BEST $25 You Can Spend in ANALOG TODAY!
United States of Analog | October 3, 2023
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
This video is about Bob’s review of a $25 reissue of Steely Dan’s “Aja” album on vinyl. The host is presenting this as the best value purchase in analog audio for $25, positioning it as an exceptional deal compared to typical high-priced vinyl releases that can cost $49-150.
What gear, products, or brands are discussed?
- Steely Dan’s “Aja” reissue: $25, described as a “beautiful pressing reminiscent of the ABC label”
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- [00:01:05] Considers this reissue “monumental” and calls Steely Dan “synonymous with audiophile”
- [00:01:18] Views “Aja” as Steely Dan’s “top of the heap” album
- [00:01:25] Describes it as his “portal” to discovering Steely Dan
- [00:01:36] Believes it’s an album you play “start to finish” with “no clunkers”
- [00:02:08] Claims no other Steely Dan record has “this much Steely Dan power packed in it” except greatest hits collections
What are the host’s strong recommendations or warnings to viewers?
- [00:00:31] Strong recommendation: this $25 album “will change the way that you look at bargain basement priced vinyl”
- Emphasizes the value proposition, noting it’s much cheaper than typical audiophile pressings at $49-150
Any interesting vinyl records, albums, or music discussed?
- Steely Dan’s “Aja”: Host lists the track lineup including “Black Cow,” “Aja,” “Deacon Blues,” “Peg,” “Home at Last,” “I Got the News,” and “Josie”
- [00:01:56] Notes that almost all tracks were FM radio hits (uncertain about “Home at Last”)
- Describes it as Steely Dan’s breakthrough album and perfectly recorded
Were there any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?
- [00:00:18] Self-deprecating humor: “forgive me because I’ve left all the expensive camera equipment and lighting equipment and mics and everything in the closet”
- [00:00:45] “All right, 25 bucks. It’s still a lot of money but it ain’t 150. It’s not a hundred. It’s not even 49.”
Summary
In this opening portion of the video, host Bob introduces what he considers the best $25 investment in analog audio: a reissue of Steely Dan’s “Aja” album. He’s clearly excited about this release, having abandoned his usual production setup to deliver this “important message” about the vinyl. Bob positions this as exceptional value in a market where audiophile pressings typically cost $49-150.
Bob makes a compelling case for “Aja” as Steely Dan’s masterpiece, describing it as synonymous with audiophile quality and packed with FM radio hits from start to finish. He lists out the impressive track lineup, noting that almost every song was a radio hit, making it unique among Steely Dan’s catalog for its consistency and hit density. For Bob, this album served as his gateway into Steely Dan’s discography.
The host’s enthusiasm is evident as he describes this pressing as “monumental” and “beautiful,” comparing its quality to the original ABC label releases. His recommendation carries weight given the channel’s focus on high-end analog audio, suggesting that this $25 pressing delivers audiophile-quality sound without the typical premium pricing, making it accessible to budget-conscious vinyl enthusiasts.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?
- Asia album on Geffen Records (180 gram black vinyl reissue) – [00:02:26]
- MoFi cartridge on studio deck – [00:05:15]
- Roxy Music vinyl – [00:03:51]
- Abbey Road half-speed mastered – [00:03:51]
- Warren Zevon from Rhino Records – [00:03:56]
- UHQR Japanese super vinyl (mentioned as expensive alternative) – [00:03:34]
- iPhone (for recording the video) – [00:04:06]
What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?
- Calls this “probably the best $25 in analog you’re gonna spend this month or any month” – [00:04:50]
- Prefers this energetic mastering over more laid-back versions: “I want my Asia to kick ass I want it to kick me in the chest and this one does” – [00:05:49]
- Notes that many quality pressings are now available in the $25-30 price range – [00:03:46]
- Praises the packaging as “fantastic heavyweight” with great liner notes and graphics – [00:03:07]
Were there any listening tests or sound quality observations described?
- Describes the mastering as extremely “hot” with full dynamics – [00:05:01]
- Reports his cartridge nearly jumped out of the groove during “Black Cow” due to the intense peaks – [00:05:15]
- Notes the impressive drum and bass dynamics: “I thought maybe that I was gonna get hit in the head with a drumstick” – [00:05:59]
- Compares the mastering intensity to “Bernie Grunman hot like the Led Zeppelin hot mix hot” – [00:05:25]
Were there any price/value assessments?
- Emphasizes the $25 price point as exceptional value – [00:03:17]
- Contrasts with expensive alternatives at $125-150 for UHQR Japanese pressings – [00:03:28]
- Identifies a trend of quality pressings in the $25-30 range – [00:03:46]
Any vinyl records, albums, or music discussed?
- Asia album (main focus) featuring “Black Cow” as opening track – [00:02:26]
- Roxy Music album – [00:03:51]
- Abbey Road half-speed mastered – [00:03:51]
- Warren Zevon album from Rhino – [00:03:56]
- Led Zeppelin (referenced for mastering comparison) – [00:05:25]
Any audiophile tips, advice, or how-to content?
- Recommends supporting local independent record stores (mentions Piranha Records in Austin) over Amazon when possible – [00:04:36]
- Notes concern about Amazon’s record packaging but mentions this particular order arrived safely – [00:04:28]
- Advises about potential scarcity of the pressing – [00:04:12]
Any memorable quotes or strong takes?
- “This is probably the best $25 in analog you’re gonna spend this month or any month” – [00:04:50]
- “I want my Asia to kick ass I want it to kick me in the chest and this one does” – [00:05:49]
- “I thought maybe that I was gonna get hit in the head with a drumstick I mean that’s how impressive the dynamics were” – [00:05:59]
Summary
The host is enthusiastically reviewing a $25 reissue of Steely Dan’s “Aja” album on Geffen Records, remastered by legendary engineer Bernie Grunman from what he believes was an unequalized copy of the original analog master tape. He praises both the physical presentation—180-gram black vinyl with high-quality packaging and liner notes—and positions it as exceptional value in today’s vinyl market, especially compared to ultra-premium editions costing $125-150.
During his listening evaluation, the host describes an extremely dynamic and energetic mastering that he characterizes as “Bernie Grunman hot,” comparing it to Led Zeppelin’s famously aggressive masterings. He reports that the opening track “Black Cow” was so intense that his MoFi cartridge nearly jumped out of the groove during peak passages, and describes the drum dynamics as feeling like he might “get hit in the head with a drumstick.” Rather than seeing this as a flaw, he embraces this approach, stating he wants his Aja “to kick ass” and “kick me in the chest.”
The host frames this release within a broader trend he’s noticed of high-quality vinyl reissues appearing in the $25-30 price range, citing examples like recent Roxy Music, Abbey Road half-speed mastered, and Warren Zevon releases from Rhino. He emphasizes the urgency of his recommendation due to potential supply constraints, admitting he broke his usual practice of supporting local record stores to order from Amazon to ensure he secured a copy of what he considers the best $25 analog purchase available.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion?
[00:06:04-00:09:27] – Steely Dan “Aja” remaster vinyl record ($25)
[00:08:37] – Universal/Geffen Records (label)
[00:08:55] – Bernie Grundman (mastering engineer mentioned hypothetically)
[00:07:02] – Keith Richards “Life” book
[00:07:57] – Tone Poet records (collection mentioned)
[00:07:57] – MoFi records (collection mentioned)
[00:08:08] – ABC label (original pressing reference)
What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion?
[00:08:20] The host calls the $25 Steely Dan “Aja” remaster “a no-brainer” and “a must-have”
[00:09:27] Final assessment: “it’s hot it’s good I can’t say enough about it”
[00:09:34] Expresses approval of the record industry “making great records accessible to us again at low low prices”
Were there any final recommendations — buy, skip, or consider?
[00:08:28] Strong buy recommendation: “this record is a no-brainer it’s a must-have”
[00:08:28] Urgency advised: “I want you to get it before you can’t”
[00:09:21] Where to buy: “at your local independent record store or Amazon”
Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers?
[00:06:31] Notes that vocals are “a little bit back in the mastering” but explains this as intentional and desirable
[00:07:12] Shares Keith Richards’ philosophy about mixing rock vocals down slightly to make listeners turn up the volume and engage more with the music
[00:08:16] Admits he’s “not good at shootouts” and defers to “Mike at the in groove” for detailed comparisons
How did the video wrap up?
[00:09:49] Standard YouTube outro: “hey I’m Bob you’ve been in the United States of analog”
[00:09:54] Mentions more reviews coming and asks viewers to “like subscribe and do all that stuff”
[00:10:00] Mentions new t-shirt availability
[00:10:00] Closes with “see you guys”
Memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions
[00:09:13] “if this thing had a tip-on jacket 180 gram black vinyl with a Bernie Grundman hype sticker on there… you would drop down $50 faster than I can say I got the news”
[00:09:34] “I’m glad what the record industry is doing making great records accessible to us again at low low prices”
Summary
In this final portion, the host Bob continues his enthusiastic review of the $25 Steely Dan “Aja” remaster, describing the powerful impact of the drums and the wide soundstage with excellent cymbal detail. He notes that the vocals are slightly recessed in the mix but explains this as a positive feature, referencing Keith Richards’ philosophy from his autobiography about mixing rock vocals down to encourage listeners to turn up the volume and engage more deeply with the music.
Bob admits his record collection is disorganized and he can’t locate his original ABC pressing for comparison, but emphasizes that regardless, this $25 remaster is exceptional value. He points out that the same quality could easily be marketed at $50 with premium packaging and Bernie Grundman’s name attached, but praises the industry for making high-quality vinyl accessible at budget prices instead.
The video concludes with Bob giving his strongest possible recommendation for the record, calling it “a no-brainer” and “must-have” while urging viewers to purchase it quickly. He wraps up with standard YouTube channel promotion, mentioning upcoming reviews, merchandise, and asking for likes and subscriptions before signing off as “Bob from United States of Analog.”
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
