Nirvana – Nevermind

I was luckly to buy a NM copy for a very decent price. The guy kept it for 25 years and was not aware about the pressing he had, till he found it here. So, I decidedto compare this one with the German 91 press, the Japan 96 press and the 30th anniversary press. With no doubt, the US 91 press is the best. it is much more dynamic, louder and brighter than the others, although the German 91 was a close call. To be honest, the Japan 96 and 30th anniversary are nice pressings, but IMO rubbish compared to this one. If you ever have the change to buy it for a price that you can and want to afford, take it. You will not regret it, and the record will keeps it value as it is a milestone in music history.

After very many years of curiosity of the sound quality of this release and never being able to grab a copy for a price that I could stomach. I did the next best option that I could do without breaking my wallet. Long story short to an already long review I work at a record store. As many of you know this allows me to come across albums that I normally don't see in the wild. And many of you know holy grails like this don't come by often. The collector in me just had to compare pressings. As soon as I got home I compared it to my German cut first press and my 2019 Target Silver Vinyl pressing that uses the Bernie Grundman plates. And I can say the US first press certainly doesn't disappoint in any way. It's a magnificent pressing that honestly lives up to the hype as the definitive pressing of Nevermind. The dynamics and separation is astounding. When compared to the German Cut. It's a bit jarring between the mastering choices for both. Neither is a bad choice in anyway in my opinion. With both pressings it comes to a matter of preference. The US is definitely more of a bombastic pressing that's got a wide soundstage that feels like a punch in the gut. It's up close and personal. To me this is the embodiment to that live Nirvana sound when described by audiences and the band in interviews. It's a perfect capturing of that feeling. The drums and bass in particular have a that live feeling that has always been a staple of the sound of Nirvana. The UK I would describe as more of sterile mix. Which is great if your someone that prefers more of clean and leveled dynamics. Everything is distinguishable from one another. And therefore is a more quieter and leveled out mastering. It's alot of how the band would sound playing in a studio. More perfected and rounded out in the sound. With every track touched up properly for everything to shine equally. The only small gripe that I can make is due to this you have to turn up the volume dial a bit more with this pressing. Since it was cut a quiter than the US. But I will say when turning up the volume. The sound quality does remain clean and clear with no distortion. The German cut does definitely feel like the blueprint for what the Bernie Grundman mix is based off of. While the BG is very similar with it's soundstage to the German cut. I will say though it has a little less clarity and tad bit of compression in the highs. But is a big step up from the Ryan K. Smith cut from the 30th Anniversary Edition. That mix from what I felt very quiet and a lot less dynamic. And had more of a neutral sound throughout the whole album. It's more of a digital feel that lacks in warmth and dynamics. The only other notable pressings I haven't compared of Nevermind is the 2011 4LP Chris Bellman cut and the highly praised 320 cut from 2001. Which at some point I do plan to get. As I've heard the mix is a lot hotter of a cut compared to the BG. And from what I gather in theory would sound more in line with the US first press. The final analysis I can make is if you can afford to get a US first pressing. I'd say go for it. The dynamics and punch just make it a definitive pressing in my opinion. And since I didn't keep the album and part of me hopes I can retain some of that sound and feel that I heard. By getting the 320 cut. It might be more wishful thinking but I'll see how I feel when I finally get one. As for anyone in wanting a first press that doesn't break the bank as hard as the US. I can't recommend the German cut enough. It's a great pressing and has it's own merits that makes it a treat to listen to. And just has that clarity that many of the reissues don't carry over. If you love the soundstage of the BG but want a step up from it. And can afford to get a first press. Look no further this is the pressing.

I got my copy around a month ago, and yeah... it’s that good. There are so many comments and videos about the sound of this record, but little to no information on the quantity of these out there. I only saw one small Reddit thread suggesting there are over 100k of these, but I think that’s far from the truth

We know there are two variants of the matrix on this pressing. Given just that information, we technically now have a ceiling of 200k copies pressed, but again, I think this number is completely off. If we look at the first U.S. 'In Utero' pressing on clear vinyl, it had three different matrixes and was limited to only 25k copies. Now, I’m not trying to say that 8.3k (25,000 / 3 = 8,333.33) is the absolute most records you can produce from one stamper, but this number seems much more reasonable

Here’s my guess: they originally pressed 5k copies on vinyl, as CDs were highly relevant at the time, and given the alleged 40k sales of 'Bleach', this also seems reasonable. Then the album blew up, and they pressed 15k more copies, so 20k copies in total. And yes, I don’t know anything I’ve said here for a fact; I’m just guessing

Please feel free to add something or discuss :)

P.S. I don’t want this to sound like I’m hunting limited or numbered pressings because I actually dislike this trend. However, I do believe that understanding the approximate number of these out there helps with valuing these records, as I think there are only a few thousand clean copies left

I did a somewhat quick (about 4-5 hours) shootout in my loudspeakers and here’s what I came up with between this 320: https://discogs.sitiosdesbloqueados.info/release/1813022-Nirvana-Nevermind , 2010 BG ORG, 91 Euro/German, and this one, the 91 US Masterdisk – etched.

Best, natural soundstage: 91 Euro and 91 US
Best highs-not too dark or too bright and accurate: 91 Euro and 2010 BG - the BG may have a very slight edge here.
Best bass & low end/impact: 320, 2010 BG and 91 US. The 91 Euro was still there but didn't have as much power as the other 3.
Best/most realistic midrange: 91 US – clearly
Most/highest emotional connection: 91 US
Best with cost considered: all except 91 US, but I'd probably pick the 91 Euro as my 2nd favorite overall due to it's more realistic sound stage and up-front midrange (compared to the BG 2010 and esp the 320). That said, the BG is a phenomenal listen as well, and is very engaging. It is also very crankable - just that the BG's mids are slightly more in the background (compared to the Euro and US, but not as much as the 320). The 320 is still very good and lots of power but the mids are too scooped compared to the others.

Winner, cost no object, US Masterdisk - etched.

The US has the free-est, most uncongested midrange and the highest emotional connection – which was that I was ready to jump in to a mosh pit at 54 yo or punch a hole in my LR drywall. A buddy who has better listening skills than I do and is a musician said, “it felt like we were closer to the master than I’ve ever been. Like a window into the studio”. It isn’t a euphoric hifi experience like the UK 5th DSOTM, it is an assault on you in the best way possible and that energy flows into you. It has a few layers peeled back and is the most realistic sounding. However, in some of the more energetic parts of some songs, the top end had me reaching for the remote with DBs over 92. Not on all songs though. The U.S. isn't perfect but it is staggeringly good, IMO. It really does sound like I am there at the studio when they are playing- or at least what I imagine it would sound like.

IMO / YMMV. My system is in my profile.

I've owned a copy of this pressing. Even in VG+ condition, it's an immersive experience. For those with qualms about collector prices... This is the only etched, analog MASTERDISK pressing we will ever have. It's possible that the original stampers were lost forever in the 2008 Universal fire. It's a cultural artifact, on top of a hot pressing.

I don’t care how “good” this supposedly sounds, paying these prices - people what are you thinking? This is pure ridiculousness….

It's no lie. This press reminds you why you listen to records above all else. Get it before you can't $$$$ Literally listen to it a couple of times in a row because of the sound. I am not kidding, this is a fucking record

Be aware the scams going on here with this album. I bought one for a somewhat reasonable price from a seller with high positive , only to find out the had been hacked and had to dispute the charges with my cc company. For the last month new s keep popping up to sell this for around $100 and of course its a scam. Just a disclaimer for inexperienced/new memebers here, no ones going to sell this that cheap. I really wish to own this one day, but probably anything less than 300 or so for a good copy is going to be a scam.

Broke this out. Been terrified to spin this baby. Original pressing sounds so quiet and clean it's insane! Ok back in your sleeve my little friend. Amazing mastering and pressing.

This thing sounds so good! Just got my copy of this Masterdisk pressing today and holy cow, was well worth the 500 dollars I paid.