Dark Matter pressings

2

Comments

  • PB11041
    PB11041 Earth Posts: 2,845
    Tim Simmons said:
    I see on Discogs, the Euro clear was pressed at Pallas in Germany. Is that the same for the 10c version? 
    Someone needs to look at their runnout, Discogs is a mess right now.  It should be that all 10C US were pressed at RTI, and all Euro at Pallas, but that is not certain yet.
    His eminence has yet to show. 
    http://www.hi5sports.org/ (Sports Program for Kids with Disabilities)
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  • PB11041
    PB11041 Earth Posts: 2,845
    cweeks1111 said:
    beano.79 said:
    cweeks1111 said:
    I have Clear, Ten Club, and RSD. Clear is BY FAR the best pressing, IMO. Playing on a Fluance RT85, with a Ortofon 2M Blue Stylus, through AudioEngine A5+ speakers...

    RSD sounds "thinner" and has more noise; the Ten Club version has IGD happening on "Got to Give" and "Setting Sun" which is super disappointing; Clear is has a much fuller sound, is cleaner, and no IGD.

    This album really should have been 2 LPs, IMO.
    I agree, I think 3 sides of music like gigaton would be perfect.

    Is every variant the same weight? I have the black version and was surprised it wasn't 180g
    As far as I know, they are all the same weight. I think it ultimately comes down to where they were pressed. I really wish all of these had been pressed at VMP's plant, as the Yield re-issue sounds amazing. And to me, the Gigaton pressing far exceeds these Dark Matter pressings.
    As of February of 2024 VMP has not yet pressed a record at their new plant, they had to sub contract out the pressing of Yield to Furnace after multiple delays made it clear they would not get the project done in 2023.  Gigaton is a great pressing, it was cut by Chris Bellman and plated and pressed at Acoustic Sounds/Analogue Productions.

    As some people alluded to above, it would have been way better to breakup the b-side.  It could have easily been - Upper Hand, Waiting for Stevie, Segue, Running - then a side C of Got to Give and Setting Sun.  It would have jacked up the production cost, but it would have made for a better sound to everything on the B - Side.  All that said, given what Matt Colton had to work with, he did an impressive job getting this record into the tracklisting he was given for a single 33.3.

    The GZ media variants are all pretty meh, you can give them a nice crank when not looking for that sparkle listen, but the best sounding are the RTI and I would assume the Euro Pallas are all equally good.
    His eminence has yet to show. 
    http://www.hi5sports.org/ (Sports Program for Kids with Disabilities)
    http://www.livefootsteps.org/user/?usr=3652

  • Vedd Hedd
    Vedd Hedd Posts: 4,633
    PB11041 said:
    cweeks1111 said:
    beano.79 said:
    cweeks1111 said:
    I have Clear, Ten Club, and RSD. Clear is BY FAR the best pressing, IMO. Playing on a Fluance RT85, with a Ortofon 2M Blue Stylus, through AudioEngine A5+ speakers...

    RSD sounds "thinner" and has more noise; the Ten Club version has IGD happening on "Got to Give" and "Setting Sun" which is super disappointing; Clear is has a much fuller sound, is cleaner, and no IGD.

    This album really should have been 2 LPs, IMO.
    I agree, I think 3 sides of music like gigaton would be perfect.

    Is every variant the same weight? I have the black version and was surprised it wasn't 180g
    As far as I know, they are all the same weight. I think it ultimately comes down to where they were pressed. I really wish all of these had been pressed at VMP's plant, as the Yield re-issue sounds amazing. And to me, the Gigaton pressing far exceeds these Dark Matter pressings.
    As of February of 2024 VMP has not yet pressed a record at their new plant, they had to sub contract out the pressing of Yield to Furnace after multiple delays made it clear they would not get the project done in 2023.  Gigaton is a great pressing, it was cut by Chris Bellman and plated and pressed at Acoustic Sounds/Analogue Productions.

    As some people alluded to above, it would have been way better to breakup the b-side.  It could have easily been - Upper Hand, Waiting for Stevie, Segue, Running - then a side C of Got to Give and Setting Sun.  It would have jacked up the production cost, but it would have made for a better sound to everything on the B - Side.  All that said, given what Matt Colton had to work with, he did an impressive job getting this record into the tracklisting he was given for a single 33.3.

    The GZ media variants are all pretty meh, you can give them a nice crank when not looking for that sparkle listen, but the best sounding are the RTI and I would assume the Euro Pallas are all equally good.
    So which DM pressings were done at Furnace?  Just the Clear and Black?
    Turn this anger into
    Nuclear fission
  • PB11041
    PB11041 Earth Posts: 2,845
    Vedd Hedd said:
    PB11041 said:
    cweeks1111 said:
    beano.79 said:
    cweeks1111 said:
    I have Clear, Ten Club, and RSD. Clear is BY FAR the best pressing, IMO. Playing on a Fluance RT85, with a Ortofon 2M Blue Stylus, through AudioEngine A5+ speakers...

    RSD sounds "thinner" and has more noise; the Ten Club version has IGD happening on "Got to Give" and "Setting Sun" which is super disappointing; Clear is has a much fuller sound, is cleaner, and no IGD.

    This album really should have been 2 LPs, IMO.
    I agree, I think 3 sides of music like gigaton would be perfect.

    Is every variant the same weight? I have the black version and was surprised it wasn't 180g
    As far as I know, they are all the same weight. I think it ultimately comes down to where they were pressed. I really wish all of these had been pressed at VMP's plant, as the Yield re-issue sounds amazing. And to me, the Gigaton pressing far exceeds these Dark Matter pressings.
    As of February of 2024 VMP has not yet pressed a record at their new plant, they had to sub contract out the pressing of Yield to Furnace after multiple delays made it clear they would not get the project done in 2023.  Gigaton is a great pressing, it was cut by Chris Bellman and plated and pressed at Acoustic Sounds/Analogue Productions.

    As some people alluded to above, it would have been way better to breakup the b-side.  It could have easily been - Upper Hand, Waiting for Stevie, Segue, Running - then a side C of Got to Give and Setting Sun.  It would have jacked up the production cost, but it would have made for a better sound to everything on the B - Side.  All that said, given what Matt Colton had to work with, he did an impressive job getting this record into the tracklisting he was given for a single 33.3.

    The GZ media variants are all pretty meh, you can give them a nice crank when not looking for that sparkle listen, but the best sounding are the RTI and I would assume the Euro Pallas are all equally good.
    So which DM pressings were done at Furnace?  Just the Clear and Black?
    I don't know if there were, I think we saw some video or photo that indicated dark matter being pressed at Furnace, but the only thing I know they had pressed at Furnace was the Yield reissue because VMP whiffed on getting their plant open.
    His eminence has yet to show. 
    http://www.hi5sports.org/ (Sports Program for Kids with Disabilities)
    http://www.livefootsteps.org/user/?usr=3652

  • markin ball
    markin ball Posts: 1,076
    My clear has IGD. Bummed. I guess I'm not a real fan because I only bought one version, lol.

    "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win ."

    "With our thoughts we make the world"
  • dogmatt
    dogmatt Napa, CA Posts: 128
    edited April 2024
    Such disappointing pressings of a great album.  It's hard to listen to. Bummer.  All my variants pretty much sound the same.  I have the RSD, 10C red, and the Chicago blue/red.
    03 Las Vegas
    06 Las Vegas
    06 San Francisco 1
    13 Oakland
    22 Oakland 1
    24 Sacramento
    24 Napa
    25 Nashville 2
  • Vedd Hedd
    Vedd Hedd Posts: 4,633
    Black and Clear sound equally good to me.  
    Turn this anger into
    Nuclear fission
  • toolfan2305
    toolfan2305 Posts: 360
    What is the Whiz Kalifa version?
  • cweeks1111
    cweeks1111 Posts: 199
    It looks like Furnace pressed at least the Black versions, per their Instagram account. Betting that they did others as well.
  • demetrios
    demetrios Posts: 98,308
    Received my 10club black vinyl today (top). It's thicker then the Euro edition (bottom). Euro vinyl includes the Made in Chech Republic sticker on the back, 10club doesn't have the sticker.




  • BF25394
    BF25394 Posts: 4,940
    The pressing of the CD is perfect. No distortion whatsoever.
    I gather speed from you fucking with me.
  • dudeman
    dudeman Posts: 3,203
    Those who have had IGD issues: have you checked the alignment of your cartridge with a protractor to make sure it is set correctly?

    Any time I encounter IGD or sibilance, correct alignment is the first thing I check. Even if your turntable was professionally set up for you, sometimes the cartridge will shift in the headshell over time and with use. 

    Alignment protractors can be bought very inexpensively or you can even print a template yourself for free from a number of online sources. 
    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
  • NewJPage
    NewJPage Posts: 3,324
    dudeman said:
    Those who have had IGD issues: have you checked the alignment of your cartridge with a protractor to make sure it is set correctly?

    Any time I encounter IGD or sibilance, correct alignment is the first thing I check. Even if your turntable was professionally set up for you, sometimes the cartridge will shift in the headshell over time and with use. 

    Alignment protractors can be bought very inexpensively or you can even print a template yourself for free from a number of online sources. 
    I have not checked but this is also the only album I have this issue with that I have noticed.
    6/26/98, 8/17/00, 10/8/00, 12/8/02, 12/9/02, 4/25/03, 5/28/03, 6/1/03, 6/3/03, 6/5/03, 6/6/03, 6/12/03, 6/13/03, 6/15/03, 6/18/03, 6/21/03, 6/22/03, 7/12/03, 7/14/03, 10/3/04, 10/5/04, 9/9/05, 9/11/05, 9/16/05, 5/16/06, 5/17/06, 5/19/06, 6/30/06, 7/23/06, 8/5/07, 6/30/08, 8/23/09, 8/24/09, 5/4/10, 5/7/10, 9/3/11, 9/4/11, 10/11/13, 10/17/14, 8/20/16
  • demetrios
    demetrios Posts: 98,308
    CD releases so far ..






  • Kwynn
    Kwynn Posts: 12
    edited May 2024
    dudeman said:
    Those who have had IGD issues: have you checked the alignment of your cartridge with a protractor to make sure it is set correctly?

    Any time I encounter IGD or sibilance, correct alignment is the first thing I check. Even if your turntable was professionally set up for you, sometimes the cartridge will shift in the headshell over time and with use. 

    Alignment protractors can be bought very inexpensively or you can even print a template yourself for free from a number of online sources. 
    I dug out my alignment protractor and made an ever so slight cartridge adjustment at the 130mm setting. Then I measured the stylis force, which was spot on for my cartridge.

    Replayed the RSD pressing - still encountered IGD.  The overall sound is still dirty and very poor.

    My Missoula variant arrived yesterday (Thanks @demetrios and Ear Candy !) It sounds far superior to the RSD pressing.  Which was a relief as I was thinking I'd need to buy the 10C clear variant to get decent sound.

    I've been listening to some Pink Floyd remasters
    and the RSD Talking Heads Live At WCOZ 77, which was cut at 45RPM. So perhaps  my ears are spoiled and expect better sound.

    Regardless, I'm highly disappointed in the RSD Dark Matter pressing.
    Post edited by Kwynn on
    2003 Missoula, MT
    2005 The Gorge Amphitheatre, WA
  • demetrios
    demetrios Posts: 98,308
    ^ No problemo!
  • dudeman
    dudeman Posts: 3,203
    Kwynn said:
    dudeman said:
    Those who have had IGD issues: have you checked the alignment of your cartridge with a protractor to make sure it is set correctly?

    Any time I encounter IGD or sibilance, correct alignment is the first thing I check. Even if your turntable was professionally set up for you, sometimes the cartridge will shift in the headshell over time and with use. 

    Alignment protractors can be bought very inexpensively or you can even print a template yourself for free from a number of online sources. 
    I dug out my alignment protractor and made the an ever so slight cartridge adjustment at the 130mm setting. Then I measured the stylis force, which was spot on for my cartridge.

    Replayed the RSD pressing - still encountered IGD.  The overall sound is still dirty and very poor.

    My Missoula variant arrived yesterday (Thanks @demetrios and Ear Candy !) It sounds far superior to the RSD pressing.  Which was a relief as I was thinking I'd need to buy the 10C clear variant to get decent sound.

    I've been listening to some Pink Floyd remasters
    and the RSD Talking Heads Live At WCOZ 77, which was cut at 45RPM. So perhaps  my ears are spoiled and expect better sound.

    Regardless, I'm highly disappointed in the RSD Dark Matter pressing.
    That's a bummer about the pressing. Thanks for taking the time to post your findings on your alignment. 

    Those Pink Floyd remasters are terrific!
    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
  • Vedd Hedd
    Vedd Hedd Posts: 4,633
    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. 
    Turn this anger into
    Nuclear fission
  • mrk2
    mrk2 Finland Posts: 2,093
    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?
    225xxx - 6/28/00, 10/20/01, 10/22/01, 9/11/06, 9/22/06, 9/23/06, 6/18/07, 6/26/07, 8/15/09, 6/25/10, 6/30/10, 7/4/12, 7/5/12, 7/7/12, 7/10/12, 6/26/14, 6/28/14, 7/3/18, 7/5/18
  • Kwynn
    Kwynn Posts: 12
    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.
    2003 Missoula, MT
    2005 The Gorge Amphitheatre, WA

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