pulling out the white album for a listen

I have the original CD and the stereo and mono remasters. I prefer the original, just has a better feel to it. The remastered version is nice for some of the individual songs, but for the big listening experience I have to go with the '87.

 

I felt the same way, regarding the German DMM, until I experimented a bit, and found out that the brightness was completely eliminated by switching from the 'Pure Direct' circuit on my receiver, to 'Direct', or Standard. Don't ask me why it adds the brightness the way it does, but until I resolved that issue I had been very unhappy with that album. Now it sounds great, and its unique characteristics really come through. I also found that I had the same issue with the entire Blue Box series, but switching to 'Direct' brings out all of the qualities in them that people usually rave about. Fortunately, this only seems to be an issue with a very small number of recordings. Strange, but true.

 

I only have the 2009 mono CD and the US Apple LP. I like both but have played the LP more.

 

Thanks for pointing that out. That was something about the White stereo remaster that was bugging me, but I couldn't put my finger on.

 

Me too! I think it's underrated in these parts. I turn down the treble slightly and enjoy the detail and separation.

Recently, tho, it's been the mono CD just because it's so new to me.

 

2009 mono

 

I forgot about that one!! Except I only know of a 28 and a 50- cylinder version.

 

The LPs vary a lot. CDs are all ok... the old CD was remarkably good and so are the remasters in their ways. Haven't developed a firm preference yet, I've been happy with all the CDs. I wish the choice was this tough for most releases.

 

Mono, usually.

 

Mine was. I got one of the early ones that were individually numbered, and it came in two white jewel cases.

 

Not even close to what?

I would say, not even close to Steve's preferred CD version...



I prefer the original CD over the remaster for this album.

 

A lot of members like the remaster for different reasons: http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=193406&highlight=beatles+remasters

 

I prefer none .... how this got to be a "legendary album" is beyond me , such an average album , with average songs , a few really good one's with ton's of stuff i just don't like .

 

I'd love to get my hands on an earlier UK pressing but the one I got was for $30 off Ebay and it's one of the best $30 LPs I own for sure. My version is stereo so I guess my next step will be a mono version. I've had pretty good luck with other Beatles UK vinyl (Pepper 70s and Rubber Soul Y&B) and I've never spent over $35. I need a good version of Abbey Road...sorry off topic.

 

remaster

Every time I hear this album, I'm reminded of the fact that things you hear in the music of, say, Radiohead (especially OK Computer, Kid A, Amnesiac era) was already done by the Beatles on this record.

 

At home I play the first German vinyl pressing (SMO-2051~2) a lot for the stereo mix. My go-to mono pressing is the Japanese red vinyl from 1982. I have over twenty versions of the WA, and those two are the ones for me. So I chose the last option in the poll.

But now the 24-bit version from last year gets quite a lot of plays as well. It sounds great over my HD-600s on the bullet train.

I'm also quite happy with the 2009 mono and stereo CD versions, but they don't get played that often.

Best,

Robert

 

I have:
'87 CD
Stereo LP, MFSL Original Master Recording
Mono LP, Japanese import, red

Go to: CD for convenience and MFSL for sound quality. Mono LP sounds great and mono mixes are refreshing but I prefer stereo (though tempted to buy new mono box set).

 

Yeah, the box is cool! Here's one on Ebay if you're interested. Not cheap, though:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BEATLES-WHITE-A...59?pt=Music_Other_Formats&hash=item4cf34f81cf

 

2009 mono remaster CD for me.

I also have:

1982 UK mono LP
Late 1970s UK stereo LP
Original US stereo LP, No. 2922032 (my late mother-in-law snagged this for me at a neighbor's house-cleaning)
2009 stereo remaster CD
1987 stereo CD

 

I have:

Capitol cassette box
Original U.S. vinyl
UK Blue Box vinyl
German DMM white vinyl
'87 UK CD (HMV box)
30th Anniversary CD
'09 Stereo remaster
'09 Mono CD (box)

...and it's not even my favorite Beatles album. No wonder my wife thinks I'm insane.

 

Mono CD gets my vote.

 

On my iPod, I jump between the mono and stereo remasters. On CD, however, it's the stereo remaster that I listen to. The mono album would be perfect if Helter Skelter wasn't faded early.

 

Why wasn't THIS a choice?

 

I own around thirty five or so different mono and stereo White Albums on vinyl and CD and several needledrops. I've been listening to my '76 and '83 Capitol copies recently, for old times sake. The '83 issue sounds pretty good. I also have been playing the mono CD a lot since 9/9/09