Anyone have experience with Classic Records test pressings?
- Thread starter MadFloyd
- Start date
Many test pressings are simply failures. I have numerous test pressings from my recording engineer friends, some are wonderful and much better than the production LPs, others have flaws, some are much worse than the production LPs. The test pressing from which they approved the master for production tend to be the best.
You have to look at the record production process and make a judgement for yourself. A lot of years ago (my pre-Genesis days), I had a lot more money than time or sense and had someone buy me a batch of test pressings. They cost a lot, and sound quite a bit better than production ones. I've had friends here in Seattle hear my test pressings, find another one online, and discover that my copy is far better than theirs, and even the production copy is better than the test.
You have to ask whether it's a real test pressing, or simply more early copies made and then sold as test pressings?
You have to look at the record production process and make a judgement for yourself. A lot of years ago (my pre-Genesis days), I had a lot more money than time or sense and had someone buy me a batch of test pressings. They cost a lot, and sound quite a bit better than production ones. I've had friends here in Seattle hear my test pressings, find another one online, and discover that my copy is far better than theirs, and even the production copy is better than the test.
You have to ask whether it's a real test pressing, or simply more early copies made and then sold as test pressings?
Thanks for the replies. I want to get a copy of the LSC Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta on 45RPM and I think I'll take a chance on a test pressing and see what happens (test pressing is cheaper than buying a sealed production version).
I think it all depends upon how and why the test pressings were made. Traditionally, test pressing were made for one thing: to allow the record label to listen to the LP for any mastering flaws eg. grooves are properly formed eg no groove narrowing, off center pressing, etc. After checking, they are often destroyed. Test pressings are often made whenever the press was free so that could have been before they started up the first run of the day and the press hadn't reached proper temperature or between runs, etc. So obviously the test pressings are variable. I've some say from Decca that were really noisy, others that were great.
Now as far as Classic Records goes, I assume, because these test pressings were often given out to reviewers, etc, that their test pressings were made just like an actual production release eg. after the machines were properly warmed-up and ready to go. Accordingly, theoretically, Classic Records' test pressings were the first off the press and when the mother was at its freshest. Just as in many cases, the earlier the stamper/matrix number, the same goes for pressing. The earlier off the press, the better the sound.
My experience has been very good. I probably have 30, 45 rpm RCA Living Stereo issues (Classic Records), some jazz and close to 100 or so of 33 rpm...jazz, rock and classical. If there isn't a pressing issue they sound a bit better (Clarity and noise floor) obviously done with a much newer stamper. I have a few though with some noise (too many ticks) where I have replaced with the production version. I only have RTI Classic Records test presses.
I suspect this is the situation in my case because the test pressings are sealed.
Thanks, Christian. I'm really getting sucked in to these RCA LS 45's; the ones I've heard so far sound great.
Slightly off topic: anyone know if the Heifetz road case is good from a pressing standpoint? I see that it's the 200g version of CR's 45 RPM releases and I know that as time progressed the 200g pressings got worse and worse.
I have all those records but bought individually. While the older 180's give you a better chance of a perfectly quiet pressing, you can still get quality pressing with 200 gram. I just find the pressings not as perfect pop wise more often.
I'm about halfway through my Heifetz case. They play very quietly. No problems on my end.
Dre
Argh. I just found out that the test pressing I just paid $170 for is just ONE DISC (out of 4 I'm guessing). The seller did not make this very evident and I didn't read the fine print.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/CLASSIC-RECORDS-LSC-2374-TEST-PRESSING-BARTOK-Strings-Hungarian-A2-OOP-1995-SS-/190670877895?ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:CA:1123
I'm bummed.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/CLASSIC-RECORDS-LSC-2374-TEST-PRESSING-BARTOK-Strings-Hungarian-A2-OOP-1995-SS-/190670877895?ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:CA:1123
I'm bummed.
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