Here's some of advice on cleaning Canadian Atlantic red label discs from 1969 to 70 period. Try to avoid ever getting the label wet, the red coloring in the label is water dissolvable and can easily contaminate the playing surface (hiss and crackle) meaning you have to reclean it more carefully without getting the label wet. If you take a damp paper towel and touch a Canadian Atlantic red label you will see the red colour on the paper towel. The later, more familiar red, white and green label doesn't have that problem.
I have one of those MG pressings and always wondered how it stacked next to the RL. I saw your video and felt like you made it just for me. Very well presented and thanks again for making it!
I have read that the red label Canadian pressing of Zeppelin III is the best version of that album. I could definitely imagine that version of Zeppelin II being quite good, as well. I definitely get what you're saying about $1,000 for an extra 15%. Diminishing returns, haha. I have a double RL/SS from the Presswell plant which is a strong VG. Visually, it is VG+, but it has some noise on Bring It On Home (the quiet intro). It really is a special pressing, but I agree that there have to be other very good pressings for better prices. I was able to score mine for free due to sheer dumb luck, haha. And in regard to your system maybe not being "good enough," I argue that, if a pressing really is that great, you should not need a second mortgage for equipment good enough to prove it. Likewise, if you have uber expensive equipment that makes "inferior" pressings sound worse than they normally do, what the hell is the point?
Just stumbled upon this video. My findings with my system and the pressings that stood out: I have/had many pressings of this lp and my fav is the RL (CP&PR) followed by the Classic Records 180gr. The mfsl was a head scratcher, in that it was lacklustre with poor eq choice. The Canadian red suffers from lack of clarity. Actually all the reds (Zep 1/2/3) have this trait. The Jimmy Page remaster...awful. I'm using a Garrard 401 turntable with 12" Ortofon arm and Dynavector XV-1S cartridge, a very dynamic/full bandwidth combo.
I have a Canadian pressed Led Zep 2 red label which I acquired in a free 400+ vinyl collection from 1960's to 80's back in 2002. it has ST-A691672 and CTH typed in the dead wax, possibly a later 1970 second pressing, The cover's a bit beat up but the disc is in VG + condition. Sounds great.
Great review. I own two VG+ Atlantic red label first pressings (GM) and they sound exactly like you've described them to be. I have never heard a RL cut so I can't compare or disagree with your review but I find my CAN pressings sound great. And at those prices...can't go wrong. Definitely a buy if you find them out there. Cheers!
I have 5 RL Cuts....4 are in VG (2 monarch, 1 presswell and 1 Colombia Putnam)and my best is VG+ RL SS Presswell. It has the super skinny side 2 deadwax. I lucked out in my search as my top copy of it I got for $95 US and all my VG copies were in the $30-50 range. My other goto Zep II is a Mobile Fidelity NM cut.
You are right with the german RL, it kills my other german pressings I had and also 3 British pressings from the 70´s. My system is a good german car, more on the high end side.
I've got a RL edition, but I also have a 1979 edition from Germany that sounds as hot and as great as the RL cut, I got it at only 15 dollars and no one talks about that edition.
I've got the MFSL 1/2 Speed Mastered of Led Zeppelin II and I love this pressing. I bought it new back in 1982 and it's just a really great mastering of this LP, everything is balanced just right, and I just love it. There is a new 180 gram pressing available out there now of this album remastered from the original master tapes and I hear it's really a great sounding LP. I got Led Zeppelin I on the 180 gram remaster and it's amazing, plus your looking at an investment of around 30 bucks or so! Some of these reissues on the 180 gram format are amazing! The three studio albums by Jimi Hendrix are great examples. They are remastered by the Hendrix estate on 180 gram Vinyl and they are some of the best sounding Vinyl LPs I ever owned, simply amazing, and the packaging and inserts are some of the best I've ever seen! Just saying! Great review!
Been wondering about the Canadian red label for years. There are some German 2 sided RLs. Also it might be the case that your Canadian is worn which is why it sounds distorted it places.
I did not know there were any 2 sided German pressings out there! Will definitely keep an eye out! Distortion from play may definitely be possible, but I don't think it would be a huge factor as my pressing is a real nice VG+ copy. Definitely not NM, but a high VG+ for sure
@@1770Vinyl another great version : US 1977 George Piros Presswell , My copy: @t GP (PR) and an X on both sides, and it's in NM condition. One of the best records in my collection.Better than my UK Red-Plum which i have sold !
