Remastered By [Half-Speed Mastering By] – Stan Ricker
Notes
Mobile Fidelity's first Beatles release. Yellow banner at the top cover "Original Master Recording" White label with Capitol "C" logo.
Early pressings came with a posterboard fold-out insert protecting the LP. On one side is a description of Mo-Fi's background called "An Audiophile's Dream Come True!" and the other side "Superdiscs Supertapes Superstars Super Quality"
Later inserts had a photo of historical-looking figures holding up Mo-Fi LPs stating "Limited Editions From the Original Masters"
Some later copies have a posterboard 4 page b&w foldout insert: front cover reads "Original Master Recordings" at top with an image of a man's back looking at the cover of the Beatles' White Album Original Master Recording. Page 2 has "What Is An Original Master Recording?". Page 3 has a catalog of LPs and cassettes. Back cover has UHQR and Geo-Disc information.
Most copies came with a warranty card and mail-in form.
The LP itself is translucent (hold it up to a bright light and you can see through it) and it comes in a paper-line rice paper sleeve.
Runouts: Entire string is stamped, with the exception hand-etching of "SR/2" and the # in the following part of the string: "MFSL-1-023 - $#" (where $ is an letter that is also stamped).
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Rights Society: BMI
Matrix / Runout (Label A): MFSL 1-023 A
Matrix / Runout (Label B): MFSL 1-023 B
Matrix / Runout (Variant 1: runout side A ): MFSL1-023 - A5 SR/2 151 ⋮⋮⋮ ⁜
I will add my 2 cents regarding the sound of this pressing. Yes the bass is strong almost borderline overpowering midrange (but not boomy), the separation & sound stage is always the strong point of MFSL, the biggest difference, to me, is the the vocal part: it mixed at slight lower volume with top end rolled off, resulting a smooth, darker (meaty?), recessed and laid back presentation. To hear the same vocal volume as other pressing I need to raise the volume higher and letting drums and other instruments pounding harder than what I use to hear on other pressing. So is it that bad? Not really, if you have tight and clean bass control, you will have a nice open and punchy copy with smooth vocal. For this album, my other copy is the late 70's purple Capital. That copy has decidedly more 3D open sounding and breathy vocal, but compromised with noticeable sibilance and spity voice, therefore this MFSL offers nice alternative and worth having in my collection. (my system: Pro-ject RPM10/ZYX R1000 Airy 3/PS Audio Stellar Phono stage/Musical Fidelity A3 cr pre-power amp/B&W 805s, Nordost TYR 1/Analysis Plus Silver Apex cabling)
I love this pressing! As someone who loves the Beatles’ music, but has never loved their sound, this remaster is how I’ve always wished they sounded: deeper bass, smoother midrange and more sparkling highs. Huge amounts of highly separates details live in a very well-located, 3D soundstage. As with most MoFi pressings of this era, it is impeccably pressed and practically silent. If your system is also noise-free, it’s no problem cranking it a bit! No, it doesn’t sound like the original, but damn does it sound good!!
Such a contentious pressing but I find that although the bass is strong it is never muddy or boomy, and along with the fact that it's such a good recording anyway this MFSL pressing really stands out. Very smooth overall with lovely highs, a great soundstage and plenty of punch when turned up, all analogue too. I feel that the MFSL 'smiley EQ' really works here but it probably does depend on your system. Rega P6 with Ania Pro MC cartridge; Rega Aria phono stage; NAD 165BEE preamp & NAD 275BEE poweramp; Bose 901 Series IV speakers.
Just found it today for a decent price, yes it is bass heavy, but as I have a good sub, my system can take it. Beside the heavy bass it sounds very good, I like that but my OG is better balanced and Abbey Road always has enough bass.
I have this and also a copy of the new Giles Martin mix
The Giles Martin mix is super affordable and sounds amazing, not saying that this record doesn’t sound good but Giles Martin’s mix sounds way better and it’s cheaper. It's much warmer, louder too. This sounds really good and gives that 70’s “audiophile” feel, really quiet which is good and everything is clear.
But the giles martin mix is better and so much more affordable, I got it for like $17