Beatles

You have to turn the box upsidedown to remove the outer case. Ask me how I know.

Big day today; I'm waiting for UPS to arrive. I'm grateful to be forewarned about less than optimal packaging. Shaffer, if you have more commentary to add, please feel free to advise.

Michael, I'm of course very much looking forward to your review. When you get around to writing it up, could you also describe some of your methods? For example, besides the sources being compared (presumably UK issues, but possibly Japanese, German, etc?), do you tend to listen to whole sides, whole lps, or focus in on specific tracks when you compare. Thanks - and thanks for such a great web site!

I only picked up a couple of these being there digital remasters and not willing to jump right in on them. Not sure if I just got unlucky or if it's with all of them buy my copy of Abbey Road is filled with noise. So much to the point that it's just annoying and takes away from the music. After a couple listens it's not getting any better either. Used all the stuff, mofi cleaner, zerostat, gruv glide, even some dish soap nothing has helped. I also noticed the deadwax was filled with scratches fresh out the sleeve. I'm guessing they used URP for the pressing of these, just stinks of them all over it. Of course that's just my assumption. I have US versions, not sure if the Euro versions are better pressed, but I wouldn't get all too excited over at least the Abbey Road. Just a let down.

Yeah starting to think I got a defective copy. Sgt Peppers is like a whole other world of records compared to the Abbey Road I have. Nice and silent, no scratches. The soundstage seems to be a bit fuller also. Maybe that's just the mastering though? Be taking back this copy of Abbey Road in hopes that I just got a bad copy.

I followed Shaffer's advice about turning the box upside down, but think the orientation is not important. The slip case is EXTREMELY tight, and sort of vacuums on to the box set. I very gently pulled the cover, working it side to side, and it eventually came off.

HOWEVER, if you are doing it UPSIDE DOWN, the lid top will open up after the slip case comes off, SO USE CAUTION, or try it right side up. I would recommend right side up UNLESS you're getting no movement with the slip cover, then try upside down but slow down as you approach the last third of the box (where the lid will begin).

Of course, since I'm NEVER going to put the slip cover back over the box, I have to figure out a way to store it so it doesn't get creased. God I hate being a collector....

While we await Michael's review I thought folks might be interested in this piece if you haven't already seen it regarding the White Album.  

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/buying-beatles-white-album-0

So Micheal, do we know where the Euro box was pressed?

I picked up mine today straight from musicdirect. No issues on the cover on mine. The cover is tight but it slipped out rather easily. Just do it slowly......relax

Working from home gave me a chance to start spinning some of the albums. I honestly have never heard the Beatles sound so good. Well worth the wait! So far, I've listened to the following:

Rubber Soul (by the way, I think it's the George Martin remix here)
Revolver
Past Master (the second LP only)
Abbey Road

I'm about to audition the White Album. I have an old Italian pressing of it so am curious to do a comparison.

I had some concerns when I heard that the records were not being pressed at a tried and true plant such as Pallas, especially for 180g vinyl. I have to say, the pressing sounds fantastic. Whoever was in charge really put a lot of TLC behind this (and probaby double QA duty). Okay, now back (to the U.S.S.R) for some more listening!

Working from home gave me a chance to start spinning some of the albums. I honestly have never heard the Beatles sound so good. Well worth the wait! So far, I've listened to the following:

Rubber Soul (by the way, I think it's the George Martin remix here)
Revolver
Past Master (the second LP only)
Abbey Road

I'm about to audition the White Album. I have an old Italian pressing of it so am curious to do a comparison.

I had some concerns when I heard that the records were not being pressed at a tried and true plant such as Pallas, especially for 180g vinyl. I have to say, the pressing sounds fantastic. Whoever was in charge really put a lot of TLC behind this (and probaby double QA duty). Okay, now back (to the U.S.S.R) for some more listening!

Can't wait for MF to render his verdict?

If you care to Google Beatles Vinyl Box Set you will see a hot link entitled Beatles Vinyl Box Set news (or close to it) about 1/4 down the screen.

There is one review by the Examiner which is OK, but the review by the Chicago Tribune had the most interesting wrinkles to me in what appears to have been at least a sincere attempt by the non audio press to provide some useful insight into the sound of the new releases.

Not definitive, but interesting.

I have listened to Past Masters backwards to half of The White Album. So far the pressings are very quiet and have good dynamics. Levels are right at unity gain according to my mixers meter levels. Wish they used the faster bit rate but I have the reissued CD set and the 24bit transfers used for the vinyl reissues shows the improvement in fidelity like night and day . i do not have any other pressings to compare these to. I am very happy overall.

Received my US boxed set today (ordered from Walmart.com -- perhaps that was a bad omen to begin with?).   I've scanned through four LP's so far and they all have various degrees of non-fill issues.  I can see that stitch-like pattern on the LP's, and sure enough I can hear it as well.  Sometimes it's very faint, but on some tracks it's the worst non-fill I've ever heard.

I've heard some horror stories about Rainbo, but I figured I'd take the risk.  Luckily Walmart should take this back via a trip to the store, so no harm no foul assuming the rest of the LP's are in the same shape.   I'm also on the SHTV forums and so far it's been hit or miss for some of us, as far as pressing QC is concerned.

No, Rainbo is not generally considered a good thing when it comes to pressings. At present, in the US, you cross your fingers that the pressings are RTI or QRP. In Europe Pallas gets a lot of praise.

It seems a number of folks on the SH Forum are opting to buy European pressings of the new Beatles LPs due to concerns about Rainbo's pressing quality or quality control.

Just receved my box set from Music Direct, have'nt opened yet.

Frist, what or who is Rainbo? Second how can you tell where pressing are done?

Opened my box yesterday.  Slip cover just slipped off (fortunately).

I've opened and visibly examined each LP - all seem very clean.

I'm waiting to get my Vinyl Cleaner back from repair so I can clean these (I don't ever listen to any vinyl without cleaning first for fear of debris causing permament damage).

Got my box from the UK. Ordered via Amazon UK and the packaging for shipment was outstanding. Box was floating in hard foam similar to what electronics are usually braced with. The boxset was in immaculate condition with no some much as a dent, scuff or otherwise. Slip came off without any effort at all and everything inside was pristine. I haven't taken any of the shrinkwrap off the individual albums yet as I'm waiting for a new bottle of cleaner to come in so I can clean them before a listen. Can't tell you how pleased I am with the packaging Amazon UK used to ship them over!!

I am pleased with the boxes and all. Just slided the outer covering and got the inner one easily. Not much efforts taken.

vehicle shippers

Very noisy, but most if this cleared up after a throrough cleaning with the Spin Dr. The solution afterwards showed theres plenty of crud in this new vinyl.

Too bad these weren't pressed at a reputable facility.  EMI should be totally embarrassed they allowed such poor quality to be shipped.   Program manager should be fired!

RS, defect between tr 6 & 7 and overall pressing really poor (very jagged edges on the pressing, etc).  I though I was going to cut myself when I was cleaning it.

Some with pearling but haven't correlated to audible yet (is this always the case?)

Still need to listen to The White Album, Let it Be and PM.

Got my box set just after xmas.So far ive listened to Please please me,Help,sgt.pepper,Past masters(lp2] and magical mystery tour Side two.And to me all i can say is so far so good.My systems are as follows....

MMF5.1 TURNTABLE with the ortofon 2m black.Speakers are Q ACOUSTICS 2050sinto a marantz 4001 amp with a mm phono input.

System two-Project x pack with ortofon rondo blue mc.Amp is the Roskan k2 pre/power amp combo;And the the speakers are Q Acoustics 1050i,Phono box is the tricord dino plus.

System three...Project 1 turntable and the Auroa amp feeding the rodgers LS6 Loudspeakers.Ah vinyl heaven long may it continue,

If Mike should read this post can he tell me what he thought of the music hall 5.1 turntable and the 2m black.No British mags has ever done a review of that said turntable.Andy.

Anyone who slags of this Beatles box set should go back to their old Dansette and mono recordings.Mine you the mono recording are to be released sometime in 2013.That will be two lps less than what weve got here.Andy.

Such a very useful article. Very interesting to read this article.I would like to thank you for the efforts you had made for writing this awesome article. Latest Fashion online

We must find best loan option with lowest interest rate before apply.

<a href="http://howdoigetaloan.info/" rel="dofollow">how do i get a loan</a>

A very good picture , I do hope that you keep doing the post like this.

Regards,
Miami International Shipping