Heard the Alan Parsons "I Robot" DAD

I heard the Classic Records Alan Parsons "I Robot" DAD last night. Blows away the normal CD and the "Definitive Collection" versions remastered by Alan Parsons himself.

They even left the tape hiss between cuts.

 

There should not be hiss in between cuts, there should be silent "leader" tape. If there is hiss, then it is a copy of the master, not the master.

 

I find the MFSL re-issue of I Robot to be a bit too bright. Some people like that type of sound, but it is too strong for me. It could be Stan Ricker (or Gary Giorgi if not r.i.p. at the time) fiddled the upper mid range EQ. I have been assured the MFQR (Ultra High Quality Record) version is not as bright. Unfortunately I do not have ten Benjamins to buy the record and listen.

Maybe Humorem has a copy to tell us about.

I really like he Classic DAD of I Robot. It is not bright and the sound is full bodied and just fills the room. I much prefer that sound over the LP. The guitar sound is so amazing.

I am a fan of Terry Evans and Ry Cooder so I also have Blues for Thought. The Classic DAD just kills the Virgin CD.

 

Ronald,

I believe that Gary was speaking of the cd version not the vinyl version and (IMNSHO) I've never heard another digital copy come anywhere near the MFSL (cd). The vinyl maybe a totally different animal.

 

I don't have the MFSL version to compare it with. I wish I did. I have "Tales Of Mystery & Imagination" on MFSL Gold and I like that.

As far as DAD being from the original master, here's what it says on the Classic Records website;

"The 24/96 DAD reveals ever nuance of the 1/4" analog original master used for the transfer with Alan present at the mastering sessions with Bernie Grundman. "

Maybe it's not tape hiss, but there's no fade to complete silence either.

--Dan

 

The I Robot DAD sounded great until about four minutes into the title track, around the cimbalom or kantele solo, where something weird happens.

I can't really explain it - it's like the bass response goes airborne and never quite recovers. This does not appear on any other copy of the album, vinyl or CD. I was quite disappointed when I heard this anomaly.

 

Dave, is there a MoFi gold CD version of I Robot? I think there was an aluminum MoFi version. I have not heard that one.

The MoFi LP of I Robot I have sounded really bright when I used a Sumiko Blue Point Special Cartridge at the time. When I changed to a Monster Alpha Genesis, the brightness was reduced quite a bit, but it was still a little strong for my tastes. Same thing for Steely Dan Aja.

Kym,

I will listen all the way through and see if I note what you observed.

 

Ronald,

Nope sorry. It was only available on the MFCD aluminum and on the very rare occasion when you do see it on ebay it gets huge bucks, up to $75.00 (ouch!)

Maybe you can trade cd-r's with someone on the forum who has it? I don't myself as I have a cd-r of it, but it still blows away anything that I've tried against it and I do own the Zounds gold cd (Germany).

 

I like DAD version, but the MoFi vinyl is good also

I really enjoyed hearing a 24/96 rock album, especially through my MSB Link DAC III. The sound is very good indeed. I have the 1/2 speed vinyl version by MoFI, and I think it captures a lot of nuiances that the original lp did not have. I think I will listen to them both again tonight!

 

This is not always true. Just look at what they used between tracks on Van Halen s/t.

 

Yes I do. Simply Vinyl. Blows away all MOFI and other versions I have auditioned. It is not even close. The regular MOFI release will peel the paint it's so bright! Anybody who likes that sound has clogged ear canals and should seek medical help.

 

I've been wondering about this lately. Do Lps simply exhibit surface noise between tracks? In other words, without the surface noise of the Lp, would a record have the dead silence like a CD between tracks?

Has anyone considered doing something more natural sounding between tracks of a CD. Not sure what I'm suggesting. Actually, I'm not suggesting anything...just wondering.

 

Humorem,

So what is your recommendation for us non-vinyl types?

And don't say buy a turn-table and the vinyl.

 

For the non-vinyl types, other than the Classic DAD, I would recommend the VHS/Beta versions of I Robot, but I imagine one would have better luck finding an honest person in Congress before locating the tape cartridges. See below from John Harp's site:

"Easily the rarest and hardest to find of any of the MFSL releases are those titles which were produced in the VHS and Beta digital audio tape formats. The format was abandoned in favor of compact discs by MFSL, and the big DATs were neither mass produced nor even distributed other than to fill special orders. I recently had the opportunity to talk to Gregg Schnitzer, Director of Product Development at MFSL when these babies were produced, and I asked him about them.

Were any of the VHS / Beta audio tapes actually released?

Yes. There were few consumers with that format and CD came hot on its tail. I still have a few and to this day, they're my favorite versions of Dark Side Of The Moon and I, Robot. I made each and every one of those by hand. There were way less than 100 per title and some only had a run of 25 or so. Very rare stuff. We did not create an inventory of them and only made them when there was an order. They cost twice as much to make than their retail, so we made them for the hell of it, for the quality connection. They also had the most unbelievable bullet-proof case of any Beta or VHS tape I've seen - designed by Peter Senoff. I've got a few of the boxes that I use for other VHS tapes. They are, after 20 years, indestructible and look as new.

I'd bet they were far superior sound-wise to CDs.

I would agree with you on that point as the data integrity was better on them than the first CD stuff and I was very painstaking with every one made. The crux of the matter was the playback unit used. It's like being told by a sales person that one type of DAT tape sounds better than another. That's just not true. The numbers are either there or they're not. The stability of the playback unit and D/A converters is where the difference will be given that the same data from the tape is available to each different player."

 

Simply Vinyl I Robot

Am I searching the Simply website wrong? - I can't find it there!

 

try this site:
amusicdirect.com
LSV0076 $29.99

That seems to be the going rate.

Oops it is cheaper here for $20.00
Chad's

 

Thanks John,

FINALLY! Someone who's heard the version I've been talkin' about and I'd put up any other version against it and bet that it would be better.