Undertitled: From The Wu-Tang The Saga Continues Collection
USA RSD Edition. Limited to 5000 numbered copies (as printed on rear sleeve) Each album jacket features its own unique cover artwork - "1 of 1" Front, Back and Gatefold and one poster inside.
Described by RSD as:
"This Studio 4 Vinyl Signature Series™ is an audiophile-grade, collectors-quality 180g vinyl mastered and pressed on buyer-sourced Neotech™ 100% virgin vinyl processed with no pollutants or additives for cleaner fidelity and extended lifetime playback durability. The mastering process utilizes the Perfect Groove™ mastering software. This software auditions the studio master prior to cutting the acetate to generate a Forecasted Virtual Rendering of the record as well as a report detailing an analysis of potential groove deformations impacting playback quality. This enables the engineer to take preemptive, corrective measures so that the final pressing mirrors the intended audio equalization of the original studio performance.
This 2 LP set is an authenticated and numbered limited edition Mixprint ™ release. Every album jacket features unique “1 of 1” cover art, making each design truly distinct and highly collectible – a first in the vinyl record industry. These covers are created through a harmonious blend of hand-crafted artistry, proprietary technology (without the use of A.I.) and advanced printing techniques."
my copy was one of the noisiest pressings I have bought new the past three years. even after ultrasonic and vacuum cleaning it just had noise through the entire two discs from the gold mica they used to marble these. mine was 0642/5000 and it went back to the shop. cover was red/yellow with samson holding two spears and two ninjas on rear. disc 1 was gorgeous coke bottle with gold dust and disc 2 was blue-green with gold dust. disc 2 was the worst by far with stripes of the gold dust that you could watch the needle pop over. these also produced the dirtiest water in my ultrasonic tank of any records besides thrift store finds that were in a smokers house. what is happening at this pressing plant?
for the $ and the hype this was a huge disappointment considering the music and the sound quality was phenomenal, just totally full of crackles. on my new microline AT it was unlistenable while on my older elliptical ortofon it was much less pronounced but also less dynamic and spacious. ymmv depending on stylus profile and wear.
I may not have returned this if it cost $50 as the concept and art and tunes are amazing but for $75 or flipper prices just move along unless you collect everything wu or have hearing damage and don’t hear over 12khz or are totally unbothered by surface noise.
I really wish they would not use mica in vinyl or if they do I wish they could source quality stuff that is graded by particle size and use qc to ensure each bacth of vinyl does not have veins of it that don't mix properly. of all the records I have returned this decade 80% were due to mica noise from a metallic swirl/marble that has the mica dust at the surface in a vein ready for my needle to scratch over every play.
Overall presentation is top notch. Nothing more to be said about the “one of a kind” covers, they are phenomenal! The records are housed in paper sleeves which is unfortunate but after a quick clean, they both sound great.
After all the hype on the obi: '180g Neotech audiophile vinyl', 'mastered at half-speed...to deliver the precise audio equalization of the original studio performance', 'enhanced durability and reduced degradation ensure an extended playback lifetime and exceptional fidelity' and suggest that for, 'optimal performance, keep away from direct sunlight and store in a dust-free environment', then they put the vinyl in paper fucking inner sleeves... It does sound great, though.
I’m not looking at flipping this RSD release at all - the genuine wu tang classic days are gone but really enjoyed this release (some great features!) and the artwork on my release (tiger, mantis and skeleton warriors) is dope…