Roxy Music – Stranded

Another amazing sounding Roxy LP, this time the sound is widescreen super-lush CinemaScope. Sort of spooky sounding, recessed & booming, but in a good way. Sounds great played LOUD

A Christmas gift from my brother in law, wonderful sound, silent pressing, detailed and dynamic presentation, delighted.

Difference between this and the other HDCD U.S. Virgin issue?

Bit of a quality control issue with my copy. There’s a scuff on the lead in and a scratch across the first 2 tracks. Fortunately it’s only really audible for a couple of seconds at the start so I didn’t return it. It was also really dirty, like it had been left out whilst someone had a cigarette break over it! That was fine after a wet clean but it would have taken some work if I didn’t have that facility. Great sounding record though, like all the other recent half speed remasters.

Sounds very nice great presentation sound stage wise nice bass midds and highs clean 9/10

I don't have an original 1st pressing to compare to, but I do have the box set released some years back. This pressing blows that one away, and the vinyl quality is far superior in every way. The pressing is clean, flat, and centered. The music sounds excellent. I'm interested in the difference in dynamic range between this and the original release as this one sounds a touch compressed, but far from brick walled. Overall this release is a win.

Had to compare this to my original UK 1st pressing.
I did some high resolution recordings of both so I could switch quickly between the two.
This new 1/2 speed is wonderful and true to the original.
No loss in dynamics and overall sounds cleaner, giving more insight into the recording, so is it actually better?
Like GoldSphincter has said the artwork isn't on par.
Certainly not side by side with my original.
Overall an impressive sounding re-issue and certainly for those not wanting to invest heavily in an original pressing.

I took a bit of a risk buying the first four Roxy albums (half speed masters) in one go, I have not yet heard the first two as they haven’t arrived. My initial impression of Stranded is that they have done great job on it, some of the tracks like Street Life are total sonic overload, but it sounded great and I didn’t feel any need to turn the volume down. The bass on Amazona comes across beautifully. There is great separation, the kissing effects on Mother of Pearl were so wide that it made turn around to see if anyone was there. And the vinyl is flat and dead quiet throughout. I have to say that I’m very impressed. The only downer is that the cover of this and Country Life look a bit too ‘soft’ and sleeves are little on the thin side. There was no Abbey Rd cert. The printed inners are supplied without the records inserted which is good, they come in their own black poly-lined sleeves. Signed ‘Miles Abbey Road Rm30’ in the run-out.

If you can find a VG+ or NM copy at a reasonable price, this reissue is worth it. Quiet and well pressed.

Quite a nice pressing - dead quiet, nice separation. Can’t compare it to the UK first but sounds great to my ears.