BN80 sound great to me. I haven't had any issues with the few I have picked up. The sleeves are definitely not as nice which is where they seem to have been able to cut the prices. They are way better than the 75th anniversary to me and more reliable. But for the price point (Especially with the sale) I wouldn't hesitate to order them. Tone Poets are better but I like both.
I’ve had nothing but perfect vinyl from the BN80 series. I know Optimal is a little spotty at times but they generally do good work. If anything, the records might need a good cleaning and a new inner sleeve if it is a paper one.
They're great. Buy with confidence.
Ditto what the others have said. All are safe buys. There are a couple (Lonnie Smith and maybe another) that were released originally in gatefolds but that is my only complaint.
I've bought all the BN80s except for two (only because it was an album I'm not a fan of). I have not had a problem with any of them. The only gripe is that the sleeves on some of them are the regular paper sleeves that come with most records and not the extra nice ones, which is perfectly acceptable for the price. The packaging isn't as deluxe as the Tone Poets (which I've also got all of save for one), but the pricing is in line with that, like I said. Most importantly, sound-wise they are spectacular. They were mastered by the same engineer who did the Tone Poets on the same equipment. I haven't received one that was pressed badly and reports of this are as rare as any other reissue line. Just by listening, you'd have to have good equipment and a good ear to tell one from another and the difference even then is minimal. All this adds up to: buy any of them that interest you even a little. They are basically all winners.
On their facebook post they say "this holiday season" which makes me think maybe till Christmas but at least through Thanksgiving and Black Friday weekend?
Don't come to this forum looking for restraint...
