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4.3
Average of 78 reviews
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This remaster is quite good, with a better dynamic range than the original CDs. However, the 192khz wasn't necessary. Every track maxes out at 24khz, so a 48khz-24bit version would've been just as good.
Incredible audio quality! A total must-have for any Green Day enthusiast (who, for some reason, hasn't gotten this album in any format yet...)
The first disc had a minor bend, which made my AT-LP70X stumble during "Holiday". However, when I took it to the record shop and they tried it on a more advanced turntable, they didn't encounter any skips. The staff also noticed a different flaw in "Holiday" apart from the skipping problem. The second disc was flatter but still had a tiny bend; no playback issues though.
This edition is simply outstanding, and it's hands-down the finest version of this album I've encountered. The vocals and, even more so, the instruments, are crystal clear, truly exemplary. Some so-called "purists" might argue with the latter point, as I did spot that the guitar compression was noticeably reduced for this version, but in my opinion, that enhancement elevates the overall listening experience. Moreover, the soundstage is vastly more spacious and dynamic than any digital format I've tried, bringing out subtle details with an unprecedented clarity. As for the pressing itself; it's a masterpiece by RTI. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: RTI IS THE UNDISPUTED KING OF PRESSING PLANTS WORLDWIDE! Both discs were perfectly flat and played with an eerie silence, a pitch-black background. Visually, everything about these LPs was immaculate. It's a breath of fresh air to see a plant that (almost) always nails it, especially with high-end, pricey releases like this one. The packaging is a bit of a mixed bag for me with these one steps. To be honest, I'm not a fan of the cardboard sleeves that encase the more traditional gatefold jackets. Don't misunderstand, it's a top-notch sleeve, but it's unnecessary and doesn't enhance the product in any way, aside from signaling that this is a "special" One-Step release. It's just one more thing to fumble with when handling and playing my discs, which I find irritating. That said, the gatefold itself is gorgeous, and I'd have been content to display it on my shelf without the extra bulk of the cover sleeve. But that's just my take; others might feel differently. All in all, I believe this is an absolutely superb release from Because Sound Matters, and I sincerely hope they maintain this exceptional standard of quality in the future.
LET'S COMPARE!2004 RJ Sterling pressingVs2024 Because Sound Matters One StepBoth records were given a thorough ultrasonic cleaning before I put them head-to-head on my dedicated AT LP5X/VM95E "test decks." Both decks are connected to my Opera Consonance Reference 40 all tube phono preamp, which has dual RCA inputs and quick switching for easy back-and-forth comparisons. Here's the kicker: until this test, I've only ever heard this album on the original CD! So, I'm coming into this completely fresh, with no preconceived notions or nostalgia clouding my judgment. I'm going in blind, so to speak. I expected both pressings to sound good—and they do—but one is four to five times more expensive than the other, and it's the cheaper, older cut that I genuinely prefer. Why? Well, in my opinion, rock and roll... well, angry, punk-tinged, middle finger to the system rock and roll NEEDS to hit hard, come alive, and get your blood pumping... or what's the point?! The RJ pressing delivers EXACTLY this. It's super punchy, lively (but not harsh) and free of ear-fatiguing levels of compression, but it has enough to almost BOOST the music's adrenaline. It's great at low volume, but it tears it up at high volume. The One Step turns down the volume by a couple of dB, cleans up the presence region, yet oddly narrows the grooves (i.e., there's noticeably more deadwax), and in doing so, it somewhat sanitizes, neuters, and dulls the sound. It has a narrower and shallower soundstage. The punch is softened. Quite simply... it's lost LIFE. In terms of fidelity, with my humble test decks, I can indeed say there's a cleaner-sounding Billy vocal, but it's just not a sonic trade-off worth making to rob the soundstage of its expanse, the bass of its punch, the top end of its sizzling life, and just outright musical FUN. It's a good listen, it really is. In isolation, it's good. It's just not as immersive and fun as the old RJ. Packaging-wise... well, sure, the One Step is better, but... it's 5x the price! It doesn't need the slipcase, though. I'd rather just have the lovely tip-on gatefold in shrink wrap and the price come down. The old RJ is basic gatefold quality and, in stock form, features poor paper-only sleeves (quickly disposed of and upgraded!). The pressings themselves are both fantastic. My 2004 pressing, once cleaned, has zero tics, pops, or groove nasties. Nor does the One Step, which has an even lower noise floor but only when the music isn't playing. And when the music IS playing, the RJ is about 2dB louder anyway, so it evens out. Both are excellent, but the 2004 RJ pressing proves that we don't need fancy, expensive supervinyl compounds as long as a good old 120g slice is virgin of manufacture and pressed with care. To sum it up, I just can't get past the old (but new to me) RJ pressing, which is now my favorite way to listen to this album. It's a personal reminder that newer, fancier, and more expensive doesn't always mean better and that you won't prefer it by default. It's a reminder to be truthful to yourself, trust your ears alone, and decide without prejudice. Your Mileage May Vary as always... thanks for reading!
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| Date | Lowest price | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2025 | $39.98 | €48.56 |
| Jan 21, 2026 | $36.99 | €48.56 |