Dire Straits - MFSL SACD - Sound Quality Discussion

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by George P, Oct 30, 2019.

  1. HumbleBy

    HumbleBy Forum Resident

    Location:
    Denmark
    I am wondering whether I should also get the MoFi version of Brothers In Arms. I already own the 20th anniversary SACD version, and am somewhat pleased with it. Does anyone here have an idea of the sonic differences between these two versions?
     
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  2. Krypto98

    Krypto98 Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    The Mofi has way more dynamic range I believe
     
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  3. ricks

    ricks Senior Member

    Location:
    127.0.0.1:443
    Pardon my bluntness, The 20th Anniversary BIA is one of the worst mastering in existence or at least to my ears. It has virtually no dynamics, abrasive EQ and and overall is somewhat painful above low volume levels. No hyperbole only my own experience and opinion.

    If you are "pleased" the 20th than the Dynamically nice MFSL may be a rather jarring difference, as not everyone likes or wants Dynamics as evidenced by majority of masterings the last 25+ years. There is no wrong or right we like what we like :) Anyhow on a scale of 1 to 10 I rate the MFSL as an 8 perhaps 8.5 and the 20th at slightly below a 1 at .5
     
  4. ponkine

    ponkine Senior Member

    Location:
    Villarrica, Chile
    May anyone upload a sample from 'Love Over Gold' and 'Moving Pictures?

    :wave:
     
  5. Claus

    Claus Senior Member

    Location:
    Germany
    The MFSL BIA is a very good mastering, although I prefer the SHM-SACD a bit. The best two pressings IMO
     
  6. HumbleBy

    HumbleBy Forum Resident

    Location:
    Denmark
    Bluntness acknowledged as you being quite passionate, or convinced that the 20th anniversary SACD version is poor at best :)
    It was actually the first SACD I bought many years ago, even without owning an SACD capable player at the time.
    I wrote I was somewhat pleased with the mastering. I have plenty of other SACDs in my collection that really make the BIA disc shine in comparison (unfortunately).

    Based on the replies here, I can already deduct that I have to splurge a little more, and include the MoFi version of BIA as well.

    Thanks for the input.
     
  7. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product

    I got brothers in arms for the 5.1... but in light of the fact they obviously aren't going to do anything else... looks like I need to get these mofi's.
    Cheers guys
     
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  8. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product

    I was waiting for the box set, but with these and the Brothers 5.1, I think I am good.
    Ordered
     
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  9. Krypto98

    Krypto98 Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    Anyone managed to get DR values for the SACDs?
     
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  10. vonwegen

    vonwegen Forum Resident

    It's on Discogs now. Shawn R. Britton did them both.
     
  11. warp2600

    warp2600 Forum Addict

    Location:
    Hungary
    I assume you are talking about the stereo mix on the 20th Anniversary SACD.
    I always listen to the 5.1 mix (never even bothered playing the stereo mix) and it is excellent. But I think it has been widely discussed.
     
  12. Bill Mac

    Bill Mac Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
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  13. ElevatorSkyMovie

    ElevatorSkyMovie Senior Member

    Location:
    Oklahoma
    Aren't Rob and Shawn the only mastering engineers there? I can't think of anyone else.
     
  14. marcb

    marcb Senior Member

    Location:
    DC area
    Anything is possible I suppose, but I can’t imagine the MFSL won’t be noticeably better than the 20th SACD. The 2oth stereo may be the worst version available.
     
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  15. marcb

    marcb Senior Member

    Location:
    DC area
    I’m almost certain it’s the same mastering. That’s got to be how your system handles PCM vs DSD.
     
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  16. MrEWhite

    MrEWhite Forum Resident

    Location:
    United States
    The 20th Anniversary SACD is horrid. Absolutely jump on the MOFI SACD.
     
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  17. vonwegen

    vonwegen Forum Resident

    Krieg Wunderlich is the other mastering engineer with them. Here's the Discogs Link to him--Krieg Wunderlich

    He just did SRV's Texas Flood for MoFi.
     
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  18. Joti Cover

    Joti Cover Forum Resident

    Exactly. And he seems to mostly or exclusively handling vinyl format these days.
     
  19. Linger63

    Linger63 Forum Resident

    Location:
    AUSTRALIA
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  20. Bill Mac

    Bill Mac Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
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  21. ricks

    ricks Senior Member

    Location:
    127.0.0.1:443
    "Finally, when all of that was complete, the mix went to redacted at redacted where he performed the final mastering, EQ and compression."

    I do remember that article from back when it was new; They seemed so very proud that they sent there work away to have "compression" added during mastering. cough:m0r0ns:cough

    They did get their moneys worth as all those pesky Dynamic were completely removed.
     
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  22. HumbleBy

    HumbleBy Forum Resident

    Location:
    Denmark
    Just purchased a still sealed copy of the MFSL BIA SACD on Discogs.
    Thanks for the advice, guys.

    Now the wait until the discs arrive......
    In the meantime, I will with great interest read your impressions of the sound.
     
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  23. PH416156

    PH416156 Alea Iacta Est

    Location:
    Europe
    Actually I hope they sound like crap :D ;), so I won't have to buy these albums again.
     
    George P and c-eling like this.
  24. Sedwards

    Sedwards Senior Member

    From what I've heard of the MM and SOG SACD's, I'm sorry to report you're SOL. Open wallet, spend $$.
     
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  25. MikeT

    MikeT Prior Forum Cretin and Current Impatient Creep

    Location:
    New Jersey, USA
    I listened to the Self titled and Communique SACDs last night. They do sound nice - without comparing them to any of the multitude of other digital version I have of these albums I can't say if they are better than any other version or not. Regardless, they were very nice sounding, but they didn't blow me away. I will listen to Making Movies and Love Over Gold today and see if they sound as stellar as others seem to report.

    I am really looking forward to receiving the 4 MFSL 45rpm LP sets.
     
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