Hi-Q Supercuts Records

[Guest]

Advert compilation:

• Hi-Q Records Supercuts 180g Vinyl pressed at The Vinyl Factory in Hayes, England.
• Cut from the Original Analogue EMI Master Tapes at Abbey Road Studios!
• Produced and engineered by the legendary two Christophers (Christopher Bishop and Christopher Parker)
• Superior Audiophile Pressing
• Features Original Album Artwork

This label has re-issued a significant quantity of classical music, largely from well known composers and conductors out of the EMI catalog. Many desirable titles. They are going for what I consider full price from the usual vendors for 180g records: $35.

I bought two:



The music and performance are as expected - again, decent recordings. However, both are dissapointments largely because of noisey tickful vinyl. Side 2 of the Barbirolli is okay, but side one is crackly from the outset with two very dynamic and transiently crisp pops in the latter third. The Karjan Sibelius 5 is crackly throughout. Although there are titles I'd like, after laying out $70+ I'm reluctant to buy any more of these.

[minor rant] Although reputable vendors will accept returnsm, they end up eating their cost on many/most returned records because they are unable to return to their distributor or whomever. I suppose that's the cost of selling records, but too often it is a crap shoot for both buyer and seller. Many issuers / re-issuers try to keep contact info obscure. One such, Analogphonic (a different label) that I contacted was (after waiting two months for a reply) "so sorry, too bad, and off we go." Granted no one wants calls or letters from a cranky 'phile, but it's starting to p*ss me off. [/minor rant]

So I ask: What has been your experience with the Hi-Q label? TIA

[MylesBAstor]

Aren't they digitized? Pretty sure Esoteric wanted to show off their convertor.

I have no information on that, one way or another. is there any correlation between digitization and increased vinyl noise? my concern is not so much the mastering process as it is the production and quality control. does anyone monitor the product or customer satisfaction? Sorry, l'm crabby about having no way to address the issue but by learning it the hard way.

[tom_hankins]

This thread on another site says the are not digital. I have no idea myself.

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/hi-q-supercuts-emi-classical-180g-lp-reissues.260154/

[lasercd]

Vinyl is generally not returnable to labels or distributors with the exception of defective discs.

[allenh]

I have one or two LPs and my experience is like yours, Tim: snap, crackle and pop. No matter how much I try to clean the LP. I've sworn away from the label now. It's too bad, some good titles.

Thanks for your follow-up.

[Tunksey]

I agree , I think there is something wrong with the pressings . I have Barbirolli conducts English String Music and have cleaned it on my Nitty Gritty machine three times . It sounds better than it did before the three cleans but it still has crackles and it shouldn't as I bought it new . I won't be buying anymore vinyl from the label .

[MylesBAstor]

Here were some comments from Roger Gordon at PF on some of the reissues.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue52/lps.htm

I did a quick look around the net and it seems quite a few are complaining about noisy surfaces.

OTOH, I was slightly encouraged to see they were cutting from the stereo and not the quad tapes. The quad original issues just sound weird to my ears.

[Rob]

three different people told me to pass on the HQ supercuts and there are vendors in the UK blowing them out, for like the equivalent of $10 USD. the Pineapple Poll that Roger reviewed in PF are so plentiful (cheap) especially the Greensleeves release and those pressing were very good--albeit paper thin--with demo grade SQ.

[srwmiami]

I bought several at full price when they first appeared, the Sibelius 5, English String Music and The Planets. First two were noisy, the latter acceptable but at $35, I swore not to get anymore. Then the sales came along and I tried the Music of Spain, Swan Lake and Nutcracker excerpts. Spain was noisy, but the two ballet albums are fine. Those last three were $15. I'd say do your research, and don't pay more than $15.