This is a ND of the Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray mastered Stadium Arcadium from the 180g "Audiophile" limited edition box set. There has already been an excellent rip of the 150g version on Exigo but I thought, for completeness, I would upload this version. As the LP's had never been played I decided a rip should be their first duty! You are hearing it as I heard it for the first time.

It was very brave of WB to do this project as it really shows what poor sound quality we get from CD - in the case of Stadium Arcadium - compression, limiting and over use of EQ. Just download one track and compare it with the CD version and you will be amazed at the difference. Makes you think how much other good music has been ruined in the march of progress. It also puts to bed the CD vs Vinyl debate once and for all!

To quote (a very excited) Steve Hoffman:

"We have 28 master song reels and let me tell you, the mixes are all powerful, very dynamic, tuneful, exciting and quite high fidelity sounding. All I hoped for and more. I give you my personal guarantee: You will not only love this album but you will love the way it sounds on the two vinyl versions.

We were all (including the WB executive who was at the studio) blown away by the power of these original "unmastered" analog mixes. My palms started sweating listening to the first notes of the first song. Amazing dynamic range! When later we cued up the title track and played it full tilt, when it was over and I looked around, to my surprise the studio was crammed with people, all jaws hanging open. I had not even noticed them come in; I was totally lost in the music (always a good sign). I can't wait to hear it again (a better sign!). Seems like I'm gushing and I guess I am. The songs are so intense and powerful and the emotion of the music is really translating well to the vinyl medium. It's just like being there. This is a must have for you Chili Peppers fans or anyone who likes music. This is a band on an inspirational roll, revitalized and immediate. Do you get the idea? This is your chance to hear these 28 songs in "master tape quality" for the one and only time. Don't miss this on LP; spread out over eight sides for maximum dynamic range, mastered, plated and pressed at Record Tech, Inc. (RTI).

As I've mentioned, the vinyl versions will be mastered by Hoffman/Gray at AcousTech from the 30 ips analog mixes and will be issued on vinyl from Warner Bros. Records: First on 4 LP's in regular 150 gram vinyl (possibly a neat translucent "Chili Pepper Red" vinyl) and a special 180 gram 4 LP version in deluxe slipcase with special giant booklet. All analogue recording, mixing and mastering for the records! Don't miss this one (and this ain't hype); this is Steve's Album Of The Year for sure."

Before converting these mint and unplayed copies to FLAC the record was cleaned on a Loricraft Pro cleaning machine using L' Art du Son cleaner to remove any trace of MRA (mould release agent). It was transcribed on an SME20/2 turntable with SME V arm and Koetsu Rosewood Platinum Signature cartridge to a Krell KPE reference phono amp and on to a Steve Huntley modified Audio Research LS22 tube pre amp. The ADC was an e-mu 0202 and the sound was captured on Audition 2. All cables are Grover Silver reference. Monitoring was via an Audio Synthesis DAX Discrete DAC, Krell FPB400cx power amp and Wilson Benesch speakers with Velodyne DD-10 sub-woofers. Encoded using FLACfrontend 1.1.4 (for some reason dbpoweramp will not decode these 24/96 files to WAV - you will need to use FLACfrontend).

Tracks are split and fully tagged. The artwork for the special edition is comprehensive and superb but without access to a 12" scanner (and I have looked for one!) it is impossible to include it here.

Jupiter
LP 1
Dani California
Snow (Hey Oh)
Charlie
Stadium Arcadium
Hump de Bump
She's Only 18
Slow Cheetah


LP 2

Torture Me
Strip My Mind
Especially In Michigan
Warlocks
C'mon Girl
Wet Sand
Hey


Mars

LP 3

Desecration Smile
Tell Me Baby
Hard to Concentrate
21st Century
She Looks To Me
Readymade
If

LP 4

Make You Feel Better
Animal Bar
So Much I
Storm In A Teacup
We Believe
Turn It Again
Death of a Martian