This WLP sounds incredible! It's the best sounding Scam pressing I have, next to the UHQR. I almost prefer this to the other at times. Amazing clarity, punch and dynamics.

Have only listened to record 1 so far, Kid Charlemagne sounds phenomenal. Sadly, Caves Of Altamira (my favorite track by far on the entire album as well as one of my faves of the entire SD catalog) sounds awful on my setup. Hi-hats are mixes very loud on this song so it was always a bit problematic sonically but my Allen Zentz mastered original pressing of this album sounds beautiful, even on Caves…hot hi-hats and all. Not so on this UHQR. Honestly, i have never heard another record mastered by Bernie Grundman (and I must have several hundred) sound like this. The hi-hats are so distorted on this pressing that on each chorus, the audio of all instruments is breaking up to the point of it sounding like tape damage. I’m really astonished this made it through QC and test pressings. Almost sounds like something went wrong with the plating. Perhaps my cartridge, stylus profile and phono preamp (Denon DL-110 with Soundsmith Line retip and Musical Fidelity VLPS-90 preamp) just don’t like with the mastering choices, and Caves is just too much of a “torture track” for my rig but if so, I am surprised. I will recheck my cartridge alignment tonight but stylus is only about 1/3rd of the way through recommended life and cart was painstakingly aligned when installed after receiving it back from Soundsmith after retip. If this is as good as Caves is going to sound on this $160 record (incl. shipping) I will be very disappointed.

The Royal Scam is now showing jnh in the matrix for Joe Nino-Hernes

A Tracking Angel article * on the previous Katy Lied, mentioned it was cut by Joe Nino-Hernes at Sterling Sound from a flat digital transfer by Bernie Grundman and not from a BG mastered file.

Royal Scam now seems to have gotten the same excellent treatment.
I compared it to a UK first pressing and this new issue is superior to that.

Too bad all the previous titles did not get the same care as these last two.

* "Steely Dan's Controversial 'Katy Lied' Gets the Analogue Productions UHQR Treatment"
Tracking Angle Jan 31, 2025

Has anyone compared the UHQR to the Japanese VIM pressing?

Beyond thrilled to finally have this, as I was really anticipating this one, being that it's my favorite Steely Dan album. I was disappointed it got pushed back to the end, and AP not sticking to the original release order, but whatever, "better late than never" I always say!

Anyway, I'm exactly sure what to think yet.. It didn't knock my socks off as much as I was expecting it would. I have a WLP and a couple standard OG pressings in excellent shape. Surprisingly, the WLP definitely holds it own, and I may even prefer it actually. We'll see, I'll definitely have to spend some more time with this UHQR and double check my setup. Looking forward to other folks reviews on this one! 🍻

Looks like I'm the lucky first to review this masterpiece of an album and pressing, I'll keep it short and sweet as we all know what to expect from Steely Dan and UHQR at this point. The records are dead quiet and flat as a pancake, no surprise there. The sound is just phenomenal, every instrument is just front and center and clear as a whistle, especially THAT BASS! Not too heavy on the low end but it just cuts through the sound, which is a good thing given how FUNKY this album is!! My only complaint is that disc 2 had a pretty tight spindle hole, had to use the annoying technique of holding the edges of the disc and wiggling it off the spindle when I had to flip/remove it, but if you're good at this technique then it won't hurt the disc any. At any rate, apparently these will be Analogue Productions' last "big box" UHQRs and they've really gone out on a high note, I'll treasure this album and the rest of them always. Kudos to Analogue Productions!

Great re-issue from Universal. I did detect a bit of vocal sibilance at higher volume, but I think that was unavoidable. I pre-ordered the sacd like 5 years...lol, and can't wait for a comparison to my 80's club cd (it's the best sounding release I have).

the dans sendup of the American dream has never sounded funkier

the cover art has been slandered. just the back recalls Woodie Guthrie "your $2 shoe won't fit my feet"

Donald and Walter aren't complaining though (aside from the title track), they've lost that '60s radicalism if they were ever into it. this album is an instruction manual. it's communicating to you the kind of sleaze and avarice you kind of have to slip into to have a chance at good time here and have a shot at making the best of it

turn up the (bald) Eagles the neighbors are listening

Flat and quiet and probably the best sounding of the remasters. Nothing to complain about here!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML Microlinear Stylus
• Audio-Technica ATLP1240USBXP Turntable
• Marantz PM8600 Integrated Amplifier
• DCM Time Frame TF-275 Floor Speakers

Lovely flat, silent pressing. Sounds wonderful and fully suits the groovy, top class music.