Customer questions · Listening comparison
My Favorite Things listening comparison: US first pressing stereo and mono vs Atlantic 75
Michael 45 played the Atlantic 75 edition of My Favorite Things against the US first pressing in stereo. He also compared the stereo first pressing with the mono first pressing. Both originals came from Thomas Busk, Copenhagen Vinyl.
At a glance
The result: The Atlantic 75 and the stereo original are extremely close. Michael calls the reissue a little time machine.
Two differences: The piano sounds a little fuller on the reissue. And the vinyl is quieter.
Stereo vs mono: Mono has less soundstage, but more dynamics and more punch. Michael recommends owning both versions.
Michael’s conclusion: Ryan K. Smith matched the original and improved it slightly where it makes sense.
This page shows what Michael heard. Every statement links to its moment in the video.
The editions compared
| Edition | What it is | Michael’s verdict | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| US first pressing, stereo | Atlantic. Copy from Thomas Busk, in very good shape according to Michael | piano “a little thinner” ▶ 6:35 | – |
| US first pressing, mono | Atlantic, different label. Copy from Thomas Busk | “more dynamics”, “very punchy” ▶ 9:10 | – |
| Atlantic 75, 45 RPM | Analogue Productions AAPA 011-45, stereo, all analog. Mastered by Ryan K. Smith (according to the video). | “fantastic job” ▶ 12:24 | Main shop |
| US stereo edition 1969 | Atlantic SD-1361, 1969 reissue, record VG, sleeve G+. Not the pressing in the video. | not in the video | Vinyl Room |
Atlantic 75 vs the stereo original
“First off I'd like to say that they are extremely close to each other, which of course is a wonderful thing.”
Michael 45 · Video from ▶ 4:21
“If you get this Atlantic 75 release, you have a little time machine … how was it when I bought this in 1961, open it up and put it on the record player.”
Michael 45 · Video from ▶ 5:04
“When you hear the title track … the saxophone from John Coltrane, it moves a little bit from the speaker to the center … and you have the same movement on the original.”
Michael 45 · Video from ▶ 5:25
“The piano on the original is a little thinner, which is in my personal opinion a little improvement on the reissue, that you have it a little more prominent, a little more thicker.”
Michael 45 · Video from ▶ 6:35
“The vinyl on the reissue is more silent, which of course again is a vast improvement in the detail.”
Michael 45 · Video from ▶ 7:03
Stereo vs mono
“Of course you have it in the center, not much space, not much soundstage, but you have more dynamics.”
Michael 45 · Video from ▶ 9:10
“Very, very punchy. You have more sharpness, more sharpness.”
Michael 45 · Video from ▶ 9:41
“If you are really into this record, it totally makes sense to have both versions of it, because it's very different. It's a very different experience of the same.”
Michael 45 · Video from ▶ 10:26
Michael's conclusion
“Ryan K. Smith once more, fantastic job, fantastic job. He matched the original where it's worth matching and even improved slightly where it also makes sense.”
Michael 45 · Video from ▶ 12:24
“Getting a really, really good copy of the original seems to be extremely difficult nowadays.”
Michael 45 · Video from ▶ 7:24
“Wonderful record. If you don't have it, if you haven't listened to it, do it, try it out. Highly, highly recommended.”
Michael 45 · Video from ▶ 13:03
Which edition suits whom?
- You want My Favorite Things as it sounded in 1961, only quieter: the Atlantic 75 at 45 RPM.
- You like mono: a mono first pressing. Michael hears more dynamics and more punch, but less soundstage.
- You want an affordable vintage pressing: the 1969 US stereo edition at the Vinyl Room. It is not in the video.
- You want more Coltrane: Ballads listening comparison.
The video
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The record in our shops
My Favorite Things, Atlantic SD-1361, 1969, record VG, sleeve G+, €30
Atlantic 75 in the main shopWhat Michael listened on
The electronics are by Einstein Audio. For mono, Michael uses a dedicated mono cartridge.
About the album
My Favorite Things was released in 1961 on Atlantic. Coltrane also plays soprano saxophone here. With McCoy Tyner on piano, Steve Davis on bass and Elvin Jones on drums. The Rodgers and Hammerstein title track runs over 13 minutes.
Keep listening. Keep reading.
Quotes: Michael 45. Video from 7 Apr 2024: “John Coltrane: My Favorite Things: Atlantic 75 vs Original US Stereo + Mono”. Filler words removed, otherwise verbatim.
