Rumours [Deluxe Edition, Original recording remastered, Extra tracks]

 

 

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I bought this hoping for the much discussed "Hoffman/Gray" mastering, and it turned out to be the "other" cut that people seem to be dismissing for no apparent reason other than assuming it won't be any good if Hoffman didn't master it.

Instead of just returning it, I decided to take it for a spin ...

I found it to be simply astonishing. Fantastic, warm sound. Superb bass. Nice, balanced top end. As a comparison, I used the German Warner CD (which lacks the top end boost of the so-called "secret remaster" done in the US) and found this vinyl to be absolutely superior in every way. I know there are apparently other CD masterings, but compared to the one I have (which is supposedly pretty good), this reissue set makes it sound like tin.

I attempted to post positive comments about this reissue at the Hoffman site, and mentioned that I look forward to comparing it to the US issue, but they were deleted. Why it would be necessary to delete comments about this cut is something which eludes me. Whatever the reasoning, I suggest that you not *assume* just because Hoffman touches something it renders any and all other versions irrelevant. If you get this pressing, take it for a spin and judge for yourself.

I have seen some speculation as to the source of this reissue, but nothing concrete. I will update when I have had a chance to compare it to the Hoffman/Gray reissue, but I think this will be tough to beat. No matter what the source, this sounds like somebody either knew what they were doing or left well enough alone, as it is a very impressive reissue.

UPDATE: I have just received the Hoffman/Gray version. To my ears, it is inferior to the "EU" release and has too much EQ. Via his website, Hoffman has covered the EQ moves he made on his version, so perhaps it should come as no surprise, but to my ears the "EU" pressing sounds much more natural and balanced. There is an added "air" on the Hoffman version that seems unnecessary. When I listen to the "EU" version, I far prefer the overall balance to the top end. Despite the quality of equipment Hoffman uses and the fact that his analog EQ gets a really sweet sound, I just can't hear how it was necessary to use as much EQ as he did on this. If the "EU" mastering is anything to judge the master tapes by, I don't hear that they needed it.

If you tend to be a listener that complains of wanting "detail" or often needs a "blanket lifted from your speakers," then the Hoffman version will probably be a gem for you. After all, this stuff is all down to taste. For me, it just doesn't sound as warm and some elements of the mix really end up sounding a bit tweaked. It has a "sparkle" to it that is attractive, but right from the harmonic fills on acoustic guitar that Buckingham throws in on "Second Hand News," it really seems to suffer from a little "mastering engineer and his EQ" saturation. The acoustic guitar borders on "tinny."

The Hoffman/Gray version is nice and certainly admirable work, but the "EU" pressing makes me feel like I am hearing a sound that is closer to the master tape. And based on the "EU" vinyl, I am just not hearing why all the EQ that Hoffman has discussed using was necessary.

Whether the "EU" version was cut "flat" with no mastering or just done by somebody with a different ear for this album, I don't know ... but I prefer it to the Hoffman/Gray cut. I'm inclined tho think that if one simply reversed the EQ moves that Hoffman noted he used on this album, you'd probably end up with a sound that was at least a bit closer to tonality of the "EU" pressing, though I recognize that the sources may have differed as well as the masterings.

While I admire much of the work I have heard from Hoffman through the years and find most of his beliefs as regards music mastering to be aligned with my own, the only "agenda" at play here is to provide a fair review of this reissue. Many will surely love the work Hoffman has done on the US version and I can certainly appreciate that viewpoint. I have followed the entire saga of this reissue that traces back several years and I absolutely think he and Kevin Gray did their best to provide a quality product. Where we appear to differ is in the viewpoint that one has an "agenda" if he feels it fair to simply review and compare. And in a situation such as this, where there is a concurrent mastering and the US 2LP 45RPM set appears to have sold out its limited run anyhow, one would think that the music should come first. Hence, I can assure all that my comments on this reissue are offered with the utmost fairness, convey only my own opinion and relate only to my own system. I don't even know *who* to credit with the mastering of the "EU" pressing. What I do know is that for my taste, it sounds more relaxed in the highs and offers an excellent sonic picture of an album I love dearly. Personally, I see no reason not to own both versions, but reviews of the "EU" pressing have their place, too. I have tried to provide that. Certainly there will be many who hear it differently. I've been a member of the Hoffman forum for nearly a decade, and have always prided myself on specific comparisons and actual descriptions of tonalities, dynamics and so forth.

What bothers me in this situation is the level to which some people are willing to assume that Hoffman and only Hoffman can master something correctly. It's as if his ears are their ears. That is simply groupthink stuff on a level to which I cannot subscribe. People returning albums unopened, presuming things about the sound, making assumptions about the source, my positive comments being deleted from Hoffman's site ...

Why can't there be room for two great reissues? Why can't people simply choose their preferred listening option? Or at least be able to read about the differences ...

I hope that for some, I've provided a description of the differences. If you like Hoffman's work, you'll surely find much to like in his version, but slamming the "EU" reissue solely because it was mastered by someone other than Hoffman is logic I cannot follow.

Your 'deleted' posts from the Hoffman site is very troublesome. I read his 'take' on this/your post and he said that you have an agenda/BUT....and I say But.... his moderators of his site DELETED your honest review of this disc?? That Action Alone Speaks for itself! So WHO has the agenda Here? I perused the Hoffman site for days trying to find ONE Listener who had the EU copy and gave their analysis, but I came up with only one reference to someone who said it was 'Dull' etc...... Hmmmm
Again, who has the agenda here?? I copped Steve at giving hell to a poster who was just asking a question trying to cut through the clutter of the thread, and just wanted to know some TRUTH, and my post also, was immediately deleted and not posted. Hmmmmm. Very Uncool if you ask me, but then again, I guess I didn't 'fit' into the Hoffman Click. But that being said, it's still cool that they did a 45 rpm version of this. All the controversy aside, it's only rock n roll in't it?? LOL. The Lemmings need to take a chill and open their minds to differing opinions, if they don't then......doesn't that lead us to Closed Mindedness?? And that's not a good thing.
So now, I look forward to the EU version AND the Hoffman version i've got coming in the next few days. And Unlike the UpTurned Noses on that site, I will, as one guy who digs Rock And Roll, will give my HONEST opinion without you schmucks squelching my opinion. You all SHOULD be ashamed of yourselves. John Lennon would kick all of your butts!
Gerard Masters

4-30-11 Update:
Well, after listening to both versions, I can now confirm J.Carney's observations.....
The Hoffman version is much more 'In Your Face', if that is what your trying to get.
The EU, which is NOT pressed at Pallas, and I don't know who pressed it but my copy
is absolutely Flat, Not pressed off-center, and is one of the Most Quite Vinyl pressings
I own, sounds wonderful. It sucks you in with a rich warmth that the Hoffman version
doesn't really have. They both have Great Fidelity, but again, do you like Red Wine or
White?? It really is a matter of personal taste. Oh, and by the way, the Packaging is Excellent!
Very, and I mean VERY heavy stock paper used on the cover and the lp's come with rice paper
inners, unlike the 33rpm version that I got which is NOT 180 gram, it's just a regular lp and
it has Alot of pops and clicks all over it, which takes away, especially on the quiet songs, from
enjoyment of the music. And that version just comes in the cheap paper sleeve that if your not
careful, will scratch the record. So, I'm glad I've got them both. And I like them both, but if you
can't get the Hoffman 45 version, I really can't see anyone being bummed out by the fidelity of
the EU import version. I've gone back and forth between the Hoffman LP and the EU 45 and for
sheer 'Smoothness' and Inclusion, I would have to pick the EU 45rpm version.
Happy Listening!
GM

When this was announced it was hyped as the ultimate version of Rumours. Limited to 4000 copies, I jumped and preordered it. Then I started hearing about 2 versions. One mastered by Hoffman and Gray and pressed at Pallas an the other a Czech pressing with no mastering credit. When I received it I did not see any mastering credit but I kept an open mind hoping it would be really good. I put it on and was distinctly underwhelmed. It seemed that the "rumours" were true! The packaging is excellent and the pressing is good and silent but the soundstage is very flat and cd like. Some friends who had no idea of all the fuss were also unimpressed. There is no comparison to some other audiophile records I have. I would say this is from a digital master and not a great one either. Certainly not the one used for the DVD-audio disc a few years back, which I also have. Anyways, today I stopped into my local record shop and they had this version and the 33rpm as well. The 33 had a "Pressed at Pallas" sticker. Hearing that there is only one version of the 33 and it's a good one, I said the hell with it and bought it. What a difference. Warm with a nice full soundstage and more detail. It really gets you involved in the music. I see that the price has increased on this as well, so maybe they have the good version now. Unless you know for sure don't take a chance. Buy the 33. If you are lucky enough to get the Hoffman/Gray 45 I'll bet it sounds great. If you are like me and already have the "wrong version" you have my sympathy. You would hope the multimillionaires of Fleetwood Mac would care enough about their music and fans to not let this happen. Haven't they made enough on this one? I guess not. Next format please! Did I hear about a Blu-Ray?

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5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect and oh so mellow!
This along with the Eagles "Hotel California" are the two records that sum up the laid back California sound of the late 70's. This is a perfect record. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Stephen Bieth

5.0 out of 5 stars A sonic treat
Hi all;

This was my first 45RPM LP, and what a lush sonic treat. The sound quality more than makes up for having to get up and flip the side every 10 minutes... Read more

Published 10 months ago by Matthew J MacKay

4.0 out of 5 stars But which edition is it???
I am one of those few people who have listened to both the "EU" and "US" 45-rpm editions of this album... because I accidentally bought both. Read more

Published 11 months ago by Glen Burg

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully sonic remaster
First of all, here's a "head's up" for anyone looking for the Hoffman & Grey remaster. Amazon only carries the H&G remaster in 33 1/2 rpm. Read more

Published 11 months ago by The Choker

1.0 out of 5 stars Buyer Beware
Warning: This is NOT the 45rpm version of "Rumours" mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray. This is a different mastering, cut in the EU by an unknown source. Read more

Published 12 months ago by Sean M Bator

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Rumour Around
I grew up with this album, being that it was one of my parents favourites. I remember dancing to Don't Stop as a kid and singing along to Never Going Back Again on the radio. Read more

Published 13 months ago by Aaron B.

3.0 out of 5 stars How to Identify Pressings
I purchased both pressings (I didn't know there were 2 at the time) one from a US record store and the other from here. Read more

Published 13 months ago by gammadude

4.0 out of 5 stars Which pressing is EU ?
I have 2 different pressings of the 45rpm,double vinyl. The first has tight shrink warp and gold sticker,bought from Amazon. Read more

Published 13 months ago by Mark

5.0 out of 5 stars Best LP Pressing Yet
A classic album, exquisitely cut by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman at AcousTech Mastering.

By far, the best LP pressing of "Rumours" that I've ever heard. Read more

Published 13 months ago by Sean M Bator

3.0 out of 5 stars fleetwood mac rumours VINYL
Thought this was the Rhino/Warner re-release of Rumours. It is not. this is a German copy. Not gatefold, is about 160 gram not like the Rhino release of 180 gram faithfull to the... Read more

Published on Feb 3 2010 by Tim Warren

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