Somethin' Else Audiophile Comparison: One For The Obsessive Compulsives Who Want To Hear The Goods 

I really enjoy your videos! I was so looking forward to your latest. The audition of the samples left me with varied opinions; at times, I preferred one version or the other depending of the sample. Glad though that the Blue Note Classic was part of my favourites (the version I have) but the UHQR got my attention, for sure. I also found interesting the comparaison between the BG versions as well as the KG's. Those are interesting times for music lovers considering there are so many versions available, at various prices of beautiful records (from affordable to kidney sacrifice) and I am grateful for your efforts to make some available to us. Not boring at all, for those interested! I have a lower-fi system relative to yours, and I am content with that, until I can get something better. Happy New Year, peace and prosperity and mostly, good health to you and your loved ones!

The MASTER is back. This was great to see. Just retired(82) so now I have more time to listen.

Happy new year Paul and dang! happy to see you and soooooo ready to jump in here 🎉🎉 🙌🏻 Woop 🙌🏻😎🙏🏻✨☮️🎶

Whispering while doing an audiophile review...has to be Jazz 😂😂😂 The production quality of your videos is the best in the VC👍

Great video! Love the end!

great review! probably one of the most iconic blue note record !

Hei, Paul! The music in the beginning of this video took me right away to the hazy world of "Leaving Las Vegas" movie which is one of my all time favourite movies ever. Because I have "Rock'n'Roll ears" and I've never genuinely experienced "the ultimate audiophile experience" I really can't comment about the differences in you video. Nevertheless it was an interesting video in its own rights and you took time and effort to make it so I appreciate it very much. Have a great listening times and I hope that the weather is much warmer over there that it's been here in 2024, Jarkko/MyVinylBar

These are a ton of fun and I appreciate all the hard work. I really liked the OG as the "control" and as I was listening to all the pressings, the first one that I felt finally got close to the OG was the Kevin Gray SRX. But I also felt like the Blue Note Classic was actually surprisingly close to it. The only pressings I didn't care for was the Japanese and the Mofi.

I really like these kinds of videos.

I still remember like yesterday seeing the headlights on an article of the AJC newspaper 34 YEARS AGO that Miles Davis had just passed away. I didn't know much about him and I used to have his tribute to Jack Johnson and a bootleg cassette of an unknown composition of his that I bought from a Haitian thrift store 13 YEARS AGO. I don't believe that he was mediocre by a LONG shot but he definitely wasn't the easiest person to work with and my GOOD friend referred to him as CRAZY when he was here in the flesh but went Home to Glory 13 YEARS AGO. 🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊

I liked the MM SRX best. I'm happy that that ny BN Classic is very close. Great Video. Thank you for your meticulous work!

A treat for the eyes and ears. My first copy of this album was on CD and when Music Matters came out with the 33RPM, I got that one. Never felt a need to get another copy, even though it's one of the best Jazz LPs ever. Really enjoyed this presentation and the differences. To my ears, the Mofi 1 step had a little less life in it. Also, I loved the outro with the Ahmad Jamal version! Noticed it immediately.

I really appreciate the thought, care, and effort you put into crafting this video. Really appreciate it. My macbook is connected to pair of pretty decent KEF powered speakers & DAC. I could hear slight differences but not enough to rank most of them. That's either because this is the internet & youtube, or my ears are getting less sensitive as I age. I have three versions of this, the recent BN Classic series, the new MoFi One Step, and a 1984 Japanese pressing. My system includes a P8 and fairly good amp & speakers (again, KEFs, I'm a KEF fan-boy). On my system, I like the Japanese and MoFi the best, maybe the MoFi edges out the Japanese a bit. They are very different but both enjoyable. (I pre-ordered the MoFi over a year in advance, and when I got the "shipped" notice, I regretted that I hadn't canceled the pre-order because I'm pretty happy with my other pressings and because I'd been spending too much on UHQRs and Atlantic 75 titles from AP/QRP. Oh well.) I think the BN Classic is fantastic for $30 or less. Folks willing to spend a bit more can do better, but the BN Classic is in no way deficient, it sounds really terrific for the money. Just my 2 cents. Thank you again, so much!

awesome video as always :-)

Well done!!! I really enjoyed the OG the best. Fresh tape? Air? I don't know, but it sounded pretty great. I could really hear the MOFI house sound in this comparison. I have the non-SRX MMJ version, so it was nice to hear the different pressings. The BNC version that is available is a nice-sounding version too.

Ok, first off, the OG copy you have sounds great! Second, you can clearly tell the Kevin reissues, focus more on mid-bass and bringing that out more; Bernie's Classic is my favorite on these, overall a more balanced sound to me. Least favorite... the new MoFi. PS: you mislabeled the MoFi as MoFi UHQR... 😁😆🤣 Amazing work Paul, thanks for doing this!!!

Great video as always Paul. What's funny with the blind comparison is that I picked out the Japanese pressing right away, but I thought the second, the AP pressing also sounded like a Japanese pressing. From the blind the Classic Series was my favorite, followed by the Music Matters. I thought the horns sounded nicer on the Music Matters, but the bass and drums sounded better on the Classic Series. Funny enough, I originally pre-ordered the One-Step back when they first announced it a few years ago, and the got the Classic Series. The Classic Series pressing sounded so good that I cancelled the UHQR. I may still get it but am on the fence at this point. I hope you're good, have a happy new year.

Your original sounds great!! I was definitely drawn to the SRX though. I felt it had a bit more air to it.

The best comparison, I know. Thank You! I have a french pressing in DMM from 1985, sounds not good enough, but the music...

Paul this was fun love your samples I own and OG mono MM SRX and the Mofi One step listening to the samples here The SRX is the winner but that OG Stereo actually held its own the Mofi One Step is a very close 2nd . I listened to my copies last week and I felt the Mofi was very good but has more air between the instruments and MM SRX balance was spot on . Paul that was perfectly put together.

Hi Paul. Amazing video! I’m glad you inserted the “Are you still with me?” clip. 😂 Like others have said, KG reissues boost the bass/midrange at the expense of the treble. MOFI had more detail and clarity at the expense of the original recorded performance. 🤔 I guess, some commenters can’t hear the veiled/muffled sound of the SRX and Classic reissues. Maybe they’re afraid of those reissues losing value or they’re experiencing hearing loss😬 IMHO, the OG cut by RVG sounds the best and most balanced of them all. 👍🏼 Thank again for making the video 🙏🏼

I picked F which turned out to be Music Matters. That's the one I already have... just not an SRX. Thanks for doing this! They were all close and that lets me know I don't need another pressing.

Blind test via Apple AirPods Pro: 1: MMJ SRX, 2: AP45, 3: OG. Was very surprised by the BN Classic topping both Grundman cuts and the MoFi. The Classic Records BN versions always rank below the MMJs or AP 45rpm BN versions of the same titles on my system. Thanks for your efforts here, Paul. Feel better!

Well done Paul. This album is right up there in my top ten jazz albums. My top ten consists of about 75 albums. So technically I when it comes to doing a top ten jazz album list. I am not that worthy. I like the Mofi version myself. Mainly because it is the only one that I own. {smile} Did you see that the Ultimate Blueberry Hill {Not on Label pressing} was released? It really is a good one. A Nor'easter just started here in New England. You are so lucky to be living in the great state of Texas. Hope to catch up soon~ Rob/Boston

My favorites were the original and the MoFi but you cant go wrong with the price of the classic series version. ♥️ They all sound great ans and the Music Matters albums are gorgeous. Its always great ro see you make a video. Take care.

I can't judge which version is the best. But I feel that due to the oxidation or reduction of the original analog tapes, the sound moves towards a certain murkiness or sterility compared to the OG, where it is raw but natural at the same time. I don't have either of these releases at home, but they all play great. I have noticed a different intensity or level of recording from some of Van Gelder's other BN recordings. A good example is Hank Mobley's Workout, where the first song on the B side (Smokin') is a few db louder than the previous ones. If there were notes on how individual songs Van Gelder recorded and perhaps with a similar approach, it would be possible to compare it now... I'm sorry, but I'm no longer an audiophile for family reasons, more of a jazz boy, but I admire your enthusiasm. Great work.

Once again a very great comparison of the different pressings. I own the Blue Note Classic myself and I don't think it performs badly here either. My favorite is definitely the OG, the drums sound the most natural on my system, especially the quiet drum in the background at 9.53 has the punchiest sound here. Then I would say Classic Records 33rpm and BNC come right behind. What I find exciting about the Mofi is how rough and unmastered it sounds, it can definitely be a certain sound experience

The OG stood out for it's punchy exciting sound.All the others sounded good too so I'm happy to stick with my Classic Series copy.

The OG and MM SRX are the standouts to me. But for the price, hard to argue with the BN Classic Series. Well done Paul!

I think that may be the same Love for Sale Chevy Chase sang after spotting Christy Brinkley in the first Vacation movie😁 call me crazy but the Bernie Classic 33 sounds a bit more clear than the 45.tough for any reissue to compete with the OG except the quiet vinyl. Reissues C and E sounded best to my ears.at least on the first track😂 ive been looking forward to another great shoot out from you.this was a lot of fun to listen through. Didnt get bored once..manythnx!

Van Gelder and Classic records 33 are two versions for me. Love the mobile fidelity bass. Acoustic sounds sounds also damn well, but they are a bit "bright". Also having Coltrane´s Blue train sacd 2003 rudy van gelder version, it sounds splendid. (tested on Pioneer PD-D9 MK2 sacd player).

Fun comparison. Using only the first track as a sample, the OG was capturing the piano in a way that none of the other did.. in the second track sample, it was a toss up on my youtube system. I have an OG mono and I've yet to hear a Blue Note re-issue that I feel captures what I look for in "early" music - reality of sound degradation in tapes. When you don't have an OG copy to compare, a classic series is an incredible bargain with no worry of pops and clicks..

Hey Paul, thanks for doing these! Got my early morning fresh ears going and this is what I hear: First nothing really rocks it like the original. The clarity, snap, midrange, balance across the frequencies leave absolutely nothing false and everything true. Enough said. That leaves the second place. Kind of varies a bit for me from cut to cut. All in all though I have to say that the old AP 45 is most pleasing in the way it floats and breaths. Definitely the old “breath of life” applies. I knew there was a reason I always enjoyed it. Completely different presentation than the original but it still clicks in and attempts to get the tonality of the instruments correct even if it is in an audiophile way. Ill tell you the surprise for me is that the MMJ SRX and the Classic Bluenote that KG sound very similar imo. Very. Which is not that surprising since I dont think Kevin’s chain has changed that much since the SRX. Id bet the same plates were used. These two are the best at getting closer to the original. This is all good news for me anyway. I have been biting at the bit to get the Mofi and instead Ill be going shopping for the Classic Bluenote for cheap. If it indeed matches the SRX pretty close on my system, I might just sell my SRX. And that sir is why I totally appreciate when these awesome listening comparisons are done. When we can get a totally very good sounding pressing for 25 bucks then these samples kill it. Thank you very much brother :thumbsup: PS: Last place for me were the Classic Records then back in the back peaking out trying with all its might is the japanese pressing. Thanks again man! Oh crap, I forgot the Mofi One Step…wonder why..yeah didnt do it for me. And Im not a Mofi hater nor concerned about digital in the chain. This one seems really tame though.

Fun video. I picked C, the AS 45 - Mike

Thank you so much for this, I wish more hi Fi folks would do something like this. Unfortunately, on my AV system, Yamaha AV receiver and Rogers LS35a speakers, I could discern little difference between them, but Miles’s trumpet was a bit brighter on some. BTW, while it may just be semantics, I do not agree that sound is subjective, those with good ears invariably agree on how something sounds, what we may disagree on is what parts of a recording is important to each of us. BTW2, I have that same cartridge, gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. It’s currently on a MoFi table, but will switch to a SOTA/ Rega arm, once the SOTA gets the full upgrade.

Sheeeeeeeiiiiiiitttt... that's some serious hifi right there. Mid-fi my ass. 😁 Great to see you Paul! I hope all is well. Can't say much about the samples as I fell asleep during that part, but it's clearly a record you dig (at least I hope so with all those copies) and you're clearly having fun. Which is the bottom line. Cheers! Tom

SRX, and that is the one I prefer of the ones I have as well. MoFi sounds the most off and even slightly slower… great test, thanks!

Great systematic comparison. I only have the Japanese version but I preferred the Analogue Productions 45 samples.

hi paul. u must b a huge fan of this title since u have so many variants. i own that exact LNJ japan press. 2 copies iirc. didnt go for the KG cut BN classic as i rarely reach for this LP as i prefer other BN/jazz releases.p.s. hope yr throat feels better soon

Great stuff man! Yes a bit overwhelming. I think the acoustic sounds was closest to the OG. I think I like the added bass like the original. So my vote is for the acoustic sounds. So why the music matters? Any specific details?

I think any of the 45 RPM versions sound a little bit better but on my system my blue note classic sounds just great thanks for all the hard work and you're setting the bar high for2024🎉

It depends on your stereo System. On my AirPods and IPhone 12max 256gb I would say: 1) MM SRX, 2) Classic45 3) OG But on my stereo with a tone wich is more warm/rich I can say that the one Step fits very well

The blue note classic sounds great

Thanks for making this video! The two weak sounding ones for me, are MoFi and the Blue Note Classic. The others are very close.

SRX all day! Thanks, Paul. A fun watch.

Long time no see! You sounded cold outside You've been banished to the outside lol it looked like England were you in England? Happy New year

As you know I have a 1973 Pressing cut hot from Daniel Bourgoise and is really all I need. Would love an OG Mono of course but that is a pipe dream.

YES!

Ok, first off this was a lot of fun. Overall, the KG Music Matters I think wins, and the OG is really close. Value coming into the conversation it was wonderful to hear that the Classic Series held up so strong to my ears, and had a very close soundscape to the MM pressing. The MoFi was probably the most disappointing because it felt muddled, and the sound stage was nearly non existent. I also was not overly fond of the Japanese press, but I have to say it was extremely quiet in terms of imperfection. Overall, I find that when price matters, the work BN is doing with Classics and Tone Poet hold their weight to the audiophile test, but if I had deeper pockets I would get the MM pressing. Ita stage could fill a lot of space acoustically and would be my #1.

The BNC and MM definitely tried to match the RVG closely. The others seemed to be muted in various certain ranges of the spectrum.

Hey Paul, I have always heard ABOUT this record but never had the chance to hear a sample of it until now. Can you recommend any pressing of this record that is not expensive (i.e. was this reissued in the 70s or 80s) but sounds pretty good (at the very least not irritating to the ears)? Anyways, my vote goes to Reissue C. I like the "modern" sound quality of it with punchier bass and crispier highs. But I know I can't afford it hahahahaha.... For some reasons I can't put my finger on, the MoFi sounds kinda muddy. I wonder why. Do these companies have a certain "standard" sound quality guidelines for all their reissues or still subjective to the preferences of the mastering engineer?

Since it is my all-time favorite jazz album, I found this interesting. I have three copies (Classic, SRX, and new MoFi and the MoFi came on top in my house. But not by much, and maybe because it is 45). I am listening here on a laptop, which is not fair, but here I love the SRX and Classic best and the Mofi third. I don't care for the Classic, AS, or OG as much. Thanks for the workout, Paul!!! You should audition for voice work. Need a Peter Lorie replacement

One of my favorite Jazz albums. Didn't like A, B, C was OK, D, Liked E, F, G was Ok. Hey, I liked the cheapest! :) Funny enough, the reveal samples all sounded ok except G so you picked a particularly good challenging section. Interestingly I didn't like the 45 compared to the 33 - the 33 had more air.

I agree. The OG was tops. Reissue “E” was a semi-close second. Also, I am assuming you meant MOFI One-Step versus UHQR, correct? Thanks for the comp!

I picked up "Somethin' Else" on CD in the '80s knowing nothing about its reputation -- but the list of names on the cover just about caused me to swoon in the store (Tower on Sunset, as I recall). The chills started with that opening piano-bass-drums figure and never let up. I do have to ask you, though: What do you mean when you say the stereo release of "Blue Train" was "infamous?" Was there something wrong with it?

Great one there, well it's hard to judge thru RU-vid, but I did like the SRX version and the OG, the Mofi was the one i could skip. I only have the latest Classic release and it sounds great. Cheers

Personally I preferred the original, which I felt was more vibrant and a touch more aggressive, if I had to choose a reissue it would be E the BN classic

Are you sure you’re wired correctly? Listening on headphones all examples sounded off to me, like something was out-of-phase. And this comes from somebody who is VERY familiar with this album. (And no, it’s not the RU-vid data compression.)

Man, that OG does it for me. Beefier, resonant mids and more overall presence IMO.

In the blind test I clearly had a preference for the AP 45 and I ranked the MoFi last. I felt the BNC sounded (or was cut to sound) very close to the OG. Considering the price and what it offers the BNC is really a bargain.

The Classic 33 I think best matches the Rudy Original. It was my favorite in the blind shootout

Ok so I needed to go back around again...hehehe this time, look away from screen and headphones....so C jumped at me and G...ha!! I do dig ASounds 😎that was great and I was a little taken that I chose mofi interesting....45 for Kevin and Bernie for me.....leave it to our good reliable friend Paul to take this a few steps further!! Awesome 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻thank you try to chill when ya can...we need you 😊

All of the Kevin Gray versions seem to hit the spot but OG still sounds great

In the blind test I preferred the AP 45. Happens to be the one I have. So I’m good then. 😃

Hard to tell for sure via a RU-vid video, but personally, I've only ever owned the Music Matters 33 (non-SRX) and the new Blue Note Classic 33. The Music Matters does sound a little better but when the Blue Note Classic 33 came up on Amazon UK recently for £14.49(!), I couldn't afford not to get it and sold the Music Matters for over £100 (which I already regret).

I have classic bluenote it has alot of surface noise

The original version sounds the best to me. The sound just “POPS” out of my speakers compared to the others.

Here is my personal "1 to 10" ranking of the first "blind" portion of the shootout. OG being the benchmark I consider it a 10. Yes, surface noise and all. This is simply the best. After that, here is how I heard it: Reissue A (Japanese): 7 (of 10) Reissue B (Classic 33) : 6 (of 10) Reissue C (AP 45): 7.5 (of 10) Reissue D (Classic 45): 5 (of 10) Reissue E (BN Classic): 8.5 (of 10) Reissue F (Music Matters): 5.5 (of 10) Reissue G (MOFI UHQR): 4 (of 10) Cheers! Oswaldo Martinez President Let There Be Sound, L.L.C.

I’m lucky to have a few original blue notes I tend to like rvg mastered I have some music matters 33 and 75 anniversary copies with that said the original stereo sounded best to me but nothing wrong with reissues there a much better deal thank you for the shootout I’m limited by my 2m blue cart and a bellari phono preamp run into a peachtree amp I just wish I could find used jazz in thrift stores like the old days

I thought this was a great way to carry out a comparison. I thought the original pressing sounded the most lively. Then, F came closest, followed by G, E, and then C. I was gratified to find out that F was the MM SRX, which is my best version. I was surprised to hear the Mofi second, followed by the BN Classic and then the AP 45. Subsequent comparisons led me to appreciate the Classic Records 45 a bit more. What I've learned is that my preferences aren't just for particular pressings but even differences in individual tracks and even passages. These can all vary. So it's ultimately really hard to say which is best. You are basically left with which pressing is all around the best. On that score, I liked the original best. I wish I could say that one reissue exceeds it, but I can't.

With headphones on Grado rs1 with the blind test my favorite was the classic 45 lol the one I can't afford hahahaha. My second was the Acoustic sounds 45 then the srx. But at the end of the video with the Bernie grundman shootout the srx did have better top end extension and the bass sounded like an actual bass but I really liked the separation of instruments on the classic 45 had the widest Soundstage. The mofi was a bit of a disappointment i didnt like that one.

You sound a little hoarse Paul, hope youre doing okay! I took on all of these lined up and ready to switch instantly and here are my findings assuming theyve been level matched. I do like the Japanese OG in comparison to the RVG actually, it likens the modern reissues in some ways by bringing out the drums more with the HF boost and I am a sucker for reverb so it just brings me more enjoyment. The classic 33 is yet another step up but as described the Japanese isnt galaxies apart even from this Classic, it just lacks a bit in the bass and fullness of the sound that Grundman brings. Next is the AP45 and it brings the closest race so far but I feel brings more specific mastering adjustments than simply adding or removing bass and treble that I felt was simple with the previous. It does bring yet more bass focus but might be going a little too far. Unsurprisingly the Classic has more separation not only from avoiding too much bass boost but also through Grundmans classic full pan which brings good and bad. I know the AP45 Blue Notes bring a quite shifting mastering depending on the track as well so Im not sure what Id pick here but for simplicity Ill got with the AP45. Now heres a much easier choice in the Classic 45 which reminds me a lot of some of the ORG45s Grundman did such as Night Train. Scary sharp and sizzling. I love drums but even for me this is too far, the cymbals are simply overpowering, especially over headphones with Grundmans full pan which single out my right ear to be the tinnitus victim. Id much rather stay with the Classic 33, AP45 or even the Japanese. The BNCS is actually very similar to the AP45 in at least the case of this track so I feel similarly about them compared to the Classic 33. Its again a tight race and I could go for either any day honestly and given the BNCS being 33 I think its a great companion piece to the Classic 33 to have. Finally the one Ive been waiting for. The MMJ is simply great. Ive already compared it to the BNCS before and find the same thing again. I think Joe Harley must bring something to the mastering sessions because the choice to bring out the mids and reverb just a tad compared to Kevins solo mastering on the BNCS is just what I adore. Slightly more full bodied and engaging and the best so far Id say. So lets see what... MFSL can bring. Not a whole lot it seems. As the drums just disappear and the middle just evaporates. Much like a Grundman full pan mastering but with little benefit of hearing anything other than the Horn which dominates the entire soundstage. I suppose if you want it to be the absolute shining star this might be for you, giving more fluctuating dynamics and separation but not much else. To summarize my ranking: 1. MMJ - Everything so clear and satisfying. It may not be the most dynamic but the engagement makes up for it. 2 and 3. BNCS and AP45 - These two were very similar in the samples and should be ranked just as high in terms of sound. However the BNCS edges the scoring since it requires less flipping. 4. Classic 33 - A very good companion piece to the ones above for a slightly different perspective of separation and clarity, I just prefer the slightly more fullbodied and cohesive ones above. 5. Japanese OG - Not far from the Classic 33 because of the slightly lacking deep bass, but everything is still heard and appreciated, a surprise winner in my history of disliking Japanese masterings. 6. MFSL - A big disappointment and a surprise to be so low. It has the big horn dynamics but at the cost of much else. 7. RVG - The one and only that sounds good as long as you dont compare to most other versions. Its simply constrained and lacking in a lot of areas. 8. Classic 45 - A quite overcooked sound which is not for the faint of heart. While it has qualities Nr. 6 and 7 dont, at least they dont hurt to listen to at times unlike this which is a fatal mastering flaw. It sounds better on the other tracks shown later and might rank around the Classic 33 those times, but I still cant overlook it sometimes being painfully harsh.

FIRST comment!!! Watching intently...........😆

OG definitely best for me. Followed quite closely by the three Kevin Gray masters. Personally, I really don’t like the Bernie Grundman masters, and to be honest I think he is overrated. I don’t like what he did with the Pink Floyd albums or the Miles Davis for Craft. As you rightly say, though, it is all a matter of opinion. Thanks for taking the time to do these videos, they really are good fun.

great review, but a little difficult to understand what you are saying at the beginning when you are outside.

For me the BN Classic

RVG Original followed by re-issue F.

Rudy is the best, but for the price, Classic Series all the way.

You can sell me your OG. Thank you

I think the SRX was the best one , then the MOFI

On very quick listen C and F sounded best.

Music Matters, then original, then AS 45, then moFi. Rest are good but don’t compare

Wow, i thought the music matters sounded the worst and the MoFi the best.

Great to have you back Paul, interesting video, terrible music. Jazz, music where every musician plays a different tune at the same time. Next time let’s have some proper music otherwise I’ll send the boys around.

Wow.....really?

I liked the original and reissue G. The others seem to over exaggerate the highs in disguise for presence. To my ears, that was unnatural and spitty.

Why are you whispering?