Best version of Sonny Rollins' 1957 jazz classic "Way Out West"

Is the MFSL aluminum the best redbook cd?
looking to get a copy of this album and need some advice. Thanks.

 

I really like the SACD actually. Do you have hirez playback?

 

Yes, I have a universal deck. Is the SACD a hybrid?

Has anyone heard both the SACD and MFSL? How do they compare? I know the mofi aluminum CDs have a great rep around here.

 

"Way Out West" is one of those titles that has been mastered to CD quite a bit.

It was recorded so well to begin with that almost any CD version sounds excellent. There are different shades of excellent of course. We own three versions, the OJC, The SACD and the Analogue Productions Gold Disc. All three are thumbs up.

The one I go for is usually the Gold Disc. I believe it is a Doug Sax mastering although I think that Bernie Grundman might have also done a parallel mastering for AP at the same time.

Either way you can't go wrong.

"I'm an Old Cowhand from the Rio Grande"

 

Not sure, would have to check the Acoustic Sounds site...

 

MFCD 801, in my humble opinion - an incredible cd. Have never heard the SACD, has added reverb apparently.

 

I'm pretty sure that Way Out West can still be purchased as a Hybrid SACD. Analogue Productions did it back in 2002.

 

Yeah, I think Steve made some comments to this...still sounds great though. The APO LP may be the best version.

 

http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/406

According to SA-CD this title is a hybrid and is still widely available. Currently on my wish list while I wait for for more $. ALready spent way too much on SACDs this year.

Bill

 

I've never wanted another, you can't do much better than a straight transfer from the master tapes.

 

I have the 2003 Japanese XRCD24 and it's a mind-blower. Strangely, I don't see it listed on Amazon.

 

I have the 2007 Concord reissue of the 1988 mastering by Phil De Lancie. It sounds very good

Way Out West

 

Are you wanting only digital format?

 

The SACD is true to the original LP which has reverb added. The APO 45 rpm is dry but even better.

 

I only have AP's Gold discs (mastered by Grundman/Sax)... and their 2 LP-set. Don't need another pressings!

 

I have this version also.

 

Interesting. Thanks Tom.

 

I have both the MFSL and the AP SACD and prefer the silver MFSL.

The thing is, I used to like reverb before started reading this forum (and its predecessor). But $10K spent on gear and 5 years later, the tables turned. /

Another example of this is Art Pepper Meets The RS. I already had the Grundman mastered AP gold CD (another reverb job, in addition to being SS mastered), but eventually run into the first pressing Japanese JVC CD and now much prefer the dry Japanese version.

Goran

 

That's a great SACD!

 

Who said that SH doesn't change history... But you can't blame the man. .


Btw, I believe the Sax-mastered gold AP CD has no reverb added, unlike the SACD.

 

I also have the XRCD24. Haven't listened to it in a few years but I remember it to have great sound.

 

I have the XRCD and the SACD, and the Contemporary Records
vinyl repress from a couple years ago.

For me, sonically,
the vinyl takes the top and the XRCD 2nd for me.
Something happened to the SACD, it has extra echo on it . . .
although it is tonally superior to the XRCD.
The echo is just too distracting.

 

The XRCD's and K2'd are all dry, BTW.

Goran

 

My brief thoughts on several CD versions.

 

There's also the Hong Kong SACD of "Way Out West", which sounds quite good to my ears (in stereo).