What is your favorite sounding version of Steely Dan's Aja

comparing Apples and Oranges (and everything in between)

 

1984 mastering. Let me add that the 1991 remastered discs feature the same mastering as the Citizen box.

 

I don't think I've heard this one. Is it a co-mastering?

"Original SH/RN CD mastering 1984"



I like the Japan 32XD second pressing (except I don't like the album or own any versions).

Don't forget the VDP version Mal likes. A mastering for every taste.

The 32XD doesn't sound like the confirmed SH mastering (that you owned) and Steve confirmed with Joel Cairo that the mastering used wasn't his.

 

The 32XD Japanese first pressing beat all others for me. The only thing I don't know for certain is if Steve or Roger mastered it.

 

I guess that must be Steve's mastering. So far nobody has been able to spot the Roger Nichols mastering. Steve has spotted his and some people here sometimes add Roger Nichols' name to the 2 slight variations of Steve's mastering that exist. However, there's absolutely no evidence at all that Roger was involved in those 2 discs.

 

I assume the RN version is the one Steve confirmed with Joel Cairo wasn't his. This has been discussed so much that I guess it really doesn't matter.

Enjoy the music.

 

I haven't heard all those listed in the poll, but I have heard the original vinyl, the 1999 CD remaster, the Hoffman mastered CD, the Cisco vinyl, and also a Japanese MCA vinyl pressing that's not listed here.

I still feel the original vinyl reigns supreme for this one, it's got a certain magic that I've not heard on any other version.

Steve's CD second, then the Cisco vinyl (which is great for the quiet surface and probably more of an accurate reflection of the master tapes, but lacks a bit of magic in my opinion), then the 1999 CD remaster, and then the Japanese MCA vinyl which in my opinion was a real dog.

 

This one:

MCAD-37214
MFD by JVC
MCAD-37214-1 1C (matrix)

 

I picked the original vinyl. For comparison I've got that, plus the MFSL vinyl (I'm surprised it's not listed as a separate option), the CISCO vinyl, the original 84 CD and the 99 remaster. The original vinyl seemd to have the best balance and sparkle to me.

John K.

 

Oops, forgot about that VDP.

 

Duhn duh duhhhhhnnnn. I just skewed the results

My favorite sounding version is the only one I have

 

Original vinyl works for me.

 

Original SH/RN Japan disc. Sounds like heaven!

Evan

 

Discussing the 1984 mastering is a can of worms... always has been, always will be.

Everybody with an "early" MCA claims it's Steve's mastering, and Steve has asserted it's not very common (quite rare, in fact). At the same time, people reasonably dispute the data differences between the (common) early MCAs, and the "Hoffman-mastering-confirmed" MCAs.

My "early" MCA (Japan for US) sounds damn good. I stopped caring whether it's Steve's mastering. Of note, it uses the same mastering as the 32XD Japan for Japan. That one sounds damn good, too.

 

Ivan, what's the matrix code on the one you have?

 

I have a ton of CD pressings, but now prefer the Cisco vinyl.

 

Catalog number: MCAD-37214
Matrix number: DIDX-55 21A6
NOTE: Has 'CSR Compact Disc' printed 3 times in hub area

 

I didn't even have to blink. Cisco!

Tim