Hi Mike, you've just lit a spark in me now to convert all my S & G cds into quality vinyl pressings! What a Band, what brilliant music! Thanks for the inspiration! 🙏👍😊
Great video, I have the one step and the new Mofi but alas don't have the 90's classic records pressing. The One Step and Mofi are great sounding records and I recently did a comparison with my Japan pressed first CD pressing from the mid 80's and was astonished how dynamic it was and the bottom end is wonderful and preferrd it to the new mofi, but he one step is the winer for me though.
Hi Mike- great review- a true classic album. It used to feature strongly in "Greatest Albums of all time" & "Greatest Singles of all time" lists but in recent years the album and single have been posted missing in action on both- they seem to have fallen out of the public consciousness since 2000. It truly is a terrific set. I don't have the original vinyl (I was 9 when it was released and not really on my radar- although my older cousin raved about it). I did buy a 20 Bit remastered CD which was good and invested in the new MoFi SACD. Overall it sounds excellent but there are places where the age of the master tapes and the primitive recording techniques of the day which were being pushed to the limits during production can be heard- especially on the title track- the layering and overdubbing results in deterioration and distortion and lack of clarity in a few spots. There certainly is a massive difference between the 20 Bit remaster and the 24 Bit SACD version and it is great to hear this terrific music on this hi-res format. One important element that appears to be overlooked is the age of the guys who are mastering these discs- Bernie Grundman 2024 is not BG 1974! His hearing will obviously have deteriorated- same goes for Kevin Gray and the others- this must have a significant impact. They still sound great of course but I wonder what compensations/compromises they make to overcome the limitations.
Nice review of the various releases of this great album. Mike, in your video about finding a new speaker , you mentioned the Wilson Sabrina or the new Watt Puppy as contenders. There is quite a price difference between them and that seemed to concern you. Well, Wilson has the Yvette that is priced in between the two. Maybe one to consider. Just my 2 cents.
Thank you James. I have seen a couple pair of Yvette's for sale used. I don't think the Yvette is being produced any more. I am assuming that the Watt Puppy is replacing that speaker. I am getting close to making a decision on the speakers. Thank you again James.
I really like the latest version a lot, sadly it was not as quiet as Analogue Productions but it happens to so many of the new pressings to me. Yesterday the new album from Patrick Leonard arrived and the music and sound is amazing, but again, so much noise here and there, I can´t listen to this. When you switch to digital playback you realize how peaceful and relaxing music listening can be. My system is highly sensitive, sadly but A.P. proof it time and time again that it is possible to produce really almost 100% quiet vinyl
@@77MovieFan agree with you analogue productions is doing an amazing job with their albums. Digital done right can and does sound wonderful and very quiet. On my system, I thought the mobile Fidelity sounded pretty darn quiet but my phone preamp is 30+ years old so I’m sure there’s a whole lot that I am missing. Thank you for your thoughts!
Thanx for the comparison. I have the Mofi and the Sundazed Reissue from 2012, AAA cut by Kevin Gray and pressed at QRP. In my opinion this one kicks the Mofi out of the Park. The Sundazed is a great sounding record…warm, dynamic, full and rich and very spatial sound on Quiet vinyl. Greetings from🇩🇪
Thanks Mike for a well thought out and considered video, as ever. Coincidentally, I picked up a mint original for free only yesterday from an antique dealer who had some records from a house clearance, so I listened with interest. BOTW is certainly bright in places so I can imagine the MOFI 33RPM version has way too much glare. For a record that I only have a passing interest in, I will stick with the original pressing. My original pressing isn’t the best sounding though not too bad, I don’t fancy a digital step if I can have an AAA alternative. BTW I will pass on the latest two country folky style RHF record releases.
@@highfell1 thank you for your comment and thoughts, that really is the best process. If it’s an album that you’re not totally crazy over but enjoy listening to, I completely agree, an original pressing is the way to go.!! Thanks again
Both my buddy and I bought this new Super Vinyl version and were bitterly disappointed. No bottom end or warmth, not natural sounding, somewhat compressed as a result, with the top end bordering on grating at times. Our OG and CBS Mastersounds copies sounded much better; both of us put our Super Vinyl editions up for resale. I think you were being too kind to the Super Vinyl edition. As a result, no trust in purchasing Bookends Super Vinyl as I expect more of the same disappointment.
The problem is that the super vinyl has a qc in problem. I got two copies and both have a manufacturing issue in the beginning of Song for the Asking (loud ticks and a skip). It’s a shame because it sounds excellent. Much better than the Classic Records which is less dynamic IMO and a bit better than the OG I have
@@doravidan9261 I don’t remember hearing a pop on the beginning of that song. I’ll go back and listen and funny, I really never had any issues with mobile Fidelity vinyl, knock on wood. I hope I don’t. This 33 RPM is for sure dynamic I agree with you. For whatever reason, my classic records version of this album sounds a little more natural to me, for sure not as dynamic. I agree with you there. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
@@MikesVinylExperience really nothing against mofi, I love what I have of theirs. Just bad luck with super vinyl in general, and that includes the Yusef Lateef craft small batch. I do have some Music Matters SRXs that are defective free :)
I don’t understand the outrage over the MoFI. digital step you’re upset with yet you keep buying them! The new Simon& Garfunkel has a digital step I think the audiophile outrage is overblown Do they sound good? That should be the main concern!!
@@davepounds8924 initially I was disappointed when I learned of the digital step in the process two years ago. But as I stated, one can be upset that we weren’t necessarily told the truth in thinking that they were all analog but in fact there is a digital step in the process. At the end of the day, my one steps and other mobile Fidelity album still sound very good so that is why I continue to buy mobile Fidelity not necessarily every title that comes out but the ones that I like. So no outrage here. as long as the albums continue to sound good I will still be purchasing MOFI albums. And I do agree with you. I do believe that The outrage is way overblown. They are continuing to make great sounding albums. Thank you Dave.
Hi Mike, you've just lit a spark in me now to convert all my S & G cds into quality vinyl pressings! What a Band, what brilliant music! Thanks for the inspiration! 🙏👍😊
The vinyl is wonderful. I don't know how the MOFI SACD of this great album sounds but i'm sure it is very nice as well. Thank you!
This album and myself were born the same year, what a great recording! Like myself this LP has aged very well!😊
Good for you!! Both classics! Thank you.
Great video, I have the one step and the new Mofi but alas don't have the 90's classic records pressing. The One Step and Mofi are great sounding records and I recently did a comparison with my Japan pressed first CD pressing from the mid 80's and was astonished how dynamic it was and the bottom end is wonderful and preferrd it to the new mofi, but he one step is the winer for me though.
The One Step is indeed a great pressing and you can't go wrong with it. It really is a great rendering of the a timeless classic IMO. Thank you.
Hi Mike- great review- a true classic album. It used to feature strongly in "Greatest Albums of all time" & "Greatest Singles of all time" lists but in recent years the album and single have been posted missing in action on both- they seem to have fallen out of the public consciousness since 2000.
It truly is a terrific set. I don't have the original vinyl (I was 9 when it was released and not really on my radar- although my older cousin raved about it).
I did buy a 20 Bit remastered CD which was good and invested in the new MoFi SACD.
Overall it sounds excellent but there are places where the age of the master tapes and the primitive recording techniques of the day which were being pushed to the limits during production can be heard- especially on the title track- the layering and overdubbing results in deterioration and distortion and lack of clarity in a few spots.
There certainly is a massive difference between the 20 Bit remaster and the 24 Bit SACD version and it is great to hear this terrific music on this hi-res format.
One important element that appears to be overlooked is the age of the guys who are mastering these discs- Bernie Grundman 2024 is not BG 1974! His hearing will obviously have deteriorated- same goes for Kevin Gray and the others- this must have a significant impact. They still sound great of course but I wonder what compensations/compromises they make to overcome the limitations.
MOFI SACD's have been very good at least in my opinion. Great choice! Thank you.
Great comparison Mike. I’m personally a fan of the one step, and is my go to for this album. Keep up the great work!
@@VinylLatte it sounds wonderful and it is such a great album. Thank you!
Nice review of the various releases of this great album. Mike, in your video about finding a new speaker , you mentioned the Wilson Sabrina or the new Watt Puppy as contenders. There is quite a price difference between them and that seemed to concern you. Well, Wilson has the Yvette that is priced in between the two. Maybe one to consider. Just my 2 cents.
Thank you James. I have seen a couple pair of Yvette's for sale used. I don't think the Yvette is being produced any more. I am assuming that the Watt Puppy is replacing that speaker. I am getting close to making a decision on the speakers. Thank you again James.
I really like the latest version a lot, sadly it was not as quiet as Analogue Productions but it happens to so many of the new pressings to me. Yesterday the new album from
Patrick Leonard arrived and the music and sound is amazing, but again, so much noise here and there, I can´t listen to this. When you switch to digital playback you realize
how peaceful and relaxing music listening can be. My system is highly sensitive, sadly but A.P. proof it time and time again that it is possible to produce really almost 100% quiet vinyl
@@77MovieFan agree with you analogue productions is doing an amazing job with their albums. Digital done right can and does sound wonderful and very quiet. On my system, I thought the mobile Fidelity sounded pretty darn quiet but my phone preamp is 30+ years old so I’m sure there’s a whole lot that I am missing. Thank you for your thoughts!
Sorry Mike. It looks like the Yvette has just been discontinued.
Thanks James.
Thanx for the comparison. I have the Mofi and the Sundazed Reissue from 2012, AAA cut by Kevin Gray and pressed at QRP. In my opinion this one kicks the Mofi out of the Park. The Sundazed is a great sounding record…warm, dynamic, full and rich and very spatial sound on Quiet vinyl. Greetings from🇩🇪
@@theheepster Thank you, I have not heard the sundazed pressing. I will put that on my list to look for. Thank you again!
Thanks Mike for a well thought out and considered video, as ever. Coincidentally, I picked up a mint original for free only yesterday from an antique dealer who had some records from a house clearance, so I listened with interest. BOTW is certainly bright in places so I can imagine the MOFI 33RPM version has way too much glare. For a record that I only have a passing interest in, I will stick with the original pressing. My original pressing isn’t the best sounding though not too bad, I don’t fancy a digital step if I can have an AAA alternative. BTW I will pass on the latest two country folky style RHF record releases.
@@highfell1 thank you for your comment and thoughts, that really is the best process. If it’s an album that you’re not totally crazy over but enjoy listening to, I completely agree, an original pressing is the way to go.!! Thanks again
Both my buddy and I bought this new Super Vinyl version and were bitterly disappointed. No bottom end or warmth, not natural sounding, somewhat compressed as a result, with the top end bordering on grating at times. Our OG and CBS Mastersounds copies sounded much better; both of us put our Super Vinyl editions up for resale. I think you were being too kind to the Super Vinyl edition. As a result, no trust in purchasing Bookends Super Vinyl as I expect more of the same disappointment.
Thanks for sharing. I will see if I can find a good OG or CBS mastersound and do a follow up. Thanks for your thoughts.
Simon wrote ALL the songs.
Ya Mr Wikipedia
Actually, no, some songs on one or two albums were written by others.
The problem is that the super vinyl has a qc in problem. I got two copies and both have a manufacturing issue in the beginning of Song for the Asking (loud ticks and a skip). It’s a shame because it sounds excellent. Much better than the Classic Records which is less dynamic IMO and a bit better than the OG I have
@@doravidan9261 I don’t remember hearing a pop on the beginning of that song. I’ll go back and listen and funny, I really never had any issues with mobile Fidelity vinyl, knock on wood. I hope I don’t. This 33 RPM is for sure dynamic I agree with you. For whatever reason, my classic records version of this album sounds a little more natural to me, for sure not as dynamic. I agree with you there. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
@@MikesVinylExperience really nothing against mofi, I love what I have of theirs. Just bad luck with super vinyl in general, and that includes the Yusef Lateef craft small batch. I do have some Music Matters SRXs that are defective free :)
I don’t understand the outrage over the MoFI. digital step you’re upset with yet you keep buying them! The new Simon& Garfunkel has a digital step I think the audiophile outrage is overblown Do they sound good? That should be the main concern!!
@@davepounds8924 initially I was disappointed when I learned of the digital step in the process two years ago. But as I stated, one can be upset that we weren’t necessarily told the truth in thinking that they were all analog but in fact there is a digital step in the process. At the end of the day, my one steps and other mobile Fidelity album still sound very good so that is why I continue to buy mobile Fidelity not necessarily every title that comes out but the ones that I like. So no outrage here. as long as the albums continue to sound good I will still be purchasing MOFI albums. And I do agree with you. I do believe that The outrage is way overblown. They are continuing to make great sounding albums. Thank you Dave.
Because they lied and were deceitful. Then you should consider why they did that over many years
@@highfell1 That’s true I can understand why people would get upset over that if they told people the recordings were all analog
The golden ears were upset because they couldn't tell there was a digital step.
@@emwhatever5528 Dull