Just listened to the MFSL "The YES Album" YES CD!

headrott

Well, I finally got a chance to listen to the Mobile Fidelity Gold CD of "The YES Album". Before I go into the experience of listening to it, I'll let you know that I own literally just about (released from all major CD manufacturing countries anyway)every other version of this CD. That is, the original (unremastered) U.S. CD. The unremastered Japan CD, and the unremastered German CD. I also own every remastered version out there. The U.S. (Joe Gastwirt (or is it George Marino, I forget) version), the original Japanese remastered version (that came out in about 1992), the Japanese "Mini-LP", and the U.S. Rhino remastered release. OK, yes I am an over the top YES fanatic.:D

I will just say that I put in the MFSL disc, sat down and pushed play on the CD player remote. "Yours is no disgrace" started and immediately I noticed the audio that came from this MFSL CD absolutely blew away EVERY other version of this CD. The other masterings of this CD did not come close to this one. The smoothness, clarity, tonality and stereo separation were absolutely phenominal. I had not heard the stereo separation this good with this album, including with the original LP. I have heard this album probably over 500 times (at least, but that's a guess) and it never sounded as good as this release does. If you enjoy this album, all I can say is BUY IT! There is no way you can be dissapointed with what you will hear. I just hope Mobile Fidelity put's out more YES releases. Say like Close to the edge, Tales from topographic oceans, Relayer, and Going for the one. If they do, I will buy it without a doubt.

Greg

cnh

That's good to know. I'd definitely pick this up. Don't have much in the way of Yes on CD...period. But that's because I was there when the original vinyl came out.

500 times! Hey...that's what our gear is for--you like it, you play it!

cnh

F1nut

Greg, what's the latest on the Audio Fidelity YES CD that you were not happy with?

hearingimpared

Greg, last year I got the rerelease of "The Yes Album" LP and it is spectacular. I can't remember if it is an MFSL release or not. In any case I love it and it beats hands down any LP I have of it. I'll have to dig it up to get who put it out.

nooshinjohn

hearingimpared wrote: »

Greg, last year I got the rerelease of "The Yes Album" LP and it is spectacular. I can't remember if it is an MFSL release or not. In any case I love it and it beats hands down any LP I have of it. I'll have to dig it up to get who put it out.

I would be interested in the vinyl....

hearingimpared

nooshinjohn wrote: »

I would be interested in the vinyl....

I'll dig it up later on and give you the information on it.

pitdogg2

I always thought that "The Yes Album and 90120" should of been done in SACD 2ch and 5.1

indyhawg

That is a great album by a great band. That is my second favorite Yes album behind Relayer. I just may have to listen to it later. Glad to hear the MF version sounds so good.

CTTE

Thanks for the review. I'm going to get this one. Which version of "Fragile" do you like best?

hearingimpared

CTTE wrote: »

Thanks for the review. I'm going to get this one. Which version of "Fragile" do you like best?

I have an old Japanese LP pressing from the '80s that is fantastic except for one problem; they had to gain to high so you can hear the tape hiss. UGH! A lesson on how to screw up a great pressing.

headrott

F1nut wrote: »

Greg, what's the latest on the Audio Fidelity YES CD that you were not happy with?

Jesse,

I e-mailed AF through their web site about the CD. I recieved a response from the president of the company Marshall Blonstein. I explained the situation with the CD and told him the audio equipment I used to listen to it. I explained that the vocals were pushed way far back, the drums sounded dull and too far back in the mix, and that the overall sound sounded dull and like a veil was put over my audio system when listening this CD. I also stated that the stereo separation was less than the other 3 versions of the CD I owned. I also asked if anyone else has complained about this CD. His response was that out of the thousands of CD's that have been sold, only a handfull of people have complained about the sound. He tried to blame the poor sound I heard on the mixing and production of the original recording.

I responded with a reminder that I owned 3 other versions of this CD and that they do not have the dull lifeless sound to them as the AF CD does, and that the vocals do not sound pushed back like they do with the AF CD. Also, the stereo separation was much better on the other 3 CD's. I pointed out that it was absolutely not the mixing and/or production that was the problem as I had 3 other versions of the CD to compare it with. I also pointed out that I realize that my observations are subjective, but they are very real observations that were done while actively sitting and listening to the CD's. They were not done in a passive (background music) way.

Basically, he wrote a short response that we would have to stay in disagreement on the issue, and that as I had stated they were my observations on the subject. And basically "thanked me" for sharing them...............:rolleyes:. Basically, he tried to make it seem like I am hearing things that others are not, and my listening observations were just my crazy ears and brain.

Also Jesse I did relisten to the CD at a higher volume, but it still sounds dull and lifeless to me. Also, the stereo separations didn't improve.;)

Needless to say, I don't think I will be buying any more Audio Fidelity CD's based off of the experience I had with this one.

Greg

F1nut

Thanks for the update.

Hmmmmm......Maybe you should ask him why it's no longer listed as available on their site and why there is no reference to it on SH's site.

That said, I have many AF gold CD's and they are all excellent, so don't let that one put you off.

Polkitup2

I was interested in the AF Styx Grand Illusion release but saw too many reviews like this:

"This gold CD release is not worth the price and really isn't an upgrade. Compared with the original CD this disc lacks passion and involvement. I actually still prefer the original CD because it is engaging and fun to listen to.

This gold CD does have increased detail and resolution, but somehow it comes off as sterile and analytical. I have listened to it several times with an open mind and really tried to like it, but I still find myself reaching for the original US CD release. Do yourself a favor and spend the cash on another disc.

This is not a rant against Audio Fidelity in the least, they certainly have released some great sounding CDs. However, this particular release is a fail in my opinion. Better luck next time AF."

If anyone has a different opinion I'd like to hear it.

headrott

I listened to this CD again today (The YES Album) by MFSL. I must say that is CD is (once again) fantastic! Yours is no disgrace has stereo separation to die for on this release! The clarity is outstanding and the highs, mids and lows are absolutley phenominal!

IF YOU DO NOT OWN THE MFSL VERSION OF THE YES ALBUM, YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED TO BUY IT!!!!!! There is no way you can be disappointed with this mastering!!

decal

headrott wrote: »

Jesse,

I e-mailed AF through their web site about the CD. I recieved a response from the president of the company Marshall Blonstein. I explained the situation with the CD and told him the audio equipment I used to listen to it. I explained that the vocals were pushed way far back, the drums sounded dull and too far back in the mix, and that the overall sound sounded dull and like a veil was put over my audio system when listening this CD. I also stated that the stereo separation was less than the other 3 versions of the CD I owned. I also asked if anyone else has complained about this CD. His response was that out of the thousands of CD's that have been sold, only a handfull of people have complained about the sound. He tried to blame the poor sound I heard on the mixing and production of the original recording.

I responded with a reminder that I owned 3 other versions of this CD and that they do not have the dull lifeless sound to them as the AF CD does, and that the vocals do not sound pushed back like they do with the AF CD. Also, the stereo separation was much better on the other 3 CD's. I pointed out that it was absolutely not the mixing and/or production that was the problem as I had 3 other versions of the CD to compare it with. I also pointed out that I realize that my observations are subjective, but they are very real observations that were done while actively sitting and listening to the CD's. They were not done in a passive (background music) way.

Basically, he wrote a short response that we would have to stay in disagreement on the issue, and that as I had stated they were my observations on the subject. And basically "thanked me" for sharing them...............:rolleyes:. Basically, he tried to make it seem like I am hearing things that others are not, and my listening observations were just my crazy ears and brain.

Also Jesse I did relisten to the CD at a higher volume, but it still sounds dull and lifeless to me. Also, the stereo separations didn't improve.;)

Needless to say, I don't think I will be buying any more Audio Fidelity CD's based off of the experience I had with this one.

Greg

headrott wrote: »

IF YOU DO NOT OWN THE MFSL VERSION OF THE YES ALBUM, YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED TO BUY IT!!!!!! There is no way you can be disappointed with this mastering!!

I totally respect your opinion but, I'm sure someone would be disappointed with this release, just as you were with the AF one according to your rant above. People perceive sound differently, that's a fact.

headrott

decal wrote: »

I totally respect your opinion but, I'm sure someone would be disappointed with this release, just as you were with the AF one according to your rant above. People perceive sound differently, that's a fact.

Have you heard the MFSL mastered "The YES Album"?

dromunds

Just saw John Anderson acoustic solo about two weeks ago, really fine show. He had some health issues a few years back but his voice is recovered. Did a fine set list made up of Yes classics and also his own solo stuff. Then I purchased his solo album (vinyl) Alias from 1975 or so, and also Chris Squire's solo album Fish Out Of Water from the same period, also on vinyl. Both appeared to be unplayed and were $10 or less. I was unfamiliar with their solo work and both are very good. Alias, especially, will give your system a fine workout. If you get a chance to see John in concert, definitely check it out.

dromunds

Oops. Meant to type Jon Anderson. Too early for brain function.

decal

headrott wrote: »

Have you heard the MFSL mastered "The YES Album"?

Yes, I have. I think it's very well done.

headrott

decal wrote: »

Yes, I have. I think it's very well done.

Exactly.

decal

Never mind.