Steely Dan – Countdown To Ecstasy

I can’t recommend this at all based on the copy I got. Extremely dirty, so did a wet clean. Distortion on Razor Boy, Boston Rag, and king of the world. The pressing is noisy. And then there seems to be some lift in the upper mid range that makes it fatiguing.

Adding to thread of distortion issues on Razor Boy / Boston Rag. Purchased in Canada.

my copy sounds fine, dont have an original to a/b but on my regular setup i'd be surprised if the original was noticably better.

Immaculate sounding pressing. Dynamics really come alive highlighting the pristine warmth that 70s Steely Dan LPs are famous for. Even Kathy Berberian knows this is her favorite album from the inimitable duo...

Crap late MCA repress! Word Word Word Word Word Word

I just finished listening to this version all the way thru and here's my summary:

No tics or pops at all. The pressing is flat and clear as glass and perfectly on center. I've listened to my OG copy for as long as the record has existed and this one has its good points especially separation and the clarity of the instruments. On the negative side I do hear some distortion on Razor Boy during the chorus section (and its the second cut so not inner groove problems). Some distortion creeps in on other cuts like Gold Teeth anytime there's keyboard (which is all the time).

Overall I'm pretty disappointed with this one. It amazes me that with mastering technology being what it is that a remaster of a record like this should be pretty close to perfect, yet comparing it to my OG copy I'd sooner listen to that. And it's been played hundreds of times.

1976 Technics SL3200 Turntable
Ortofone Blue
Cambridge Soundworks Azur 550A Integrated Amplifier
beyerdynamic DT880 Headphones
Acoustic Research AR4x Speakers

Found a VG copy of this repress for $10 in a local record store. Not terrible, not great. Definitely NOT the Holy Grail pressing of this album. It’s okay if one has nothing better. If you’re hunting for one of the better pressings, pass on this. It’s just not bright where it should be. Bass is muted and muddy. Mids are lacking except for the vocals. Some sibilance in places.

I performed A/B comparisons with UIGY-15005 and find Chad's AP sounding quieter and more transparent especially in the midrangey outro of King of the World. The UIGY-15005 is likely compressed with a raised floor, too bassy, maybe even muddy by comparison and just nowhere near as transparent as this new AP SACD. Maybe this is a flat transfer?

I just got my copy this week, and the record sounds wonderful, also no speed issues as a few people have mentioned.

GZ Media guarantees tics and pops as a minimum. At least its centered, unwarped and non fill free. The tics and pops are quite frequent but just short of overbearing. For £15 in the UK it will suffice. Its well mastered. No nasty sibilance which Show Biz Kids can suffer from on CD for example. Nice balance of sound and harmonics. Probably going to be resoundly beaten by my incoming 1Step!!