Audiophile LP Reissue History with Chad Kassem 

Your a big reason why we have this PERMANENT resurgence of LPs and tapes! You and "Fremer" did 70% of the important work!

What a fascinating story...

Thanks Chad for this history and for all that you and your team does.

A brilliant review of the audiophile label history and fascinating to hear how Chad started out. We are so fortunate in the 21st century, to have such a wide choice of excellent music on vinyl. Long may it last!

I enjoyed this video very much! I am always hoping to find some of those amazing albums while out shopping.🔥 Take care.

Chad is a cultured dude. Very impressive. Please call Jimmy Page and do the thing we all want !

What a great history and story of AS!

I met Chad at a Hi-Fi show back in 2002, same guy back then, full of enthusiasm. Glad his business model worked out.

Wow! 30 years since buying "Songs" at CES. And today, Blow by Blow 45 came today. And who could believe Chad could press a rock record including the drums and cymbals that is so quiet and detailed on even black vinyl. And kudos to my Revox turntable and Soundsmith AIDA cartridge for the amazing reproduction for those of us who don't have $50K turntables and $10K arms.

Awesome story, Chad! I've always wondered how it was that you got to where you are today. You did it the good old fashioned way... hard, hard work, persistence, excellent work ethic, and an authentic passion for great music. Thanks for sharing!

Excellent

Thanks Chad!

Great history, great records and great video. Thanks Chad for champion the hifi audiophile resurgence.

Awesome video Mazel Tov

Very interesting to hear about the history of audiophile labels and how Acoustic Sounds got started.

Nice trip down memory lane for us older guys.

I had the Popular HiFi / Nimbus "kind of blue" and the Mastersound "Born To Run" and, back in the day, sold them both off (cheaply!!) to replace them with c.d's. I've spent the last few years trying to buy back the vinyl titles I disposed of. Such is the folly of youth........ Fortunately I had the good sense to retain my Nimbus "Feats don't Fail Me Now"

Thanks Chad....this was great.

Chad, It is so wonderful to see and hear REAL experience and passion. You Sir are a legend. Thank you for the music...

Great video Chad Had to watch it again Awesome! Mazel Tov

I don't know if Chad has kids, but it would be awesome to be a member of your family and hear these stories in person; imagine inheriting that collection and all this info - he should write a book! The memories of developing his hobby into a thriving business is truly inspiring & very well deserved.

Wonderfull Chad, so amazing packed with Historical recordings, I picked up the studio Two Record a few years back, i just took a chance I thought it might be a good recording , I yes it blew me away, & now I know it was part of your early re-issues will treasure it. Back in 1989 when I was 17, here in UK, i would listen to a local Radio station one Night they had two guest speakers from local Hi Fi Shop, I remember they stated " CD was a New toy " and records played on a good system sounded much better, and records would be around for hi fi people for years to come, so glad i listened to them .I then started buying Uk Hi Fi World mag in 1991, which right up till it went bust in 2022 was Mag that Championed analogue Sound with records, for many years recently I have followed You & Mike Framer on youtube. So glad I Got into Vinyl at a time in 90's when Vinyl was mainly sold for Dance music 12". I would buy 2nd hand Lp's by the like of " Manhattan Transfer " for the sheer quality of recordings

Outstanding! We need more videos like this and its great to see how many companies worked so hard to deliver exceptional, priceless music on vinyl in the beginning, including you and it is why we have the higher standards those who love music have today. Some of the earlier pop, rock and soul music acts that were getting audiophile treatment are not now, but that will hopefully change soon.

Thanks Chad

Really interesting trip down memory Lane, thanks Chad. Never fails to amaze me how great 3 track recordings sound. Ever thought of doing a little tour of your music room? Would be great to see what turntable and audio equipment you use.

Thanks for sharing your story. That was awesome!

Amazing OG stuff here man! Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. Super stoked to see that your stick-to-itiveness has paid off in such giant way..... SERIOUSLY, "Hard work pays off" and "Good things come to those who wait" epitomized!

I like my Nautiluses and my Sheffields! Thelma Houston and the pressure cookers and Dave Grusin were two great Sheffield titles.

I hated record noise so I loved the Mobile Fidelity's. I used to go to a stereo store called Opus One and take a stack of Mobile Fidelity records into the room on the right where there were a pair of Spica speakers and a Dual turntable and I think a Kenwood receiver and just listen to them all and buy the ones I liked. I have many of those audiophile records you mentioned.

Great video, I live a stones throw from your recording studio. Can't believe I've never met you.

A terrific video, totally engrossing. Fascinating to hear about Chads backstory- I had no idea! There is no doubt about his love of music in general and of excellence in all aspects of music production and reproduction. His enthusiasm crackles all the way through the 30 plus minutes.

Awesome, Chad. I only listen to LP. Back in the 80s, a lot of audiophile LPs were out of print. I couldn’t afford $100 record. Because of you, I bought a lot of great sounding reissued LPs from Acoustic Sounds. I still buy from you. You are a legend. You have contributed tremendously to the current vinyl comeback. Keep up the good work.

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing! _I'd love to have some AP reissues of Tool_

This is so good, thank you Chad. you have come from a humble background and have such a passion for our hobby that you have used your time to develop it even further. Man, that is just awesome! Times and technology have progressed - now I just wish I could buy just one of your UHQR releases for a hundred bucks!

I started my audiophile journey as well with the old school Mobile Fidelity! Back then I had less disposable income however… Very glad vinyl has come back and that Analogue Productions is a major contributor to our hobby.

This was one of my favorite Chad/Acoustic Sounds videos. I came to this hobby on my own maybe 10 years ago and didn’t know any “elders” who could explain any of this stuff. I’ve pieced some of it together over the years, but it’s invaluable to get a first hand account from a HOF’er like Chad. Thanks.

Great video Thank you Chad (Habibi) Happy New Year! Chag Sameach

What history of our hobby and an incredible success story too 🎉

The money on the table story was priceless. Lol

Fascinating. Keep up the good work Chad.

Great history lesson, Chad - thanks, and look to (perhaps)seeing you at the next T.H.E. show in Orange County, CA area.

Love the history. I've been a customer since 1989. I still have my first invoice # 1650 and sometimes wish I could go back in time and secure some of those old LP's. It's been a great run with lots more down the road. Long Live Acoustic Sounds and Chad!

Do you have plans to ever reissue/repress those early Vanguard classical LPs? Would be wonderful to have those available again.... This was a great video. I got back into vinyl in mid-90s and bought several of your blues records (adore that Otis Spann record) and the Miles Davis/Thelonius Monk boxes. It's been amazing to see your business grow without ever compromising your core values. Here's to many more years!!!

Incredible times for audiophile vinyl, mostly thanks to you Chad :)

It would be great to see your audio equipment that you play these great albums.

Chad Keep up the great work - we all come here for the 2 week announcement So glad you took a chance on keeping vinyl alive - I came back big time in 2000. Every Superdisc record I have ever had sounded dreadful compared to an original - I have no idea why these are praised. Wished Sheffield Lap did something worth listening to - not just an audiophile lp

What a great Video. Thank you so much...

Fantastic video!

Always good Chad thanks for keeping the art alive.

Been buying records since the 70's. Was completely oblivious to Audiophile pressings. Wish I knew back then what I now know.

Really fascinating! Thanks for this video. PLAY LOUD!

Great stuff Chad. It’s awesome hearing about how you started out! It’s only out of the passion you and a few others had when vinyl was unloved that we are in such a great spot today. Without that much of the art of LP production would likely be lost.

Thank you so much for sharing your story, Chad. Your passion for vinyl and music is inspiring, Thank you for putting your love into your label and making these great records available to us. Cheers from Vermont!

Thank you much for this wonderful lesson in the art of collecting. You developed a love for music at an early age, and able to catapult your desire and the guts to create Acoustic Sounds. You produce and excellent product !

Awesome video Chad 👏 thank you for sharing this and for continuing the legacy to this day! I’d love to hear more history like this, and more about your fabulous company!

I am so thankful for your most excellent work!

Thanks for taking the time to put this wonderful historical video together Chad. We all now have a much better appreciation of what goes into a successful outcome with all the hard work and dedication and wish you nothing but the best.

Thanks Chad. Very informative

Thank you, Chad

That was fascinating to listen to. I have some records from many of those labels but only a few. I bought only audiophile recordings of records that I liked. But my collection is in the hundreds not thousands. Also, I never traded records I only bought them. I love pulling out my direct to disc and Casino Royale records and listening to them. I have to admit the new ones from Acoustic Sounds and Mofi (yea I still like some of their stuff) are the best yet. I bet the record companies are finally realizing the value of analog because you can't easily copy them at the same quality. Back in the day they whined about us making cassettes to play in the car instead of buying another copy. But nowadays they must see the value in high quality records that you have to own to have the quality. Digital is just too easy to copy.

Fascinating. I took a lot of notes, took me back to my college days! I can't thank you enough Chad, you're continuously fueling my passion for vinyl records. Salute.

Thanks for doing this Chad. I have collected these labels since the mid 1980s. Many of your clientele are to young to know about these things. My earliest memory of dealing with Acoustic Sounds was when I had a sealed MFSL copy of The Doors first album and wanted to trade some items for it. I wanted BS&T, Moondance, and Dixie Dreggs on Direct to Dics Labs. You're staff thought I was full of shit about a sealed Doors album. But you personally got on the phone and we worked out a deal. I still have those records from that conversation and that deal. Thanks for this refresher course in audiophile label history.

Great vid. And the quality of vids is getting better and better. Keep it up.

Revival of vinyl record.

Excellant video. I started collecting audiophile records in 1984 and still collecting them.

Awesome history! Love what you do!

I remember the Audiophile section at Musicland. I remember as a teenager thinking "no way it's a gimmick". What did I miss!!!! Hahaha.

What can I add that others haven't already said? Thanks for the interesting video. It's great to hear first hand about the early audiophile vinyl days (I was around, but only as a young (read: impoverished!) customer). Your humility and humbleness is also obviously genuine. Thanks to you and your excellent team for all the hard work!

Chad, very interesting video for those of us who have been collecting since then. However, I am very thankful for you and your company. Love everything I have purchased from Analogue Productions. Keep up the great work! Thank you, Mark

This was fantastic to hear, especially having lived through this, great history! Thanks Chad, you're a legend !

This is amazing. A lot of great information. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks, I have some of the MFSL, Nautilus, SuperDisk titles, including one UHQR, as well as direct to disc LPs. Marvelous records. BTW, I also have that For Duke and Le Cid (#1249). Keep the faith, and keep ‘em coming.

Absolutely brilliant video. Thank you for taking the time to do this. I remember all those labels and your story is just really inspiring.

Dear Chad, thanks great albums! I would love to say, your Verve selection is superb!!! So amazing titles! Please keep an eye on: "Once upon a summertime" by Blossom Dearie, "The Individualism of Gil Evans", "Torchy" by Carmen McRae!!! Go in!!! Thanks!!!

Wow, it is so amazing to hear your story and see the wonder that is still in your eyes and voice. I think this is why you put out such amazing quality. You have not become jaded in your passion. Thank You for sharing this.

Awesome history thanks

Very cool!

Awesome, Chad as always, you’ve already alerted me to the Planets Decca copy which I’ve put an order in for. Love your stuff, and truly inspiring to see how you got started.

Would love to see some re-issues of the Grand Funk titles

This is awesome! To my ears, AS/AP best reissues overall are the ones in the AJAZ 45rpm series. Nothing sounds like it!

Chad, another great video. I enjoyed hearing some new tidbits on how you got started and what the vinyl community was like at that time. An appreciation of great sounding vinyl is not something new and people have always been willing to pay a little more for that quality. Acoustic Sounds has done a great job providing that quality music not only for the audiophile, but also for the newbie and everyone in between. Thanks to you and your team for what you do.

What a fantastic video! Thanks Chad! I'm trying to get all the Nimbus Supercuts. Might take a while but they are great!

Great video Chad very informative, love what you all do at Acoustic Sounds, keep up the good work, all the best x

I beg you Chad to do an audiophile reissue of Silk Degrees

Chad the best video on some of the best music pressings from the day. And how you was able to make this hobby the best it can be. As I’m sure you know phase 4 London records from the early 60,s were using a 20 channel processor which they hand built to be able to record 20 microphones of classical music into a 2 channel stereo sound recording. These many records they made sound amazing attention to every detail. They released every kind of classical music from around every corner of the world. Today these records are in the dollar bins. I don’t get it. What’s your take on this and how do they fall into place.

I definitely wish I had been “in the know” about Classic Records. There’s a lot of great titles there that I doubt have been done better… yet?

Any chance we could see some Lee Konitz on Verve (Motion or Tranquility in particular) in the next crop of the Verve Acoustic Sounds Series?

Nice Kenny Wayne Shepard shirt👍

Love hearing the history and perspective of a music/vinyl lover. Do you mind saying what that first song was that your friend have you sit and listen to in between those speakers?

I am waiting for AAA vinyl reissues of all Miles Davis albums

Really enjoyed this and super curious when we might see Sonny Rollins way out west on the new acoustic sounds contemporary series

Chad, any chance of a Bill Evans Fantasy Recordings box, as a companion to the Riverside Recordings set? Thanks for all that you do.

👌

I’m more of a music fan than an audiophile and I’m seeing a crazy escalation in prices these days. That said, I enjoyed this video. (But would never pay $300+ for an LP)

would love to see some THELONIOUS MONK on analogue productions!

Great video Chad was very informational as someone who has just recently started to dabble in the audiophile space. Also what's the street date on the Pretzel Logic UHQR?

You have to have a decoder for the nautilus presses which I did not know at the time. I paid 55 bucks for the Fillmore east, put it on and was terrible. Still don't have the decoder yet as I already had two copies of it. Just pissed that the guy I got it from didn't give me this bit of info. Anybody have any input on the nautilus records?

Would like to hear your thoughts on the quality of the various labels. I have some sealed Mastersound , Nautilus, Direct Disc.....Aloha

What about some free and cream from analogue productions 45 will be amazing

@acousticsoundsks @Chad Any plans of repressing the Fantasy45 series? You resurrected the Prestige Stereo/Mono series, why not do the same for the Fantasy? …Just asking for a friend😉😅