Different pressings of MFSL Alan Parsons: I Robot CD

It has come to my attention that there are at least 2 and perhaps even 3 pressings of this MFSL aluminum CD. The one that I own is made in the USA by LaserVision Inc. The other that I'm aware of is made in Japan and I assume that it looks like every other MFSL aluminum.

Does anyone know about these differences? Do they even sound different?

 

I think the UD1 sounds best!

 

Magic Alex is correct! The US pressing sounds atrocious compared to the far superior Japanese versions because it used the highly controversial and rarely used "frown" EQ setting developed by Hymie Fienblatt. You'll need to send me your copy ASAP and find the JPN version at all costs, Dave.

 

Bah, ha, ha....So Hymie's at it again? Well then....how about an opening bid of $.01


So does anyone really know the score?

 

Wish i could help compare two but it took me years to find one copy of this cd. My copy says "MANUFACTURED BY SANYO JAPAN MFCD-804 501145" in the center ring. "Printed in Japan" is on all inserts. Smooth sided case with "patent pending" on back of case. This one sounds nice.

I just got the Classic Records DAD in the mail (from their sale) but haven't listened to it yet.

Wynn

 

Wynn, I am totally impressed with the sound of mine. I'm just not sure if there are any differences between the 2. Is the American one or the Japanese one the first pressing?

My suspicions tell me that the American version was first, all though I don't really know, because this albums contract had definitely expired years before they opened their USA pressing plant ie. the gold UD2's.

 

The Classic Recs DAD of "I Robot" was actually really good, fellas. I'm almost trying to decide if it beats the UD1. I have both. I haven't seriously A/B'd them, but on listening to I ROBOT DAD (Classic Recs was out of this title until recently) I really, really, liked it.

 

Dave:

As far as I know, there is no "UDI" or UDII" distinction or designation on the silver MFSL CD's...regardless of manufacturing country of origin...

Looking at my "I Robot" I see it was manufactured by Sanyo in Japan...

Ditto The Tubes, Al Stewart YOTC.

Are we just saying that if it was made in Japan it's a UDI,and if in America a UDII?

Ben

 

Sorry Ben...I was just trying to make a "funny" with the UD1 stuff. The alums were not Ultradiscs at all...you are correct.

Mister Unfunny

 

IS there actually a "UD" of this title? My MoFi is aluminium, long before the UD gold CDs have appeared. Interestingly, the inner ring of my disc also says "MANUFACTURED BY SANYO JAPAN", but "MFCD 804 311221" which may be the batch number, I suppose...
Sounds great!
Thomas

 

Nowhere did I say that this is a UD1 or UD2, only MagicAlex stated that being the clown that he is. It is the one and only aluminim pressing, but there are 2 different pressings of the aluminum Alan Parsons: I Robot MFCD-804, one in America on LaserVideo Inc., like mine, one in Japan on Sanyo, like Thomas's. Anyone know anything about this situation?

 

Just a guess, but the Japan pressing is usually the first (often the case with early cd pressings - see the endless "Ooh! The colors! target" cd thread). I just looked at my The Tubes MFSL and it was "Manufactured by Sanyo U.S.A." Tha packaging used on this one is later than used on my Japan pressing of I Robot.

Wynn

 

I think you're very funny...

I'm just a bit slow on the uptake....(normal).


Ben

 

I got that number on my Cd too,
and I'm pretty sure that this was the first release,
because I bought it myself together with the other
first MFSL CD's just when they were originally
released in 1984 (801-804)

 

I have the US press it says Mastered in USA by Laservideo INc. CI05004 MFCD 804 10006 in the center ring. I've had both and never noticed a soundwise difference, but i never a/b ed them either.
Best,
Aaron

 

Aaron, could you A/B them and let us know? THX

 

I was poking around Sanyo's site & came up with this:

http://www.sanyo.com/industrial/laser/dvd_authoring.cfm?showfileid=1187&productid=636

Wow, I guess if they can do dvd's, then a CD is no biggie for them.

I used to sell audio/video (non-commissioned) and Sanyo was THE most reliable brand by a longshot. And according to Consumer Reports, still pretty much that way (I just bring this up in this thread because it looks like Sanyo's corporate culture is centered on doing quality work, something getting hard to find). And you gotta like a company that makes "Hello Kitty" wafflemakers! http://www.sanyo.com/appliances/hello_kitty/index.cfm?productID=129

[T]

 

That's exactly the one that I have! It was the very first CD that I bought back around 1984...months before I even had a Compact Disc Player!!!

The sound is very good but in all fairness the recent CLASSIC DAD release is just as good, at least to MY ears!

Rumors from Parsons camp is that he is "slowly" working on 5.1 surround editions of most, if not all, A.P.P. original albums!

Chris C

 

Just stay away from the MFSL vinyl on this title.

Excessive treble boost.

 

I wonder if he'll do a major revisionist approach like he did with "Tales".

I can just picture it -- I Robot, with Stephen Hawking voice-over...

 

Wow, I gotta get one of those!! I can see it now. "Honey, more waffles?"

 

Funny!!!

In all fairness to Alan though...He had all of the Orson Wells voicers in the can for the original "Tales" release, but for one reason or another he decided NOT to use them until the later remixed version! I didn't mind the added voicers NEARLY as much as his adding various guitars and effects to the musical mix! It ruined the arrangements for me personally, especially during the storm sequence in "The fall Of The House Of Usher"!

All the same, I won't be surprised if something different sounding will happen when Alan remixes for 5.1 surround! The good news is that guitarist Ian and the rest of the Parsons Project band have disband, so they won't be around to add new "filler" to these already classics!

One final note: Along with remixing his former albums for 5.1, Alan is also working a new CD which is rumored to be "Electronica" sounding...Oh Eric Woolfson, where are you?????????

Chris C