Radiohead – In Rainbows

Got a NOS original copy, unopened. Sounds scratchy as hell, disappointing.

Unfortunately, the copy i got is terrible with surface noise up to my ears during 15 steps and bodysnatchers. I bought this copy 12 years ago but i just got the chance to listen to it as I had left it back home. It came with a CD which I've been playing all these years. The CD sounds amazing in my system though. Terrible pressing all around... very compressed sound, not open-sounding, no instrument separation. just bad.

I’ve had this press for a very long time, being the first Radiohead album I ever purchased (at a Hastings in 2013), and my relationship with it has been up and down.

When I purchased it, my setup was…interesting to say the least. A thrift store Marantz 2238b barely hanging onto life, two stacked pairs of white van specials (different models of course) and a Numark USB turntable. I’ve loved this album for a long time and would say I was very familiar with it when I purchased the record, but I don’t being wowed by it. I would say my first impression was “underwhelming”.

Fast forward a few years: I’ve purchased my first entry level hifi TT (U-turn Orbit Plus w/ Grado Black), switched to a Yamaha RX-V1000 from a pawn shop (acquired after my Marantz was stolen in a break-in) and sold the white van speakers for one set of Advent OLAs. I also got into headphones around that time, so I was keen to use my new Sennheiser open back cans to listen to all my favorite records. The first one I chose to audition was In Rainbows, and I didn’t finish it. I the sound feeling “closed in” (odd for open backs), dull and lacking dynamics. Put it back on the shelf and hadn’t touched it since. Added the special 2xLP version to my want list and did a deep dive on other 1 LP presses I could replace it with if I didn’t get the special edition. Never looked back.

Until yesterday, when I popped it on my reference setup (see profile for current gear list) for the first time in ages. My girlfriend had never listened to In Rainbows before and wanted to start somewhere with Radiohead, so it made sense. I had also just ran YPAO on my receiver the day before and spent awhile getting everything totally locked in for the room, which made a HUGE improvement.

My current impressions of this press: great mastering on a lackluster disc. There’s a bit too much surface noise to call this an audiophile press, but the mastering could fool you during louder sections. Very dynamic, balanced across the board, and crystal clear. My only press specific complaint is that the final tracks on each side do suffer from IGD and compression, which is odd since the run time should fit comfortably on one disc without making many concessions. After yesterday’s play, I no longer want to replace my copy unless I can find a better press for an insane deal.

Got this on release day. Absolutely fantastic pressing. This one’s a keeper.

If you can find a VG+/NM copy of this pressing, it is worth purchasing. The sound stage is dynamic and warm, and this pressing sounds great on my system (Denon turntable & amp driving Klipsch 600 series speakers).

This pressing sounds OK on the outer tracks. I find 15 Step and Bodysnatchers to sound pretty good with some clarity and punch but once you get to the inner tracks the detail is gone. By the time you get to the crescendo end of All I Need, it sounds like muffled mush. I also have the deluxe 2 x 45 vinyl and that sounds much better than this.

Somehow I bought this fantastic album back around 2010, opened it up and looked at the pretty art, but then didn't get around to listening to it until today. One of those situations where I said "I'll do it tomorrow" and tomorrow never came.

Anyone know if this pressing is 180 grams like the ‘07 UK pressing?

My copy sounds just as it should. Everything in the right place. Cleaned upon arrival and no complaints.

Interesting sound for this pressing. Buy the 180g if you can ACTUALLY tell the difference. I get the complaints, but come on... it's Radiohead. In Rainbows...Just listen to the music.