neo_styles

Honestly, I can't think of an occasion where I'd need to see both sides of the LP, so it wasn't something I ever considered. Instead, I just make it a habit to have the A side facing outward and that's what's put behind the album cover in the outer sleeve. I do think their Ultimate Audiophile has label windows on either side; it's just more than I care to spend. I also try to eliminate paper from being anywhere close to contacting my records since I've managed to find some form of dust or shaving on every single record I've purchased with a paper sleeve (even if it's lined in poly) for the past six months or so. Either way, good luck on your searching.

I work in biotech, so pale ales stay at the bar or in my fridge lol. Don't mind a good brew, though. IPA, at these concentrations, won't make a difference. There's suggestions that it could eat away at the surface of your records long-term, but that's why a rinse step is included at the end. That being said, AIVS does offer an alcohol-free substitute for the Deep Clean step for users who are averse to IPA. Fwiw, I can hear nor see no ill effects on my end. As for one-step, it should work just fine on all but legitimately dirty records (ie mold, tar, etc), but I do remember reading an article by the guy who created AIVS that the enzyme step was added in mainly to remove the factory mold release that, he determined, most of the other products out there wouldn't. That was enough to convince me to spend a little extra.

Is there something about IPA you don't like? It's an extremely effective wetting agent.

As a Pro-Ject owner, I'd say Rega over Pro-Ject any day. Seems there were a lot of corners cut on the Debut Carbons, like they thought giving you that carbon fiber tonearm would be more than enough to compensate for the sub-par power supply and platter. Once you upgrade the platter, get the SpeedBox, add a clamp, etc, you've blown the budget. I'm with VA and Thomas. That MMF-5.1 would be a solid choice

A properly-used Zerodust does work pretty well, but I understand how it's cost-prohibitive to some. That being said, adding the right cleaning regimen was the single-most value-added thing I've done in my system. The problem with just rinsing is not knowing what minerals are in your water. Unless the water's super-clean, there's always the possibility of mineral deposits sticking to the record surface once it's dried. I started with a SpinClean and got marginal results, but the fact you have to dry your records with a microfiber after never sat right with me. Got a Record Doctor V for Christmas last year, paired it up with the 3-step solutions from Audio Intelligent, and I haven't looked back. Yeah, it takes more time, but the results are significantly better than just using a brush or what I was able to do with the SpinClean. That 3-piece kit gets you an enzyme-based cleaner as the first step, followed by a Super Cleaner, then Ultra-Pure Water. With your Okki Nokki and a couple runs through, you should be able to get everything done within about 5 minutes. L'Art Du Son would also be an effective one-step method and I've seen bottles of concentrate pop up on Amazon every now and then. I still recommend that AIVS stuff for you, Mule. I think you can get the whole kit (with brushes) for about $110 plus whatever shipping costs, but those are 32oz bottles each. Used properly, it'll take a while to get through that. I've done about 50-60 records and I'm still over half of each bottle left. Definitely a worthwhile investment. Now, as for the stylus, I use this about once every 10 sides, but I've gotten way less crap to stay on the stylus after adopting the above cleaning methods: http://www.sleevecityusa.com/diskeeper-sc5-stylus-cleaner-p/sc-5.htm

Was pretty disinterested in this year's RSD run until I saw Marcy Playground's self-title get added into the list. Damnit, now I might actually have to wait in line.

I just go with the Audiophile Inner sleeves (20 bucks for 50) at SleeveCityUSA. They're basically a knock-off of MoFi sleeves, but seem to be a bit more rigid. They also sell a Double Audiophile ($14 for 25) that's great for 2-LP albums. If those are too rich for your blood, they also sell 50-packs of the round-bottom sleeves for 10 bucks. Hold up well, don't fade, and definitely don't break the bank. Best time to buy is when they're running their coupon codes. Sometimes they go up to 25% off and that's when I buy in bulk. Think I have enough now for the next couple years.

I second that finding something used, especially a Thorens, will put you significantly higher than anything else in the bracket. Since I started my analog phase about 7 years ago, I've owned two Audio Technica AT-LP120s and a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon USB. Each has its strengths, but I find myself reaching more for the AT these days. Sound significantly improves once you put on a rubber mat, but that thing's a static monster and doesn't have the world's greatest speed control. It's easier to hear wow on the AT than on a well-lubed Carbon USB with a fresh belt. Might I also suggest the U-Turn Orbit? Very similar to the Pro-Jects and Regas out there. Pretty easy to find on Amazon, too.

Really wish they'd press I Am Hollywood, to be honest. Suck Out the Poison was phenomenal, but I loved the flow of IAH far more. For me, it's been Otep's Generation Doom. Girl's got some lungs and it's nice to see her stretch out and try a bunch of different stuff. Also has her cover of Royals, which is how I think Lorde should have made the track in the first place.

Ha. No, it's not my first time collecting, but I did make orders from a bunch of different guys at once and thought it would be interesting to see how they all pitted against each other at one specific point in time. Spartan's still the winner for me, though.

Ok, Spartan has officially become my number one favorite. Quick responses, stupid fast shipping, and massive attention to detail all push them to the top of the list. I didn't get as many pack-ins as some of the previously mentioned guys have, but I did get a beautiful copy of The Everglow to my door at Amazon speed from a label and I'll take that any day of the week. In one transaction, they've made a permanent customer. I might even shoot an email next time to see if I can come down to Seattle and pick my next order up by hand and visit the facilities. Updates on the others? SRC - Tracking has them taking 8 days to my door from Buffalo, NY. Media mail really is the most "economic" method, I suppose. At least I know they're on the way. MerchNow - Despite the product page listing this as a preorder, but available 2/27, my order status shows a March 10 availability. Which one is it, guys? Patiently waiting. SSD - In USPS limbo. If I have SRC's tracking as an indicator, I'll probably receive them at about the same time.

Quick update, just based on what's happened with a few different purchases over the past few days: SRCvinyl - Ordered Thursday, shipped Monday with tracking info. I'm cautiously optimistic. Granted, they were all SRC exclusives and everything was listed as in stock. Maybe that helped. Spartan Records - Ordered Thursday, shipped Monday. With these guys in Seattle, this might even hit my mailbox tomorrow. I'm excited. They might be my favorite to deal with so far, if only for the previous ties to Tooth & Nail. Acceptance via MerchNow - Ordered Thursday, still no update on shipping, but they did send the download code. These are they guys I'll be most concerned about on follow-through, but I'm not worried yet. SoundStageDirect - Ordered Thursday, received tracking info Friday. Has been "in transit" since the 4th, but I think that's more a USPS issue than anything. So I suppose I've had a 75% success rate on turnaround times with SRC being the most surprising result, based on their track record. Fingers crossed that everything arrives in perfect condition.

Took the wind out of my sails, bud. I mean, I should have assumed that based on the fact it comes from a FM broadcast, but I appreciate the heads up. Luckily, it's a gift, so I won't lament it too much.

You're my hero. I was just lamenting how expensive Everglow was on Discogs and found your post. Now I guess I'll get to see how great they are...skipped on Destination, but I'll have to keep my eyes open for Singularity.

Saw this thread and immediately went to order the album on merchnow. God, I remember Acceptance back in the Black Lines era. Really dug Phantoms, even though it did get Sprinkled as mentioned earlier. Just gave Dream In Color a listen on YT and can't wait to hear the rest...even though I'm forcing myself to. I guess Aaron Sprinkle is one of those love/hate kinda producers. He definitely puts his thumbprint on anything he does, but I thought Poor Old Lu was a badass band, so I suppose I'm biased. Now if Starflyer59 starts repressing their older material, I will weep tears of joy (and my wallet will weep its own set of tears).

Sorry to break up the troll roll, but this could be promising if they repress a lot of the Tooth & Nail/Solid State stuff that's managed to skyrocket in price. No way in hell am I going to pay 100 bucks for some Zao and Norma Jean records, but I'd gladly jump in on a reissue. But...how did a group of people collectively put their heads together and think a subscription service like this is going to be remotely profitable?

Glad I stumbled across this site and this thread in particular. Really glad to see we have some inkling of when these reissues might see the light of day. Jeez, think I annoyed the living hell out of my wife when Trent announced NTAE and the reissues...scooped up Broken, TDS, The Fragile, NTAE and Deviations 1 within the hour. A week later, swept up the Natural Born Killers soundtrack through one of Amazon's Lightning Deals for a sweet deal. THEN...found out SoundStageDirect was selling the 1995 Bowie/NIN live show set and scooped that up, too. At this rate, I might actually have to add a couple more Expedit units to the living room to be able to store everything that's coming out this year. Also ended up running all of the material through my MacBook Pro using a demo copy of Audirvana so I could get as close to bit-perfect as possible and am blown away by all these remasters and everything sounds FANTASTIC. Just kinda wish NTAE was available in more formats than just 16/44 WAV, but I can manage. I'll echo what's being said about Broken being mixed pretty hot/loud, but I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. It was a pretty aggressive album from the get-go, so I feel the mix pays a pretty good tribute to that. FWIW, I found Deviations 1 to be my favorite of the bunch, but mainly for the fact that I think the added tracks really do help stitch the whole piece together in a way I didn't think was possible. Not having any lyrics doesn't create the same void for me that I think others have found. Do we have any inkling what 2 albums are next up on the roster? Kinda hoping Trent revisits PHM (wasn't as happy with the 2010 remaster as I thought I'd be) and With Teeth.