MFSL vs SHM

TrashyTrucker

Hey all,

NoOb question?
What is all the glam about these two? I understand what they are in all, but not sure if they are worth the investment? Are they simply collectors or are they what they are supposed to be?
Just wanted to start this thread for various opinions.


Matt :biggrin:

TrashyTrucker

Guys,
I guess what I am after is...
Is the overall tonal qualities or sonics merit the huge costs?
Or is it simply a matter of preference?


I presently do not own either one, so that why I am asking.

thanks,
Matt :biggrin:

F1nut

MFSL and other small remastering companies are about getting the best sound possible from the original master tapes. SHM is about re-releasing commerical masterings using a new, optically clear coating on the disc. In theory this allows the laser to see more information and therefore result in better sound.

SHM-SACD is an entirely different ballgame compared to SHM-CD.

Generally speaking, releases from MFSL are as good as it gets and well worth the money.

mrbigbluelight

Learn something new everyday.

I definitely defer to the vinyl guys on this issue, but reading up on MSFL, saw that they had a category UHQR ("Ultra High Quality Recording").
Limited to 5000 pressings, 200 gram virgin Super vinyl, Ortofon cutter ...... whew.
There were only 8 UHQR releases:

Crime of the Century, Supertramp
Dark Side of the Moon, Floyd
Finger Paintings, Earl Klugh
Tea For The Tillerman, Cat Stevens
I Robot, Alan Parsons
Sgt. Peppers, Beatles
and two classical titles,
Fest Romane and Gustav Holst's The Planets.

On Ebay, these go for a premium price:

looks like a sealed " I, Robot" goes for $925 on Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SEALED-MFSL-UHQR-ROBOT-Alan-Parsons-Audiophile-/370439858757?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item563fefaa45

Unopened mint Sgt. Pepper's LHCB going for $1300.
http://cgi.ebay.com/BEATLES-Sgt-Peppers-Lonely-Hearts-Club-Band-UHQR-/180567948283?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item2a0ab03bfb


Interesting discussion at Better Records ( home of the Hot Stampers) regarding MOFI and MOFI's DSOTM pressing.

http://www.dccblowout.com/product.aspx?pf_id=pinkfdarks_mofi


Looks like if you have the gear worthy of these pressings, they're worth the money.

decal

To say that anything on mofi is the best is a vast overstatement,IMHO.There are duds on mofi and shm just like any other label/format.Just because someone else likes a certain recording doesn't mean you will like it.You have to experience it for yourself.As far as your question "are they worth it",that's entirely up to you also.

PSOVLSK

Keiko wrote: »

I believe the MFSL, DSotM Gold CD to be better than the SACD version, for example.

:mad:Now why did you have to go and post this AFTER I ordered DSotM on SACD last night:biggrin:

pmckeealaska

I don't have an MFSL and SHM copy of the same album so I cant speak to which sounds better. However, I do own a few MFSL's and SHM's and now two SHM-SACD's. I can say that without a doubt, my MFSL of Rush's Permanent Waves blows both the original and the 1997 remaster out of the water. In addition, I prefer my SHM copies of Moving Pictures and Hemispheres to the remaster versions for overall sonics and dynamics, even though I think the remasters are superior to the original CD releases. To me, the SHM discs sound much warmer (read vinyl-like) than the remastered CD versions. Meanwhile, my SHM-SACD of Steely Dan's Aja blows my original MCA CD out of the water....no contest. I just got Who's Next on SHM-SACD but havent played it yet so I cant say anything in terms of an A/B comparison with my original CD release. That review is coming soon!

Toolfan66

MOFI/MFSL is my friend!! An expensive friend but worth every penny!! I find most standard/original vinyl better then most standard CD's, if there in great shape that is, and cleaned well.

headrott

Keiko wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, the SACD is still good. This, I have heard anyway, is supposed to be the Holy Grail of DSotM.

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Side-Moon-Japan-Press/dp/B000M2UQDC

Can't confirm it, since I've never heard this particular pressing, but it's supposed to be even better than the MFSL version.

Yes Mike! This version of the CD (the first pressing) is very very good. I don't own the MFSL or SACD of this CD though so I cannot compare. I do know that this version DSOTM sounds extremely good though. Although the Harvest first pressing (U.S. CD made in Japan) is probably better than the one you posted, but it's close. Highly recommended.

Greg

snow

Not sure why people are hung up on DSOTM there are so many better albums by Pink Floyd than DSOTM.



REGARDS SNOW

Toolfan66

Animals is my favorite..

Wasn't the snowman in Smokey and the Bandit?? lol

snow

Keiko wrote: »

Actually, there is no dark side of the moon. It's all dark, snowman.

Hows the weather there Mike? its still way too hot here -2 at the moment and I have the AC running, it snowed on my AC yesterday :biggrin:

REGARDS SNOW

snow

Keiko wrote: »

Moist and wet.

Isnt that kinda the same?



REGARDS SNOW

snow

Keiko wrote: »

It's how I like my PIE!

I like mine warm and wet fresh baked you might say



REGARDS SNOW

hearingimpared

mrbigbluelight wrote: »

Learn something new everyday.

I definitely defer to the vinyl guys on this issue, but reading up on MSFL, saw that they had a category UHQR ("Ultra High Quality Recording").
Limited to 5000 pressings, 200 gram virgin Super vinyl, Ortofon cutter ...... whew.
There were only 8 UHQR releases:

Crime of the Century, Supertramp
Dark Side of the Moon, Floyd
Finger Paintings, Earl Klugh
Tea For The Tillerman, Cat Stevens
I Robot, Alan Parsons
Sgt. Peppers, Beatles
and two classical titles,
Fest Romane and Gustav Holst's The Planets.

On Ebay, these go for a premium price:

looks like a sealed " I, Robot" goes for $925 on Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SEALED-MFSL-UHQR-ROBOT-Alan-Parsons-Audiophile-/370439858757?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item563fefaa45

Unopened mint Sgt. Pepper's LHCB going for $1300.
http://cgi.ebay.com/BEATLES-Sgt-Peppers-Lonely-Hearts-Club-Band-UHQR-/180567948283?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item2a0ab03bfb


Interesting discussion at Better Records ( home of the Hot Stampers) regarding MOFI and MOFI's DSOTM pressing.

http://www.dccblowout.com/product.aspx?pf_id=pinkfdarks_mofi


Looks like if you have the gear worthy of these pressings, they're worth the money.

Rick they are all awesome pressings. I still have "I Robot" and "Fingerpainting" but the rest are long gone. Now the asking prices are really high but they are worth the money if they are in good condition however I wouldn't pay over $300 for one because that would just seem like insanity.

mrbigbluelight

snow wrote: »

Not sure why people are hung up on DSOTM there are so many better albums by Pink Floyd than DSOTM. REGARDS SNOW

My personal favorite is "Umma Gumma". The record is not the best example, IMO, of vinyl pressing/mastering (kind of ...... "mumphy" ?), but ..... ahhhhhh, "Umma Gumma". Careful with that axe, Eugene and set the controls for the heart of the sun.

I've also cleared it with management and obtained permission to be allowed to kick anyone in the balls who names, "The Wall" as the best Pink Floyd album. Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but .... not that one.

hearingimpared wrote: »

Rick they are all awesome pressings. I still have "I Robot" and "Fingerpainting" but the rest are long gone. Now the asking prices are really high but they are worth the money if they are in good condition however I wouldn't pay over $300 for one because that would just seem like insanity.

I agree. Although, if I had $1000 + for vinyl purchases, I'd sure have the gear that would make good use of it. Right now, my "Close N' Play" would plow through it like an Amish farmer on crack, so ......
I'd have a bit of a hard time buying an UHQR listed as "VG++" off of Ebay. What kind of torture must that vinyl have gone through to drop from AAA+++ Stellar ? Kids use it to ladle sand out of the sandbox ?

Not derailing the thread (I hope), but Direct-to-Disk used to be an option back in the day. Used to have an album by Lee Ritnour that was D2D that was very interesting. That technology went the way of the buffalo, though, because the demands of recording an entire side of an album, non-stop, and live was too tough for both the artist/band and the technical people.

headrott

Meddle.

Greg

pmckeealaska

I love Animals but my personal fave is The Final Cut. Yes, it's more like a Waters solo album with Pink Floyd as backup musicians (except for Wright of course) but I just love the music and the lyrics. I always keep coming back to that album. The title track, "The Gunners Dream" and "Two Suns in the Sunset" are absolute masterpieces in my opinion.

pmckeealaska

I really love my MFSL copy of Permanent Waves... I mean it is simply the best I've heard that album, but I really dont care for the new cardboard packaging that MFSL chose to use for this release. I really baby my discs, but it's been damn near impossible to keep the case on this album prisitine. The inevitable indentations are already there and, being type A, they're really getting to me. Has anyone recently bought any MFSL releases and if so, are they using the cardboard casing rather than the old jewel cases they used to use? I was looking to get one or two of the upcoming SRV SACD releases, but I'd be hesitant if they come in the same packaging my Rush CD came in. Am I the only one who's annoyed by this??

pmckeealaska

I've seen the Black Triangle CD's of DSOTM of ebay for various prices. Some are in the $50 range while others are hundreds of dollars. What is the difference? Are these different pressings? How does the Black Triangle version compare to the SACD?

pmckeealaska

I have bids in on ebay for the MFSL copies of Rush's 2112 and Moving Pictures albums. I expect there to be fierce biddning towards then end for both. Of those that own both, which would you consider the priority to have based on quality of sound? Just need to have an idea whoch one to be more aggrssive on? i'm the high bidder on both at the moment.

pmckeealaska

Well, I lost out on the MFSL Moving Pictures but I did win the MFSL copy of 2112. So now, I have that and the MFSL of Signals on the way. Going to do some A/B between them and the remasters I have. Looking forward to it. Will have to be a little more aggressive in my bidding to get Moving Pictures I think.

headrott

pmckeealaska wrote: »

Well, I lost out on the MFSL Moving Pictures but I did win the MFSL copy of 2112. So now, I have that and the MFSL of Signals on the way. Going to do some A/B between them and the remasters I have. Looking forward to it. Will have to be a little more aggressive in my bidding to get Moving Pictures I think.

Yes, I have 2112 and it sounds good. Haven't heard the remaster though so I can't compare. I would be interested in your impressions of moving pictures though compared to the remaster.

Greg

pmckeealaska

For Moving Pictures I have the original CD release, the remaster CD and the SHM-CD. Of the three, I prefer the SHM version. In fact, I prefer the SHM version of all the Rush CD's I have to their original and remaster counterparts (I have Moving Pictures, Hemispheres and Power Windows on SHM). To me, the SHM is the closest CD has ever got to vinyl. Once I get the MFSl copies of 2112 and Signals, I'll compare them to the remasters. If I ever get the MFSL of Moving Pictures I'll have 4 different versions to compare to one another. That should allow me to find out which is the best version I would think!

pmckeealaska

My MFSL copy of Signals arrived today. Did a comparison of it with the original CD and the remaster and there is no comparison. The MFSL wins hands down on all fronts. Detail is fantastic and the sound is just "rich" for lack of a better term. The MFSL of 2112 is in the mail now....cant wait!

TrashyTrucker

Yes Mfsl rules,

I just bought and reviewed some MFSL disc's:
DSOTM - Pink Floyd
Bridge of sighs - Robin Trower
I robot - Alan P project
tales of mystery and ... - Alan P project
2112 - Rush

on the way...
Frampton comes ... - Peter Frampton
Good bye yellow... - Elton John
Tommy - The Who


Also purchased and reviewed some SHM cd's

Never say die - Black Sabbath
Heaven and Hell - Black Sabbath
Mob Rules - Black Sabbath


All the mfsl's are a treat! definately worth the extra jack.
tales of mystery and imagination was retrieved from the op and is
different than my remasters version. (w/o Orson Welles) and some other things are different.
The mfsl's also seem much cleaner and words sound more straight forward and understandable.
The mfsl's are definately a new welcomed addition to my audio experience/adventure.
The shm cds are still in the burn in mode? However I did noticed more bottom end on the heaven and hell and mob rules. As far as being too bright, I dont think so.

Thanks guys my .02 worth,
Matt :biggrin:

hearingimpared

pmckeealaska wrote: »

My MFSL copy of Signals arrived today. Did a comparison of it with the original CD and the remaster and there is no comparison. The MFSL wins hands down on all fronts. Detail is fantastic and the sound is just "rich" for lack of a better term. The MFSL of 2112 is in the mail now....cant wait!

There probably isn't and SACD release of "Signals", Danny or Jesse correct me if I'm wrong, but it would be interesting to hear a head to head of the MoFi vs a good SACD release.

Hey Chris,

You want to blow your mind!?! See if you can get a copy of MFSL's "The Power & the Glory" I and II. Your heart will jump out of your chest!

pmckeealaska

There are no Rush albums in SACD unfortunately....someday I hope!

vmaxer

I only have one MFSL:

The Doobie Brothers - Takin' It To The Streets Ultradisc UHR™ SACD

I do really like it. Wish I could buy a bunce.

TrashyTrucker

I learned about MFSL and SHM cd's here on the forum. I have learned so much here, thanks for ALL the good reads guys.


Matt

brgman

I'd like to drag this thread back up with this question.
With MoFi doing new SACD's of of old favorites like SRV and Allman Brothers Fillmore etc,what is your opinion of SACD vs the 24kt Gold ultradiscs of old?
Is the Gold still the standard bearer or has SACD kicked them to the curb?
Then you get into these SHM and XRCD up and comers so i guess it never ends.
I have more copies of ABB Fillmore than i can friggin count! And the SRV stuff is not far behind...