Quote from PB on July 21, 2026, 2:25 am

It is my understanding that this thread is about the perceived "lack of bass" on certain lineages, comparing a Polish pressing to a UK is not comparing lineages but comparing pressings. I fear the Love Over Gold comparison was done with the 2012 Box set vs the US promo, again not comparing lineages but lineages and pressings....not really an apples to apples comparison

Quote from JoePopenagen on July 21, 2026, 12:36 pm

PB.

This is the album I mentioned:

Dire Straits – Love Over Gold (Quiex Promo).zip – 831.98 MB - July Week Two -

I’ll say it again: the sound is spectacular and the detail, the soundstage, the air between the instruments; they make for a tremendous, fantastic stereo pair. The only thing missing for me is the weight of the bass and that kick-drum punch in the chest (this is exactly what happened to me with the other rips).

I also heard Led Zeppelin – III (UK Plum).7z – 928.13 MB - July Week Three -
Simply, spectacular sound, truly out of this world; the bass and the groove are a bit better, and I can tell that J.P. Jones and Bonzo are really channeling that classic Zeppelin vibe, though for my personal taste, It could use a little more weight in the groove and the bass.

To verify my listening impressions, I used Foobar's Spectrum Analyzer, and the graphs indeed confirmed what I mentioned.

It's a matter of taste; I don't want you to feel uncomfortable with my comment. At the end of the day, it’s all a matter of taste, and everyone likes what they like. Please don’t take my comment as a negative criticism or a sign of disrespect; quite the opposite, I am amazed by your work.

(((hugs)))

Quote from JoePopenagen on July 21, 2026, 12:49 pm

Cita de Drybonz del 21 de julio de 2026 a la 1:41 a. m.

La edición polaca de Joy Division suena bastante diferente (para mí) a la británica (de Black Ice)... pero la diferencia no radica tanto en la procedencia como en la calidad de la edición. Conservé la británica en mi colección porque me gustaba más. Compáralas y dime qué te parecen, Joe.

Joy Division is one of my all-time favorite bands—I’ve been listening to them since I was 15 and without a second thought,
I’d choose a UK pressing over a Polish one.The audio is N times better; plain and simple, it's a British band, with British mastering and pressing.

Rhino did release remasters, but they don't measure up to the original pressings or early UK editions; and what's more... if you get a 1990s Joy Division CD, you'll see the dynamic range (DR) averages between 12 and 14, and it will sound better than a modern Rhino remaster. Call me a purist or "meticulous," but I avoid remasters entirely—I always look for early editions.

Quote from JohnLaidlaw on July 21, 2026, 1:38 pm

There will be a new rip in the near future of the "Old Blue" Transco cut of Closer and a Porky of Unknown Pleasures ..Both are winging there way to PB so then you may have a better chance to assess bass levels with the new lineage..I did compare the last rip of the "Old Blue" against the Polish and also the Nippon Box that I have ..The Polish does pale in comparison to both with a much more refined sound ..Its good if not great ..It's correct to say though that you cannot compare these like for like as they are completely different cuts and pressings..

Quote from jeffgt14 on July 21, 2026, 2:14 pm

Quote from JoePopenagen on July 21, 2026, 12:36 pm

PB.

This is the album I mentioned:

Dire Straits – Love Over Gold (Quiex Promo).zip – 831.98 MB - July Week Two -

I’ll say it again: the sound is spectacular and the detail, the soundstage, the air between the instruments; they make for a tremendous, fantastic stereo pair. The only thing missing for me is the weight of the bass and that kick-drum punch in the chest (this is exactly what happened to me with the other rips).

I also heard Led Zeppelin – III (UK Plum).7z – 928.13 MB - July Week Three -
Simply, spectacular sound, truly out of this world; the bass and the groove are a bit better, and I can tell that J.P. Jones and Bonzo are really channeling that classic Zeppelin vibe, though for my personal taste, It could use a little more weight in the groove and the bass.

To verify my listening impressions, I used Foobar's Spectrum Analyzer, and the graphs indeed confirmed what I mentioned.

It's a matter of taste; I don't want you to feel uncomfortable with my comment. At the end of the day, it’s all a matter of taste, and everyone likes what they like. Please don’t take my comment as a negative criticism or a sign of disrespect; quite the opposite, I am amazed by your work.

(((hugs)))

I wouldn't say LZ III has ever been an album filled with low end.

I think too, the A5-B5 pressing has generally been acknowledged as being one of the few original UK pressings with a solid low end. The Blackice rip was the A5-B5 but it's possible the Step Up is different.

Quote from Drybonz on July 21, 2026, 3:13 pm

Quote from JohnLaidlaw on July 21, 2026, 1:38 pm

There will be a new rip in the near future of the "Old Blue" Transco cut of Closer and a Porky of Unknown Pleasures

This made my day, John.

Quote from PB on July 21, 2026, 4:09 pm

I'm not uncomfortable with your comments, everyone has their opinion/tastes.

I completely disagree with your blanket assessment but you have the right to enjoy what you enjoy.

BTW the BlackIce has a hardcoded +3 db shelf boost at 20hz

 

 

Quote from LastGreenseer on July 21, 2026, 4:19 pm

Yes, and the 3db shelf boost is something I'm glad we're not seeing any more.  No question that most people will not be able to hear it (at least not as something musical), but the new gear clearly delivers a more accurate rip.

 

 

Quote from JoePopenagen on July 21, 2026, 5:20 pm

Quote from PB on July 21, 2026, 4:09 pm

I'm not uncomfortable with your comments, everyone has their opinion/tastes.

I completely disagree with your blanket assessment but you have the right to enjoy what you enjoy.

BTW the BlackIce has a hardcoded +3 db shelf boost at 20hz

PB.

Thanks for the good vibes and for being open to sharing the experience of listening to your ripped work.

All the albums you ripped using this setup are gems; I really enjoy the ones I’ve kept because—based on my experience and my personal listening preferences, everything is perfect! Thanks again!

VPI Scoutmaster with dual belt driven single flywheel motor on Herbie's Tenderfeet

Trans-Fi Terminator T3 Pro With Tomahawk Armwand (4N Silver Shielded Wire)

Audio-Technica AT150ANV Frankencart
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