This thread is a great idea!

It will be highly interesting to see what versions people like best.

Does anybody recall the LP set that had both speed versions on an audiophile pressing? I haven't heard it, but it piqued my interest...now I can't find it to buy it!

http://www.amusicdirect.com/products/search.asp?cat_id=ALL&man_id=ALL&advSearch=stdSearch&search_desc=no&keyword=Kind+of+Blue

Is this the link to the version you were looking for?

This is a link to an ebay seller with the original lp.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MILES-DAVIS-LP-33tours-USA-KInd-Of-Blue-RARE_W0QQitemZ4825550382QQcategoryZ306QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/MILES-DAVIS-Kind-of-Blue-COLUMBIA-Records-CL-1355_W0QQitemZ4826903189QQcategoryZ306QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I can't believe that just Buddha and I are the only ones interested in this thread. It must me me. Is KOB just off the radar for most folks? I guess so. I just read some unfavorable reviews on KOB in the day. Go figure.

I have not heard "Kind of Blue" on vinyl and there alway seems
to be another audiophile heavy vinyl edition released every year. I have the original CBS CD, the gold SBM Mastersound and the SACD. The greatest difference I heard were moving from the original CD to the Mastersound gold CD.

Are you saying that the Mastersound Gold is nearly equal to the SACD release? What is the differences you discern: great sense of space and or greater bass? I have heard others who claim a fuller sound for the Piano.

I was never able to find a clean enough original Columbia 6 Eye at a price I was willing to pay, and I sadly missed out on the 45 RPM reissue, which I imagine is a killer, sonically. I have the original Columbia CD (CK 40579) with the blue border and torso shot of Miles, the Gold MasterSound CD (CK 64403), which was the first release using the safety masters made at the correct speed, and the 1997 remastered CD (CK 64935), with corrected speed and bonus track.

The original CD is nice to have because the first 3 tracks are off speed, which is how most people knew the album as it gained its legendary status. Unfortunately, it was made during a time when most CDs sounded harsh and brittle. Unless you were astute enough to notice the 1/4 tone of sharpness on the LP and adjusted the pitch on your turntable to correct the first 3 songs, the MasterSound edition was important to have because this was the first time you might be made aware there was a genuine problem with the speed and would hear the album as intended. I find the tape hiss overly noticeable on the 1997 edition. It seems louder than I'd expect and is distracting. But, I'd rather hear it there, than not (I hate what BMG does with their noise reduction on their jazz reissues.) That's not to say I prefer the MasterSound version because the hiss is less prominent; the cymbals on the 1997 version sound a lot more like brass than on the Gold disc (yes, Mr. Vonnegut, I went to college and I'm not kidding.) I might give the edge to the 1997 CD for truer instrumental timbre.

If you invert the polarity to 180 degrees on your DAC, Paul Chambers' bass snaps much more into focus on all 3 CD issues.

Quote:
Are you saying that the Mastersound Gold is nearly equal to the SACD release? What is the differences you discern: great sense of space and or greater bass? I have heard others who claim a fuller sound for the Piano.

The Mastersound CD is close to the SACD. The SACD has a better presence, imaging and less hiss than the Mastersound CD.

There have been a few remasters made available on CD. My favorite was a Japanese remaster done in May 2000:

Kind of Blue [Import] at Amazon

Looking at the Japan HMV website, it appears that an even newer Japanese remaster came out last year, although I have not tried to listen to it yet.

(IMHO, this remaster beats the SACD, but nothing will beat vinyl)...

I own an original LP of KOB. I also have the first re-issue on CD, the gold CD in the white box and the remastered CD. I had a chance to buy the 45RPM reissue and did the dumb thing; I passed on the opportunity to buy it. I could kick myself. At the time I was enthralled with the gold backed reissue. It does sound rather good.

My Gold Mastersound CD is labeled CK52861. Does anyone know why it would be different from yours?

Your catalogue number is for the longbox packaging. I have the slightly later CD sized one.

Thanks Jeff. I was just curious. The long box is somewhat of a pain. It dousn't fit any of my shelves properly. By the way I have original vinyl of many classics including Time Out, A Love Supreme, The Birth Of The Cool, Giant Steps and Way Out West. All of them were purchased new and carefully cared for. In many cases I prefer the vinyl to the CD's. I am so glad I kept all my vinyl when CD's were introduced. I was able to buy many choice LP's when certain people sold their vinyl collections. For those who are serious about vinyl a vacuum cleaner is almost mandatory. I would like one of those VPI's but I soldier on with a Record Doctor. I need the exercise anyway.

I think it's awesome that you got the original pressings as they came out and still have them. Too often in my life, I've discovered things late and ended up paying a premium for 1st editions or 1st pressings.

I would like to get a new cartridge at some point and possibly get my tonearm upgraded to its Signature version. Right now, my vinyl playback doesn't quite match my digital front end in terms of performance... but, I sense the potential for it to smoke the little silver discs.

Who knew? I just bought stuff that I liked. I never had any idea that Giant Steps or Way Out West would be classics. For me it was, is, and will be about the music. Nothing else has ever mattered.
I too have been thinking of upgrading my vinyl setup. My VPI Jr. has been upgraded over the years to full HW-19 status. I've done everything I can to my RB300 and cables. The only upgrade path for me is a very expensive replacement for my current TT and arm. I am reluctant to spend $3K+ for what may be only a marginal improvement. I guess I'll just have to think some more on this.