Mine is third pressing, side 1 174702E1/A and side 2 174702E2/AA1. I have a friend with the box set, so eventually I will compare. It’s ironic that I’m underwhelmed with Duskfire, as I’ve recently changed from Hana SL to Hana ML and am delighted and impressed with the ML, especially in terms of information and dynamic range. Maybe I was expecting too much from these reissues. I have a few original Landsdowne LPs and they certainly don’t sound lacklustre, far from it.
The matrix numbers on my Dusk Fire which is from the second run, the first run sold individually after the box set, are exactly the same. The bit past the / should indicate the stamper A1 & AA1 And in this case should mean 1st stamper. I assume the box set matrix numbers will be also be the same. If so it would seem they have used the same metal work (stampers) for all runs. The box set was a run of 1,000 (with perhaps a few additional test pressings). I would have thought given the demand and to be economic the two following runs (third for Shades of Blue and Dusk Fire only) would also be 1,000 pressings each?
Usually the lower the matrix number and stamper the better, but with out other indicators, label differences, etc. It may not be a true indicator as sometimes they have been used out of sequence when, for instance pressings are made at different plants. In this case it is unlikely given the short runs.
It is generally thought that 1,000 to 1,500 (using 3 stage electroplating) is the maximum you can get from a stamper before quality audibly deteriorates and you need another 'mother'. The earlier in the run your pressing the better, but you can't tell from the matrix stamper number where within the run it was pressed - no.1 or no. 1,000. If the stampers are used in sequence an early pressing from the second set of stampers say no. 10 is then quite likely to be better than no. 1,000 from first stamper set. It is quite likely if 3,000 have been pressed from the same stamper then some deterioration may be apparent. A comparison with your friends copy should prove interesting.
The one on sound quality grounds only that I seemed to think is not quite as good is Shades of Blue, but not not due to the mastering, but the original recording. The one I think is best is 'Live', but perhaps that is because it takes me back 50 years to when I heard them.
I have a couple of Stan Tracey's on original Landsdowne pressing and they are very good, but the vinyl is not as anywhere near as quiet as these reissues,which are excellent.
I'm playing mine mainly with an Ortofon Cadenza Blue that is excellent at digging out the detail and dynamics, but I like what I have heard about the Hanna ML and I'm considering Buying the mono, but it may be a bit too compliant for the arm I would use it in.
Sorry all if this has taken the Tone Poet a bit off thread, but perhaps it maybe useful now that these are Also already seeing second and third runs for some issues.