Led Zeppelin – Presence

While most of the album sounds great but the distortion in the inner grooves does get pretty noticeable. Still an underrated gem that every Zeppelin fan needs to hear!

Listening to this now. Finally picked it up on clearance because it’s the only Led Zeppelin album missing from my collection. It’s 2025 and this is the 2015 version according to the bar codes. How did this copy last at retail for 10 years?!? To my ears it’s absolutely perfect. Dead silent out of the sleeve. No warping. Deep bass. I highly recommend this release.

Played through a custom Lenco L75 idler wheel TT, Dynavector Cart, McIntosh Amp and B&W speakers.

I have an original and this version. The original is too scuffed you for serious listening. This sounds fantastic for the most part. Achilles last stand is my favourite Zeppelin song so I have a soft spot for this album.

Tea for one is quite sibilant on this mix. I A-B’d the two and it’s quite obvious. Not unlistenable but the Sssss hiss is there.

Sound's amazing... Crap shoot on "Amazing" copys... don't waste your time... playing on Rega3/24 [BluePoint cartridge]... Magnepan 2.7s...

My two cents: To my 49 y/o ears, if you want "punch" go for a U.S. original. If you want punch with nice detail and separation, go for the Jimmy Page RM. Pressed at Pallas....beautiful. They're his tapes, he knows what his tunes are supposed to sound like.

I have an original '76 issue, grant it if I had the gear I had today in '76 sure it would sound very good. But my original is played thru....It does not sound good anymore. I'm not gonna spend $50-$100 for the classic records issues, that also might have some play thru issues.
This issue is probably one of the better one. Yes they are all from 24bit masters of the original tapes, good enough for me and on my system is very analog sounding. Would I like a AAA issue from the original tapes?? Sure I would, but doubt that will ever happen, so your choice is play a 40yr old record or a new one.

I like it....

So what people talk about when they think this sounds bad is most likely the digital mastering. I myself was expecting this to be a great sounding issue but after listening I felt like it was missing something and still prefererad my older 70s issue. I thought it had a lot of detail with a clean press but for some reason sounded very flat and sterile. If you are looking for the best sounding new versions of these albums I hear that the Classic Records releases are a good choice. They are very expensive but are made by people who really care and do great mastering for vinyl. I myself am getting one and doing a blind test to see which I think sounds best between the 70s issue, 2014 remaster and 2007 Classic Records version. In the end its a good record and if you dont mind that much its just a great deal, but personally I would go for many 70s reissues that are in NM condition over this.

Update:
The Classic Records release by Grundman are easily superior for some albums and closer with others, they are never worse than the 2014 reissues however.

Equipment used:
Rega RP1 with Nagaoka MP-110 Cartridge
Cyrus 2 Amplifier
Sustem Fidelity SF-3050 Tower Speakers
Custom made HQ Cables