But this discussion bypasses an important question: What IS an original? Is a record with a 1A stamper an original and a record with a 1B stamper not an original, or slightly less original? Is every copy on the original label an original, and only the copies with the later labels reissues?
To be honest, attempting to lay down strict rules about what constitutes an original is best understood as a fool's errand, an audiophile parlor game of little use in the real world of records, and one we never cared to play even when we didn't know how pointless it would turn out to be.
To be blunt about it, we are not the least bit interested in how original a pressing may or may not be. On this site we are only interested in one thing, the answer to the question: Which copy of the record sounds the best? (Also: In what way? So I guess that's really two things we are interested in.) The rest of it we leave to our record collecting brethren.
Click on this link to read more about one of the thorniest questions in all of audio: Which have the best sound, Originals vs. Reissues?
Further Reading
...along these lines can be found below.
The most important advice on the site can be found under the heading
The Four Pillars of Success.
Here are some commentaries on a subject near and dear to all of us, namely Record Collecting.
Our Thinking About Hot Stampers links may help you gain a better understanding of the issues surrounding these very special pressings.
Record shootouts are the fastest and easiest way to hone your listening skills, a subject we discuss often on the site and directly address in this commentary from way back in 2005.
