Any time you get into analog, there is an element to it that you don't find with digital, and that is the pressings. So many different pressings from different places of the same LP with obvious differences in sound quality. This inevitably leads the obsessive audiophile to seek out the best pressings and or labels which is what I enjoy doing. Of course I would enjoy it more if there were complete consistency or at least better consistency so that you could get it right the first time more often than not.

Not that long ago I noticed a new mastering process called Direct Metal Mastering which eliminates an entire step in the conventional LP production process. I'm listening to a sampler from TELDEC Technology DMM and I have to say it's among the very best 33 RPM LP's I've ever heard. If all music could sound like this, there would be no war.



There are samples from 17 different classical albums on this LP, and so far the recording quality and space and overall signature are top notch on every one.  Not the large variance you would expect considering the different venues...

Here is a picture of the lathe cutting a metal master!



That's about as ZEN as it gets.

-Steve

Stockfish Records is another incredible sounding label.



Steve

I have several DMM lps including these two.
Different labels, the S. Rollins is Bluenote ....they must contract out to specialist facilities.
Or vice-versa