Hot Stampers

[jhaan92]

I was reading Better Records website, and they try to tell you, the reader, that companies like MFSL & Nautilus used EQ's in their mastering process. Um, considering my uncle worked for MFSL and met Stan Ricker (also asked him ALL the questions....wouldn't you?)....I'm pretty sure that it is a direct to lacquer master.

I can't see spending a huge amount of money for a "hot stamper" record. I will agree with them when they say that the early Nautilus & CBS Mastersound records are ones that you want to stay away from, but I don't agree with their statement saying that they all used EQ's. The only EQ that I would know they used is the one for the bias for the tape. It's an ultrasonic frequency that is WELL above the human hearing range, so I am not concerned with that.

I fail to understand what makes a "hot stamper" standard record better than a half-speed master, or even the releases from Discovery Records (which I found out are quite rare-have a few of em'). Does anyone know anything about these "hot stampers" or has anyone listened to them? I would like to know-that way I can get an idea as to how special these may or may not be.

Thanks,

Jason

[Sam Cogley]

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=185696

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=127992

[dokblues]

Hogwash!

[similost]

Hot Stampers = New Marketing

[chadnliz]

A search would show this topic covered over and over and over and over with fresh outrage every time, live and let live.......I aint buying them but I dont have enough time to care about those who do.

[jhaan92]

Interesting....I can see that pretty much everyone else sees no merit in these albums. I just can't wrap my head around the fact that by using a second or third generation copy of the master results in a recording that sounds better than a half-speed master. It's like saying you need a pair of 80 dollar Lindsay interconnects. Why? My Audio Research ones do just fine. There is a limit on some things, and for the prices they want for a mass produced album are just a TAD high.

I am under the assumption that there are really nothing special about these records-he just thinks that they sound that great. Must have a tin ear or something to that effect. I can't believe that a standard copy of Dark Side of the Moon or All Fly Home from Al Jarreau will sound better than the MFSL releases, which are done using the ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES....maybe I have the tin ear.....NOT!

Anyway, thanks Sam for showing me the link to the other threads, it was helpful.


Jason

[spideyjack]

I think it is fun to find that magic copy of a record, but I am never in a hurry. I think the people who buy Hot Stampers are just impatient, and have a lot of money to thow around.

I do love reading the descripions that Mr. Hot Stamper writes about individual songs, he apparently has a lot of time on his hands. His description of Brian Eno's Taking Tiger Mountain had me in tears, I laughed so hard.

[jhaan92]

His depiction of the MFSL titles makes me want to go over there and beat him with something blunt......slow death!

I just don't get all the fuss over these "Hot Stampers". It is just a standard record, and there is nothing special about a standard record. They were mass produced, used recycled vinyl, and didn't (at least not usually) use the original master-so there is already a loss in fidelity!


Jason

[Ohighway]

Originally Posted by similost

Hot Stampers = New Marketing

Perhaps they should be called Hot Ploppers instead...

[jhaan92]

Ain't it the truth...... is right! I can't see spending over 300 dollars for a STANDARD record that he thinks sounds better than a MFSL half-speed master....now I'm not saying that MFSL is the best, but they are top notch in their field. I can get a half-speed UNOPENED, cheaper than what he is selling his USED, OPENED, & PLAYED standard records. Why would I want to do that??

-thats what I want to do when I see his prices and his reasoning!




Jason

[similost]