MFSL CD's - Are they worth it?


I have quite a few MFSL CD's I've gotten over the years. On most remasters they sound markedly better than the original releases. I have gotten a few recently, however, that DON'T sound as good as the original. Case in point, U2's Joshua Tree. A little too warm and boomy when compared to the original also a lack in detail. As these CD's are becoming more expensive do you think they are worth the $? Do you like them?
treyhoss
MFSL UltraDisc is money in the bank, with daily interest accruing, and at the same time-world's best master recordings! You are correct on a few of the MFSL Gold CDs, that they they tend to be a little too warm and mushy. But, most recordings are pretty incredible. I've been collecting MFSL CDs since 1984, with their first ever MFSL aluminum CD release of Sonny Rollins-"Way Out West". Still one of the best ever recordings for great demo and serious critiquing. When the MFSL 24kt-Gold UltraDiscs, were released in 1987, I thought it was a novelty at first. The first MFSL UltraDisc CD I bought was Blind Faith-title Blind Faith in 1987. All I can say I was blown away. It made me put away my vinyl version of the Blind Faith album away forever. Very rich and full body sound stage. My next one was Jethro Tull-Thick as a Brick and I was in Tull heaven. Steely Dan-Aja, same results. Then the true test came when Pink Floyd-DSOM was released, and all I can say after hearing it. I put my vinyl version away forever. Just amazing!! That's when I became a serious MFSL Gold UltraDisc CD collector. I have every single one that was ever released from JS-1(Various Jazz sampler released in early 1987) to the last one ever made, #UDCD-757 -Roy Orbison-Lonely Blue released about 3 days before MFSL went out of business forever, because of poor management etc. in Nov.1999. Out of the +250 MFSL titles released in UltraDisc, their are a few ones that were over recorded-too warm and fuzzy. But most are incredible and worth every penny!! They will continue to increase in value since MFSL is out of business forever. Just check out the eBay auctions to get an idea what some of them are going for. Pink Floyd -The Wall sealed in a Long Box has fetched over $700. Jethro Tull Stand Up-opened has fetched $300. Their is a very strong following and I am one of them. Where else can you get the greatest recordings and watch it astronomically increase in value. Watch on Audiogon, I have about +125 factory sealed rare, and very rare MFSL GOLD CDs. MFSL is and will be sadly missed (like the Beatles, Zeppelin etc.) but atleast we have some incredible recording to enjoy forever!!!! Long Live MFSL!! Sorry about the length of this response, but I get sentimental about MFSL being out of business.
Are they worth it? Yes, some are at the original retail price of 30.00. The remastered Moody Blues, Elton John, Eric Clapton and Cat Stevens all sound better than the MFSL versions. The current prices that some people are selling is taking all the fun out of collecting. Yes, the company is out of business and they are becoming collectable but 700.00 for The Wall, give me a break. Again, the remastered Floyd is equal or better than the MFSL.We live in a free market and people can sell and buy what they please but to take advantage of music collectors in my opinion is wrong. I have over 4000 cds in my collection but when I really want to listen to the best reproduction, I play vinyl.As good as cds are now, in a quality analog system most records sound better. To paraphrase Dennis Miller "Thats just my opinion, I could be wrong"
Thanks rec, I agree with most of what you say. I do have the Moody Blues (all of them) on MFSL CD's and I think they are better than the current remasters out there. I also have the MFSL DSOM and that sounds way better than the current remaster - I thought my original 1987 CD sounded better than the current remaster! Now Pink Floyd's The Wall MFSL version is not as good as the current remaster and no way is worth $700! I guess that's the bottom line though. Are you willing to roll the dice and pay $30 or more on a CD that might not sound as good as a currently available remaster you can pick up for a fraction of the price? Not only that but you can pretty much hear any CD now before you buy it - something you can't do with an MFSL label!
What a hype. Yes, some are great recordings, but save your money. I just happen to have Beany Babies for sale.
MFSL Gold Cds & aluminum CDs are the best recordings! They are the original master recorders and everyone else tried to copy them. No other label even comes close in accuracy and music definition. The critics of MFSL are ignorant. How can you use an analogy of been bags to MFSL Cds???First of all, like what MFSLgoldCD said, that as long as their is a demand people will pay top dollar. Just check EBAY, he is right about the following and collectors of MFSL GOLD Cds. I have about 50 MFSL gold cds and plan to grow my collection. The performances are incredible compared to today's remastered. So what I say is people that down play MFSL gold cds, don't have a clue on what the market bears today. And they will be sought after for many years as time goes on. Time will tell and MFSL is surely missed as a true great master recorder in the audiophile industry.Their will be many imitators, but only one original MFSL!!