Good comment, but if you're interested in how this great album sounds when it was made with fresh tape, listen to the 1967 original issue Monarch pressing. It's terrific.

@@audiophileman7047 That would b great to hear. No doubt: the 'younger' the recording/tape, the better will be the sound. I had an orignal pressing of 'Strange Days' in early '68 but didn't own a new copy of the first album until summer '69. Of course what I didn't have as a kid was a decent turntable and cartridge!

@@onsenkuma1979 There are other factors like the mastering and the actual pressing process, but they got it right on the Monarch pressing. Monarch was a pressing plant in L.A. where The Doors recorded the music, so maybe they had access to the master tapes. It is not the first pressing, but it's early. Finding a NM copy of the album is tough. Even my VG+ copy sounds great. Instruments sound more detailed, and there is good balance among the instruments and the vocals.

@@audiophileman7047 I've seen references to Monarch on Hoffman threads and here in the KZfaq VC. For all I know I mght have had some of these in th late '60s or '70s. I certainly didn't know then what I know now about these things. One of the earliest Doors pressings I have is a mint German copy of 'Weird Scenes Inside the Gold Mine' from maybe '72 or '73. This sounds quite nice. I bought the AP box sets (vinyl and SACD) as pre-orders some years back. I'm not crazy about 45 rpm for these, but it's worth it to hear 'The End' or 'Riders On The Storm' in that format...

@@onsenkuma1979 I'm not a big fan of the 45 rpm format as well. Having to flip the record so often takes some of the continuity away. I don't have all of The Doors AP/QRP 45's, but of the four I have Morrison Hotel just kicks butt the best. Not to say the others aren't great too. I need Waiting For The Sun and The Soft Parade to finish the set. A big part of the reason The Doors 45's are so good is that Doug Sax, the great sound engineer ever (my opinion) mastered them through TML with all hollow state electronics. You're not going to get much better with the source material he had to work with. The Doors debut 45 rpm AP/QRP reissue is great and is well worth having.

Not necessarily

Being an Audiophile that collects vinyl can cause issues. It's a DNA thing.

@ghostdancer58 Ditto.

Music Lovers collect music & collectors collect music. Plus he liked the details of the midrange of the more expensive/rarer issue. So not just for collecting.

Totally agree. I follow both channels and would like to see a head to head discussion. I think Mike Esposito would be up for it but not sure about this Michael

Mike E should review the audio and Mike 45 the sleeves, printwork etc....oh wait that's already the case. Nevermind

Wie können 2 Experten mit der Meinung derartig auseinander liegen? Das ist ja nicht zu fassen. Was denn nun? Der eine hat es ja sogar total verrissen!? Sehr sehr merkwürdig.

Failure to call out (or notice?) the issues with the mono edition of this album considerably discredits his opinion on any other album.

@@jacobusb4620 What is the problem with the "abomination"? What is "perfect"? Also - one opinion does not have to invalidate another. Would you like to be judged on one bad decision? I don't think anyone is perfect, but I enjoy this man's opinions and his ability to both discern and express them. He thinks a lot like I do. Perfection, for an audiophile, is close to attainable. I am going to go seek out Mr. Hoffman's assessment of the Doors mono version of which you speak!

​@Charlie Messing The problem is that this is advertised as an audiophile channel and unless the sound of a 500 dollar record is perfect, it should be called out. Its not his opinion that is relevant but a statement about the actual sound quality.

@@davidlg0478I agree with you. Mike In Groove’s assessment was more like a technical evaluation and if the master that was used was beyond saving, it shouldn’t have been used. Simple. Mike even said that the digitised versions fixed some of those issues, so a record using a digitally fixed source might sound better and for less than a tenth of the price. Nuts. Also…kinda funny/sad.

I was just about to write that. Thank you.

That doesn't necessarily indicate anything. Audiophile labels usually ignore mono if a stereo version is available

Listened to it 3 times in a row last night. There is nothing wrong with it.

The Doors made really good stereo mixes, by and large, of their material. Their catalog is among the best produced and engineered rock/pop recordings of the era. I hold Bruce Botnick in very high regard. I don't really care if something is mono or stereo when there is a choice based on format - I want the mix on that particular recording I like best. If all else is equal between a mono and stereo mix of something, I would easily then say I want the stereo, but that rarely happened.

​@@JBLClassic So are you saying its a crystal clear recording with no background noise which at a minimum it should be for a 500 dollar purchase?

@@davidlg0478 I’m saying I’ve played it 5 times now and thoroughly enjoyed it. None of those noise issues were noticeable to me, but I’ll listen for a 6th time and see.

This is an issue , you are correct. It's human nature when paying well over the top to want to praise it.

You force yourself to like it because the alternative is to cry over the money you’ve lost on this piece of shit.

Hoffmann has put out some great stuff, but he can also be a know it all jerk. Regardless of what those two say, it sounds incredible.

Unbelievable. Esposito paid his copy, He is total passend off 🤣

Unfortunately in my opinion the mono recording of this tape was never stellar. I bought both the stereo and mono albums in the early 70's and the mono sounded dull and lifeless compared to the stereo and the stereo was not really spectacular. My system at the time was above average...

To be honest, there's no real indepth review of the actual sound itself here.

@M B I agree. Its a superficial review about what mood you are in when listening to it.

Cue the conspiracy theories about Mike Espinosa being on a mission to discredit ERC

@@vinylrulesok8470 dun dun dun...

​@@davidlg0478 👍

right this is really important to say Liam! What a debut!!!!1

Have you heard the original Monarch pressing? It is absolutely terrific! 😻 I don't like ERC's small batch release concept. I'd bet you my paycheck that most of those ERC records were purchased by investors rather than people like us who recognize and appreciate the artistic achievement of The Doors' debut album. I must agree with your comment about the Break On Through song and how it is the beginning of something extraordinary as we journey through the "labyrinth" of this monumental album. 👍👍👍

Opinions are our own truth. Anyone saying they are being totally objective is not, but if it comforts them to think so, may they be so comforted.

@@CharlieMessing ABSOLUTELY the most acute comment on music perspective.

@@Dafalex22 Thank you!

Mike is not an analog purist. If its anslog and sounds like shit..its shit.

That would be interesting to hear!

But but but its anal oooooog. It has to sound amaaaaassiiing.

When Rolling Stone did one of those "100 best rock and roll albums of all time" surveys/lists, The Doors 1st came in at #25. Ray Manzarek called Jann Wenner, the editor - the only one of the artists to call - and he said, "You found 24 albums that were better than The Doors!?????"

@@CharlieMessing Ray certainly did get that right! I'm glad that he spoke up about it. Who knows what criteria they use to determine if an album should be on their list? If Pink Floyd The Wall was put ahead of The Doors 1st, I'd have to agree, but nothing else. The Beatles always seem to get the top spots. Their list suggests a lot of personal opinion. The thing to remember is that these lists are often more about popularity and magazine sales than artistic merit. Do you think they'd lose magazine sales if the legions of Beatles fans get upset with them over their list? The Grammy's are another ridiculous organization for a lot of the awards they give. The Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame is another one. There are great artists like Link Wray who should be in the Hall and get passed over every year.

You won't get a reply , this channel never replies to queries, which is a pity and devalues the reviews.

Think the DCC CD crushes it? Have you heard the DCC vinyl? It is absolutely mind blowing and is the only copy of this album anyone will ever need in their lifetime

I just started getting deep into CDs and heard great things about DCC pressings. I just ordered the Beach Boys Pet Sounds because of that

Mike E is nothing but a braggart who thinks he knows everything. He clearly has an agenda with this one and I find his comments on it useless.

An LP’s, or anything else’s, worth is based only what people are willing to pay for it. Supply & demand… How many want it and what are they willing for it. And the number of copies pressed is very likely based on restrictions placed by the record company that owns the masters. For many, this pressing IS about the music. ERC schtick is to replicate the master tapes as authentically as possible. Previous re-presses of this LP are compromised by trying to “fix” the flaws in the master tape. I, like many others, love hearing it warts & all, with zero attempt to improve it. If this ain’t your thing, don’t buy the record. I find it very odd that you cannot imagine how an LP could be worth £350.

@@timkimware3537 Are you saying to me that a record comoany will give you the master but will restrict you to 300-400 copies? That is BS. It is an artificial restriction to make it appear unique. A record company giving you a master could restrict you to a few thousands (see recent UHQR Marley Estate) but NOT 300-400 copies. I dont need a lecture in economics and marketing - I know how the world works. 300 copies IS NOT about the music. How can it be about the music when 300 people only can hear it?

@@danaeloucaidou4991 Neither of us knows why they were limited to 450 copies; that could certainly been a condition of the licensing, or the condition of the LEDO master, or something else of which neither of us is aware. You assume the worst about Phil Vernol, the owner of ERC and a super-passionate music lover, and I trust his reasoning. So we can just leave it there. If you don’t like or trust ERC, then don’t bother with ‘em.

@@timkimware3537 Have they issued any other record in more than 400 copies? No. Its a model for the few only. I get it. Its the vinyl equivanent of a versace dress. You bet your sweet life I wont bother. Good day

Not only is Coherarent all-analog, that album was also recorded there (the first on his own label). Kevin and his all-analogue studio have my vote (if elections are held). I wonder what the differences would be between two versions of the same album - one ERC and one from Cohearent? At least Kevin's albums are priced for people, rather than as audiophile, for audiophiles only (and the first 500 people to become aware of a new release)!

I have an OG Monarch pressing too, with the label misprint OHER side instead of "Other Side" I also have a DCC Stereo pressing which is very good, in Mint condition.

I bet it doesn't!!😀

not yet.. i am working on it :-)

As a non reviewer, long time audiophile, I think it sounds phenomenal. I don’t care what Hoffmann or ingroob say.

From a damaged copy tape as the original has gone missing

I do not believe he uses McIntosh equipment any longer. I know he upgraded the whole system when he got the big Wilson's.

He has an all tube system VTL pre and VTL Siegfried power amps

That’s interesting, because I didn’t hear anything even close to that.

@@JBLClassic Just curious as to what components are in your vinyl playback system? No deep seeded meaning intended,

@@canjo7301 JBL, NAD and Rega. Mid fi, but I know it well and it’s more than capable.

@@JBLClassic Thanks for the reply. You hit the key point about knowing your system well. I chased the "grail" for over 35 years and never found it (The grail is a total myth). I am now totally about the music, all of my super esoteric equipment is long gone.

@@canjo7301 same story here. I can fully enjoy it now.

Hear hear!

A hissing noise would mean a defective pressing, and something to be returned for refund, not something to judge the entire pressing by.

I thought he was talking about the presentation of Jim's face on the cover as "Raphael-esque" or something...

@@CharlieMessing it's a bog standard photo

I've heard very believable rumors that id bet my life are true that ERC saves copies for their old clients and youtubers. This is why in the comments, those who score are always the same exact big collectors or channel owners. They never miss out. When if it wasn't allotted then most of them would miss out here and there since they sell out in seconds. They get every drop as normal folks are lucky to get 1 out of years of trying. I've answered the emails immediately with super fast internet for the past 2 years and only ended up able to buy 1 unpopular release. It's understandable this happens with everything. But due to the limited nature and the growing number of VIPs, half the stock is sold before its posted. I was there immediately at launch and these sold out in seconds because many are already accounted for. When it should take atleast an hour for almost 500 copies at almost $400 to sell. Even uhqrs don't sell that quick at a fraction of the price. It's fine for them to do this, but they need to up the copies aince it's becoming an elite luxury only afforded to members of the ERC club, unless you're willing to spend $700+. It's one thing to have a luxury item cost alot due to being limited. It's another thing to have a nepotistic old boys club afforded all releases when others can't even get one. ERC has turned into Rolex, where you only get onto the special list by spending $100,000s on watches or have a friend in the know. It's like the freemasons of vinyl, where you only get in by being a friend, a big channel, or bought from them since they started before demand was high. Thus creariny an exclusive group who get every single release, making thousands of dollars for doing nothing. Go look at the comments of every erc video Michael does. It's always the same exact people who get them and they never miss. When even the richest computer geeks can't even score even 50% of the time. Also supposedly erc has gotten busted in the past flipping their own product on discogs. Like music direct with oop mofis. They also have a tendency to do "private presses" of desirable titles. On discogs there's multiple "limited" titles with additional "private pressings". So they sometimes press more for their buddies. The reason they do this is to build up demand and prestige. If people are flipping at $700 then $350 seems like a steal. KZfaqrs allotted copies would then talk them up to keep their access leading to more demand( see Michael intensely defending ERC markering jackets at $400 yet criticizing mofi for poor jackets at $60). But it's gone too far where it's now all the big vinyl youtubers bragging since no one else can get them, thus raising the resale for their exclusive asset. And the few not allotted are instantly bought faster than a person can click by people running bots to flip them. Erc strayed far from being a collectible to being an elitist club. It's incredibly pretentious and genuinely disturbs me that only the same group of people are alloted all releases when normal folks can barely get one. Which is why they get so hyped up since it's all club members praising their exclusive asset. Which is why Mike's review was great. He was allotted a copy by being a huge record store owner and youtuber, he didn't have to refresh nonstop. But since he honestly reviewed them he'll never be afforded that luxury again. Which may be why they avoid selling to normal people to keep the mystique that this club perpetrates. It's sad that the biggest doors fans miss out after a huge panic because they're afforded seconds when others have their card auto charged. I just feel bad for doors fans. They are my dad's favorite band. He has heart failure and lewy body dementia. I wanted to get a copy so we could listen to it just once before he's gone, and I can't afford to pay resale prices. Now he'll never hear it, as we waited over a year for the release and sat waiting for the email. When random audiophiles who barely even like doors will listen to it once and put it on a shelf. Hell most erc fans are jazz/classical people who were against them pressing rock and will instantly resell it. While doors fans are left having to feel bad because only this group and flippers get it and then brag about it, raising the price enormously. I feel bad not for me but since I guarantee that all the biggest doors fans missed out on this and will have to pay close to $1000 for it. As the old boy club lines their pockets with $500+ in profit for doing nothing. Now this is not a dig on Michael or those lucky to be in this group, but ERC and how they do buisiness. It's extremely pretentious, elitist, and genuinely disturbing. They'd rather leave tons of money on the table and hoard this amazing music from the masses than to allow peasants to hear it. They want to maintain this image and status of being akin to a bespoke gun or suit maker, where one must be on an exclusive list for years for the mere opportunity to spend $100,000+ on a gun. Well there's a reason people tend to despise groups like these because it creates this aristocracy who are afforded special privileges. Where youtubers like Michael are seen more worthy of the best doors pressing than even the biggest doors fans. It perpetrates this image that you and me are less worthy of the besr vinyl than big youtubers. Ontop of that they know mostly bots and flippers are buying the rest of the copies, but they only care about maintaining this image of being so special that people will spend $1000. It's one thing to give a reviewer a promo, it's a total other thing to give a group of probably a couple hundred people exclusive access to half the copies of a 450 copy pressing. Hell I guarantee they pressed 150 more so they'd even have copies to give to the doors site since they already allot so many to friends, family, and this club. It is what it is, but honestly screw erc. There's limited and expensive, and then there's elitism. It's just not cool, and though I trust Michael, it's hard to really trust reviewers not to be biased when they make $100s if the record's in high demand and keep their special privileges. Which explains the glaring difference in review between Mike and Michael for the white stripes album. Where Mike and others found it worse than a $40 copy, with disturbing and malicious defects like sharpeeing which should deeply disturb any vinyl collector, while Michael reprimanded him for being honest and wouldn't even concede that what they did was messed up. It doesn't matter if customer service is good, to maliciously hide damage with a marker when charging $400 is immoral and indefensible. And yet those who always get ercs were either silent, or defending them to the point of insulting Mike. Best is Michael bashed him for bias since he doesn't sell them, as Michael has the bias of being allotted copies, sells AP and originals with his club and yet reviews them glowingly, even the digital ones(as he hates mofi for the same thing, yet ap did the same with many digital compilations). Michael is my favorite reviewer. However given innate human bias and ERCs secret vip system, I just can't trust his or many others ERC reviews, since no one wants to bite the hand that feeds or drop the value of such an expensive asset by being honest. Plus he's not comparing to an original. Since erc doesn't eq, and the mono mix is notoriously poorly recorded, I can't see this being much if any better than a clean monarch, which isn't even that much better than any other mono og. Especially since it's from a copy tape. All valve mastering without any changes or eq isn't going to have much of a difference outside of warmth. And I've seen many normal folks dissapointed with erc not finding them worth the insane resale they had to pay. So with that, I love Michael but screw erc. This ended up so long and I hope Michael isn't offended if he reads it since it's not his fault, but screw erc and their pretentious elitism.

@@simonemurray1345 Wow, you obviously have strong feelings about ERC. I have no evidence to back up your claims but agree that ERC are trying to appear elitist and for me that goes against everything I believe in when it comes to buying records. So many labels could do the same but they don't, rather they treat customers as music fans and provide a great product at a reasonable price. SAM Records in France, Analogue Productions, Speakers Corner, Craft (small batch not withstanding) etc. But ERC to my mind are treating their products as investments for an elitist few and that's not what buying Records is about for me. But each to their own I suppose. I don't agree with their model and I think their products are not worth what they're charging so I certainly will never buy any of their releases, even if they did a special press of my favourite album. So sorry to hear about your dad.

@@simonemurray1345 I recall the first couple of Craft small batch selling out in seconds, not “a least an hour”, or even 2 hours based on the 1k qty available. What you might not be aware of is that people who expressed an interest in the Doors last year when it was announced were emailed by ERC and offered a copy first before it went on general release. And yes, I think it is also true that previous loyal customers get first dibs. However since the record is a small fortunate and I have better thing to spend my money on, this does not vex me at all.

@@simonemurray1345 Well, it does seem like our knowledge of ERC releases is a tease, as they are so costly and more or less sold out by the time they are released - and by the time a review reaches us. But, for those who can get them and do get them they are a wonderful thing. I'll never drive a Rolls Royce, but I do believe they're solid and dependable cars. They simply have nothing to do with me, and I'll never drive one. If I ever hear an ERC record on my $2000 (total) stereo setup, I'll see what I think. For me they are a myth, but I don't deny anyone their right to their own Heaven...Peace out!

great points, thx for being objective

@@DavysFlicks Exactly. Anyone saying "we all have opinions" is ignorant or making excuses. Some things are demonstrably bad.

why not make a 4th 5th and 6th comment rogers?

How is he risking his audience?

I doubt it, but it's a nice thought! Have you seen the new Candid reissues? Wow - cheap as any, but AAA pressed by Bernie Grundman.

there are always different angles trackingangle.com/music/erc-cut-using-the-same-tape-elektra-used-in-1967-so-why-the-controversy

A few people that have the ERC record say it sounds like shit.

Ok…here are a few statements from Steve Hoffman to the ERC-source: „NO, it's the US LEDO copy. I guess one could call it a "master" since records were cut from it, but it's not the Botnick original mix. It's been compressed and EQ'd for ease of record cutting back in the day. A typical EQ'd cutting dub. …..What would be better is to have Mr. Botnick mix a new analog mono version from the four-track original and cut a record from that. That would be something; wicked cool. I did it, mixed a mono and stereo version with full dynamics as a test. Wasn't authentic enough though. Oh well…Yeah, I have two original mono Doors and they both sound like crap. I think the LEDO tape shaved off the bass, treble, midrange and dynamics and left not much to work with.. I'd love to be wrong about it but…Substitute the word "Leveled" for "Leadered" and it would be more truthful. Leveled means reduced dynamics (for ease of record cutting pre Neumann lathe era.“ Overall not a must have in my eyes…..

trackingangle.com/music/erc-cut-using-the-same-tape-elektra-used-in-1967-so-why-the-controversy

@@Michael45RPM danke für die nähere Erklärung der Hintergründe zur Platte an sich. Verstehen hilft... Fundierte Ansichten können ja auch gerne unterschiedlich ausfallen.

i dont have the OG

That would be the most interesting comparison for this release as it is trying to be an exact replica of the original. So the measure of the success of the ERC release is how it stacks up against an original.

Yes, I’d like to see the Return of the Three Michaels to discuss this release! I like Mike In Groove’s no-nonsense take on vinyl and his grasp of the technical side of vinyl production. The sound issues he points out are NOT pressing issues, but problems with state of tape that was used. No valve mastering will fix that, but perhaps Michael 45 was happy to overlook the wow/flutter/dropout problems, (although I’d love to see him frisbee the record across the room in disgust…!).

Totally up for it, but it will never happen. Mike Esposito and Fremer will do it, but not Michael Ludwig unfortunately, in my opinion which is a real pity.

As you know Michael used to review the AR HSMs without comparing them another source, and found some of them wanting at that time. He did quite like the Tommy one (he didn’t compare it, I have compared it to UK 1969 OG and it is close and good enough for the money) and you know he didn’t really have anything bad to say about Roxy ones except for when compared to the original UK version they felt a bit lacking in punch. For now though his focus has clearly shifted away from MoFi and the AR cuts and towards OGs. I spend a lot on MoFi having followed M45s early commentaries, and while I’m a little bit sore about that… it is my own fault. And still they are actually not bad sounding records at all, but they will always sound different compared to the original, that is the point. And some people won’t like that difference.

welcome Chris :-)

Viel Erfolg!

I only have good experience with ERC releases. Hearing is believing

You’ve heard, but not listened with your own ears. Anyone who is close to Pittsburgh, is free to stop by and judge for themselves.

@@JBLClassic your right haven’t heard it for myself, but I soon will, couple of my trusted friends have the album and they are the ones that told me it’s sounds like crap, they both have the OG, analog productions, and mofi pressing as well for all of us to compare to. if you have a unicorn pressing out of the 500 then ERC’s quality control comes into question right beside their integrity to push out a $500 POS.

@@gunnerdunbar 450, and I guess mine is a unicorn.

@@JBLClassic 🤷🏾‍♂️ well Mike E over at the in-groove just confirmed my suspicion as well as my friends findings on their copy’s “it’s dog shit” haha, so now that’s three people who own this ERC pressing and all came to the same conclusion... interesting. Well apparently 1-5 copy’s are good. Yikes

Tapes are in good shape.

Chad doesn’t get original tape, that would have been a dub.

@@jamiehowarth541 too bad you couldn’t have done your magic on this mono tape. You have done other doors titles. Big fan of your work. You are doing digital right.

Knob polisher

I believe this tape probably beyond saving but I would love to see what you could do with it with your processing