Did the 2010 'Why Pink Floyd?' vinyl of 'Atom Heart Mother' use the original tapes — and is it better than the 2011 CD?

James Guthrie and Doug Sax cut the 2010 vinyl reissue directly from the original analog master tapes — the same ones used for the 1970 pressing. That’s a big deal because most subsequent CD releases (including the 2003 and 2011 remasters) were transferred from a digital copy, losing a bit of that magnetic warmth.

Is it superior? Depends on your setup. On a decent turntable, the 2010 vinyl breathes — the bass is rounder, the orchestral section in the title track has more space, and Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast sounds less compressed. The 2011 CD remaster cleaned up some tape hiss but flattened the dynamics. If you have the gear, the analog cut wins. If you’re streaming or using a basic player, you probably won’t notice.