I did a search on "Supertramp" and found several threads containing divided opinions on the MOFI CDs and the remasters. If I want the best sounding CDs of Breakfast In America and Crime of the Century, which remasters should I hunt down? Thanks, Brian
The ones that were remastered in Europe a few years ago are good too. I used to have the MOFI ones but I had to sell them.
Wow, Dave's holding off about the differnence (thin veil removed) between the UD1 and UD2 versions. You OK there Dave? Just checkin' buddy
I'm thinking that if there was a difference worth mentioning between the UD1 and UD2 MFSL Supertramp CDs, SH would have mentioned them. Some UD1s and UD2s are identical.
I read in this forum that the Mofi Supertramp CD's are extremely low in volume (or dynamically demanding?). This put me off buying them. I have the European remasters, which I think sound great.
They will have to pry my UD1 and UD2 Supertramp Breakfast in America CDs out of my cold, stiff fingers... They both sound THAT good to me.
I believe I was the one who mentioned that the MFSL Crime of the Century Gold CD is the only the CD I own that really isn't loud enough with a 3.5 watt single ended triode amp and a 97 db/watt/@ 1m speaker. If you have more watts or a higher sensitivity speaker that probably won't be an issue to you. I do have to say that there are a few other MFSL Gold CD's that are marginally close in this regard. Now before anyone says that I feel this way because I'm used to that "maximized" sound, I need to point out that I don't have this problem with any CD in my collection remastered by Mr. Hoffman.
Do you know for sure that Steve has made this examination? I first acquired the UDII of "Crime...", and later the UDI. I compared them and sold the UDII. The difference was small but the decision was easy. Regards, Geoff
Yes ! . Unfortunately, my setup is not the loudest, particularly with headphones where the headphone amp is not the most sensitive using HD 600's. I agree, Drew. No problem with the DCC's in the volume aspect. I think the earlier Mofi's had this problem?.... The Mofi Pink Floyd Dark side of the Moon is a good example. What happens is for a decent volume, my amp is like at 12 oclock, which introduces massive hiss and current noise (from the amp), which degrades the sound The Elton John Madman across the Water is another example, as are the original Dire Straits CD's.
No, I don't recall any SH posts on that subject. However, this opportunity for comment was declined, and silence usually implies consent.
Silence in this case means: "Leave me out of it for political reasons, dudes". So let me just say this: If the UDII of Supertramp is as low in volume as the UDI, you can be assured that the sound will be pretty much the same. I don't have both to find out. If the volume level of the UDII has been increased, avoid it. HOW'S THAT?
Mike and gang. Metralla adaquetely stated what my opinion is and Mike revealed why. It makes it that much easier for me. Less typing! As for the lack of volume on some of the earlier MoFi's it was stated by Sckott I believe, that it's a particular type of mastering and the reason behind it is that they didn't want the peaks in the music to go into distortion because they weren't using any noise reduction and very little compression on those older recordings as well as they wanted to preserve the sonic qualities of the original recordings and at the time this was the only effective way to achieve this.
FWIW, my UD2 of Crime Of The Century is extremely low in level. I can't imagine the UD1 being any quieter. Steve, would you say that the UD1/UD2 level difference you mentioned would/could apply to any of the MoFi CDs (not just the Supertramp)?
In my comparison I did not notice any difference in the overall levels. The UDI and UDII appear to be recorded at the same low level. I had a problem with the very low level on the UDII and went looking for a UDI, expecting that possibly it was recorded at a slightly higher volume that would make it easier to set a suitable listening level with my SET rig. I did not get that. I did hear a touch more life and a slightly better dynamic contrast. I felt I was hearing a little more inner detail and I seemed to enjoy the disc more. I don't think it was a big difference at all, and unless one has both discs to run the comparison, you are probably going to find it hard to distinuish the two. It's not something to worry about. They both sound superb and the music is legendary. But if you have a choice, get the UDI. I was patient on eBuy and actually got the UDI for a tad less than I paid for the UDII. I lost no money selling the UDII. Regards, Geoff
I will add that the newer US remaster of "Even in the Quietest moments" sounds pretty fresh, if a little bright. Seems to me that a number of the old Supertramp recording were pretty bright to begin with (ie. the steel string guitars, and Roger Hodgson's voice), so if the transfer is toppy, it can sound a bit much. The new CD sounds more lively than my old German LP copy. Don't have any other versions to compare
