Neil Young LP Box Set

[Gravyfries]

Has anyone bought the Neil Young LP Box Set?

http://www.becausesoundmatters.com/product/neil-young-official-release-series-vinyl-1-4

Seems expensive. I was just curious about it. Thanks!

 

[beatcomber]

I haven't been able to determine if it was mastered from analog or digital sources.

The original '70s & '80s pressings are still plentiful and fairly cheap, and they sound great too. I see no need to spend a lot on a new reissue.

 

[stereofanboy]

I bought a Neil Young four lp box set new for $1 in the cutout section during the '80s. I lost it in a move in 1999. It was pretty good, it included On The Beach and Reactor and two others I can't recall.

 

[similost]

I like Neil, but not enough to pay that price for 4 LP's... I got the Doors set for the same price and it had 7 LP's in it..

Neil has been getting pretty stupid on his LP, CD, DVD and concert prices over the last few years... I really think his ego is a lot bigger than his music any more... It's a shame..

 

[ssmith3046]

I had it pre-ordered when it was only available from Warner Brothers and Young's site. Ended up with#216 in the series. Very nice 180 gram vinyl pressed in Germany by Pallas. Sounds the best I've ever heard these records. No regrets.

 

[stabby]

It does seem pricey. To be fair to Neil, he may not be setting the prices. Usually a team of marketing wienies do that, and anything aimed at collectors gets a price bump.

I'm just glad they're still releasing vinyl!

I didn't buy the "set", I bought mine one at a time. I have the same release of all four albums and they all sound amazing.

 

[southp]

Wouldbe interested to know about the mastering before buying that. I already have decent copies of Harvest and Gold Rush so I don't know if it's necessary.

 

[grooveman]

I also bought the 4 180 gram LPs individually a few months ago. They are really done well and sound great. This new box set seems to be an attempt to collect the 180 gram versions together in a nice box in time for the holiday season.

The original numbered box offered thru Neil's site and Music Matters was 200 gram I believe. What's strange is that priced individually, the 4 180 gram LPs are cheaper than buying them in the new box set! Besides the nice slipcase box and of course the LPs, what else is included to justify the additional cost?

 

[tweazel]

I think the box set has always been 180 gram, the individual records are 140 gram. That is my understanding. There is a very long thread about these over at the Steve Hoffman forum. I guess they sound great but some issues with quality control.

 

[grooveman]

I think you're right about the numbered box being 180 gram. My individual copies don't say 180 gram on the stickers, so they're probably 140 gram. Must of gotten confused. Stiill great sounding records!

 

[Blue Shadow]

Neil strives for sound quality and if he is re-issuing something it is gonna sound better to him so I would think these new versions would be very nice for a Neil Young fan to have in the collection.

 

[markshan]

I haven't been able to determine if it was mastered from analog or digital sources.

The GH album that preceded these was done from first generation analogue except for the digital sourced tracks which were upsampled to 32f/192 and tweaked for the pressing.

That album is the best sounding NY record I have ever heard and I suspect these are just as good.

I wish I could afford them.:tears:

 

[Gravyfries]

Thanks for the replies. I probably wont spring for the box set fearing QC issues. Pallas is supposed to be among the best but almost everyone one of my new Wilco LP's have some sort of surface noise. I'll probably just spring for the for the regular ol' reissues individually.

 

[vinylreview]

Last year, I reviewed all four of the individually released Neil Young 140 gram titles, which are from the same mastering/source as the 180 gram box set versions. Chris Bellman used the original analog tapes and did a very nice job on these. Read the full reviews here: http://myvinylreview.blogspot.com/2009/11/neil-young-original-release-series.html

 

[KeninDC]

Thanks for the infor, vinylreview.

These LPs pop up in the used bins quite often, but finding one on nice shape is the trick.

I'm glad that Mr. Young gives us options (analog, Blu-ray...).

 

[rockinrob86]

I bought the individual 140 gram versions instead of the box set of 180s. The only way to get the 180s is the box set.


I think either form of these would be crucial purchases. They kick the originals so hard it may be illegal.

These records have become my go to records for when someone wants to hear why I like vinyl so much.

My copies do not have any noise problems. I have heard the complaints from other people about the 180 gram versions, but have no firsthand experience on the matter.


I REALLY hope they are already working on Time Fades Away, On The Beach, Tonight's The Night, Homegrown, Zuma, Chrome Dreams, American Stars N' Bars, Decade, Comes A Time, Rust Never Sleeps and live rust.

This is going to get expensive...

 

[ssmith3046]

No complaints from me on the 180 g versions.

 

[wallace1977]

I was mastering some stuff at Capitol a few weeks ago and asked about their vinyl mastering. They said most labels are pressing vinyl from hi-res digital files and not from the tapes. Rhino was one of the exceptions it seems.

 

[Gravyfries]

I was mastering some stuff at Capitol a few weeks ago and asked about their vinyl mastering. They said most labels are pressing vinyl from hi-res digital files and not from the tapes. Rhino was one of the exceptions it seems.

I heard Sundazed also masters from digital copies. That bums me out since I thought out of all the companies they would do it the old way.

 

[markshan]

I heard Sundazed also masters from digital copies. That bums me out since I thought out of all the companies they would do it the old way.

It shouldn't bum you out. Dropouts and splices are much more easily fixed in the digital realm. Done properly, a high resolution digital master can sound much better than an analog one.

What is a bummer is when they cut the album from the Redbook CD master.:thumbsdn: