Dusty Springfield – Dusty In Memphis

First, I don’t like the Atlantic 75th. It's excellent, no question, and I'd certainly be jumping for joy if I couldn't compare it to Miles Showell's Half Speed ​​at Abbey Road. It clearly falls short in of liveliness and joy of playing. Miles Showell did a fantastic job, and this pressing is also available at a reasonable price.

Absolutely horrible – this remaster also shows how far apart expectations and reality are. Abbey Road simply can't do it!
Basically, the half-speed method offers no audible advantages.

Really lovely ear pressing. Such a great vocal. Great to finally have this in my collection.

Sounds amazing! No issue with sibilance as reported by some, but that might be up to what system its being played on i guess. Mine is quite forgiving when it comes to sibilance.

Picked up a second hand copy cheap... just WOW! This is what vinyl is all about. Sounds fantastic.

Have this in my collection for quite some time. Gave it another spin today to find out this record sounds very harsh. Dusty's voice lacks warmth and is not enjoyable to listen to.

This sound great, the half speed mastering really does make a difference in the high frequencies. Cymbals sounds absolutely amazing, sending chills down my spine!

Need to check out the Analogue productins next!

Technics sl100c, ATVM95ML, Yamaha a-s2200, B&W CM8

Ok my two pennies worth, this sounds absolutely superb folks.
But with confidence, give it a wet clean first in case any of the anti mould residue is still there, you can't see it so just clean it right !!! It's an Optimal thing from what I can deduce from my own Miles half speeders of Siouxsie and the Banshees. Some of the later remasters like The Rapture initially sounded horrible and distorted but after three wet washes( yes three !!) I finally released the sound I knew was on there. So this Dusty album is of a similar bent, clean it, lots, then tell me what you hear ?
The soundstage is wide, dynamic recording with no sibilance, lovely clear vocals, a superb punchy bass e.g. Listen to last chorus of Preacher Man and tell me about the bass playing, it's Chris Squire like !!!
This is superb.
I am playing on a 2005 Rega P7 with a brand new( run in for ten hours now) Ania MC cart into Arcam pre/ power amps into Bower and Wilkins 703.

Comparison time...

2017 EU
2019 EU Half Speed
2020 US 2LP

Put simply the winner of these three is the 2020 cut. It has the clarity nailed but it tempers the inherent sibilance the best and just sounds the most natural and balanced. The 2017 EU is comparitively muddy and sounds like its in another room but still no less sibilant for it which kinda sucks but hey its around £16 if money is an issue. The Abbey road is close in some areas with respects to the 2020, soundstage is good and it isnt overly silbilant but it lacks abit of bass and warmth and sounds abit dry. It may sound best on a darker somewhat rolled off system though i still feel the 2020 would beat it. Also the Half Speed is an Optimal post 2020 pressing and pretty crappy having major scuffing (despite poly inner) and non fill to an inch of side 1.

HOWEVER - i also own the APP Sacd and that sounds better than all three above so i would imagine their double 45rpm to be a winner too, though to be fair it should at the price. Truly its one of them where you own an SACD player it will make you question why you bother with 90% of vinyl when top notch mastering comes to the format (its biggest weakness!)

YMMV as ever.

Finally got around to playing this album having received it a week ago. What a disappointment it was. This not a good cut. There has been too much boost at the top end making Dusty,s voice very strident and uncomfortable to listen to.