Pressing report · Steely Dan · 1977
Discogs lists 176 vinyl pressings of Aja. We looked at the 18 most-owned (plus audiophile editions): who cut and pressed each one, what owners wrote about it in 347 written reviews, how hard it is to find, and the cheapest copy for sale. Not the star ratings: they mix up the music, the pressing and people's gear.
Checked 18 October 2026 · prices in US dollars
Best value
AA-1006 · Santa Maria Pressing, Gatefold
The cheapest copy for sale with notable credits or owner praise, and no owner-reported problems. 8 of 10 owner reviews talk about the pressing: 4 mention great sound.
Mine sounds fantastic with no pops or crackles at all.rlmartin65, 2026
Strongest pedigree
UHQR 0014-45 · Reissue · Limited Edition · 200 g, Clarity Vinyl, Clear
Credits include Bernie Grundman, Bernie Grundman Mastering, Quality Record Pressings. 61 of 83 owner reviews talk about the pressing: 20 mention great sound.
The Cisco sounds fantastic, but I give the edge to the UHQR.CharlieTokyo, 2026
When several owners independently describe the same issue (warps, skips, distortion, a dull or harsh sound, or noise on a modern pressing), it's listed here with their words.
I'm getting inner groove distortion.branmantwo, 2020 Open →
Like other users noted, there's significant surface noise between tracks, but it doesn't show up while the tracks are actually playing.kaimuki2tokyo, 2026 Open →
A rarity trap is a pressing people chase because it's hard to find, not because it's better: wanted at least 1.2× more than it's owned, with no notable credits and no owner praise.
None of the 18 pressings checked is wanted mainly for its scarcity.
Sorted by pedigree. Pedigree comes from the credits: cutting engineer, mastering, pressing plant and label. Owners counts the written reviews that talk about the pressing, and what they mention. Want/have above 1.2× means real scarcity.
| Pressing | Pedigree | Owners | Want/have | Cheapest | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 · US · Analogue ProductionsUHQR 0014-45 · Reissue · Limited Edition · 200 g, Clarity Vinyl, ClearDiscogs stars — (—) | Strong★ Bernie Grundman, ★ Bernie Grundman Mastering, ★ Quality Record Pressings, ★ Analogue Productions | 61of 83 about the pressing+ great sound 20+ quiet surfaces 8– surface noise 2 | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 1980 · US · Mobile Fidelity Sound LabMFSL 1-033 · Limited Edition · Reissue · Remastered · Gatefold, StereophonicDiscogs stars — (—) | Strong★ Stan Ricker, ★ Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, Half-speed mastered | 10of 15 about the pressing | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 1980 · US · Mobile Fidelity Sound LabMFSL 1-033 · Limited Edition · Reissue · Remastered · GatefoldDiscogs stars — (—) | Strong★ Stan Ricker, ★ Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | 2of 2 about the pressing | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 2008 · Europe · ABC Records0076732168813 · Reissue · Remastered · Gatefold, 180gDiscogs stars — (—) | Strong★ Bernie Grundman, Record Industry | 59of 67 about the pressing+ quiet surfaces 13+ great sound 12– skips / distortion 11 | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 2023 · Worldwide · Geffen RecordsB0035028-01 · Reissue · Remastered · Gatefold, 180gDiscogs stars — (—) | Some★ Bernie Grundman | 49of 62 about the pressing+ quiet surfaces 13+ great sound 13– surface noise 8 | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 1977 · US · ABC RecordsAB-1006 · Santa Maria Pressing, GatefoldDiscogs stars — (—) | Some★ Bernie Grundman | 25of 35 about the pressing+ great sound 6– surface noise 3 | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 1977 · US · ABC RecordsAA-1006 · Santa Maria Pressing, GatefoldDiscogs stars — (—) | Some★ Bernie Grundman | 8of 10 about the pressing+ great sound 4 | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 1977 · US · ABC RecordsAB-1006 · Terre Haute Pressing, GatefoldDiscogs stars — (—) | Some★ Bernie Grundman | 13of 18 about the pressing+ great sound 4 | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 1977 · US · ABC RecordsAA-1006 · Reissue · Repress · Terre Haute PressingDiscogs stars — (—) | Some★ Bernie Grundman | 13of 18 about the pressing+ great sound 3 | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 1977 · US · ABC RecordsAA 1006 · Repress · Keel Pressing, GatefoldDiscogs stars — (—) | Some★ Bernie Grundman | 7of 9 about the pressing+ great sound 2 | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 1977 · US · ABC RecordsAA-1006 · Santa Maria Press, GatefoldDiscogs stars — (—) | Some★ Bernie Grundman | 3of 6 about the pressing+ great sound 2 | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 1977 · Canada · ABC Records9022-1006 · GatefoldDiscogs stars — (—) | Some★ Bernie Grundman | 5of 7 about the pressing | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 1977 · UK · ABC RecordsABCL 5225 · GatefoldDiscogs stars — (—) | Some★ Bernie Grundman | 4of 5 about the pressing | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 1977 · Germany · ABC Records25 046 XOT · GatefoldDiscogs stars — (—) | Some★ Bernie Grundman | 2of 3 about the pressing | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 1977 · US · ABC RecordsAA-1006 · SP - Specialty Pressing, GatefoldDiscogs stars — (—) | Some★ Bernie Grundman | 1of 1 about the pressing | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 1979 · UK, Europe & US · Mobile Fidelity Sound LabMFSL 1033Discogs stars — (—) | Some★ Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | No reviews | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 1977 · US · ABC DunhillAB 1006 · GatefoldDiscogs stars — (—) | Not credited | 2of 2 about the pressing | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
| 1977 · US · ABC RecordsAA-1006 · Club Edition · RCA Pressing, GatefoldDiscogs stars — (—) | No notable names | 2of 4 about the pressing | —— own | —— for sale | Open |
Search any album in Wax Read to see its credits, what owners wrote about it, and today's price.