NOTW - new, AAA vinyl pressing in the boxset

So.
The BIG question to those of you with decent ears is....

Does it actually sound any better/clearer than the original vinyl press or even the 2011 remaster, or is it just a massive gimmick?

If I had anything to play it on, I'd let you know! :(

Unless you have very high end equipment worth thousands of whatever your currency is then no. CD's have the best sound.

That's where you're wrong. You merely need the knowledge in knowing what equipment delivers and where to get it at an unbeatable price. Don't break into a sweat though, it's all beyond you.

Ok.. I will listen to it all in perfect clarity via CD.. while you are searching for the perfect tone arm...

Don't need to, got one that does the job quite satisfactorily. Out of curiosity, is that your photo in your avatar ?

[QUOTE] [b]mooghead wrote:[/b]

Ok.. I will listen to it all in perfect clarity via CD.. while you are searching for the perfect tone arm... [/QUOTE]

'Clarity' does not equal the best audio quality. No amount of converting audio signals into ones and zeros is going to make a poor recording and poor mix sound better.

I'll make an mp3 copy of it if you like

[QUOTE] [b]brians wig wrote:[/b]

So.
The BIG question to those of you with decent ears is....

Does it actually sound any better/clearer than the original vinyl press or even the 2011 remaster, or is it just a massive gimmick?[/QUOTE]

I've got two similar record players connected to my amplifier. One of them has a built-in pre-amp the other one is connected to the phono input, so the signal paths are not exactly the same, but this setup allows me to play two vinyls at the same time and switch between the inputs for a direct comparison. And of course you can switch the vinyls from one player to the other to check your results and exclude differences like the signal path or the needle.

Verdict: I have to admit that I prefer the coloured vinyl from the Box Set to the AAA cut, as the AAA cut sounds flatter and less voluminous. BUT: the differences are really small and it's really difficult to say which version you're listening to if you're not doing a side-by-side comparison.

Don’t attack me Incase what I’m saying is stupid but.. how about a comparison to the Mobile Fidelity CD?

I did a small comparison between Studio Collection and AAA.

I'm a big fan of many of the SC LPs because I think they sound highly detailed and fresh in a way. But with NOTW I think that many details are very covered in the heavily compressed (original) production - on the other hand this compression is also what gives the album it's fantastic "power pack" sound. So for me the SC version does not stand much out from other older pressings in terms of sound quality. But in terms of mastering and pressing quality I think it's really great.

The AAA is also a great sounding pressing without any annoying issues like sibilance or inner groove distortion. But a couple of the tracks sound a bit dull to me. For example SYW, which I feel never really comes alive. On the other hand my overall impression is that it is all very alive and dynamically well-crafted.

Not many conclusions here, I'm afraid. But if I have to make one, it will probably be, that the AAA does not stand out from the SC, so I will probably listen to them in turn from now on.

So. My conclusion then is it's a massive gimmick and one which we've all unnecessarily had to pay for.
The AAA vinyl is about as useless as the tour pass lanyard - and that's even to people who DO a have the equipment to play it on...
A vinyl with the Raw Sessions on would have been much more preferable, or better still another CD of sessions or a live concert.
Ultimately the only item of worth in the £100 boxset is the Raw Sessions CD. The rest of it is just "tat" used as filler to "justify" the extortionate expense.

*extraordinate?

Or extortionate?

Hahaha. Clever phrasing

Mr. Wig, it seems to me that you had this view all along.

I can see why you think the price is silly, if you only feel that you are paying for the Raw Sessions. But a separate release of what is obviously bonus material-material is unlikely and seldom seen.

Even though I can enjoy most content of the box I think the price is too high - but not that much really.

If one thinks every single one of the five disks is worthwhile ... that's $27 per disc ... Very overpriced as Rainbow was $16 per disk.

However $135 for one and a half useful CDs plus a DVD ... that's basically $54 dollars per useful disk. Rainbow had three useful disks ... $21 per useful disk.

Anyway you slice it, the NotW box set is "extortionately" priced.

As much as I would like to have the "Raw" disk, I cannot stomach the feeling of being fleeced ... and I will not purchace (nor download) the box set.