The Jam – Sound Affects

This is the version to get. The French pressings with the metallic label were rushed out and the band weren't happy with the mastering. It was recut by Arun until they were happy. Anything with ARUN A5 and above in the matrix is how the band wanted it to sound and this UK press sounds far superior to the earlier French presses.

My copy is flat, centered, & quiet. Very well recorded and mastered to vinyl w/ zero compression / sibilance / mud drama. Completely worth hunting down a super clean copy and experience textbook mod.

Pro-Ject X1B + Sumiko Wellfleet / Musical Fidelity m5si / Schiit Mani 2 / Dali Oberon 7's

Great album, great era of rock and roll. Need to get more of these guys.

My copy sounds great! Interesting pick having Start as the opening track considering I’m used to listening to the original track listing. I got my copy in very good condition for 30 dollars at Reckless Records in Chicago!

I bought the original on the day it went on sale in the UK with my 18th birthday money and rapidly learned each song before seeing them perform it live three times on the Sound Affects tour! It's a brilliant album up there with All Mod Cons and Setting Sons - the top of their game, but I always felt it was poorly recorded. To me it sounded a bit woolly and quiet compared to their other albums. I got this version for Christmas as my original Jam albums are a bit worn and scratched now and I have to say this is an excellent recording, it's loud, very clear and seems to be a lot more punchy than my original. I guess it's all down to individual taste, but I would recommend this version to anyone replacing their originals.

The version of "That's Entertainment" presented here is a remix compared to the U.K. and Europe versions. In the right channel, you can hear a tambourine that is not present on the other versions. Does anyone know if there were any other differences between the U.S. pressing of "Sound Effects" and the European ones?

Here we have a very good album by tha Jam and this Norwegian pressing sounds great. The sound is big, fresh, punchy and crispy.

Personally I thought the remaster sounded poor. It had a thin, trebly vibe that the original record doesn’t have. The bonus material wasn’t that exciting either - not for me, anyway. The Setting Sons big box was much nicer. Ended up selling my copy of this, and the also-not-nice vinyl remaster, and picking up the original UK. YMMV however.

I found a radio station copy at a local store with matrix numbers and label and plant pressing ID “26” that matched. No 45 included. Sounds great and very vibrant. Much better than my more recent repress. Hard to find this pressing. Glad I stumbled onto it.

Nice work 'Contributors' -- could you have provided LESS information..?