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Moody Blues "Question of bal." CD or SACD vs Vinyl

I no longer have the capability of playing vinyl. I do have two different versions of "Question of Balance". One is the MFSL version which I loved. Then I bought the new SACD version. Boy, what a difference. Actually, probably the biggest difference that I have seen with the SACD format.

Although the MFSL version is very clear and precise, the SACD version is more expansive and full. I don't know which is more truthful.

Would someone out there who has the vinyl and has compared it to either the MFSL CD or the newer SACD please comment on the comparison.

Please, no in general comment like "all CD's are crap", or "vinyl always is best". I am interested in which of the formats that I have is closest to "correct".

Thank you,
Richard
drrdiamond
drrdiamond OP
671 posts
 
Rwwear,

Could you be more specific as to the differences?

Thanks,
Richard
slaw3
139 posts
 
One thing about "Question", the song, not the album - the only true original version is the original pressing LP. In post production, as I have heard it, the boys added some mellotron stabs and high vocals, and mixed them in on the fly. In all subsequent verions of the song on reissues and remasters, different masters were used, and those "add ons" are missing. You can easily hear the difference if you have the original vinyl.
I have NOT yet received my "QOB" SACD (just purchased Friday from Amazon.com), but it will be interesting to see which version is on there.
There are other MB songs that are this way - "Tuesday Afternoon" and "Evening" original LP has high vocals and harmonies added, as does "Isn't Life Strange" from 7th Sojourn.
To my ears, the old original vinyl sounds very thin and bass shy compared to the SACDs of Threshold and Days. However, I do like the MOFI vinyl A LOT - these were my "go to" versions when I really wanted to listen. Now it's a toss up between the SACDs and the MoFI vinyl.
Hope this helps!
rwwear
2,847 posts
 
Drrdiamond, Bigger soundstage-music spreads out way past my speakers and some even comes from the sides of the room without the use of a surround system. This is especially true with Days of Future Past.
madhf
170 posts
 
I am interested in which of the formats that I have is closest to "correct".
I'm not sure what "correct" means. I would say "what sounds the best to you". In my case, the Mofi cd sounds much better than the SACD. The SACD, although sounding more expansive, also has more noise and distortion in both the 5.1 and 2 channel. I provided a demo for a sales rep at a local hi-end store, who insisted that SACD was the best. After listening, he had to agree that the Mofi sounded better.
Mike
rwwear
2,847 posts
 
Which MoFi are you talking about? I have several and none sound that good. I have compared them to the vinyl and the vinyl is much better. Not so with the SACDs I have. I have not listened to them in surround.
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