Your favorite Pink FLoyd - The Wall mastering "family"

Mindboggling because no one has yet 'fessed up to voting for it

 

Probably afraid to get flamed...

I've never heard the MFSL, but, judging by the various reviews, I don't need to try and get one

 

This means you guys

andyinstal, bugmenot, CellPhoneFred, clooby, GLUDFSSR, harri, john lennonist, JohnBeas, john_frogg, Joseph, JP Les Paul, Keim, kevin5brown, Koptapad, maidenpriest, ratskrad, Robert Haagsma, seek up, smc2541, Spyro, Steve, tarantura, TimB, Tyler, ubsman, vconsumer, wayneklein, yaratnam 28

No one will get flamed-this poll is all about your favourite version, so as The MFSL is doing so well, why not tell everyone why it is your preferred version. There is no right or wrong answer to this poll

 

I can imagine that it's indeed like that - BUT with one important downside: By contrast to eBay you've to be really to check the Forum-Marketplace on a regular basis to be there "on time" if a highly-sought item like BT DSOTM Non-TO or something similiar is being offered. Otherwise you don't have any chance to get it, do you? And that's quite difficult to do for me, even if I'm online during most of my office-times...

 

I like the Harvest over the Mobile Fidelity.

 

MFSL

 

The C2K are far superior to the MFSL's IMO. Borrowing a copy of UK Harvest to compare before voting though.

 

I think the MFSL is a great mastering, just different than the Harvest family of CD's that I voted for. It's my tie for 2nd fave with the CBS versions.

 

I am in agreement with the 48DP crowd of voters. As someone mentioned, it does seem to come from the same master as the C2K, but IMHO has noticeable differences...all of them good.

 

Does anyone know if the 50DP and 48DP use identical mastering?

 

Obviously, it's been a long time since I've heard a side-by-side comparison of the two versions I have; MFSL and Columbia C2K36183. I extracted Young Lust and Hey You using Plexitools Pro Digital Audio Extraction. Pasted all 4 into Sonar 6 PE. Using a RME Fireface 800 for the DAC into Mackie HR824 monitors I compared the two versions of the two songs.

I withdraw my vote for MFSL. The Columbia sounded a lot better. It was clearer, more crystalline and more powerful. (I adjusted the MFSL up 1 dB to match levels.) The MFSL was muddier and more distant. I did not hear the scooped mids people complain about with the MFSL, just mud and less highs. Thanks to dbz for opening my eyes, ears?

 

Koptapad-thanks for posting your results. My apologies to everyone on the MFSL voters list, I didn't want this to seem contentious. Just very interested in what you guys hear and what you have compared it to. Roland could yet end up with a 3-way tie

 

Love the early Harvest mastering the best but I also like the MFSL.

The digital click in the Columbia really ticks me off

 

50DP.

 

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showpost.php?p=2468529&postcount=238

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showpost.php?p=2469765&postcount=255

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showpost.php?p=2492292&postcount=278

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showpost.php?p=2507513&postcount=302

It appears to be a different mastering if I'm interpreting Dave's posts correctly?
Seems like the slight advantage of the 50DP over the 48DP is discernible only on very revealing equipment. So for those of us with a less expensive rig the 48DP is probably the Columbia to get.

Rick

 

Do all the CBS discs have this clicking? Where in the song is it? I'm awaiting a 48DP.

 

it is at the beginning of Comfortably Numb and on the 48DP you really have to be listening carefully to hear it. To me it's barely noticable even when listening for it, and doesn't bother me in the least.

 

Roland are you able to change Koptapad's vote? or does a gort have to?

Rick

 

Comparison of the UK silverface Harvest and the MFSL

UK Silverface Harvest


MFSL


These are EQ analyses of the entire albums.

Note the ridiculous U-shaped EQ curve on the MFSL - try to ignore the space under the graph (the UK is mastered much louder), and just compare the ratio of the contours at the top.

Pump up the bass to give "oomph", and pump up the treble to give "sparkle" - sure, it sounds great in the short term, but not so in the long run, where it grows fatiguing. They seem to have tried to compensated for this by lowering the volume quite a bit. I own both so I speak from experience, not speculation.

IIRC, there was a post once that said that the UK silverface was essentially just a louder version of the Japanese blackface.

 

No, I can't do that. A gort probably could, but I am not sure.

 

Rick, I am pretty sure Dave's comments were referring to the 50DP pressing quality being slightly superior to the 48DP, and not to the mastering (digital content) itself. As far as I know, they have the same mastering, but often there are minor differences between digitally identical CD's due to the manufacturing equipment and process used at the plant.

To many people and on many stereos these differences are not noticeable.

 

Roland,
After re-reading Dave's posts, again You are correct. Not sure if my system would reveal any differences? I'll stick with the 48DP since I'm probably done listening to this album for another few years.

As you ststed in another thread it's great to have so many great pressings of this album. Whish every disc had this many choices. Although I don't understand why the MFSL and it's smiley EQ is so popular .



Rick

 

Is this difference instrinsic within the content of cds? As in, if you ripped the cd to wav using Exact Audio Copy would there still be any difference (however subtle) for 48dp compared to the 50?

 

I have the 50DP and the MFSL, and prefer the 50DP slightly. However, I think that the MFSL is such a beautiful package, that I don't see how any Floyd fan could part with it.

 

I repeatedly read about that click before Comfortably Numb on the old mastering. What was bothering me much more was the click shortly before the helicopter arrives. Is this the same master? I remember my first made in Japan CD, and that click before the helicopter drove me nuts. It disappeared with the MoFi (which I don't have anymore). My 1994 remaster is also clean, but since it's from an early batch coming from Holland, I have no idea if I actually have a remaster or not (matrix says 831244 @ 1 1-2-15-NL and 831245 @ 1 1-4-3-NL; and yes, I like how it sounds). Any enlightenment?