The Dark Side of the Moon - MFSL Gold Version - This recording speaks for itself in terms of production quality, this is a long-standing reference recording. The MFSL Gold CD version of this CD is EXCELLENT. I have been a part of the ultra high-end audio industry for over 30 years and only listen to reference quality systems, this transfer is incredibly well done. There are no gain (volume issues) or any lack of resolution in any area. I don t think the performance advantages over the standard and SACD versions are subtle. This is well worth the investment, and becoming rare. Buy it while its available ~
Buy This Over The Japanese Version With OBI Strip - I recently purchased the Japanese version with the obi strip $200.00. Please save your money and buy this Mo-Fi version. I have both now. The Japanese (so called collectors issue) is slightly and I mean slightly better. The only way to tell the difference is if you have a high end system as I do. So again please save your $$$$$$$$ and buy the Mo-Fi cd which I rate as a 3 and the Japanese version as a 3.1 for sound quality.
You can get higher volume, but the quality falls with it. - This is a wonderful version of a wonderful album. One of the best things about the Mobile Fidelity CDs is that they allow a far better dynamic range in the music. Most CDs are engineered for maximum volume, at the price of music quality. There is a limit to how loud any sound on a CD can be. To make it sound louder the engineer compresses the sound, making more of the middle level sounds reach this maximum, causing a muddiness that can t be EQ d out. MFSL Ultradisks will not sound as loud or blown out as a normal CD, and some people can t hear the difference in quality this allows because they re used to listening to garbage. Loudness is not quality, neither is the artificial emphasis that some engineers put on the highs to compensate for the horrible compression that has to be used to make a CD sound louder. The tremendous improvement in imaging this version has is instantly obvious to me. If it isn t loud enough invest in a better pre-amp. Your system isn t as good as you thought it was - just loud.
Best Sound You Can Get - I had many issues of this album. I had it on LP, on ordinary CD, on CD from the Box Set and Japan LP version. I also listen and compared MOFI CD with SACD version. In the end MOFI Gold disc sounds the best. For those who have difficulty hearing I recommend syringing their ears first.
Great Album but Poor Sound Quality - Thank goodness this was a gift from a friend although after listening to the disc, I m beginning to wonder if I know the reason why he gave it to me so freely! DSOTM is a unique sonic experience and should be something you listen to uninterrupted with the best system that you have and preferably with your eyes closed and reclining in a somewhat horizontal plane. As a guitarist myself, I m a big fan of David Gilmour and some of his best solos are on this album as well. Too bad the sound quality is so poor. I ve already missed the boat on the first issue of the Japanese mini-lp sleeve remastered version so I guess I ll have to hope for either a re-issue or if the powers that be would stop being stubborn about it and let Alan Parsons (the original sound engineer on the album) to be in charge of a new project to remaster and bring this album back to the majesty that it must have sounded like in the studio or die trying! : ) As for me, I ll just wait, wish and hope for either scenario to eventuate while trying to sell this dud gold cd version that I m stuck with for now.