Jethro Tull – Benefit

Deepest and more spatial than Wilson remix, well defined bass. Not an abyssal difference, but those who know the album well will notice it. Worth mentioning is the different track order and the inclusion of Teacher, so there are 11 tracks instead of 10 in the Wilson remix. Great pressing btw, plus the cover is better and more faithful to the original.

Can someone confirm that this is the only Steven Wilson vinyl reissue without a booklet?

This is one of a handful of SW Remixes that betters the original in every single way and becomes totally definitive. The other two are Aqualung and Tales Of Topographic Oceans. These three represent the holy trinity. His other mixes range from truly excellent, to interesting curios through to unnecessary beasts (the irony being Stand Up - this albums predecessor - is one of those)

So why is the Benefit remix so transformative? Well, just like Aqualung and Tales its a case of finally putting real flesh on the bones. Colour in the painting. Flavour in the food. Full range sound in your speakers! The OG mix turns your stereo into a cheap AM clock radio. God forbid you listen to it straight after Parsons I Robot (or any other well produced proggyness). But the Wilson remix finally fully realises your setups bass drivers. Without sounding thick and cloying. Everything sounds like what its supposed to actually sound like. The difference is..... not subtle.

So, you can almost have your cake and eat it. Where the SW Remix falls short of perfection is the sound is mostly within the speakers and doesnt go very wide (still has enough depth to cover) and it cant make treble information that isnt there so there is still a lack of top end air (which likely affects the former). But these are insignificant in the face of having bass and tonal saturation that the recording desperately lacked.

For an album called Benefit, its not wasted on me that Wilsons remix brings the irony in spades. It is a definitive, must own. Whether on the vinyl or the exquisite expanded CD/Surround box.

After a week of back and forth listening to original US pressings and the new AP, there is no doubt in my mind that the AP is my preferred way to hear this. The originals were compressed, lacking any bass, and has no separation. I hadn't played mine in years because I considered it unlistenable. Today I can really appreciate the album in a deeper way. Do turn it up. It won't come alive at low levels.

Not worth it if it doesn’t have “Teacher” on it. I hate the different track listing thing, where the best songs are left off.

Well..... its better than my olde UK which is quite worn tbf. But.....

The Steven Wilson remix is simply better (pls dont kill me lol).

He has bought balance to the original mixes which are bass shy, drummer recessed and skeletal of tonality. While you dont get something for nothing, the soundstage of the Wilson is more closed in and less expansive than the AP. Theres a profound lack of tape hiss on the Wilson and while i dont mind some tape hiss, the tape that AP have got their hands on is VERY hissy. Ultimately the Wilson brings out the tonality of everything at play where the AP leaves it still struggling to appear.

Ive spent a very fun afternoon playing each copy alongside each other on two identical tt setups/phono stages and i have to say id take the Wilson for sure. The AP is for those who want the dire OG mix but abit better. I sadly dont want to pay a massive for that when the SW cost me less than half and provided a genuine upgrade.

Whats sad about this one is the SW remix came out in 2013 and there will be plenty of audiophiles whose AAA chain train just bluntly refuses to stop at digital remix station and yet again, its their loss!

Purchased benefit on day of release(1970) in the UK-must have listened to the album thousands of times over the years.
This latest release from acoustic sounds is by far the best sounding version i have heard-Dont hesitate buy it as you will not hear better.

I have to agree with Mr Mariojzz. This is a great sounding album. I have the US and UK OGs and its no contest. This smokes both and it is not close.

No QC issues with my record either.

After reading these two reviews I went back and listened again. I have a perfect original US copy.

This is so much more, its’s 3d, Ian’s vocals are in the room along with the acoustic guitars. I hear so much more. Clive’s drums sound so much better. You can hear both bass drums and stick definition on the cymbals. Glenn Cornick’s bass sounds just right.

I think maybe you should reevaluate your systems.
I not sure what you’re listening on. I have heard a few bad AP releases, but this is not one of them.

This is one of my favorite Tull albums.

Give it another listen. The first side is where I see
Such a great improvement.

A mid range mess. No bass at all. I know these audiophile labels like to cut flat transfers, but this album desperately needs some EQ. This press sounds like the artisan press with more tape hiss and cut lower. No improvement.