Sheffield Lab

I have a stack of them as well, but haven't played any in years. Great sound but musically not to my taste at all and these days, I'm more interested in music than sound.

Interestingly, I find that those that have music that I think that I will like, examples being Tower of Power "Live and Direct" and the trio of Harry James offerings, are musically rather tepid compared to other offerings by the same artists, and perhaps this is because they know that they have to do it in one take and there is no editing after the fact. It may be that what makes the medium so impressive sonically also restricts the artists in ways that adversely affect the performance.

I'm especially fond of the Dave Grusin and Harry James LPs. I constantly refer back to them whenever I need a touchstone after making a system change or listening to something I think might approach that level. I also find the Drum Disk and Track Record useful, mostly for finding resonances in my listening area after moving tchotchkes and/or furniture around.

My only quibble with Sheffield Lab disks is they weren't pressed on JVC Super Vinyl. I have a few Japanese pressings of Genesis and Pink Floyd as well as a few Barking Pumpkin Zappa pressings that were, and like the early MFSLs, they are simply outstanding. Silent and resilient.

The vinyl quality made a bigger difference than the half-speed remastering in several instances, IMO. My Sheffields are still sonically superior, but have worn some with play. The Super Vinyl disks sound just as good as when they were new.

A (possibly) comparable new pressing I've heard is Chick Corea's The Vigil. My hearing may not be as acute as it once was, but I thought that record was excellent. If you like that kind of music, check it out and see if you agree.

Problem is, for me, the music they play sucks as music. Maybe great sound, but nothing I want to listen to.
They are one of the main reasons for the joke about audiophile recordings..Wonderful sound with awful performances of total dreck.
Even when a mainstream group does a special 'audiophile label album it usually sucks. Just the curse of audiophilia.

I will take a great performance with audio flaws anyday over a perfect audio recording with a crappy performance by no-one anyone cares about.

Mr. Whart-AC's "Love it to Death" better than Sheffield Labs? Really? You sure?
Guess we finally added a guy with great musical taste here on the Agon. Well done. Great sounding record, with Alice's best tunes ever. He never came close, IMHO. How about how tight his band was? Extraordinary. I do not have the "Straight" label press but will seek same out at your suggestion.

In general, the above comments are all true. However, one of my favorite recordings is Lincoln Mayorga and Amanda McBroom's "Growing up in Hollywood Town." Their "West of Oz" is also a classic, IMO. I thought Lincoln Mayorga's "Missing Linc" LP was also a first-rate recording, but not really my style. I can't think of better recordings for showing off your system.