Whatever you say, pal. But I recommend you listen to this one on a good system before making the categorical determination that the bass is "bloated" or ill defined. In my opinion, those who have good systems deserve to hear the opinion of someone with comparable gear in order not to be biased against this excellent pressing of a timeless recording. Enough said.
Oh, I agree that every Music Matters version edition I have sounds better than original I have or heard. However, most of these haven't gone through as many remixes and masterings as KOB. With the latter, "life-like" becomes incredibly vague to debate, especially since it's not clear which mix we are supposed to judge or whether the mono or stereo is more "life-like." It's probably why many of us have too many damn copies of KOB.
Well, considering I never said the bass was "bloated" or ill defined I guess I'll stick with my system for the time being.
My intention was not to refer to your characterizations, specifically, but those of several posters who have had complaints about the presentation of the bass.
It's a fair criticism though since this version does have more detail in terms of bass. I didn't like it myself the first few listens, but I think that's because it was too different from other versions in this regard. I don't mind it now though. I'm not sure it's more accurate or realistic in terms of the original intent since we are dealing with a remix after all. Still, my preference for KOB is in mono which I would have loved MOFI to do instead of another stereo version.
Unless one is using a Harmon mute, and then it is very easy to do. I do think that is what Miles was going for in certain passages and succeeded brilliantly.
Fair enough. I'll need to give this one some more time to sink in, and then I can begin to consider it in light of the original 6 eye mono, which is very different. But, at the risk of repeating myself, I can say definitely that this new pressing sounds the most like live music of any Kind of Blue pressing I have heard. And the characteristics of the bass presentation do not diminish this impression, but heighten it.
Thanks for that - not hearing any big difference comparing to the CD from 2009. I listened to my Classic Records vinyl yesterday - sublime. BG did a great job.
I do have a new found love of mono since I got a couple of the Stereo/Mono switches here on the forum, so I too would love to see a MOFI MONO. But I am totally stoked about the 45rpm MOFI and do think its the best version I've heard or have. I have the Legacy MONO and do really like it, but it doesn't stand up to the MOFI 45rpm IMHO. I also have the Classic 200gm 33.3 and it comes in third, IMO.
I don't get this? Are you comparing a needle drop of a 45rpm LP converted to a digital file to a CD and saying there isn't much difference between the sound of the 45rpm LP and the CD? Or are you saying there isn't much difference in the AIFF digital file and the CD? Or have I only confused myself?
i am saying i listened to the posters needle drop and compared it to the CD - i know it's not the greatest, but still i am not hearing any substantial difference with these and certainly not more bass.
IMO some people are using the word "more" bass to describe "better" bass. Again, IMHO that is just a good way to describe the MOFI 45 in every respect, its just BETTER.
I would say my system is highly-resolving, very neutral and reproduces bass extremely well. The bass on this version is rather more forward and defined than others I have (Classic Records 33 and Sony mono), maybe even a little too much. However –IMHO – it's not bloated, boomy or ill-defined. I can understand where others would think it is, particularly if they have a subwoofer that isn't setup correctly (often the case) or if response is otherwise not well-balanced. This is a pressing that really needs a system to be setup right.
I've never been crazy about 'the Blue Note sound' as realized by RVG (although the music is undeniably terrific).
You and I are hearing the same thing. I was listening to it again last night, after long day at work, and I was admittedly pretty fatigued. I started thinking, "Hmm, maybe it does sound a bit muddy and rolled off on the top." So I pulled out my 6-eye copy for reference and gave it a brief spin, and you know what? The new MOFI has very similar coloration. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that they based their mastering moves on an original pressing.
Needle drops I made of So What. 24 bit/192 kHz AIFF files. 2015 MoFi: https://www.dropbox.com/s/z8ej1s54l0r2kuk/1-01 So What [2015 MoFi].aiff?dl=0 2010 Columbia/Legacy: https://www.dropbox.com/s/la3o9sptwsoonsu/01 So What [2010 Legacy].aiff?dl=0 2001 Classic Records: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jpryea8ha0sfvau/01 So What [2001 Classic Records].aiff?dl=0 These links will work for a day or two.
My copy arrived yesterday and I played it through twice. While it didn't blow me away with any new revelations it is a beautiful representation of this classic album. I do not hear any bloated bass on my system, there seems to be more finely defined bass and I can hear the room very well. The horns sound very nice and stereo separation is great. I agree with someone who posted earlier that this album has been reissued so many times and many of them sound excellent so this is not the huge jump in quality for many people. For me it is not nearly the jump in quality that Sorcerer and Nefertiti were but I am glad I have it and it will be my go to stereo copy going forward.
It's not an absolute comparison, it's just to "catch" the major differences, I think it helps... Of course it is no substitute for real playing of the actual LP's
Etched and trebly are not the best of terms in this case, youre right. Having stated that, my point was to simply say we have to be careful what we are biased in hearing and take into considerations sound characteristics when comparing one album to another. Sorry for the hyperbole. I will stand my my statement though that if I were comparing the mfsl to any version Id most likely go with the one that seems most balanced and nuetral. Which, for me, is a 70s pressing.
