Dark Matter pressings

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?

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.  

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

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 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.

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

@FBech