Dark Matter pressings

Vedd Hedd

Kwynn said:

Vedd Hedd said:

Mentioned this in the stickied thread...

So, I was listening to these variants using my tt and a newer (2019) Onkyo amp I have, not very powerful, 20W speakers, etc.   The variants sounded muddy.  

Then I got my new (vintage) Marantz Amp, and new 75W speakers, and holy cow, it opened up beautifully.  I still think the Clear and Black are the best, but all of the variants I have sounded really pretty good.   I wonder if just equipment is to blame for some of the sound. 

If that's the case there should be a warning label indicating the component and watt requirements necessary to achieve maximum sound quality.

Maybe, but I mean a lot of that is subjective.  Literally a warning could be on any music, "Dont play this on a shitty system."

The CD sounds great in my car and my CD player, sucks on my daughters Lil Boombox.  

Same goes for vinyl...I think older records sound better than reissues, some people like the newer ones cause the have less damage.  But it is what it is.  

I think amps mostly suck nowadays for vinyl.  

PB11041

Vedd Hedd said:

Kwynn said:

Vedd Hedd said:

Mentioned this in the stickied thread...

So, I was listening to these variants using my tt and a newer (2019) Onkyo amp I have, not very powerful, 20W speakers, etc.   The variants sounded muddy.  

Then I got my new (vintage) Marantz Amp, and new 75W speakers, and holy cow, it opened up beautifully.  I still think the Clear and Black are the best, but all of the variants I have sounded really pretty good.   I wonder if just equipment is to blame for some of the sound. 

If that's the case there should be a warning label indicating the component and watt requirements necessary to achieve maximum sound quality.

Maybe, but I mean a lot of that is subjective.  Literally a warning could be on any music, "Dont play this on a shitty system."

The CD sounds great in my car and my CD player, sucks on my daughters Lil Boombox.  

Same goes for vinyl...I think older records sound better than reissues, some people like the newer ones cause the have less damage.  But it is what it is.  

I think amps mostly suck nowadays for vinyl.  

if you have low power speakers though, that is not the AMP,  I have an Onkyo manufactured in 2016 which sounds fine powering Klipsch RB-51-IIs, it has a minimum rating of 50 watts per channel and up to 100 watts at 8 ohm, the speakers are 75 watts.  I still use a phono-pre instead of the onboard as that really allows vinyl to shine.  

Basically anytime you upgrade your system you are going to see both benefits and drawbacks.  But a Marantz with higher watt speakers is like drinking a great espresso after having dunkin donuts regular blend forever.  The vinyl for these are still not peak, especially the city variants made at GZ, but definitely will sound better with your new system.   What kind of turntable and cart are you using?

Kwynn

Vedd Hedd said:

Kwynn said:

Vedd Hedd said:

Mentioned this in the stickied thread...

So, I was listening to these variants using my tt and a newer (2019) Onkyo amp I have, not very powerful, 20W speakers, etc.   The variants sounded muddy.  

Then I got my new (vintage) Marantz Amp, and new 75W speakers, and holy cow, it opened up beautifully.  I still think the Clear and Black are the best, but all of the variants I have sounded really pretty good.   I wonder if just equipment is to blame for some of the sound. 

If that's the case there should be a warning label indicating the component and watt requirements necessary to achieve maximum sound quality.

Maybe, but I mean a lot of that is subjective.  Literally a warning could be on any music, "Dont play this on a shitty system."

The CD sounds great in my car and my CD player, sucks on my daughters Lil Boombox.  

Same goes for vinyl...I think older records sound better than reissues, some people like the newer ones cause the have less damage.  But it is what it is.  

I think amps mostly suck nowadays for vinyl.  

My last comment was "some what" tongue in cheek.   As @PB11041 said " The vinyl for these are still not peak, especially the city variants made at GZ ..."

Although my system is relatively low end, all my other vinyl sounds great to amazing depending on the pressing.  As I mentioned earlier I've been listening to the Pink Floyd remasters which are next level and then put on the RSD Dark Matter and wonder why I paid nearly $50 for such a poor quality pressing.

Vedd Hedd

PB11041 said:

Vedd Hedd said:

Kwynn said:

Vedd Hedd said:

Mentioned this in the stickied thread...

So, I was listening to these variants using my tt and a newer (2019) Onkyo amp I have, not very powerful, 20W speakers, etc.   The variants sounded muddy.  

Then I got my new (vintage) Marantz Amp, and new 75W speakers, and holy cow, it opened up beautifully.  I still think the Clear and Black are the best, but all of the variants I have sounded really pretty good.   I wonder if just equipment is to blame for some of the sound. 

If that's the case there should be a warning label indicating the component and watt requirements necessary to achieve maximum sound quality.

Maybe, but I mean a lot of that is subjective.  Literally a warning could be on any music, "Dont play this on a shitty system."

The CD sounds great in my car and my CD player, sucks on my daughters Lil Boombox.  

Same goes for vinyl...I think older records sound better than reissues, some people like the newer ones cause the have less damage.  But it is what it is.  

I think amps mostly suck nowadays for vinyl.  

if you have low power speakers though, that is not the AMP,  I have an Onkyo manufactured in 2016 which sounds fine powering Klipsch RB-51-IIs, it has a minimum rating of 50 watts per channel and up to 100 watts at 8 ohm, the speakers are 75 watts.  I still use a phono-pre instead of the onboard as that really allows vinyl to shine.  

Basically anytime you upgrade your system you are going to see both benefits and drawbacks.  But a Marantz with higher watt speakers is like drinking a great espresso after having dunkin donuts regular blend forever.  The vinyl for these are still not peak, especially the city variants made at GZ, but definitely will sound better with your new system.   What kind of turntable and cart are you using?

I have a U-Turn Orbit, with an Ortofon blue.  For my pre-amp (when not using the Marantz) is a Schiit Mani.  

Vedd Hedd

Kwynn said:

Vedd Hedd said:

Kwynn said:

Vedd Hedd said:

Mentioned this in the stickied thread...

So, I was listening to these variants using my tt and a newer (2019) Onkyo amp I have, not very powerful, 20W speakers, etc.   The variants sounded muddy.  

Then I got my new (vintage) Marantz Amp, and new 75W speakers, and holy cow, it opened up beautifully.  I still think the Clear and Black are the best, but all of the variants I have sounded really pretty good.   I wonder if just equipment is to blame for some of the sound. 

If that's the case there should be a warning label indicating the component and watt requirements necessary to achieve maximum sound quality.

Maybe, but I mean a lot of that is subjective.  Literally a warning could be on any music, "Dont play this on a shitty system."

The CD sounds great in my car and my CD player, sucks on my daughters Lil Boombox.  

Same goes for vinyl...I think older records sound better than reissues, some people like the newer ones cause the have less damage.  But it is what it is.  

I think amps mostly suck nowadays for vinyl.  

My last comment was "some what" tongue in cheek.   As @PB11041 said " The vinyl for these are still not peak, especially the city variants made at GZ ..."

Although my system is relatively low end, all my other vinyl sounds great to amazing depending on the pressing.  As I mentioned earlier I've been listening to the Pink Floyd remasters which are next level and then put on the RSD Dark Matter and wonder why I paid nearly $50 for such a poor quality pressing.

Yeah, I hear you.  The variants are definitely not prime.  I have a very old copy of Pink Floyd ABITW, and it sounds great on either system. 

Tim Simmons

mrk2 said:

Does anyone have a pressed at Pallas clear variant. The discogs entry seems weird with pictures having the made in czech republic sticker.

where could one get the Pallas variant from? Universal-music.de has clear variant available, but is it this?

I’m beginning to think Discogs is wrong. I even think the RTI plating claim is off. 

PB11041

could someone who got the clear from 10C just open their copy and look at the runnouts?  

cp3iverson

I've yet to spin any of my vinyl copies yet just because the Atmos bluray sounds way too good.  

Father Hubbard

PB11041 said:

could someone who got the clear from 10C just open their copy and look at the runnouts?  

Mine from 10C matches this (even though its listed as Euro release)
https://www.discogs.com/release/30442613-Pearl-Jam-Dark-Matter

Tim Simmons

OK. I think I'm gonna have to get the 10c Clear. 

tbergs

Ok, so the clear is a legit Pallas?

Jed

cp3iverson said:

I've yet to spin any of my vinyl copies yet just because the Atmos bluray sounds way too good.  

What are you playing the bluray on? I have a sonos atmos soundbar and a bluray play but my surrounds and sub aren't atoms so I don't know if I'm hearing it correclty.

Tim Simmons

Ok. So my clear arrived today from the 10c (US store).

Looking at the deadwax, its the same as the 10c. No notes on it being pressed at Pallas. 

If you look at the Discogs listing for clear (rn, theres just Europe, no US listing), everything is the exact same except for the Pallas code. on my US ordered clear it is not listed after Matt@Metropolis=. 

Probably worthwhile to add a US listing. I guess I'll order a clear from Europe and see if thats better.

Kwynn

Tim Simmons said:

Ok. So my clear arrived today. I cleaned it in a full cycle on my Degritter. That’s probably over kill, but if I’m doing an ABC with my 10c red and my Chicago variant, I want to be thorough. 

I did an AB on the 10c and Chicago a few weeks back. Ultimately it was a toss up. Low end was better on the 10c, with the nights better on the Chicago variant. City variants are pressed at CZ and Furnace did the 10c (apparently).

so adding the clear to this mix I have to say sound wise it’s on par with the 10c. Deep low end but the highs aren’t really crisp. I will say the vinyl is light years quieter than the other two. This leads me to conclude it was probably pressed at Pallas because they have fantastic QC and are known as probably the best plant in the world. 

Ultimately, it’s the mastering of the record that hurts the most. We all know it’s compressed to hell and it’s very noticeable here still. 

So my advice if you want the best sounding colored copy, the 10c clear is the way to go. 

Thanks for taking the time to compare the pressings. And thanks for the insight.

tbergs

Tim Simmons said:

Ok. So my clear arrived today from the 10c (US store).

Looking at the deadwax, its the same as the 10c. No notes on it being pressed at Pallas. 

If you look at the Discogs listing for clear (rn, theres just Europe, no US listing), everything is the exact same except for the Pallas code. on my US ordered clear it is not listed after Matt@Metropolis=. 

Probably worthwhile to add a US listing. I guess I'll order a clear from Europe and see if thats better.

Thanks for sharing this info. Definitely not ordering the clear through 10C then. Was hoping for the Pallas edition. 

FBech

Hello , between the clear 10C variant and the europe Pallas clear variant, which one should I get?

Sirens4

I have the red galaxy and black ten club and the Boston rsd variant and the 2 ten club versions sound far superior. 

Loujoe

@FBech

FBech

I am receiving tomorrow the european clear vinyl