Madvillain – Madvillainy

So many people claim to have this album in here. Was pressing Over 20000 pcs?

I have a sealed copy of this one, if someone interested in send me message

Mine came with 2 copies of the second disc. Missing the whole first half of the album. 😮‍💨 Reached out to Stones Throw and so far haven't got anything back.
I swear hip hop albums have the lowest quality control. I've only ever had issues with albums in this genre.

Sounds amazing, very punchy bass and no surface noise - I seriously thought my speakers were turned off when I dropped the needle.
The only downside is that the sleeve is a bit flimsy, and no credits/lyric sheet.
Would’ve been nice if it was a gatefold but for the price and great sound quality I can’t complain.

great record. Pretty hard to come by, but I managed to pick it up fairly standard price. madlib is a wizard, and the samples are rare.

I have a moderate system (definitely not an entry level but moderate relative to an expensive hi-fi stereo system) with a microline stylus. Wanted to disclose this briefly since sound quality is so dependent on system.

I do not have any other version to compare as this is the only copy I have of this album. I bought it primarily based on the audiophile branding.

In short, I am a bit disappointed with the sound quality which is my primary reason for purchase. It is dynamic and has a nice soundstage but it is nothing mind blowing. EQ wise it is not the best but that’s the lo-fi nature of the production which makes it sound different from most hip hop production from the early 2000 era.

In most cases, 45 RPM allows for a more spacious punchy delivery - my reference from same genre would be the VMP 45 RPM release of The Low End Theory. That one sounds much livelier and dynamic than this record.

I am seeing comments below how this one is better than the 2021/past reissue which is great. However, when I did a volume matched A/B with what’s on Qobuz (hi-fi streaming) and even Spotify- the difference is subtle and noticed how the streaming one actually uses dynamic compression in a good way to make the record sound more punchy (not at all in the loudness war zone with ear fatiguing listening experience).

On it’s own - it does sound amazing. My little disappointment is from having a very high expectation based on the explicit audiophile branding.

Aside from that - a big shoutout for the strong sturdy gatefold and the rice paper polylined inner sleeves. Makes the packaging much more deluxe than regular gatefold reissues of most albums. Discs were flat and noiseless.

Amazing timeless music.

I did have to return my first copy as disc two jumped on both sides, just small jumps but constant and audible. For the whole first track, I didn’t risk listening to the rest. New copy sounds amazing so it was definitely a faulty copy…great album

Honestly mind blowing how much of an improvement this is from my 2021 standard presssing.

The high quality wide spine gatefold with poly sleeves was a great start, but the actual sound is miles ahead of the 2021. Wider soundstage, better seperation, more clarity and the bass is perfect! "Curls" gave me goosebumps, I had no idea this album could sound this good.

The records themselves are flat and dead silent. Grab this before its too late.

System:
Audio Technica AT-740ML cartridge
Rega Planar 2
Michael Fiddler Spartan 15 Phono Preamp.
Denon PMA-600NE amplifier
Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary speakers
Cambridge Audio SX120 powered subwoofer

Sounds awesome , but cut a bit low, so turn it up

Certainly a quality release in every way but I prefer the 2021 pressing too with its loud in-your-face approach. I feel like this "audiophile" treatment doesn't suit the album very well (also I'm not quite sure what's supposed to be so "audiophile" about this). It has more depth, yes, but I hate it when records are mixed so quiet... It kind of kills the fun. I think I will keep this for now though, it's interesting to hear the album in a different way.