Beatles Cd set

[Ronflugelguy]

I was in tower records a few weeks ago and saw a complete Beatles cd in a wooden box. Import? Is it any good?

[PsychFan]

Black wooden box? If so, I bought that for my parents some years ago as a Christmas gift ... and if it's the same one, it's just full of the standard Capitol/Apple CDs. Nothing too special, except for the box and a booklet unique to it ...

[Holy Zoo]

Originally posted by Ronflugelguy
I was in tower records a few weeks ago and saw a complete Beatles cd in a wooden box. Import? Is it any good?

Same masterings as the regular cds. Nothing special (unless you love the wood box!)

[Andy]

Never under estimate the importance of a wooden box!

[Michael]

Is it still numbered? It's been around for years.

[Grant]

The wooden box might be the appropriate thing for their burial if they ever decide to actually remaster the catalog and not screw with the original mixes.:D

[Ronflugelguy]

Thanks for the info guys, I thought it might be a British remaster. Anyone have info on the Brit box set of lps from the late seventies or early eighties?:confused:

[PsychFan]

Originally posted by Ronflugelguy
Anyone have info on the Brit box set of lps from the late seventies or early eighties?

Yes, I have that (blue box, "Beatles Collection," BC 13). It's absolutely wonderful ... the mastering here kills the mastering on the CDs dead.

These black/silver-label UK repressings are not as dynamic or sweet or full of "breath of life" as black/yellow-label UK originals, but they're not too far behind, and personally I think you can't do better for stereo LPs except for those originals. (Japanese EAS issues are OK but a hair bright, and the EQ on the MoFi's is all screwed up.) And for the price -- I got mine for well under $200, all LPs mint -- you just can't go wrong.

You can get the black/silver-label issues separately too and in great shape, usually for well under $20 each (I started to get them individually, but I liked 'em so much I gave up and just tracked down the box).

[Ronflugelguy]

A great alternative to mucho expensive MOFI box set?

[PsychFan]

Originally posted by Ronflugelguy
A great alternative to mucho expensive MOFI box set?

I own four MoFi Beatle LPs: A Hard Day's Night, Beatles for Sale, the White Album, and Abbey Road. I used to own With the Beatles as well.

I A/B'd them with the versions in the "blue box" (and a few UK originals too), and when you do that, the downright bizarre EQ MoFi used becomes readily apparent. The MoFi's sound impressive and smooth on first listen, but when you compare one directly to a UK EMI (original or reissue, doesn't matter), the UK beats it, to my ears ... you can hear how those records are supposed to sound on the UK's.

I would avoid the MoFi box at all costs, unless you're a collector.

[Ronflugelguy]

I had five of them:Magical,White, Abbey Rd. Yellow Sub,Revolver,and opps six: Rubber Soul, sold them off back in 1999, the only thing is I should have waited a little longer because the prices have gone through the roof! MOFI box set goes for anywhere from $1000 to $1400 now.

[PsychFan]

Originally posted by Ronflugelguy
... the only thing is I should have waited a little longer because the prices have gone through the roof!

They sure have. The only one I've parted with (so far) was With the Beatles on eBay, and I got $250 for it ... open but near mint (I'd played it twice). I'd paid $65 for it, I think, sealed, at a record show in 1996.

I'm always amazed at how much the MoFi box sells for, but it is quite a collectible, I guess. If I were a multimillionaire, I suppose I'd like to have one, just as decoration in my huge, well-decked-out listening room ... ;)

[Ronflugelguy]

Jeff, do you know anything about the Real Stereo version fo "Magical Mystery Tour" (German LP).?

[PsychFan]

Funny you've asked this ... I've not yet heard it, but I just found out a fellow audiophile that I know locally has one, and we're working out the details to set up a listening session soon ... I'll be glad to report back.

[Ronflugelguy]

Thank Jeff, I'll keep my eyes open for a report.

[Douglas]

Originally posted by Ronflugelguy
Jeff, do you know anything about the Real Stereo version fo "Magical Mystery Tour" (German LP).?

I have the true Stereo German MMT and it's pretty amazing. Clean wide separation. Trounces the MFSL MMT, which used the reprocessed US master anyway for many of the tunes.

[mcow1]

Yeah, I broke out both my German and MFSL's the other day and compared them. I have to give it to the German one also. Although I'm still kinda partial to my mono copy.

[Ben]

Hi, Jeff...

You said to "avoid the MOFI Beatles Box set at all costs."

Why is that? And do you recommend also avoiding the individual LP's for the same reason?

Eq-ing?

Thanks in advance and best to the board!

Ben

[Douglas]

Originally posted by Ben
You said to "avoid the MOFI Beatles Box set at all costs."

Why is that? And do you recommend also avoiding the individual LP's for the same reason?

Eq-ing?
Ben

I think what Jeff means is MFSL did weird EQ to the material and if you compare it to the UK releases (such as the blue box) you'll find the UK vinyl has a more natural sound. I don't have the interview handy but I remember Geoff Emerick criticising the MFSL discs because of this.

[Ben]

Just one more quick question for those in the know...

Do you think the value of the MOFI box set as a collectible is worth the trade-off for the less than recommended sound?

Also - where can one find the UK "Blue Box" LP's that Jeff referred to....?

Many thanks in advance!

Ben

[Douglas]

Originally posted by Ben
Do you think the value of the MOFI box set as a collectible is worth the trade-off for the less than recommended sound?


No. The sound isn't bad, it's just EQ'd wrong. I wouldn't buy it.

[Ben]

Thanks for the advice!


Good weekend,

Ben

[jkerr]

Well, I'm going to stick up for that ol' MOFI box. I recently made up my mind and re-entered the world of vinyl. I was debating on which way to go in regards to the Beatles. I was also considering the UK blue box, a lot less money of course. Then I found someone who had an un-opened MFSL Beatles Collection. Couldn't believe it. He had it for 20 years and never opened the shipping box. So yeah, big bucks. But really not that much more than a used set, about 25% more.

About that EQ, with an equalizer (gasp!) it can be easily tamed. I've listened to about half of the set so far. Just dropping by 4 to 6 db at 10k and above is all. I don't notice that much of a bass boost. The vinyl is super quiet, nice clarity, plenty of detail. I've got a couple versions of those MFSL cdrs that are floating about. Playing my own beats those hands down.

One day I might still spring for a UK pressing to do some comparing. But right now I'm pretty happy with these Mofi's!

Jeff