I have decided to make the purchase. As day to day I continually think of the experience hearing this album at its greatest - My whole joy in music is hearing an album like never before and hearing the perfection that comes with quality . - Thank you for doing this comparison, It was something I needed to make the final decision being on a budget.

Nice work David. Very descriptive in your analysis here 👍🏻

Great review David!

Great video David and great food references! Talking about what is on the menu and such! Great analogy about looking at the expensive steak and proof is in the eating! I think the hardest thing to do in these kind of videos is to show the viewer, or let the viewer experience what the differences are without letting them hear them! I think you did a great job at that here as you did in your previous video! I purposely spent last night after my football game listening to all of my Steely Dan Aja albums! I got my UHQR yesterday afternoon, so I’m really anxious to open it but I wanted to be clearheaded and have the references from going back through all of them again! I will be putting up my thoughts shortly!🎉

Received my first ever UHQR of Aja. Yes its sounds fantastic. Worth $150? I don't think so. Wish they would get rid of all the fancy packaging & sell it for$60. That's what I think its worth.

interesting, thank you. now i can image how the ultra tape will be...

The $30 version does sound better than my old MCA re-issue. But there is no doubt in my mind that UHQRs are the ultimate in sound. Thanks for the great review.

Thanks for the video. I just invested in a new stereo system and ordered the Aja UHQR from Michael last week. Looking forward to experiencing the album once the equipment has been burned in. Br from Denmark

I`m looking forward to receiving my UHQR someday. I pre ordered my Steely Dan reissues and being from Canada, I have to wait until all of them are released before they ship them to me. Meanwhile I`ve been buying the Universal reissues to keep my excitement up . Great review.

Great work David! You should get another one just to be safe 😉

The way that you got used to the better version first then listened to the cheaper version, is how I make all audio comparisons, whether it’s a different pressing, gear, or even cables. I’ve found taking something away in the sound is much more night/day then building up in quality.

Thanks for the review. Although I will be getting the SACD regardless, I wonder if it beats the Steve Hoffman-mastered version of this magnificent album (Germany MCD 01745, Japan MCAD-37214 and UK MCLD 19145 pressings).

Hey my friend David is letting you know what he's hearing He's saying the UHQR sounds a lot better. Many many times better. he didn't say why it did, he just said this is what he is experiencing and if you listen to the record on his stereo you would hear the same thing. This is not rocket science. it's just an listening experience and from what David is saying everyone can tell the difference because it's that big of a difference. instead of criticizing him you should be thanking him for letting you know. 😊

I am thrilled hearing your description/comparison here and would love to get the upcoming Gaucho release from UHQR beeing my favourite album but coming to the checkout the fedex rate of 135 usd makes this a wayyyy to expensive adventure for a man living in Europe, sadly.

I bought the $30.00 release and I thought it sounded good but it didn't blow me away. Now that I have watched your comparison you have convinced me to buy the UHQR. Aja is one of my favorite Steely Dan albums and is iconic in my eyes when it came it out during my teenage years. Besides Walter Becker is a legend in my old neighborhood having a street named after him 5 years ago.

6:11 AHHhhhhh there's the reason I tuned in. I agree that the UHQR re-issues are The best sounding to date. My Wilson Audio Sasha V's do not lie. I decided to get all of the SD re-issues on UHQR and I am very pleased I did.

What you are describing is analog vs digital ! A analog recording brings the music into the room with depth and proper timbre. I have experienced this over and over !

Thanks for the review. I may rethink about buying the UHQR for Aja. I purchased the UHQR for Countdown to Ecstasy and Pretzel Logic. I loved the sound on the UHQR for "Countdown", but disappointed with the sound on the UHQR of "Pretzel Logic". I was leery of spending the money for the UHQR of Aja after the disappointment of the UHQR of Pretzel Logic, so I purchased the $30 version. Now I might have to get it after hearing your review. Thanks for enticing me to spend more money...Lol.

Great comparison David. It seems fairly unanimous (at least on KZfaq) that this is the definitive Aja. Do you think it ever gets released as a 33 rpm UHQR?

Maybe we'll get a chart on the box set's performance next time? :0)

I'll go get my A1/B1 copy I bought in Dec 1977 and think of what I can do with the $150 still in my pocket, Still, listening to this thing on a good system is a trip, I would imagine. Too bad the trappings and the hype costs listeners all that extra $$

I preordered _waaay_ back, and this has been sitting on my shelf until I got enough new LP's to break out the ultrasonic cleaner. I'm a bit surprised the $30 is _that_ bad, I had hopes for those who don't want to pull the trigger on UHQR. Then again, going from the UHQR to that will sour the experience at the best of times. TBH, Aja is not one of my favorite from these guys, but the sound quality has always been demo quality which is why I bought it. This will be the last of the series I get though. I've been head over heels with the previous 3, and now after your reviews I'm excited to hear this - it really has been _years._ I'm a bit mixed on the Atlantic series coming up. There's absolutely no way I'm going to get Close To The Edge split over 2 sides, or Foxtrot. No matter how good it sounds that by itself will take me out of the immersive feeling. I can't even imagine. I have no problem with full songs and less of 'em, but this reminds me of how much I hated 8 track. I hope maybe they'll do a 33 rpm, but I'll just live with my (excellent) OG imports. Other than that, AP's stock has been rising steadily for the past year in my book! *Thanks for the 2nd review!*

I would be into these reissues if they did away with the box and associated cost with that. A 2LP version similar to the Tone Poets for $70/80 mark would tempt so many more of us.

By the way how do you clean your LP's, have noticed even new releases doesn't sound free of noice/dust/statics, would like to hear your opinion on a decent machine like okki nokki etc ;-)

I can confirm the UHQR is a big step up from the Cisco. The Cisco is a little bit better than the OG AB-1006 but the UHQR is on another level.

So just to be clear, you only compared it against the $30 digital one and maybe an OG? So no Cisco?

Did order White Stripes Elephant and Aja as UHQR today, boy oh boy, I go cry now (400€)

Thanks for addressing the Elephant in the room…

Thanks for the Video! I'm sure it's very good, but I would rather upgrade my Analog Front-end. an OG Aja will sound better on an upgraded Turntable setup, then a uhqr on a cheap table---imo--- Blows my Mind, when people spend a ton of money on expensive records and play them on $150 Turntables!

Are you going to buy the Aja SACD and do a comparison?

Anybody hear what the status of Gaucho is? Mind didn't ship and now says TBD on Acoustic Sounds.

I think I will skip this UHQR edition. I am quite satisfied with the sound of the original release.

I preordered the $30 one and as soon as I put it on the TT, I realized it was getting returned. Very disappointing. my AB-1006 sounds much better. I can't bring myself to buy the UHQR for $150 so hopefully they will release it in the future without all the fancy fluff.

So the ghost echo from the previous track. That you mentioned that the 150 $ had in your review. Can you still hear the ghost echo that are in the tape in the 30 $ one ? (The interesting question is if those kinds of details are gone that is in the source tape. Is what I am interested to know.) Thanks!

Many people seem to miss one important aspect. To me, Aja has been one of my favorite albums since it came out in 1977. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s 2X, 3X or even 5Xs better. Again, to me, I am paying for the best version available.

No surprise the $30 version is very inferior to the $150 version. But how does the $30 version compare to other $30 records? Does it sound especially good for a $30 record?

I suspect the SACD will get pretty close to the UHQR, so that will be my “bang for the buck” pick.

I cant afford the UHQR , (at least not at the moment)! I have audiophile quality ears but i don't have an audiophile quality pocketbook! 😊

I'll pay $150 for the UHQR but only when they release it on cassette!

Well, I received my copy, and to be honest, I was a little surprised and disappointed. After opening the package and inspecting the contents, the vinyl jacket is nice, glossy, and sturdy, with some scuffs on the back. Now for the final test. I was let down. As soon as I dropped the needle to side 1, Black Cow, I started hearing popping, I continued listening then to track 2 Aja still hearing popping all the way to run out. I stopped there. My favorite track is Aja, and I just felt a letdown, I didn't expect that at all. For 150.00 plus shipping and taxes, it's total over 172.00. I personally think the back to black released back in 2015 sounds better . Also, I personally think that the UHQR of Countdown to Ecstasy sounds better. No pops and crackling. 🤔

Do you have the recommended original version?

Get your before it's gone. We all know what the secondary market is like.

Thank you save me 30€

Cancelled all my Steely Dan uhqr after the Pretzel Logic uhqr sonic disaster Decide to wait for positive reviews from people I trust Pulled the trigger early on AjA when Micheal Fremer gave his short synopsis Bought the CBAT digital to see how viable. They lack air and energy - no need to hear any other digital copies Original us first pressings or a UHQR Reviewed first

Why was the high end pushed forward to make the whole album sound overly bright to where Donald Fagens voice sound’s unnatural. Too bad this had to happen to such a beautiful album.

Don't forget AP will be issuing cheaper 45 versions of this in the future.

Is this not a second generation digital master ?

The standard vinyl cut is awful. The 192/24 bit Qobuz stream sounds far better and closer to the UHQR. The standard vinyl could have sounded better but the cutting engineer’s system sounds consistently poor. Same with Tom Waits recent reissues.

Pronounced Asia? Or Ayja?

I might listen to aja once every 2 yrs if that, so Spotify is looking like great bang for buck for me. ☺️

Analog for president ❤ But is cost money 😢

Using a 2 track master copy to make the UHQR press would tell you that Bernie didn’t do any ‘placement of the instruments or vocals.’ Same thing as using a digital hi-res file, no placement was done. This is the problem with these so-called ‘audiophiles’ who have never been in a studio yet think they know what they’re talking about and the less fortunate must take their word as gold. Sounds more to be like you’re trying to kiss Chad’s ass than state real facts. One fact is that, just like you and I, Chad is old therefore his ears are not what they were when he was 18. Who’s to say what he hears is the same as what we hear? Seems he could release an album of Michael Jackson “The Lost Tapes Of MJ Bustin’ Ass” and as long as Chad talks up the record, you’ll be right there lapping up what he’s spewing all over the floor.

I'm just wondering how the same comparison would turn out for Pretzel Logic. Considering how bad the UHQR version turned out. I did a comparison with it and my Canadian original and the UHQR's bass was muddy, the top end was cut and the soundstage just wasn't there. It wasn't even close to my og. I was so disappointed that AP dropped the ball on that one. Up to that point, in my eyes, they had a perfect track record.

David, why is it that the Aja UHQR is so bright, so much so that Donald Fagens vocals sound unnatural and the toms on the drums sound like cardboard? All the warmth has been taken out of this recording which has ruined the beautiful sound. This is the second time I’ve been disappointed with these UHQRs.

So i dont buy that 30$ trash

Please!!! No more Steely Dan!!!!!!