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Why do my rolling stones albums sound bad?

When I first got into vinyl a few years ago, I purchased a few stones albums. I thought they sounded good at the time but now that I have collected quite a few more records the stones albums sound bad in comparison. A few that stand out to me are the sticky fingers re-issue by mobile fidelity and let it bleed by abkco circa 2003.I am really disappointed with both of those.
The MoFi pressing sounds like the vocals are in the background and it sounds overall muddy. This surprised me because of all the MoFi pressing I own of various artist, this stones album is the only one I was not satisfied with. Really sub par compared to the rest of their work I have. I don't own the original so I can't compare the two. I would hope the original sounds much better.
The abkco pressing is a DSD. I didn't know this at the time of purchase or I might have avoided it. I do own a few other DSD pressings of other artist and they sound pretty good. Let it bleed from abkco (2003) sounds like mick is singing underwater. The instruments sound really flat in this one as well.
I also own hot rocks from abkco (2003) which is also a DSD. It sounds a bit better than the let it bleed album but still nothing to be impressed with.
I thought the MoFi pressing would sound better because it is mastered from the original tapes and done AAA. In my opinion it has the worst sound quality of the pressings mentioned here.
I would love to have some stones albums that sound great but, I have been reluctant to purchase any more of them for fear of getting the same sound quality of the other pressings. Are there stones albums out there that sound really good? I want something I can be impressed with. What would you guys and gals suggest. What stones albums do I need to be on the lookout for. Thanks in advance.

Andy
andyprice44
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
"Get the Japanese SHM-SACDs. Yes, ridiculously expensive, but you've never heard these records like that before!"

When did price ever stop anyone here from getting their next fix of good sound????

O-o
\_/
andyprice44 OP
133 posts
 
I have been down the dark path of japanese vinyl before. They are some of the best sounding albums I have. I thought I read somewhere that there is only one last pressing plant still open in japan. If that is true, this plant has amazing quality control. Every bit as good as my pallas albums.

Back on topic, I have an oppo universal disc player as part of my HT but, it is not in my 2-channel setup. I might integrate it in for a bit and see how it sounds. I have a handful of SACDs but, not near the amount of LPs I have acquired. Most of my SACDs are multi-channel. I might try to find a stones 2-channel SACD and see how that sounds.

I have now listened to every song on the two new stones albums I purchased and I am very pleased with them. Micheal Fremer did a review of the Muddy/Stones live album after I purchased my copy. He thought very highly of the album as well. Check it out @ analogplanet.com
playpen
147 posts
 
I have the original stereo london Aftermath LP and is the best of the originals that I have.That's the one to own IMO from original early pressings.Not being a huge Stones fan I find some of their vinyl runs from poor to excellent on the same LP.
jazdoc
363 posts
 
Playpen --

You really need to hear an original unboxed, mono Decca "Aftermath".
photon46
1,008 posts
 
One Stone's lp that does sound very good is the 1995 Virgin "Stripped" release. The four sides of live recordings in small clubs all sound good and the performances, while not the best ever, all are well done IMO. Some reviewers have been pretty harsh about this release, calling the performances lethargic and uninspired. Seems if they aren't always playing with furious passion, the mellower acoustic flavored sets they started playing on the Voodoo Lounge tour turns off some listeners. I don't mind the change up of pace myself.
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