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From: greg@olivej.UUCP (Greg Paley)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: RCA "Paper Bag" records
Message-ID: <117@olivej.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 11-Jan-84 13:38:55 EST
Article-I.D.: olivej.117
Posted: Wed Jan 11 13:38:55 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 13-Jan-84 06:29:07 EST
Organization: Olivetti ATC., Cupertino, Ca
Lines: 64


I've had a chance to hear several of these "digitally
remastered" re-issues from analogue master tapes.  In
no case have I heard an improvment but in all that I've
heard so far, the sound is significantly inferior to
the original RCA red seal issue.  The originals themselves
vary in quality according to the particular time period
in which they were pressed.  These are identifiable as
follows, in descending order of quality

	(1) Late 50's, early 60's.  While these may
not have the most silent surfaces, they tend to have
the most vibrant and detailed sound.  The labels have
the old "His Master's Voice" dog at the gramophone at
the top.  The label has a bright red background with a
darkly shaded area around the picture of the dog.
	(2) Mid 60's.  These are distinguishable from
the above in that there is no dark shading around the
picture of the dog.  Also, at the bottom of the label
they say "Stereo" as opposed to "Living Stereo" on the
earlier ones.
	(3) Late 60's, early 70's.  Brick red label
with no picture of the dog.
	(4) Mid 70's - "Dynaflex" records which wilt
when you hold them up.  At this point, things seemed
they could get no worse until . . .
	(5) Golden Seal.  Not as flimsy as the Dynaflex
but generally beset by murky, veiled sound.  Some are
OK if heard by themselves but vastly inferior to the
originals.

	In short, continuing negative progress.  The
new "paper bag" records are no improvement on the Golden
Seal.  Unfortunately, the early pressings are very hard
to come by and many specialty shops which might have
them won't let you open the seal to examine the label.
The good news is that, at least so far as I've been able
to compare, imported German and English RCA pressings 
have much, if not all, the vibrancy of the originals with
superior surfaces.  These can be hard to find, but there
are import dealers from whom one can order by mail.  
This can be expensive, but I find a $10 record that I
enjoy re-playing a better investment that a $5 record that
sits on my shelf.

	Does anyone have comments on the more recent .5
(half-speed remastered) RCA's?  Those I've heard so far
are similar to digital records in that they seem strikingly
better on mediocre equipment (on which the originals seem
rather dull) but harsh and unpleasant on higher-end gear
(on which the originals sound extraordinary).  I'd be
very interested in other people's experiences.

	If anyone is interested in dealers for the
above-mentioned import pressings, I'd be willing to
dig around and come up with some addresses.  It would
take a little time, but I'd be happy to do it if the
interest is there.

			Greg Paley
			Olivetti ATC, Cupertino Ca.