Wow, it sounded so good that it knocked your beard off! ;) Caveat, warning and full disclosure: ***The following longwinded narrative is from a grumpy old curmudgeon 35 yr record collector and audiophile, ha*** First, let me say it is guys like you that will keep the hobby going long after us grouchy oldsters are burried with our five copies of Kind Of Blue. It is good to see the youth interested in this niche hobby. Well done video that got to the meat of describing what you are hearing. And that is the bottom line. So, thank you! However, since you asked, I am absolutely going to encourage you to do a comparison with a recent reissue of the same album. I understand that the recent reissue of WBC is considered the best (well at a normal price anyway), so at the very least a follow up comparison video is a must imo. I have heard samples of the WBC ERC, the most recent and the original and came to my own conclusion from those samples. I wont reveal what that conclusion is as to not influence your decision or others that may read my thoughts here. Which brings me to my final suggestion if you are not doing this already. If so, pardon my assumptions…. When I listen to samples or do comparisons on my home system these are the two steadfast rules: Blind testing and level match in volume. If at all possible, IMO the only way to compare. I really encourage if you are going to compare on your turntable that a decibel meter matched comparison is paramount. This isnt me just being the anal retentive audiophile. A professional mastering engineer and one of the best vinyl rippers in the business both find this as absolutely the only way to compare fairly. Get a meter if you don’t have one. Also, a friend that will not be taking the test to A/B blind test and level match with the meter is important. To not drive your friend crazy level match both before hand. Then he can just read your notes to level match in real time, set up the A/B (or however many versions of WBC you have) while you sit with your back to the system or even better face forward in the sweet spot blindfolded as he mixes up the samples. With a little preparation your friend wont think you have completely lost your mind. For fun, have your friend do the same test and write his or her result down. Females have better hearing so there is that. Little know fact: Audiophiles are notoriously bad at keeping girlfriends, so caution, ha. My other suggestion that I will leave you with is a more selfish one. IMO, one of the biggest aspects missing in the VC are reviews such as you are giving on sound but with actual hi rez, level matched samples/snippets to download for the subscriber to listen to before the “reveal” video. I would love it if you young guys and girls who are going to carry on this hobby of trying to find the best sounding pressings of albums you enjoy would do videos with comparison samples followed by a time period to let the audience give their opinion, then a follow up video with the reveal and your choice and a detailed reason as to why you picked the one you pick. Time consuming to do perhaps, but the youth are usually so much faster with computer tech. that once into it the speed and ease to prepare samples would follow. To me, that would be the ultimate in this “quest for the best sounding version”. Anyway, enough blathering from this old guy. Just some gentle suggestions from a guy who has seen and heard alot of methods and listened to alot of records. We all are growing in our understanding. Even some of us vinyl vets. Once again thank you for the review and glad you are enjoying the ERC WBC. New sub, John
Really glad you enjoyed this. However, my experience was somewhat different. I’m in the UK and snagged one of these directly from ERC. I agree re: the jacket - premium, flawless, and a real thing of beauty. The record itself was, for me, a huge disappointment. Imo, the all-valve system does not suite this kind of record - the sound should be spiky, punky, and raw. I didn’t detect more detail, instead the overall sound was neutered and mushy. This was particularly evident on Meg’s drums, but even Jack’s guitar sounded off. That guitar should wail, it should screech, it should bite: instead everything sounded recessed, indistinct and even bland. For me, the Peppermint swirl pressing wins out by a considerable distance. In fact, I sold my ERC for a very slight loss. I would actually actively advise against the ERC for SQ. As a collectable and piece of art, maybe it’s worth owning. But people like what they like - and I’m really glad it was worth it to you! Enjoy.
Excellent and precise unboxing. Being from Detroit, there was major buzz happening prior to the release of White Blood Cells. The band did a three club “tour” around town to promote the upcoming album. I wish I would’ve gone to the Gold Dollar show, because that place was synonymous with the White Stripes. Kinda like CBGB’s with the Ramones. But, I opted for the Magic Bag in Ferndale (on the other side of 8 Mile Rd, north of Detroit), because I could just walk there from my house. This was also back when you could just walk up and pay at the door to see the White Stripes. Great club with a 400 person capacity. It was my one and only time seeing them. So, the album White Blood Cells always gets ties in with that memory. And yes… do a shootout! Great video!
Big doings, Buddie! Good on you for stepping to the next level on price point for something you wanted 💪🏻. Plus, buying it in person had to be fun! Looks like it was a great score 🤘🏻
Well, at least you got somewhat of a deal on it. Thankfully your copy is pristine & wasn't all dinged up from shipping damage or touched up with a sharpie. ;) I heard the recent, standard/color pinwheel reissue sounds better, but it would be nice to hear your take on it and do a shootout on how they compare.
Wow, it sounded so good that it knocked your beard off! ;)
Caveat, warning and full disclosure:
***The following longwinded narrative is from a grumpy old curmudgeon 35 yr record collector and audiophile, ha***
First, let me say it is guys like you that will keep the hobby going long after us grouchy oldsters are burried with our five copies of Kind Of Blue. It is good to see the youth interested in this niche hobby. Well done video that got to the meat of describing what you are hearing. And that is the bottom line. So, thank you!
However, since you asked, I am absolutely going to encourage you to do a comparison with a recent reissue of the same album. I understand that the recent reissue of WBC is considered the best (well at a normal price anyway), so at the very least a follow up comparison video is a must imo.
I have heard samples of the WBC ERC, the most recent and the original and came to my own conclusion from those samples. I wont reveal what that conclusion is as to not influence your decision or others that may read my thoughts here.
Which brings me to my final suggestion if you are not doing this already. If so, pardon my assumptions….
When I listen to samples or do comparisons on my home system these are the two steadfast rules:
Blind testing and level match in volume. If at all possible, IMO the only way to compare.
I really encourage if you are going to compare on your turntable that a decibel meter matched comparison is paramount. This isnt me just being the anal retentive audiophile. A professional mastering engineer and one of the best vinyl rippers in the business both find this as absolutely the only way to compare fairly. Get a meter if you don’t have one.
Also, a friend that will not be taking the test to A/B blind test and level match with the meter is important. To not drive your friend crazy level match both before hand. Then he can just read your notes to level match in real time, set up the A/B (or however many versions of WBC you have) while you sit with your back to the system or even better face forward in the sweet spot blindfolded as he mixes up the samples. With a little preparation your friend wont think you have completely lost your mind. For fun, have your friend do the same test and write his or her result down. Females have better hearing so there is that. Little know fact: Audiophiles are notoriously bad at keeping girlfriends, so caution, ha.
My other suggestion that I will leave you with is a more selfish one. IMO, one of the biggest aspects missing in the VC are reviews such as you are giving on sound but with actual hi rez, level matched samples/snippets to download for the subscriber to listen to before the “reveal” video.
I would love it if you young guys and girls who are going to carry on this hobby of trying to find the best sounding pressings of albums you enjoy would do videos with comparison samples followed by a time period to let the audience give their opinion, then a follow up video with the reveal and your choice and a detailed reason as to why you picked the one you pick.
Time consuming to do perhaps, but the youth are usually so much faster with computer tech. that once into it the speed and ease to prepare samples would follow.
To me, that would be the ultimate in this “quest for the best sounding version”.
Anyway, enough blathering from this old guy. Just some gentle suggestions from a guy who has seen and heard alot of methods and listened to alot of records. We all are growing in our understanding. Even some of us vinyl vets.
Once again thank you for the review and glad you are enjoying the ERC WBC.
New sub, John
Really glad you enjoyed this. However, my experience was somewhat different. I’m in the UK and snagged one of these directly from ERC.
I agree re: the jacket - premium, flawless, and a real thing of beauty. The record itself was, for me, a huge disappointment.
Imo, the all-valve system does not suite this kind of record - the sound should be spiky, punky, and raw. I didn’t detect more detail, instead the overall sound was neutered and mushy. This was particularly evident on Meg’s drums, but even Jack’s guitar sounded off. That guitar should wail, it should screech, it should bite: instead everything sounded recessed, indistinct and even bland.
For me, the Peppermint swirl pressing wins out by a considerable distance. In fact, I sold my ERC for a very slight loss. I would actually actively advise against the ERC for SQ. As a collectable and piece of art, maybe it’s worth owning.
But people like what they like - and I’m really glad it was worth it to you! Enjoy.
Excellent and precise unboxing. Being from Detroit, there was major buzz happening prior to the release of White Blood Cells. The band did a three club “tour” around town to promote the upcoming album. I wish I would’ve gone to the Gold Dollar show, because that place was synonymous with the White Stripes. Kinda like CBGB’s with the Ramones. But, I opted for the Magic Bag in Ferndale (on the other side of 8 Mile Rd, north of Detroit), because I could just walk there from my house. This was also back when you could just walk up and pay at the door to see the White Stripes. Great club with a 400 person capacity. It was my one and only time seeing them. So, the album White Blood Cells always gets ties in with that memory.
And yes… do a shootout!
Great video!
They’re going hard in on jazz, love it!!!!
Big doings, Buddie! Good on you for stepping to the next level on price point for something you wanted 💪🏻. Plus, buying it in person had to be fun! Looks like it was a great score 🤘🏻
Hey buddy🤘 impressive as always
YAY! My favorite White Stripes album for sure. Elephant is great, but is it really better than White Blood Cells ? ❤
Well, at least you got somewhat of a deal on it. Thankfully your copy is pristine & wasn't all dinged up from shipping damage or touched up with a sharpie. ;)
I heard the recent, standard/color pinwheel reissue sounds better, but it would be nice to hear your take on it and do a shootout on how they compare.
no cons? no negative comments about the sound?
Haven't heard one good thing about it. Word on the street is the standard, recent re-release smokes it, and for a fraction of the price. 🤷🏻
It must've been so good that it blew the hair right off your face! 😂🤘🏻
Haha was thinking the same thing.