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?
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
The MFSL BIA is a very good mastering, although I prefer the SHM-SACD a bit. The best two pressings IMO
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.
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
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.
I'm sure it's the same mix but I prefer the SQ of the Brothers In Arms DVD-A 5.1 mix when compared to the SACD. Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms
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.
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.
I reckon there might be a bit more to it than that........ Brothers in Arms 20th Anniversary Edition High-Resolution Mixing in 5.1 — the Chuck Ainlay Way | Features | HighFidelityReview - Hi-Fi systems, DVD-Audio and SACD reviews ..........scroll to last paragraph. And Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms - SACD vs. DVD-A
Thanks for posting those two links . It seems that I'm not the only one that prefers the 5.1 mix on the DVD-A compared to the SACD.
"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.
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.
From what I've heard of the MM and SOG SACD's, I'm sorry to report you're SOL. Open wallet, spend $$.
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.