This has always been my favourite Doobies album by far. The only version of this album that I've heard is the one I bought back in the 70s and still play - the original US version. I always felt that it was an above average recording and, good though Speakers Corner records usually are, I doubt that their remaster would beat the original pressing. If anyone has heard both I'd be interested to read your thoughts.
3 versions of "The Captain and Me" compared
Doobie Brothers – The Captain and Me.
This is an all-time favourite album so I have purchased various versions to find the best sound.
I have compared the Mobile Fidelity SACD, the Friday Music vinyl with the Speakers Corner version. I have used a Rega 3-24 turntable with Garrot Brothers cartridge ($1,500AUD) and a Yamaha CD-S2000 SACD player ($2,500AUD) for the comparisons.
The winner by a mile is Speakers Corner vinyl. It is full rich and deep compared to the others. Speakers Corner have used master analogue tapes, NO digital fiddling and used pure analogue in the cutting process which has delivered richest sound of all.
The Friday Music version is the worst. It lacks bass and depth. They “remaster” digitally and I suspect that is where we are being robbed of all the rich sound.
The Mofi SACD is better than the Friday Music but not as good as the Speakers Corner.
I have played these versions to two other respected friends and they also picked the Speakers Corner as the best by far.
So if you want the full rich fidelity that this album contains get the Speakers Corner version. It is awesome!
This is an all-time favourite album so I have purchased various versions to find the best sound.
I have compared the Mobile Fidelity SACD, the Friday Music vinyl with the Speakers Corner version. I have used a Rega 3-24 turntable with Garrot Brothers cartridge ($1,500AUD) and a Yamaha CD-S2000 SACD player ($2,500AUD) for the comparisons.
The winner by a mile is Speakers Corner vinyl. It is full rich and deep compared to the others. Speakers Corner have used master analogue tapes, NO digital fiddling and used pure analogue in the cutting process which has delivered richest sound of all.
The Friday Music version is the worst. It lacks bass and depth. They “remaster” digitally and I suspect that is where we are being robbed of all the rich sound.
The Mofi SACD is better than the Friday Music but not as good as the Speakers Corner.
I have played these versions to two other respected friends and they also picked the Speakers Corner as the best by far.
So if you want the full rich fidelity that this album contains get the Speakers Corner version. It is awesome!
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