I've never heard a standard reissue of IV that sounds decent. I have a UK original first pressing that sounds miles ahead of any of the re-issues I've owned both domestic and UK.
The general concensus is that original George Peckham pressings of this record (both UK and US) with Pecko Duck and Porky in the dead wax are perhaps the best sounding and most desireable pressings of this record; the UK is going to be very pricey but U.S. Pecko/Porky versions would be out there and much more affordable.
The Classic 33RPM gets some good press; it would probably be a good 2nd (but expensive) choice.
Between the 2, there will probably be differences that will be more desireable to individual listeners; probably more subjective than objective as they'll probably both have strengths and weaknesses.
As to Mothership, I haven't heard it, but it is digitally sourced and while remastered digitally sourced material can sometimes result in improvements in some areas, my experience is that ultimately I can't really deal with the compromises that result in other areas and prefer to stick with an analog version but YMMV.
The general concensus is that original George Peckham pressings of this record (both UK and US) with Pecko Duck and Porky in the dead wax are perhaps the best sounding and most desireable pressings of this record; the UK is going to be very pricey but U.S. Pecko/Porky versions would be out there and much more affordable.
The Classic 33RPM gets some good press; it would probably be a good 2nd (but expensive) choice.
Between the 2, there will probably be differences that will be more desireable to individual listeners; probably more subjective than objective as they'll probably both have strengths and weaknesses.
As to Mothership, I haven't heard it, but it is digitally sourced and while remastered digitally sourced material can sometimes result in improvements in some areas, my experience is that ultimately I can't really deal with the compromises that result in other areas and prefer to stick with an analog version but YMMV.