Part 2 of 2 / Both In This One Review (Part1 = CD & Digital / Part 2 = Vinyl):
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Today Up On Christmachine Audio Reference Music Server :
The Beatles – “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” The Ultimate Review: My Process ~ Vinyls Vs. Digitals W/ Mono And Stereo Love!…Part #2
The following preamble will be present at the beginning of all reviews and is subject to change as things evolve.
Our reviews will not be the normal kind of review that you usually see about an artist release. These will be different as we will be aggregating all sources available …320kbps(Lossy Audio taken from the CD FLAC Rip), CD (EAC Lossless 16Bit/44.1kHz
Rip), HD Tracks (Hi-Res Digital Downloads from 24/96 to 24/192), 24/48 ALAC Hi-Res Apple Lossless, Vinyl Rips (Often from different countries & catalogs transferred by different rippers with different set-ups), as well as other high quality sources as the become available such as Pono music. That’s not to say I will not add any subjective commentary(I’ll be open as to what I like and do not) but I will try to remain as objective as possible. As we know music listening is a very subjective, or personal experience, therefore I will try to stick best with theory to give you what I believe is the best format to own of any given release.
Part 2 of 2 / Both In This One Review (Part1 = CD & Digital / Part 2 = Vinyl):
Tracklist and Order For Vinyl For The Full Length Of This Post~
A1 Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
A2 A Little Help From My Friends
A3 “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”
A4 Getting Better
A5 Fixing A Hole
A6 She’s Leaving Home
A7 Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!
B1 Within You Without You
B2 When I’m Sixty-Four
B3 Lovely Rita
B4 Good Morning, Good Morning
B5 Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
B6 A Day In The Life
Sir George Martin
or
1 Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
2 A Little Help From My Friends
3 “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”
4 Getting Better
5 Fixing A Hole
6 She’s Leaving Home
7 Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!
8 Within You Without You
9 When I’m Sixty-Four
10 Lovely Rita
11 Good Morning, Good Morning
12 Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
13 A Day In The Life
**14 If there is a track 14 listed for a specific release it just means the end “Runout Sounds” have been made into a separate track from the end of Track #13.
I’ve decided that the best way to parse out the best vinyl, I will first do a list of all the vinyl worthy of representation. Then proceed to eliminate different but identical pressing vinyl releases according to their rank in quality. Sometimes two copies of the same pressing will make the cut even if they are transferred at different Bit Depths / Sampling Rates because of my desire for that particular setup’s sound signature, with an emphasis on the cartridge or signal chain used. So here is the best of the best lists:
Sgt Pepper’s Mono Vinyl:
Round 1:
I have weeded out a lot of the other mono vinyl rips because they just did not meet the standards of the releases posted below. As you can see it is pretty much between the best copy of the Japanese Red Wax Mono and The Original UK Mono. The stereo vinyl when we get to it, as you will see, not so simple.
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967/1982 Reissue) [VINYL] (Japanese Red Wax Mono) Vinyl Rip >Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper(1967) (Japan Red Wax Mono) UltMstr Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) [VINYL] (UK Mono Original) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\
- Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Red Wax Mono) Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > transferred to 24Bit/48kHz ALAC .MP4 [Hi-Rez]\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band [UK mono] 1967 UK Parlophone ( PMC 7027) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper(1967/1982 Reissue) (Japan Red Wax Mono) 2011 UltMstr Vinyl Rip Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
Round 2:
- Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Red Wax Mono) Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > transferred to 24Bit/48kHz ALAC .MP4 [Hi-Rez]\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper(1967/1982 Reissue) (Japan Red Wax Mono) 2011 UltMstr Vinyl Rip Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) [VINYL] (UK Mono Original) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band [UK mono] 1967 UK Parlophone (PMC 7027) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
Round 3:
It’s between these two one in Hi-Res and One in Red Book and they both make the cut to move on to compete against the stereo vinyl versions. Both sound amazing and both have different qualities that make them rise to the top.
#1.
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper(1967/1982 Reissue) (Japan Red Wax Mono) 2011 UltMstr Vinyl Rip Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
Official DR value: DR11
http://www.discogs.com/Beatles-Sgt-Peppers-Lonely-Hearts-Club-Band/release/4451664
This release is just amazing, I do believe it comes in second after a excellent condition Original 1967 UK Mono Pressing but this release is highly recommended. Excellent detail…no artificial hard panning like the stereo releases. It has great sound stage and as I’ve said you forget your listening to mono.
This Studer J37 four-track machine was used to record Sgt Pepper.
#2
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) [VINYL] (UK Mono Original) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\ UK Parlophone Mono PMC 7027 (Original Issue)
Official DR value: DR11
http://www.discogs.com/Beatles-Sgt-Peppers-Lonely-Hearts-Club-Band/release/499497
This release right here is the holy grail of Mono…this is the original, and if you can find a mint pressing this is the mono you want. The Japan Red Wax mono is very close, I just find this pressing to have an amazing warmth to it. Who knows maybe I’m biased as it is the “way it was meant to be heard” but this has just as good sound at 16Bit/44.1kHz as the Hi-Res Japan Mono at 24Bit/96kHz.
Abbey Road Studios
———————-
Sgt Pepper’s Stereo Vinyl:
Round 1:
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Original UK Tube Cut Pressing -1 Matrix) 2014 Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > transferred to 24Bit/48kHz ALAC .MP4 [Hi-Rez]\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) (192khz Vinyl Remaster 1st Rip) (UK STEREO BC-13 SOLID STATE CUT) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) (192khz Vinyl Remaster) (UK STEREO BC-13 SOLID STATE CUT)(2nd rip) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) [VINYL] (Original UK Parlophone Stereo Tube Cut LP-1 Matrix) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) (BC-13) (UK STEREO BC-13 SOLID STATE CUT) 2010 Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) (UK Stereo Tube Cut) 2009 Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (UK Stereo Tube Cut) (Vinyl Rip DESS Buster 2009) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) [VINYL] (MFQR 1-100) RAWPD 2011 Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) (MFSL UHQR Reissue) 2014 Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > transferred to 24Bit/48kHz ALAC .MP4 [Hi-Rez]\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) (MFSL UHQR Audiophile Reissue) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC & 320\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club (1967) (MFSL UHQR)Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]SHD\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) [VINYL] (MFSL 1-100)1999 Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (UHQR) 2010 Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\
- The Beatles – Sgt. P’s L H C B (1967) (UHQR) FnlMstr FMV-NC Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
- The Beatles – Sgt. P’s L H C B (UHQR) FnlMstr Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
- The Beatles – Sgt Pepper – (1967) (2012 Parlophone EU remaster) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) (Capitol Records US 2012) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
Round 2:
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Original UK Tube Cut Pressing -1 Matrix) 2014 Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > transferred to 24Bit/48kHz ALAC .MP4 [Hi-Rez]\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) (BC-13) (UK STEREO BC-13 SOLID STATE CUT) 2010 Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club (1967) (MFSL UHQR)Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]SHD\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) [VINYL] (MFSL 1-100)1999 Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (UHQR) 2010 Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) (MFSL UHQR Reissue) 2014 Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > transferred to 24Bit/48kHz ALAC .MP4 [Hi-Rez]\
- The Beatles – Sgt. P’s L H C B (1967) (UHQR) FnlMstr FMV-NC Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
- The Beatles – Sgt Pepper – (1967) (2012 Parlophone EU remaster) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) (Capitol Records US 2012) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
Round 3:
#1
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Original UK Tube Cut Pressing -1 Matrix) 2014 Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > transferred to 24Bit/48kHz ALAC .MP4 [Hi-Rez]\
Official DR value: DR12
- This is the best pressing of all the “stereo cuts” that I have reviewed. It is so detailed, excellent sound, dynamic, breathes, it’s warm and silky smooth!
Abbey Road Studio Two, where nearly every track on Sgt. Pepper was recorded.
#2
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) (BC-13) (UK STEREO BC-13 SOLID STATE CUT) 2010 Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\
Official DR value: DR11
- This 1967 pressing – original release is quite good but not as good as the tube cut. It’s a little too warm for my ears and slightly more neutral and flat. Less controlled punch as well but I’m digging here for criticism as it is still an excellent pressing and highly recommended.
#3
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) [VINYL] (MFSL 1-100)1999 Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
- Disc 8 of 14 disc Mobile Fidelity “Beatles Collection” box set, JVC Japan “SuperVinyl” / MFSL 1-100 ~Half-Speed Mastered by Stan Ricker @ MFSL, Los Angeles
This Pepper’s is extremely bright/ top heavy, sounds clinical, and sterile…I believe that it is still better than the 2009 remaster stereo CD but that’s not saying much. I do not recommend.
Official DR value: DR13
#4
The Beatles – Sgt Pepper – (1967) (2012 Parlophone EU remaster) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
This 2012 EU is sourced from the 2009 Digital Remasters and just by being pressed to vinyl…finally a 2009/2012 sourced remaster excels in all areas over the 24Bit/44.1 USB Key and The 2009 Stereo CD which to my ears is a poor CD pressing.
There were a lot of pressing issues for the 2012 US and EU vinyl releases…more for the US and less for the EU. The Pepper’s EU is spectacular if you get a good pressing so listen to it right away to find out. I would recommend this release highly if you get a good pressing.
Official DR value: DR12
#5
- The Beatles – Sgt. P’s L H C B (1967) (UHQR) FnlMstr FMV-NC Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
- Again this is an excellent pressing, to be specific I would say that it’s not as bright as the regular MFSL but it is on the bright side for my ears but not overbearing. This sounds amazing from the speakers. The brightness for me comes through in headphones. So this has top dynamics and detail. It breathes rather well. Excellent sound stage and stereo image. There’s not much to complain about on this pressing as well. Highly recommended!
Official DR value: DR12
Round 4:
Eliminated From Round #3
- Release # 3 The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) [VINYL] (MFSL 1-100)1999 Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
- Official DR value: DR13
- Disc 8 of 14 disc Mobile Fidelity “Beatles Collection” box set, JVC Japan “SuperVinyl” / MFSL 1-100 ~Half-Speed Mastered by Stan Ricker @ MFSL, Los Angeles
- The MFSL was eliminated because it is way to “Bright” for my ears. The sound quality in many areas such as transparency, Dynamics, and detail are OK, it’s just too bright for me. If you subjectively like super bright then you will love this. This is the only pressing of the top 5 stereo’s that did not make the cut. All four others make it into the category ~ “The Best Of The Best”!
Round 5: “The Best of The Best” and total rankings of all the Vinyl as well as all the digitals and CD’s.
TOTAL 5+ RANKINGS:
#1 : THREEWAYTie for The Best Of The Best\
2 UPDATES FOR SGT. PEPPER’S MEGA THREAD ~ SAME PRESSING, SAME SOURCE, HIGHER RESOLUTION:
#1ST PLACE : THREEWAY Tie for The Best Of The Best\
Depending on your preference for either stereo better or mono, these two[Three] (UPDATE NEW RIP) are #1
#2 in Mono Vinyl Section ~ The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) [VINYL] (UK Mono Original) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\ UK Parlophone Mono PMC 7027 (Original Issue)
The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Original UK Tube Cut Pressing -1 Matrix) 2014 Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > transferred to 24Bit/48kHz ALAC .MP4 [Hi-Rez]
UPDATE 1 SAME PRESSING, SAME SOURCE, HIGHER RESOLUTION:
****The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) (Original UK Tube Cut Pressing -1 Matrix) 2014 Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
#2 : THREEWAY Tie for The Best Of The Best\
#2ND PLACE : THREEWAY Tie for The Best Of The Best
Depending on your preference for either stereo better or mono, these two[Three](UPDATE NEW RIP) are #2
#1 in Mono Vinyl Section ~ The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper(1967/1982 Reissue) (Japan Red Wax Mono) 2011 UltMstr Vinyl Rip Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]
#5 in Stereo Vinyl Section ~ The Beatles – Sgt. P’s L H C B (1967) (UHQR) FnlMstr FMV-NC Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]
UPDATE 2 SAME PRESSING, SAME SOURCE, HIGHER RESOLUTION:
****The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967/1982) (Japanese Red Wax Mono) 2014 Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
#3 : Tie for The Best Of The Best\
Even though they both have different sound signatures…I could not decide which of these two stereo pressings is better. I think I lean toward the EU 2012 Digital remaster pressing which has amazing clarity and detail, the 1967 original UK press BC-10 Solid State Cut has amazing warmth.
#4 in Stereo Section ~ The Beatles – Sgt Pepper – (1967) (2012 Parlophone EU remaster) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\
#2 in Stereo Section ~ The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) (BC-13) (UK STEREO BC-13 SOLID STATE CUT) 2010 Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless FLAC\
#4 : The Best Of The Best\
All the vinyl ranked highest as you can see, this is where other formats come in and they start out stunning and quickly plunge into the “poor” range. This 2009 Remaster CD Release takes the number 4 position in a big way.
In The CD Section from Part 1 ~ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (2009 Mono Remaster) (True) Mono CD Remaster, CD8-1 – CD8-13
#5 : The Best Of The Best\
Here comes the next best of the 2009 remasters (This position includes both limited and de-limited versions)…
In The Digital Section from Part 1 ~ The 2009 Remasters Limited Edition Stereo USB Key 24Bit/kHz44.1
#6 : The Mediocre\
Here comes the worst of the 2009 remasters…
In The Digital Section from Part 1 ~ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (2009 Stereo Remaster CD), CD8-1 – CD8-13
#7 : Poor\
# 3 in the Stereo Vinyl Section ~ The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) [VINYL] (MFSL 1-100)1999 Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]\ Disc 8 of 14 disc Mobile Fidelity “Beatles Collection” box set, JVC Japan “SuperVinyl” / MFSL 1-100 ~Half-Speed Mastered by Stan Ricker @ MFSL, Los Angeles
Beatles, The – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1987 Canadian CD) Label: Capitol Records – C2 0777 7 46442 2 8, Capitol Records – C2 46442 (1987) Ripped by EAC to 16/44.1 FLAC\
Beatles, The – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1995 US CD) Label: Capitol Records – CDP 7 46442 2, Parlophone – CDP 7 46442 2, Apple Records – CDP 7 46442 2 (1992) Ripped by EAC to 16/44.1 FLAC
======================================
End\
I hope this gives you some reference information. I will be updating it over time as the music continues to evolve. Thanks for your patience and sorry for some poor formatting. Thank you all for you questions, comments, and words of wisdom.
My week long Sgt Pepper’s Bender ends here for now! :))))
So there you have it…thanks for reading and your massive support.
Bless Bless!
CM ☕
☠
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