AAA Vinyl

...somehow as „with only little magic“, which is less than I’d describe my AP45 pressing.

Unfortunate that you didn’t have it for comparison...will see how the Craft sounds as soon as it arrives.

Well I consider that review a tad lukewarm to be honest, especially after the hyperbole of the launch announcement of a short while back;

“ AnalogPlanet will post a full review next week. However, here’s a preview: when Donald Byrd enters on the title track, be prepared to lose your @#&%*.”

I’m very much looking forward to receiving my copy and will compare it to my Transatlantic U.K. pressing which sounds great.

After teasing "be prepared to lose your ****", this is the review? The only thing reviewed here is the packaging. There is more information on the sound of the DCC than the upcoming one step. Is there an actual review planned for the future?

I remember reading somewhere that people actually read more reviews for something they’ve bought vs something they’re considering buying as a means to justify their purchase and reduce cognitive dissonance. It just gives you warm feelings to have something you own (or have bought and will soon receive) get praised. Not sure if that’s true universally, but it is for me, shallow as I might be!

Michael, I think people are disappointed with the brevity and lack of elaboration in the review because everyone cares about the music, how well Craft has done on their first One Step release, and can’t necessarily spend the $$ required to compare it against other audiophile options.

Reviewers like you who do have easier access or an extensive library of alternative releases help fill a knowledge gap, as well as providing a more objective review from someone who’s heard a lot more than the average music collector - and you never know how much to trust online reviews from random online people who are often rationalizing their expensive purchase. Reading advance reviews also helps ease the “pangs” of anticipation.

Since you don’t have alternatives besides the DCC, I suppose there’s not much more you can do. But if you do manage to get your hands on an original OJC, AP, or first pressing, I hope you’ll revisit the review and elaborate on how they compare.

While 1000 is indeed not a lot, the next issue will likely be larger in quantity, yet still sell out almost immediately, such is the nature of limited releases, whether they be RSD, Mofi Supervinyl, or One Steps. And the $100 price point also seems fairly standard these days, unlike the ERC truly boutique (and overpriced IMO) offerings.

So, even as a premium offering, this is still in the sweet spot for the enthusiast, and I hope that the fact that something sells out won’t be a reason you choose not to review something or take a “what’s the point?” stance on going forward.

Thanks for all your efforts sir!

For those interested my short comparison of the last two tracks.

Lush life:

The AP has a richer and more spherical/3D sax tone as well as a more prominent, softer (but still well controlled and vibrant) bass.

The Craft has a leaner sax tone and bass with the EQ focussing more on drums and piano. In less well bass controlled setups the Craft may sound tighter and more controlled than the AP, in my setup the AP sounds just right, too. The Craft clearly separates the drums and piano from the sax better front/back and sounds more transparent while the AP in comparison images everything more as a mixture of instruments.

Cymbal sound of both is quite comparable here.

I hear a rhapsody:

The AP sounds better balanced with its richer tone and little stronger bass here. Cymbal sound has better resolution compared to the Craft, which has a tape dropout in the cymbals (the AP has not) and a generally slightly tape-wear-like distorted cymbal sound in comparison.

My final thoughts:

I'd prefer the CRAFT on probably several tracks due to its more transparent front/back soundstaging and immediacy, but it's obvious, that although the ONE STEP process or Grundman's meanwhile improved mastering chain (compared to Kevin Gray's old and meanwhile also upgraded one) seems to enable a "technically" better sound quality, the tape suffered and makes the AP clearly superior on other tracks with a tonality, bass groove and sax tone I'd generally prefer a bit to the Craft's.

So I'd switch between the two. On the tracks without tape wear I'd enjoy the Craft's obviously better transparency while on the others the AP's better tape quality, top end resolution, sax tone and bass focus.

Owners of the AP who missed the Craft don't have to cry, they have a gorgeous release, too and an at least equally essential one imo.