Pink Floyd – Meddle

With a pristine UK original copy I feel justified in comparing with the 2016 Grundman reissue
I mostly went back and forth with what I feel are the most revealing tracks, Fearless and San Tropez.
To start with the UK, I observed that it has a lot less deadwax, making more room for dynamics to breathe. But in actuality this difference is very minimal and might not even matter as the reissue is just cut quieter to compensate, which it also can with its quiet vinyl. Finding an equally spotless Harvest is hard even though mine is.
This does however give the UK an edge in some harmonic detail. But speaking of edge it also has a somewhat more harsh sound to it. Grundmans cut is actually smoother and easier listened. By employing better mastering tricks it solves problems like sibilant S's which can be annoying on the original, as well as leaving less possibilities for lesser gear to mistrack closer to the label (IGD). And amazingly very little in of quality is lost here by effectively choosing what important aspects to highlight for the listeners pleasure like lessening some bass but still matching it in places where its needed and able to shine.
In the end its a preference choice only and I feel both are winners, just like with WYWH and Animals that Ive also compared so far. But I would give the Reissue the edge here as its cheaper, has less distortion and is only an inch away from the original in of soundquality though I still prefer a clean original.

Update:
Ive tested both A-1U / B-1U fully textured sleeve and A-4 / B-3 outside textured sleeve pressings and they are near identical in sound. Both will yield that original bass filled sound with extra bite, be it with more sibilance, compared to the reissue.

Equipment Used:
Rega RP1 with Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
Cyrus 2 Amplifier
System Fidelity SF-3050 Tower Speakers
Custom made HQ Speaker Cables

love Pink Floyd and have done since the early 1970s