Side-by-side comparison between this 2021 release of the 25th Anniversary Abbey Road half-speed master and the 1996 Essig master (DJ Shadow - Endtroducing.....)

Note: There's no What Does Your Soul Look Like Pt. 4 on the original pressing, whereas the Abbey Road version has included it. As such, the Abbey Road packs more audio across the A and B sides, and the track numbering is different between the two. I have noted both version's track numbering where it differs, with the Abbey Road track numbering first.

* A2: Mids have been brightened a little, vocal details enhanced; low-end has definitely been reduced, but not necessarily to the detriment of the song; DJ shadow's beats are dusty samples and come through quite murky on this track on the Essig cut (and every version I've heard). That remains the case here, but it feels tightened up a bit, shoring up some of the murky bottom.

* A3: Abbey Road version definitely suffers from loss of low-end. The Essig presents with a wall-of-sound during the refrain that isn't felt on this remaster. Similar to the comment below, the drums lack punch here. The breaks and vocal samples honestly don't come in much different between the two pressings.

* A4.a/B1.a: Drums might come in crisper on the Essig. Similarly, the mids actually come in quite clear on the Essig and sound fuller. The Tangerine Dream sample, taken from a song that itself had notably muddy mastering, is clearer on the Essig. Low-end is a no-contest once again, and while it's a murky, mildly-distorted bassline, I prefer the heaviness of the Essig to the shored-up Abbey-Road master.

* B2.a/B2: The Abbey Road master has cut this track pretty quiet comparative to the Essig, and comparative to preceding tracks. The Essig is perhaps a bit quieter than preceding tracks on that cut, but the difference isn't as pronounced. There's not a lot of low-end on this track, but the bias of the Abbey Road master deprives the drums of their impact. The details come in clearer on the Essig, if for nothing other than volume, and the Essig is all-around just a better version.

C1/C1.b: The drums come through bouncy and relatively clear on the Abbey Road. Not a complete loss of bottom end. There's more "airiness" and "soundstage" to this version. But, again, quieter than the Essig, which comes through with more force. I also don't hear an improvement in other aspects with the Abbey Road, and argument could again be made the Essig has clearer details.

C2: Abbey Road is flatter, and again quieter.

C4: If you listened to the Abbey Road version in isolation you might think the track sounds pretty good. Volume is improved. However, once you play the Essig you realize the former is missing an entire swirling bottom-end in the refrain. Additionally, the last third of the Abbey Road cut has channel noise/distortion in the vocals. Not sure if that's my copy.

D1: Volume appears to have been permanently restored to Abbey Road cut and, frankly, pretty comparable between versions. However, detail is lost on the Abbey Road through cutting the bottom-end.

D2.a: Surprisingly, the bottom end is mostly present in the Abbey Road, comparative to the Essig. Mids and highs are also clearer than Essig (more "airiness" again). This is the one track where I'd say the Abbey Road is as-good-as if not an improvement over the Essig.

Overall, and despite the absence of What Does Your Soul Look Like Pt. 4, I prefer the 1996 Essig over the Abbey Road and while my copy has some surface noise, I think I'll be unloading my 25th Anniversary copy.

I picked this up for $20 at End of An Ear in Austin in 2016. I didn't bother to check the pressing until now, and was pleased to find out it's an original.

Sounds notably better than the 25th Anniversary Abbey Road version.

does anbody knows anthing about this pressing.. on deadwax it is written 10-104576/769712412319 - A 280849E1/C, just bought it from hhv.de, it is in good condition, but looks secondhand, not sealed, on therir site it is said tha they have it from 2003 onwards

I've never heard another copy of this other than the CD, but this one sounds amazing. Lovely detail and dead quiet. Could hear a pin drop.

Sounds absolutely fire being rinsed out on the Wheels Of Steel.

Highly Recommend

Great pressing for this classic album. The sound is well defined, drums and bass are well represented and this analog sound that you are looking for is here. Recommended !

There is no ploy here. This the deluxe version Shadow wanted to put out with his control. He says it himself on the damn album! I completely disagree with this negative toned review here, despite giving a 4/5 stars. Criticizing an artist that made one of the most iconic hip-hop, sampled-based records of all time with the critique that the inclusion of B-sides and alternates weren't unreleased? Come on. Greedy much? I want new material?! Boohoo. Then to thumbing your nose at the chance of written material detailing the creation of the mystic record? That's the most pretentious thing ever. Island Records was the big money, major label attached to this release later on, and I'm sure helped keep the lights on at Mo'Wax and keep the royalties paid for all the samples once it became so popular. DJ Shadow worked in tandem with Island to make this deluxe version in the shape he wanted. The inclusion of Excessive Ephemera is a perfect opposite side of the record, and like countless Deluxe Versions from Island and related labels that collects said related material from said record, saving you from tracking down all the Mo'Wax CD singles from the album. Now, enjoy it. It's about nuances here. From the Peshay Remix (which is the only way to get it digitally), Extended Overhaul, to the added Heat sample on Stem, to (Hello!) the BBC live set?! Just listen and enjoy. Chill out and stop complaining so much.

Very clean and tight sounding pressing for me. The Bass / low end is fine and punchy. On my Technics 1210 GR with Ortofon Red I hear details not heard before. Original source material as you know is sampled and any scratches on those vinyls do appear but that is expected.
Such a brilliant album unlike anything else at the time.
All sides are centred ok on my copy.
Recommend this version over older ones I’ve heard.

I didn't like this pressing until I "upgraded" to the 2024 half speed master - after comparing the two, I can say without a doubt that this 2011 release is superior in almost every way.

Thank god I got this on sale because I can't imagine paying full price for this. While I appreciate the clean sound and a tighter bass response, there is a horrible distortion present throughout most of the album in the highs, most prevalent on Side B and C. I should have payed closer attention to the reviews highlighting the sibilance in this version and the 2021 version.

In comparison to my 2011 version, this 2024/2021 version has much more fidelity and range. The sound stage is wider and there is more separation between layers of the mix. Unfortunately, this extended range leaves the music sounding sterile and lifeless. It's actually a bit shocking how much better the 2011 version is - it doesn't have the sound stage like this, but the older press sounds cohesive, lively, and well balanced. Nothing on the 2011 version distorts. The bass feels present and the highs are perfectly mixed. This half speed master cancels that out entirely, leaving the listener with a rather uninspiring experience.

If I could take the sound stage of the half speed master and combine it with the cohesiveness and clean sound of the 2011 pressing, you'd have the perfect release, imo.

I'm growing weary of "half speed remasters" at this point - I don't think I've ever gotten a good one. Perhaps I need better equipment, like a MC cartridge to unlock the potential. I have heard that these Abbey Road half speed masters require better gear to appreciate due to the hot mastering, but considering that's outside the price range of someone like me, it makes these pressings glorified eye candy.

At least the pressing itself is fine - no visual or audible defects. It's flat and center. The mastering/cut just isn't refined for the average listener. The jacket is fine, a bit thin. The printed inner sleeves will scratch your records and leave a lot of dust on them.

Consider other options, is my opinion.

Fluance RT80
AT-VM95ML
Schiit Mani 2
Edifier R1700BT

Edit: I do like parts of this pressing - it sounds good when it doesn't distort. That's the only positive attribute of this release imo.