The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (50th Anniversary Half Speed master)

Reading a lot of negative reviews regarding sound quality! No need to discuss the Music - it's Ziggy!My copy sounds incredible!. I have a mid budget system (Marantz/ audio technica) - so no HI FI snobbery here!.Have had numerous versions including the original release and this 50th Anniversary Half speed master is up there with the best of them. No surface scuffs or marks- plays dead quiet between tracks, fantastic airy channel separation that I'm not hearing on the 2012 Remaster (LP and CD), I am getting definite Low end and Mick's guitar sounds more defined over any of the CD versions and the 2012 Remaster LP, "Soul Love" and "Moonage" really demonstrate this. No issues with side 2 "Suffragette" or "Suicide" as other Reviews have mentioned.100 % Recommended.If your copy does not sound sonically "amazing" and flawless, in my opinion, you either have "duff" or check your system set up! - I have family and friends who have mid priced systems and their copies also sound amazing and flawless! - it's not just me!UPDATE: 07/04/2024 - After numerous plays now, Still stand by every word of Review and this edition is my "go to" every time!.

half speed remaster. as clear as a glass of water in the sun. amazing sound. i now have 4 copies on vinyl and cd. as well .worth buying if u can .

Bought as a gift for my dad's 50th, and he loves it. Hearing this classic album on heavyweight vinyl is great, and the mastering is really well done. Objectively better sounding than the original pressings, but that is to be expected.

Have the original, but this sounds great.

Wow . Just wow.I've owned a few versions over the years ,vinyl , CD but this version is the best by far.Flat , no crackles or hiss just a pure rich sound.Each note just shines through.It's always been my favourite Bowie album , this just hammers it home.Just buy it.

Comparing new LP with my original copy you notice a slight increase in sound quality perhaps because of the remastering and the vinyl is much quieter but considering original copy has been played hundreds if not thousands of times it is not a night and day difference, but still worth having in my collection.

Well,if the magic of half speed mastering has caught your attention ,how do you decide which Ziggy vinyl best reproduces the beauty of this splendid recording?Amazon reviews won’t help unless they specifically state which version the author is describing.Clearly,the variables of stereo equipment,perception and hearing of the listener,plus the listening environment will all be factors to consider when making comparisons.May I offer my experience as an attempt to help the undecided make the best decision.I have an original pressing from ‘72 ,a gatefold ‘90 edition with bonus tracks and now a new half speed mastered 50th issue.The 50th anniversary issue was on it’s way back to Amazon after three tracks,despite my optimistic expectations.Bowie’s vocals seemed strangely distant in the context of a fuller sound ,rendering the listening experience,for me,as a great disappointment.The ‘90s bonus track pressing is thin and harsh,although the gatefold cover is wonderful!😌My original ‘72 version is full,’warm’ and engaging but is understandably a little worn yet still sets the bar very high in any comparison.So ,what did I finally decide,you may ask? A subsequent youtube interview with Ken Scott,who was responsible for the original production and engineering revealed that he was not an advocate for half speed mastering and I then ordered the 2016 Optimal pressing of the 2012 remastered Parlophone vinyl,although the label is RCA yellow and has ‘Bowie’ in big letters ,which is a nice touch.I am very pleased with it and strangely it sounds even better when played loudly,as it seems to reveal more definition and separation,without actually seeming to be ‘loud’!😂It is different to the first pressing in that it seems more inviting and absorbing,so if you want a slap ,play the original and if you want an invitation into the Starman’s universe,play the Optimal 2016 pressing.It is “wun-der-fullll”….Update…..I have just obtained the 1980 green label RCA international and it is truly spectacular.The tiny small print around the label on each side of the vinyl states….”From master recording”…I did not notice this until after I had heard the album.Clearly not a sales pitch but confirmation of the quality of the source of this edition.Aaaargh! Having got this far….I may be mistaken!I said that the 90s gatefold vinyl with bonus tracks was ‘thin and harsh’…..well,turns out it may not be the case.I know some will dislike the addition of bonus tracks,excellent though they are,plus the stupendous gatefold sleeve is not true to the original release,however there is something about this 90s release that is is most engaging and inviting.Ok it has the quiet staccato in Starman but if you can live with that,this pressing has made me appreciate the album on a whole new level.Seems like there are several brilliant versions and they all have their merits…..just like Electric Warrior but that’s a whole different story.😉Update….Oo er……who knew Dynaflex could sound THIS GOOD?!Just acquired the Canadian Ziggy and the soundstage is exceptional and gets more impressive the more you turn it up….will be played at maximum volume.😂Is the end of my Ziggy quest….it just might be!…..time to get a life now..Good luck in your searches..

Ashamed to say that, despite the number of times I've heard this album, I've never actually owned a copy. Then they announced this 50th and jumped on the pre order.What can I say, this is a pressing worth the wait. Not a crackle, not a pop, just black. The music is clean and crisp. What a recording.

Package was early and perfect on arrivalExtremely happy with this albumHalf speed recording is awesomeHigh quality

Love that they took the time to give this album updated vinyl treatment. It rocks! No surface noise at all.

Dopo un po' di ritardo il pacco è arrivato tramite posta ordinaria. Questo però non era dovuto al venditore. Infatti, il vinile è stato spedito dopo pochi giorni dall'ordine. Il ritardo è stato probabilmente dovuto alla burocrazia postale. Ho dovuto pagare 11 euro per la dogana che quindi vanno aggiunti al costo del vinile. Devo segnalare che il venditore è stato molto corretto e mi ha sempre risposto in modo appropriato cercando di risolvere il problema. Quindi, alla fine è andato tutto bene. Dopo tanta attesa devo dire che il vinile è fantastico. Suona benissimo. L'avevo acquistato proprio per le caratteristiche della masterizzazione a metà della velocità. Consigliatissimo. Anche se dovrete aspettare un po' il vinile vi ripagherà certamente dell'attesa. Buon ascolto!

A must have!

Nun, ich schwöre auf analogen Klang. Um mir den zu bewahren, nehme ich meine alten LPs in 24 Bit bei 192 kHz auf. Und dann habe ich tatsächlich den Eindruck, dass ich den LP-Klang höre, den ich bei der Aufnahme wahrgenommen habe.Ich schimpfe häufig auf das Digitale, wenn es um Musik geht. Allerdings habe ich hier den Eindruck, dass ich ziemlich genau höre, was die Masterbänder hergeben. Auf einer sehr guten Pressung. Ja, ich kenne das Album klanglich auch anders, man gewöhnt sich an einen bestimmten Sound. Aber dies ist die beste Veröffentlichung, die ich mein eigen nenne.Ich lese hier viel Negatives, kann das nicht bestätigen. Es gibt Unterschiede bei digitalem Ausgangsmaterial. Es gibt fürchterliches wie Stephen Marcussen Masterings... Und gutes, wie bei Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix und David Bowie.Über das Album muss man sicher nichts mehr sagen, ganz großes Kino. Unbedingte Kaufempfehlung, wenn man noch keine Vinyl-Ausgabe sein eigen nennt.