2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
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2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
Anyone here have an opinion as to which version sounds better? I'm looking to get a copy of Alive 2 on vinyl and the 2014 180g versions are hard to find and rather expensive (especially new/sealed). I'm just wondering if it's worth paying the price for the 2014 version or should I keep looking for a 1977 version in good condition.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
Look for the 1977 US pressing, and make sure you can see the word STERLING stamped in the deadwax. It’s a fantastic pressing!
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
Thanks! What about the Japanese pressing? I always hear that Japanese pressings are superior.KissKing73 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2019 6:21 pm Look for the 1977 US pressing, and make sure you can see the word STERLING stamped in the deadwax. It’s a fantastic pressing!
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
I wouldn't dismiss non-STERLING 70's copies if at least side 4 has the stamp. And they are a good price. The audience noise is so overkill on this album that slight mastering differences would doubtfully be even noticeable. On side 4 you'd probably hear a difference. The STERLING I have as my regular play copy sounds great on side 4.
EDIT: I just checked my goodies packed archive copy and although the label printing is different from my play copy they both have STERLING on all four sides. Maybe they are all like this? Dunno.
EDIT: I just checked my goodies packed archive copy and although the label printing is different from my play copy they both have STERLING on all four sides. Maybe they are all like this? Dunno.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
You can probably find details about SQ comparisons here;
https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/ ... es.338938/
Might have to read/search a bit. Long thread in multiple parts.
https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/ ... es.338938/
Might have to read/search a bit. Long thread in multiple parts.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
I've compared both pressings. It's strange that the 180gr Alive II remaster has a wider dead wax compared to the original.
That may be due to some compression since the source is digital whereas the original was analog.
It sounds good though, I wouldn't say it's a bad pressing.
That may be due to some compression since the source is digital whereas the original was analog.
It sounds good though, I wouldn't say it's a bad pressing.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
With the exception of side 4, this album sounds like crap in any version.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
Always settle for the original, especially since they are very easy to find...
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
Your entitled to your opinion but I fucking love Alive 2!markaberrant wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:39 am With the exception of side 4, this album sounds like crap in any version.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
I love it too but it sounds like shit. There's a thick sheet of Rice Crispies noise over all the live stuff. I mean, I get the effect they were going for and it's amusing in that sense but this ain't no sonic masterpiece.Hi I'm Witz wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:54 amYour entitled to your opinion but I fucking love Alive 2!markaberrant wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:39 am With the exception of side 4, this album sounds like crap in any version.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
I got an OG copy of Alive II, or close enough to OG...
And it's fine.
I'm not the biggest fan of the record though...as for the 2014 Re-Masters, I don't have anything with which to do an A to B.
And it's fine.
I'm not the biggest fan of the record though...as for the 2014 Re-Masters, I don't have anything with which to do an A to B.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
get an original Japanese pressing (this goes for pretty much every KISS album)
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
Japanese pressings from the 70’s up until mid ish 80’s are superior pressings IMO. They always used virgin vinyl and limited how much they used each stamper.Hi I'm Witz wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2019 7:14 pmThanks! What about the Japanese pressing? I always hear that Japanese pressings are superior.KissKing73 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2019 6:21 pm Look for the 1977 US pressing, and make sure you can see the word STERLING stamped in the deadwax. It’s a fantastic pressing!
If you are looking for an American 70’s pressing I suggest tracking down a Canadian pressing from the era. Not as many were pressed as in the states, thus less wear on the stampers from the time.
For me, I enjoy the 2014 pressing as well, but as mentioned it is harder to track down these days.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
my fave kiss album, i love it way more than AliveWally Swift wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 6:03 amI love it too but it sounds like shit. There's a thick sheet of Rice Crispies noise over all the live stuff. I mean, I get the effect they were going for and it's amusing in that sense but this ain't no sonic masterpiece.Hi I'm Witz wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:54 amYour entitled to your opinion but I fucking love Alive 2!markaberrant wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:39 am With the exception of side 4, this album sounds like crap in any version.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
Y'all can like it all you want, but it is a sonic atrocity. I'm not talking about the music, I am talking about the mixing, production, and mastering. There really isn't much to debate, it is awful. Not my problem if you are letting nostalgia and your shitty stereo system distort reality.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
LISTEN! I.....stole your love.....ain't never gonna let you go-o!neiltracy00 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 4:23 ammy fave kiss album, i love it way more than AliveWally Swift wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 6:03 amI love it too but it sounds like shit. There's a thick sheet of Rice Crispies noise over all the live stuff. I mean, I get the effect they were going for and it's amusing in that sense but this ain't no sonic masterpiece.Hi I'm Witz wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:54 amYour entitled to your opinion but I fucking love Alive 2!markaberrant wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:39 am With the exception of side 4, this album sounds like crap in any version.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
Wally Swift wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 9:55 amLISTEN! I.....stole your love.....ain't never gonna let you go-o!neiltracy00 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 4:23 ammy fave kiss album, i love it way more than AliveWally Swift wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 6:03 amI love it too but it sounds like shit. There's a thick sheet of Rice Crispies noise over all the live stuff. I mean, I get the effect they were going for and it's amusing in that sense but this ain't no sonic masterpiece.Hi I'm Witz wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:54 amYour entitled to your opinion but I fucking love Alive 2!markaberrant wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:39 am With the exception of side 4, this album sounds like crap in any version.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
I will add this to my previous comments about SQ, listening now to a clean STERLING cut with a super-sensitive AT150Mlx cart I do find that going a bit "tail up" with the VTA brings out more detail on the live tracks that better cuts through the crowd noise.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
Ditto. Sheer excellence front to back from the peak of the band's history.Hi I'm Witz wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:54 amYour entitled to your opinion but I fucking love Alive 2!markaberrant wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:39 am With the exception of side 4, this album sounds like crap in any version.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
Alive II always sounded great to me. The hyper crowd noise adds to the excitement.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
I've got two copies of the '77 pressing, both have STERLING on the dead wax whilst one has a large 'S' with a smaller 'R' and a 'C' in the curls of the 'S' and the other has a large 'T' and possibly an 'I' or '1' next to it so I guess they were mastered by two different people who used those imprints as their 'signature'. I played both back to back and can't hear a huge difference in sound but the 'SRC' one sounded maybe a bit bassier (though I could be imagining that) and I even thought that the 'T1' version was slightly sped up (I mean by a tiny amount, barely noticeable). I love the sound of this album, crazy OTT crowd and all.
Today's lesson in KISStory: How to drive yourself nuts with the different pressings of each LP!
Today's lesson in KISStory: How to drive yourself nuts with the different pressings of each LP!
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
I think I'm just going to keep looking for a 2014 remaster. I want a pristine copy of this album!
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
Agree with this. I love the album, but man it’s a distorted mess. Any pressing I’ve heard.markaberrant wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 9:46 am Y'all can like it all you want, but it is a sonic atrocity. I'm not talking about the music, I am talking about the mixing, production, and mastering. There really isn't much to debate, it is awful. Not my problem if you are letting nostalgia and your shitty stereo system distort reality.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
Amen....nothing compares IMO!ZachAttack wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 6:14 am get an original Japanese pressing (this goes for pretty much every KISS album)
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
Listen to a couple episodes of Kiss My Wax. It’s mind boggling how Much Tom knows about the different variations.BC Witch wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 1:12 pm I've got two copies of the '77 pressing, both have STERLING on the dead wax whilst one has a large 'S' with a smaller 'R' and a 'C' in the curls of the 'S' and the other has a large 'T' and possibly an 'I' or '1' next to it so I guess they were mastered by two different people who used those imprints as their 'signature'. I played both back to back and can't hear a huge difference in sound but the 'SRC' one sounded maybe a bit bassier (though I could be imagining that) and I even thought that the 'T1' version was slightly sped up (I mean by a tiny amount, barely noticeable). I love the sound of this album, crazy OTT crowd and all.
Today's lesson in KISStory: How to drive yourself nuts with the different pressings of each LP!
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
If you find the right seller on eBay most vintage Japanese pressings available are in pretty good shape. Just watch out for foxing.Hi I'm Witz wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 1:22 pm I think I'm just going to keep looking for a 2014 remaster. I want a pristine copy of this album!
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
??? What is foxing?Shawn71 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 12:09 amIf you find the right seller on eBay most vintage Japanese pressings available are in pretty good shape. Just watch out for foxing.Hi I'm Witz wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 1:22 pm I think I'm just going to keep looking for a 2014 remaster. I want a pristine copy of this album!
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
Basically when a record label, sleeve, inner, etc starts to get discoloured spots. Sometimes confused with mould, which it is not. Think age spots on an elderly person. Might have to do with the materials used and/or how it’s been stored over the years.Hi I'm Witz wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 4:41 am??? What is foxing?Shawn71 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 12:09 amIf you find the right seller on eBay most vintage Japanese pressings available are in pretty good shape. Just watch out for foxing.Hi I'm Witz wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 1:22 pm I think I'm just going to keep looking for a 2014 remaster. I want a pristine copy of this album!
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
I love that show! Yes, Tom is a goldmine of KISS info.Shawn71 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 12:07 amListen to a couple episodes of Kiss My Wax. It’s mind boggling how Much Tom knows about the different variations.BC Witch wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 1:12 pm I've got two copies of the '77 pressing, both have STERLING on the dead wax whilst one has a large 'S' with a smaller 'R' and a 'C' in the curls of the 'S' and the other has a large 'T' and possibly an 'I' or '1' next to it so I guess they were mastered by two different people who used those imprints as their 'signature'. I played both back to back and can't hear a huge difference in sound but the 'SRC' one sounded maybe a bit bassier (though I could be imagining that) and I even thought that the 'T1' version was slightly sped up (I mean by a tiny amount, barely noticeable). I love the sound of this album, crazy OTT crowd and all.
Today's lesson in KISStory: How to drive yourself nuts with the different pressings of each LP!
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
Don't understand why they had this album sounding so shitty compared to the first Alive. Going from one to the other, Alive II sounds like an audience bootleg.
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Re: 2014 180g Alive 2 LP vs 1977 Alive 2 LP
The audience track it seems is intended to be part of the music, to elevate as much as possible the grandiose monster that was live KISS. It's apparently not meant to be purely incidental as it should be. Big mistake imo.Spiritual_Chaos wrote: ↑Sun Mar 17, 2019 7:09 am Don't understand why they had this album sounding so shitty compared to the first Alive. Going from one to the other, Alive II sounds like an audience bootleg.