Steve & Frank,

24/96 or higher digital res. vinyl can be rather good if you compare it to a Red Book CD as I experienced with the Hooverphonic vinyl above.

Another good case in point is the Naim's own vinyl releases which some of them are digitally recorded and put on a vinyl and certainly I prefer this over the CD releases. Altho, the high res. files can sound good but I don't care for their latest remix with a hard pan.

I think that it gets problematic when the company put on a 16/44 or less! digital file on a vinyl start hearing definite shortcomings.

I agree if the album is recorded in analogue, sourcing the original tape would be better but tape deteriorate over time. So I bet many are in need of *restorations*. We hope an engineer with ears would work on the remastering on any reissues but...

Speaking of Kevin Gray, Friday Music has been releasing some reissues with his magic touch. Unfortunatley this wasn't one of them.

Carly Simon: No Secrets

Label: Friday Music
180g Vinyl/Stereo/USA/FRM 9007
Re-Mastering by: From the original Elektra vault tapes by Joe Reagoso at Friday Music Studios and at Capitol Mastering with Ron McMaster.
Release date: 2009

Sound Quality: 

I am almost certain this is converted to a digital file and put on the vinyl for this release. At some spot I even thought it might be 16/44 mix.

Compared to the original US pressing ( EKS 75049), this Friday Music reissue, Carly voices are distant and it's got a laid back perspective stripped of all the natural forward balance of the original. The level is lower, too. 

I wish i had a polarity switch on my phono stage just to get rid of the recessed midrange. 

Acoustic guitar intro has this synthetic glaze over it in that it does not have the natural resonance of strings being plucked. Over all a lot less micro dynamics and resolution much like listening to a CD. 

This loss of resolution is more painfully clear on a simple tune like 'When You Close Your Eyes'.

A good news is that the record manufacturing quality is high. Very little self noise and quiet surface and stable pitch.

It's a perfect record for someone who havent heard the original pressing or someone who grew up with mp3 all her/his life, this record will sound much better.

Packaging Quality: 

Printing quality is decent and I see no moiré patter on the art work. Someone spent the time to clean up the art work. 1C Paper lyric sheet is included as there is no card board inner like the original.

I've noticed that they also altered the Elektra logo on the record label. ( Friday Music Logo with an  'E' is turned into an 'F' ) Also note that the colour and sharpness of the reissue label are off.

I think the sound of this reissue is worse than the MOV Hooverphonic.

Steve,

which other MOV reissues do you have?

I'd love to replace my RCA Dynaflex paper thin copy of Nilsson Schmillson and I see that MOV has the reissue out on this. 

Hi Kuma,

I have quite a few MOV reissues including the Hendrix albums, Davy Graham, Rory Gallagher, ELP to name a few. As I said most are of good but not exceptional sound quality. 2 albums that disappointed from the SQ point of view were Miles Davis 'Kind of Blue' and John Mayer ' Where The Light Is'. KOB is not a patch on the Classic Record issue or the late '60s pressing I have. The JM album just sounds very digital and compressed but I guess this was recorded digitally. What's the old saying about a pigs ear and silk purse?

Overall I would generally give the MOV LPs 3/5 for SQ but only 2/5 for KOB and JM.

One reissue I'm enjoying at the moment is the 45rpm reissue of 'Friday Night in San Francisco' by Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin and Paco De Lucia which is as near to 5/5 for SQ as you could find. Recommended.

ATB

Steve

Crikey Steve, My MOV Kind Of Blue sounds spectacular.

And bear in mind that the 60s pressing you have was done at the wrong speed on side 1...

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

I have a Music On Vinyl copy of Focus III by Focus, and an original A1/B1 pressing in good nick to compare it with.

The MOV copy is wonderful and I can honestly say stacks up brilliantly against the original.

They do present differently from each other, but I am unable to state a preference. Having said that I seem to find the MOV my 'go to' copy.

I have yet to hear anything below par from these guys.

Cheers

David

Hi Frank,

I think David has probably hit the nail on the head saying that the MOV LPs 'present differently'. The MOV's tend have a very forward 'loud' element to them which compared to, in KOB's case, my earlier repressing and CR issue I feel gives a lack of clarity. It's personal preference and, as I mentioned, I don't think the MOV albums I have are significantly poor in SQ, it's just that they're not the best I've heard. I definitely think their Bob Dylan issues are significantly better than the Sundazed copies but even then they aren't a patch on the '60s or even early '70s repressings.

ATB

Steve

Steve,

Thanks. Which label is that on?

Also, do you have MOV ELP Brain Salad Surgery?
If so, how is it compared to the UK original?

Hi Kuma,

The label is ORG, Original Recordings Group. Mastered by Bernie Grundman. I bought it from Acoustic Sounds.

I have the first 2 ELP albums on MOV. My originals are very crackly and these are good substitutes. I don't have BSS but I think it's worth a punt if you don't have a good original.

ATB

Steve

Thanks Steve.

Looks like MOV Brain Salad Surgery is already out of print!

Kuma

You can still get a copy at www.juno.co.uk. They are a great online store - extremely fast and reliable, albeit this side of the pond. Only one left I think.

Cheers

David

Thanks David, 

But a quick search did not turn up so probably it's gone.

Kuma - well that's the downside of a public forum!! It was there when I posted. Juno don't keep lots of copies (we are only a small island) and I reckon someone spotted this thread and went and snapped it up.

Come on confess, whoever you are!!

All is not lost - there are copies available on www.discogs.com, and even one your side of the pond. And at www.jpc.de there is a copy in stock. They package and post with typical German efficiency, and you may get a good exchange rate with the euro being so out of favour.

This is a lesson to me - I really thought the last Emerson Lake & Palmer fan had died out in 1978.

The MOV BSS (MOVLP271) appears to be available from the likes of The Rock Box, badlands and decks dot de for £28.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Picked up a limited edition original master recording by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab of Dixie Chicken by Little Feat. Oh my god what terrible sound quality, it sounds all muffled and the sound stage diminishes to that of a transistor radio, must make a note of avoiding this label in the future.

Tim

David & Frank.

Thanks for the links but the pricing and shipping are bit dear for me to take a gamble.

I bought the album when it came out back in Japan cuz I thought the die cut Giger album cover was so cool.

Picked up a limited edition original master recording by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab of Dixie Chicken by Little Feat. Oh my god what terrible sound quality, it sounds all muffled and the sound stage diminishes to that of a transistor radio, must make a note of avoiding this label in the future.

Tim,

MOFI SQ has always been a disappointment for me in the past and I promised myself I wouldn't buy any more. A dealer I was speaking to last week said they had improved but your comments have reinforced my resolve not to be tempted. Thank you.

ATB

Steve

hmm.. I don't have the MOFI 'Dixie Chicken' but I did pick up the new MOFI Waiting for Columbus'. it's been a while since I have listened but 'muffled and small soundstage' wasn't the case. I need to pull it out against the original US issue. 

It might be title dependent but I found the new MOFI a lot more consistent albeit I haven't had a good luck with their Gray Label issue. ( Stevie Wonder 'Talking Book' )

So this afternoon, I've managed to listen to the Waiting for Columbus. I know this release has been out for a few years but since Tom above mentioned other MOFI Little Feat pressing I've decided to revisit this one.

Waiting for Columbus: Little Feat

Numbered Limited-Edition GAIN 2™ Ultra Analog 180-gram LP ( No.000376) / MFSL 2-322 US
Re-mastering by: Shawn R. Britton at Mobile Fidelity Lab.  
1/2 Speed Mastered from the Original Master Tapes ( altho, it does not state what generation )
Release date: 2010

Sound Quality: 
I've compared to the original Warner Bros. US pressing (2BS 3140) which is a lively sounding disc but the top end gets congested and flattened. The self noise is also high-ish. Very thin standard record with limited frequency extensions.

 Original WB

I expect a lower noise floor and better extensions off a MOFI record but sometimes they *re-engineer* things making the music over polished and polite affair. 

However, this release isn't. I get all the hi-fi trimmings but the overall presentation and image projections unchanged from the original pressing. The top end isn't compressed so a lot less distortion which able me to turn up more volume. Unlike other MOFI discis this one actually restores presence to the vocal/midrange. A good call on the mastering. Each instruments get more realistic tonal colour and well-proportioned thunderous bass!

I know there are a lot of reissues out on this title but I am happy with this one.

Packaging Quality: 
Standard MOFI card board packaging. 4C outer heavy card board gate fold jacket with a MOFI rice paper inner with a Sell Sheet. Standard black MOFI record label.

Anyway I had a vastly different experience from Tims Little Feat Dixie Chicken MOFI release. I do think that the current MOFI is better in terms of consistency and mastering quality than the old release ( for the most part, they've done away with a silly smily EQ ) but the sound quality seems to vary by titles and maybe the engineers.

I have just played the MOFI 45rpm 2 disc Bob Dylan Freewheelin and it is excellent imo. I also have the Costello 45rpm 2 disc Get Happy which is also excellent and far far superior to my original UK pressing to my ears anyway.

I guess some reissues fare better than others!!

I agree 100% with respect to the Freewheelin' Dylan. Very nicely done.

Bob Dylan: The Freewheelin'

Cut'n'paste from matt's other post:

I really like the 45 rpm Freewheelin' Bobster. I have two mono copies, an original Columbia and a Sundazed reissue. SInce the Mofi is stereo it is a bit like apples and oranges. For the mono I still prefer the Columbia. The Mofi has a lot of presence and immediacy and sounds downright great. If you are a fan of the early work of Mr. Z. I would recommend the Mofi very highly.

Los Lobos: By the LIght of the Moon

Cut'n'paste from matt's other post:

The Los Lobos Mofi has a bit more clarity and detail. if there is any thing I didn't like it would be that it was a bit more polite sounding than  my original.

Premmyboy & matt.

Can you look at the back of the Dylan jacket and see who was the engineer on the disc?

That's a 45 rpm disc so I'd reckkon it's got a lot going for it.

Cool Struttin’: Sonny Clark (Mono)

Label: Classic Records/Blue Note Numbered Limited-Edition 200-gram QUIEX SV-P vinyl ( No.000376) / BN1588
Re-mastering by: There is a BG initial on dead wax. ( Bernie Grundman? ) from the original master tapes and cut the album using tall analog and tube amplified mastering process
Release date: 2010

Sound Quality:
The only thing I could compare to is the ’87 digital transfer stereo version (BLJ 81588 with bar code ) which they used for the original 1987 CD release. Digital remastering is done by Ron Mcmaster( Capitol Records ) Note that the cover art is flipped for the Stereo pressing. 

1987 Digital Mastered Stereo Reissue LP and a mono CD.

The Classic Records 200g mono reissue has a quite a different balance from the Mcmaster version which in spite suffers from lack of bits compared to the all analogue Classic Records reissue, for the overall  presentation BLJ pressing is closer to what I think of Van Gelder mastering. 

Classic Records version has a warmer tonal balance, less in your face and a lot more resolution and ambient air around the notes which shows up on the cymbal shimmers and drum hits. The instruments sound a bit more real to me. 

Both records don’t have a very clear piano presence which is odd considering Clark is a piano player. The piano is set back from the rest. Mcmaster version might have a slight edge but let down by clangy card board like tone.

I wish the new version had a bit more of forward presence in the midrange but considering the original mono in mint is going at over 2k USD, ( currently 1 day left with 13 bids at over 2k and  reserve not met! ) I think I am pretty happy with this. There is a Kevin Gray 45rpm version but not keen on getting up at every tune. 

Packaging Quality: 
Nothing fancy but the art work has a yellow/sepia cast but it’s reasonably sharp and bright printing on a heavy cover stock. Which they have duplicated a shiny laminate but they cheaped out on this reissue.

The label is a duplicate of the original Micro Groove blue/white label. A rice paper inner and liner notes text is sharp and black.

The record is flat and free of pops and clicks even before being washed. Pity that is is slightly off center and there is non-fil grooves at the tail end of Side A however. So it seems this has some  production issues.

Hi Kuma,

I've recently purchased the Music Matters 45rpm Stereo version of this Sonny Clark album.

The packaging is top notch with a heavy gatefold sleeve with archive pictures of the session inside.

The albums are very well pressed with nicely centred labels although they haven't reproduced the Deep Groove like Classic Records. I've also had a couple of CR issues with off centred labels.

180g silent pressings with no visible or audible flaws.

Sound quality is superb. I don't have any other pressing of this particular record but compared to others that I do have this pressing is first rate and better than other Analogue Production 45rpm albums I have, although SQ of these are very good the pressings are not as silent.

Overall this package is almost perfect. No complaints at all.

ATB

Steve

Ooops Sorry. Hi Kuma It says mastered by Krieg Wunderlich assisted by  Shawn R. Britton.

Steve,

45 rpm records usually sounds a lot better than the 33 so I am not surprised by that. The problem is there are so many reissues around on this title it's mind boggling.

A big question for me is which one to get out of the 33 rpm reissues. Curious about the Japan EMI reissue that came out last year.(DBLP-007) As a rule, I am leery of Japanese pressings but this one is done by Kevin Gray and they claim that mastering was done from the original tapes.
Someone must have snapped them up. They came out last December and already out of print, however.

Thanks Premmyboy.