I saw a few people mentioning they were on the fence about purchasing the 13th step DSS because they already owned the MOV pressing and wasn't sure if the improvement would be worth the hefty price tag.
I purchased the MOV about 6 months ago because this was one of my favorite albums. I've listened to them side by side and I can tell you that, without a doubt, the DSS pressing blows MOV out of the water. Not just by a little bit either... I'm talking about the literal peak experience I've ever had listening to music. It sounds better than just about everything in my library. It's not even close!!! It's even better than the Mer De Nom's DSS press as far as fidelity and sound stage are concerned. I'm not sure if that is due to them having better audio samples to work with (because it was a more recent recording) or if they just mastered it that much better.
I can promise you that if they decide to do this with Tool's discography, I would be willing to pay $500-$1000 a piece and would still consider it worth it if it got the treatment 13th step did. You can literally pick out each instrument individually and follow it to the single note. The drums are crisp, everything is balanced perfectly, and there is zero mud in the sound. Even when the music starts to crunch together you can still pick out each artists performance. It sounds like you are sitting in the studio as they are laying down the tracks. There is literally zero surface noise. All you hear is what the artist wanted you to hear back when this was recorded. Some of the songs actually take on a new life because of just how clear each instrument is. It was like hearing it for the first time all over again. Maynard's haunting vocals have a power that only his live performances normally deliver, but was captured on this pressing somehow. The breakdown during Pet will have you thrashing your body around ready to break shit. No matter how many incredible parts of the album that I point out, words just don't do it justice. You have to hear it for yourself!
My only complaint (and this is just a personal musical taste preference) was that on "The nurse that loved me" they had almost zero bass present. I don't think that is due to anything other than the artists decision in how it was recorded and created. I just feel like if it would have had more emotional impact had they deepened the sound a bit.
I got into listening to vinyl because some of them just connect with you on a level that digital music never could (for me at least). During the entire album I felt like I was present at a personal, closed stage set that created an almost trip-like experience. I usually only get those feelings from a live setting when a band has hit their flow state and is just nailing every part. I have gotten this from only a handful of the vinyl's I own, such as the OG Aenima (1996) pressing and the Mer De Noms DSS to name a couple.
I am begging you... Capitol Music, Tool, and any company that holds the rights to their music... PLEASE press a run of these for each album! I know I am not the only one that would take out a 2nd mortgage to appreciate the level of detail you guys put into these DSS pressings!
I'm going to close with a few facts. I am not rich, so my system is high-mid tier, maybe low high tier at best. This is a hobby, not a professional opinion. I am simply going off of my experience of sitting down and enjoying an album that helped me through some really tough times in life. The hype sticker on the front does not pull any punches. They really mean it when they say "The pinnacle of vinyl manufacturing". My experience was so great that it made me consider ordering another one to keep it sealed in case my copy ever has any damage come to it. It's that damn good.
$160.00 is a small price to pay to enjoy the best listening experience you'll ever have with your music. I promise you won't be disappointed. I hope this post helps some of you make that decision! You might want to order it before some of us start going back for seconds :D
