Needles & Grooves

The stereo mix is definitely more clear, 100%! But I also like the AP Mono, sounds deep even though it’s not as clear and crisp in sound! So weird how different the Stereo and Mono mixes are to each other. Totally different aesthetics!

Yeah honestly I'm debating getting the stereo 45, this one's just not doing it for me. It's got great low end for sure, but I find everything muddy on the Mono, I mean I don't have a mono cart so that might have something to do with it. You have both 45s? The stereo and the mono?

Yeah, I’ve got both the AP 45 stereo and AP 45 mono and I definitely prefer the stereo, there’s just more clarity and it’s definitely more cleaner in sound. But I do like the low end, and deep, detailed sound in the mono. But yeah, AP Stereo > AP Mono! I definitely know what you mean by the muddy sound the. It’s very warm like that.

Would’ve been better if VMP sold the AP Stereo instead of the AP mono!

Well most reviews I've seen like the mono best, but yeah... It's not working for me. I guess the low end is a nice selling point but like... I've got an 800 watt sub... I don't really need any help in terms of low end sound... I'll take the clarity. I'm literally hovering over a local website right now that has the stereo 45... MAYYYYBEEEE

I've the AP's 45 Mono and Stereo, and the AP Stereo 33 (and the AP SACD Hybrid Stereo/Mono). The 45s are great. The Stereo 33 is great too and if you wanna save a few $ and flip less (in fact, I'd wager you can have the 33's and never regret not getting the 45's). Keep in mind that a sub isn't gonna pull out a low end that just isn't there in the mix.

@Lord Diaper Baby thanks that's good to know about the 33 stereo. I was wondering. In terms of the low end yes, you're absolutely right the sub won't make a difference if it's not actually within the master HOWEVER... my system is pretty good with... presence? Or weight? I suppose?

Basically even if an album isn't really the most fantastically mastered it still has a nice punch to it through my rig, for the most part... and having the mono 45 and hearing just how much low end is present in this pressing, I think I would be perfectly fine sacrificing some of it in favor of a bit more crispness and dynamics. If they're even present in the 33 or 45 stereo AP.

Mmmmmmm yeah, I think both pressings sounds great but I can imagine it being a situation of preference for many! I know @Joe Mac prefers the mono over the stereo! But I think the Stereo sounds more present, clearer and has more of an energetic sound even though the Mono sounds more deep, full and a bit muddy!

Wish I lived in Toronto because I’d come over to yours and would let you borrow the AP 45RPM stereo and would also listen to your amazing system for a bit!!!

Welcome to Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound. Sounds like shit, doesn’t it?

@HiFi Guy yeah honestly it really does. Like... I almost want to get a regular pressing of it just so I can see why people seem to think this AP 45 is the "best" version. Because honestly to me, yeah it sounds like crap.

One of the big selling points was that it was cut from Wilson’s own original mono mix. So there might be mixing of “best” with “most accurate representation.” Which stereo wouldn’t be because Wilson is deaf in one ear, among many other things.

Haha yeah I find sometimes that most accurate definitely doesn't mesh with... best...

Yeah, to each their own. My initial experience with Pet Sounds was the stereo mix CD. It is not bad way less distracting and busy than the Beatles stereo mix and is definitely more separated.

The mono mix is certainly of its time and is muddy but as Hat Bird stated that’s how Wilson heard it when he laid down the tracks. The AP 45 Mono is the best version of Pet Sounds in mono that is readily available (though the twofer w/ Carl and The Passions is pretty great and affordable too) if that is what you are looking for.

Also it is likely your cart likely cost 10 times that of my entire setup so I am sure that plays a role too.

Yeahhhhh, I was just shocked at how much it sounded like I was listening to it through a radio. I don't think it's an issue with my copy. It sounds... right... But the vocal highs have some mild distortion on them, the whole thing is muddy, kinda sounds like it's underwater. Then occasionally there's some percussion or something that's nice an clear and crisp. But on the whole it's not at all what I expected.

Make sense. It definitely is a different experience in stereo. Are you fairly familiar with the album in other formats?

I know the songs but prior to having my system I've never heard it though anything beyond a stream or maybe a CD on a boombox. So yeah while I am familiar with the album I'm not familiar with the fidelity (or lack thereof)... And I'm pretty sure any CD or stream I would have heard would have been stereo.

It was an adjustment spatially when I first heard it in Mono but it grew on me and I found myself less and less inclined to reach for the stereo copy that I eventually gave it away to one of my brothers.