THE CENTURY. Again, I have the new SHM recording, the MFSL gold CD, the MFSL vinyl pressing, and the Speakers Corner vinyl addition. I like both vinyl versions over the CDs with the Speakers Corner version being better -- more punch, imaging, and gutsy. Feedback please.
128x128dramapsycho
jesusa0
155 posts
 
I´m sorry but I disagree.

I rather choose the SHM version of Aja vs the Mofi. I think this last one sounds colored and slow, if you prefer warm.

The SHM version brings the guitars forward -like all SHM Steely Dan´s CDs- and Chuck Rainey´s bass sounds very good too.

Daniel
dramapsycho's avatar
dramapsycho OP
28 posts
 
G M C -- Thanks for the link to BETTER RECORDS. Outstanding site to learn from and to buy from. You (and members like you) are why I continue to participate at AudioGon. Many thanks!
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
I have a rainbow yellow ABC, and the Cisco. I need to compare the two directly, as I have yet to do it. IMO, the ABC first press sounds great. It was like $8.00, so you can't go wrong. I would look for a clean used copy, and get more opinions on the Cisco as well as that Japan pressing that Mofimadness refers to.
g_m_c
443 posts
 
Dramapsycho, my pleasure. Tom Port, the owner of Better Records, is very knowledgeable and opinionated. He is also controversial. There is a lot to read there. The records can be very expensive, and many here would never spend hundreds of dollars on a record even though tens of thousands often get spent on equipment. I am trying to get to the immediacy of great artists and their masterpieces. A great stereo with mediocre music gets you nowhere. Tom has gotten me there with his amazing pressings. I have never been disappointed.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,850 posts
 
When Aja came out, it was a popular demo disc in audio shops because the sound on the original vinyl was top notch and the music had wide appeal.

I've heard some decent CD versions that are pretty good over the years, but nothing that betters the original standard issue vinyl that can be foud and had for not much. If you have a phono rig, I would not waste money trying to better this particular recording with more $$$$s.
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