Существует мнение (мною не проверенное), что если денег не жалко, первый KC надо покупать только на английском Айленде, хотя бы с пальмой. Если жалко, то фрипповый новодел 2010г. Поиски хорошего дешевого старого переиздания неперспективны.
Ваше мнение?
Reissue vs. UK pink label Island
I have an original UK pink label Island, with Av2 B//4 matrices. It's exceptionally clean, and aside from a couple pops and some mild crackle only during "Moonchild", it plays near mint (really). Before getting it, I went through many pressings, including US 1841 Broadway, Japan, UK red label Polydor, UK pink rim Islands and Editions EG. As a side note, except for the pink rims, they all sucked (IMO).
So last weekend I bought the reissue and compared it to the pink label.
The short answer is that if you have $30 to spend and hate surface noise and crackle, the reissue fits the bill nicely. It's digital origins are not readily apparent, and the pressing quality is outstanding. The new reissue is very listenable, and for those who have only heard the US and Japan issues, this might be the first time hearing the album on vinyl and not being disturbed by atrocious sound quality. One can bet that those US copies are made from high generation tape copies--isn't there some info on the web saying that the US tapes were seriously futzed with? And finding a non-crackly original UK is no simple task--it took me over a year of serious hunting to succeed.
So I listened to the whole reissue, which is a good sign, 'cause if I don't like it, right away it comes off. It reminded me a lot of the pink Island sound, and there was nothing to disturb the enjoyment of the music.
However, my impression changed a bit when I put on the original pink Island. I know people say that high res digital is the ultimate, and it's impressive--until compared to a high quality all analog alternative. The original had a greater warmth and clarity, even though superficially both pressings sounded somewhat similar. It appeared to me as if the people doing the reissue were trying to emulate the pink Island sound in terms of balance, compression and EQ. But somehow the two were also miles apart, with the reissue being a bit cold. The difference is very difficult to put in words, and not noticeable outside of direct comparison. You also have to understand that I'm around both digital and acoustic pianos every day, and have spent time in studios comparing hi res digital Protools and old analog tape machines. Therefore, my impressions will be based on my taste and experiences. So to me, if money is no object, the original won out in every way sonically. But the difference in price between the two is so significant, the reissue starts looking pretty darn good from a value standpoint. I plan to keep the reissue as the "daily driver" and reserve the pink Island for those transcendent listening sessions when it gets pulled from the bank vault (where it probably should live).
What I wish I could do is compare the reissue to a UK pink rim label Island. I sold mine to a friend that has a system far better than mine. He's currently borrowing the reissue, and hopefully we'll get a report. The pink rims can still be found for under $100. Perhaps they are the only sane alternative to the reissue, which in summation, is really quite good.
