Newer MFSL CDs/SACDs vs. Older Masterings

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by tlake6659, May 5, 2010.

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  1. tlake6659

    tlake6659 Senior Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    NJ
    Ever since MFSL came back into business, I was wondering if any forum members compared the new MFSL masterings vs. older forum favorite masterings.

    I was wondering about the following titles:

    Edgar Winter: They Only Come Out At Night vs. old Epic CD
    Allman Brothers: Ildewild South vs. Dennis Drake mastered Polydor CD
    Santana: First Album vs. Mastersound Gold CD
    Santana: Abraxas vs. Older MFSL Ultradisc I mastering
    The Band: Music From the Big Pink vs. Older MFSL Ultradisc I mastering
    Foghat: Fool for the City vs. old Rhino CD
    Marvin Gaye: What's Going On & Let's Get It On vs. old twofer CD

    Thanks for any comments.
     
  2. John Carsell

    John Carsell Forum Resident

    Location:
    Northwest Illinois
    The Band: Music From the Big Pink vs. Older MFSL Ultradisc I mastering

    As good as the 1989 Ultradisc I mastering was I think the newer Mo-Fi SACD beats it.

    It just sounds more focused.
     
  3. evad

    evad Well-Known Member

    Location:
    .
    I came to the same conclusion.
     
  4. evad

    evad Well-Known Member

    Location:
    .
    I really like the old Epic Cd of They Only Come Out At Night. I find the Mofi to be a tad bright for my taste.
     
  5. evad

    evad Well-Known Member

    Location:
    .
    Oh...the older Mofi of Abraxas is killer....no need for the SACD. No contest, IMO.

    P.S. I own both.
     
  6. krlpuretone

    krlpuretone Forum Resident

    Location:
    Grantham, NH
    The Allmans Idlewild and Santana s/t new MoFi are both the go-to versions of these recordings for me; I've listened to the Abraxas new MoFi and it sounded pretty good but didn't get to A/B it with another pressing.
     
  7. Ditto. I also think that "Idlewind South" sounds exceptional as to how it compares to the Drake, it's different let's put it that way. I prefer the Mofi but there will always be someone else who will prefer the Drake.

    Likewise "What's Going On?" sounds great and beats every version I've heard.
     
  8. LeeS

    LeeS Music Fan

    Location:
    Atlanta
    The new Mofi sound quality on the whole is better than the old MFSL in my opinion. More detail and presence.

    It's all good though.
     
  9. I did compare these.

    a) First of all, there are at least two different old Polydor masterings, with one of them being clearly superior over the other Polydor CD. Between the better old Polydor CD and the MFSL, it is a tough choice for me. They both have their merits but they are different. I like both.

    b) I prefer the old Mastersound version slightly over the new MFSL. But even the deluxe edition has decent sound.

    c) I prefer the new MFSL over the older MFSL, and it is also my overall favorite version. Mainly because I think that Oye Como Va does not sound very good on the old MFSL.
     
  10. Oh, I forgot, I also have the Marvin Gaye MFSL SACD's and many other versions of these albums, and I like the new MFSL SACD's very much.
     
  11. Roninblues

    Roninblues 猿も木から落ちる。

    My stereo and ears.
    Marvin Gaye - SACDs and D.E.s, need to see if I need both.
    Big Pink - Kept MFSL
    Ildewild South - MFSL, (Dreams box set as well)
    Santana: First Album Mastersound & MFSL Gold CDs, Abraxas - MFSL & SACD, (Dance Of The Rainbow Serpent box set as well)
     
  12. Myke

    Myke Trying Not To Spook The Horse

    Love my IDLEWILD SOUTH, and the miniature album cover is so cool. Sounds crisper to me. I also play all my gold plated remasters in my Blu Ray player which, to my ears, brings out their best.
    Can't speak to MUSIC FROM BIG PINK as I cherish my DVDA in DTS. ;)
     
  13. reeler

    reeler Forum Resident

    Big Pink-
    The MFSL ultradisc, the MFSL sacd/cd, and the capitol remaster.. I prefer either the ultradisc or the cd layer of the sacd. Both are more analog sounding to me than the remaster or the sacd, which do sound more focused. For this album the warmer more diffuse sound of the cd layer, the ultradisc, or the original vinyl works in its favor. In an older thread it was discussed that "clicks" are present on the cd layer of the MFSL sacd/cd which are not present on the Ultradisc or the sacd layer.

    I prefer the original cd of Aimee Manne "Bachelor No. 2" to the MFSL vinyl.
    I like both the original cd and the MFSL vinyl of Aimee Manne "Lost in Space"
     
  14. tlake6659

    tlake6659 Senior Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    NJ
    BUMP, anyone compare Foghat: Fool for the City?
     
  15. FYI--there are TWO Drake masterings of "Idlewind"--the original stand-alone CD and the "Beginnings" twofer which was done at a separate time IIRC.
     
  16. majomor

    majomor New Member

    Location:
    Portland,Or USA
    I recently came upon an early U.S. release of "Alone Together" by Dave Mason,made in Japan by Sanyo and I much prefer it to the MFSL gold disc...
     
  17. John Carsell

    John Carsell Forum Resident

    Location:
    Northwest Illinois
    You should really hear the Mo-Fi SACD's.

    Fantastic IMO.
     
    tmtomh likes this.
  18. apileocole

    apileocole Lush Life Gort

    MFSL's new one for me.
     
  19. fluffskul

    fluffskul Would rather be at a concert

    Location:
    albany, ny
    Never heard the Drake CD mastering... but the Idlewind MoFi to my ears is loud and harsh. Very clear yes, but I'm honestly disappointed when I compare it to other MoFi titles I've heard.
     
  20. That's my feeling too.
     
  21. tlake6659

    tlake6659 Senior Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    NJ
    Edgar Winter: They Only Come Out At Night vs. old Epic CD
    Allman Brothers: Ildewild South vs. Dennis Drake mastered Polydor CD
    Foghat: Fool for the City vs. old Rhino CD

    I have managed to compare the above myself and I prefer the old CDs over the MFSL's. The Mobile Fidelity CDs all sounded too bright in comparison.
     
  22. jh901

    jh901 Forum Resident

    Location:
    PARRISH FL USA
    Are there any MFSL SACDs that are widely considered the finest digital issuance? I realize that we never have 100% agreement, so I'm referring to a situation where well over 60% highly recommend the SACD remaster.
     
  23. joelee

    joelee Hyperactive!

    Location:
    Houston
    I'm comparing the cuts on my MFSL CD to the same cuts on the Rhino Best of CD:
    The MFSL SACD blows away the Rhino (on SACD and Redbook)
    Rhino cuts are EQ'd, MFSL sounds like a flat transfer of Master tape.
    Highly Recomended
     
  24. noname74

    noname74 Allegedly Canadian

    Location:
    .
    The first 2 Billy Joel Mofi SACDs are considered winners by most.
     
  25. Dave

    Dave Esoteric Audio Research Specialist™

    Location:
    B.C.
    Edgar Winter: They Only Come Out At Night vs. old Epic CD... The old Epic easily bettered the MFSL which sounds pinched, forward and sibilant.

    Allman Brothers: Ildewild South vs. Dennis Drake mastered Polydor CD... The same as above and I prefer Dennis mastering because it's more relaxed and smooth sounding.

    Santana: First Album vs. Mastersound Gold CD... Neither of these was better than the standard USA Columbia CD.

    Santana: Abraxas vs. Older MFSL Ultradisc I mastering... I haven't heard the new MFSL but I'm highly suspect that it isn't as good as the old UD as has been the case on many occasions. The old UD is good, just not as good as the Japan 1st pressing. The only complaints I've ever heard regarding the Japan 1st are too much hiss. I can live with that over a shrill sounding mastering any day.

    The Band: Music From the Big Pink vs. Older MFSL Ultradisc I mastering... Sorry Ted I've only heard the MFSL UD and the Japan CP32 and slightly prefer the MFSL.

    Foghat: Fool for the City vs. old Rhino CD... This one is interesting. The old Rhino never sounded right to me being shrill and unfocused when turned up. I settled on the Bearsvill/Japan Victor VDP-28049 CD as the lessor of all evils. I'm fairly certain that the only way to get this one right is hopefully on Vinyl.

    Marvin Gaye: What's Going On & Let's Get It On vs. old twofer CD... Only have ever heard the Japan for Europe two-fer and I like it.
     
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