Abbey Road MoFi or Reissue

I’m seeing 1st pressings of Abbey Road ‘69 between $100-150 vs. the MoFi for like $60. I’ve seen some reviews on YouTube which say the original or 84 pressings are so much more revealing. Mofi is quieter but all around quiet. Not sure I like that. In terms of Dire Straits Brothers. I have the first pressing and the Mofi and I am not disappointed with the pressing at all. Quite well done and immersive. Alan Parsons I Robot is a different story. I am disappointed in this MoFi pressing. Very murky compared to the original release. I expected better especially since Alan was involved in the remastering. Guess it’s all about the Greenbacks!!

@mayoradamwest,

How can I put this gently, I found and bought and regularly see VG+ MFSL Abbey Road for under $30.00. Your research is lacking my friend. The copy I bought two years ago, in an auction... I paid $27.00 for. Sounds pristine as far as SQ/surface noise goes.

The mofi one steps are beyond extraordinary. That said, sure, I would always prefer something from Analogue Productions, Classic Records, or MMJ if going with a reissue. 

@millercarbon,

I was trying not to put it so bluntly.

Okay. So, sarcasm. That I can get. Good one.

MoFi reissues deserve all the sarcasm and blunt criticism we can possibly heap on them. They do after all hold themselves up as the audiophile pressing standard. Which is why I bought so many over the years. And why it is beyond being let down to discover how awful they all sound when actually compared side by side with a really good original issue copy.

Well, with one exception. The MoFi Brothers in Arms 45. Even that one however turns out to be awful, in terms of its the noisiest most frequently flawed pressing ever, at least that’s what Acoustic Sounds said when called to return mine. So MoFi has great PR and marketing but basically makes crap. Which if being blunt is what it takes to turn a few more away from MoFi crap then blunt I am happy to be.

Anyone really serious about finding the very best sound quality will save their money, skip right past MoFi, and try one from Better Records. But only if really serious. Men from the boys, etc

Meaning I own the 1979 Mofi, as well as the new remaster and and original US release in VG condition.  My preference is for the Mofi and did a fair bit of research before landing on a NM copy which was still around $125. If there is a better release under $500 for nm I’d love to hear about it. 

@mayoradamwest,

Earlier you said you own the 1979 MFSL original release, now you post "I've only heard good things about the original Mofi". Please clarify so we can go forward with full information.

I’ve only heard good things about the original Mofi, but which version would you prefer as being closest to the original without spending $500+ on a nm copy?

@millercarbon,

I was trying not to put it so bluntly.

@bdp24 ,

I would have inquired further at one point in time to your offer?......but I'm truly happy with my Capitol Plum.

I find it odd that since "Abbey Road" is considered to be such a great record by most that a clean original MFSL copy can be had very reasonably?

Its because they are such crap. Really good copies go for quite a bit more https://www.better-records.com/search_adv.aspx?sp=abbey+road&option=s_name&min_price=1&m...

I’m not 100% but probably the same reason a like new MoFi Ultradisc II Dark Side of the Moon can be had for a reasonable price.

I find it odd that since "Abbey Road" is considered to be such a great record by most that a clean original MFSL copy can be had very reasonably?

the new 50th Anniversary 3 disc pressing is quite good, much better than the Mo Fi. but it's also 'massaged' to some degree and not as pure as a good original. but it's likely the best bang for your buck buying Abbey Road for the first time and i recommend it.

if you really want to know here is where to learn about Abbey Road first pressings.

http://www.jpgr.co.uk/pcs7088.html

btw; i have one of the first pressings, and the MoFi, and the new 50th Anniversary, and the Japanese Pro Use, and all the (Mofi, Blue, Brown, recent Mono, recent Stereo) box sets. and 5-6 other decent to good pressings.

i had to buy 5 or 6 supposed 1st pressings to actually get one. the right one cost about $225 including shipping from the UK......6-7 years ago.

first pressing is best sounding. nothing else very close.

except for.....

my 15ips 1/4" reel to reel master dub....which is awesome and at another level beyond the vinyl.

Abbey Road is significant to me. side 2 is my favorite all time record side. i graduated from High School in 1969. so it’s right in my wheel house and important to me on many levels. maybe the most passionate pursuit of any record i own (not the most spendy, just took up the most time and effort).

I have the 1979 MoFi and the new reissue, and they are just different. Both great in different ways. I like to think the 79 copy is closer to what the Beatles intended but the new one is really cool. 

The MFSL will most likely be the worse copy. I recently compared my 3 copies and my plum label Capitol bested the MFSL and the UK Blue Box copy.