Full Version: MFSL Led Zeppelin
I am considering spending about $200.00 on a Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab version of Led Zeppelin 2 right now, and am really really hoping someone here owns this. If you have even ever heard it, could you say how it sounds compared to the standard cd/vinyl releases? Its awefully expensive, but I really love Zep and i also love how some MOFI albums genuinly sound different and better than whats out there at record stores. I need details , details, details, cause I make about 7 bucks an hour and this is a serious investment for me. I'd just really appreciate any feedback. Remember, I don't care if it sounds a whole lot better, just that it sounds a little different and stuff. Thanks in advance.
Thats right, no one on planet earth has ever heard this.
I hear sarcasm. I've never heard MFSL Zep though. More's the pity; I bet it would sound fantastic.
Still though, I doubt they could possibly be truer to intent than Page's remasters. Unless, of course, you're a pretentious audiophile. At which point, you probably think you know the recording better than the guy who made it.
Still though, I doubt they could possibly be truer to intent than Page's remasters. Unless, of course, you're a pretentious audiophile. At which point, you probably think you know the recording better than the guy who made it.
I'm a little pretensious, nothing hardcore though 
. I really don't care how jimmy page want's it to sound though. I mean, I have that version. I want something that sounds a little different, ya know. I though I heard Page was doing yet another remaster, this time into surround for DVDA or SACD or something. I can't find any info on that either, which is a pity. Bidding already ended on the MFSL Zep2. I don't know, that was a lot of money when I have no idea what it sounds like. Its not like MFSL automatically entails better sound, at least in my all knowing pretensious opinion anyway. But I'd still love to hear from anyone who's heard it, deffinatly would make my day.
. I really don't care how jimmy page want's it to sound though. I mean, I have that version. I want something that sounds a little different, ya know. I though I heard Page was doing yet another remaster, this time into surround for DVDA or SACD or something. I can't find any info on that either, which is a pity. Bidding already ended on the MFSL Zep2. I don't know, that was a lot of money when I have no idea what it sounds like. Its not like MFSL automatically entails better sound, at least in my all knowing pretensious opinion anyway. But I'd still love to hear from anyone who's heard it, deffinatly would make my day.
I know it. 
The MFSL discs I've heard were all really good-sounding, though there's no way I'd shell out $200 for one. $40 for a CD that I really enjoyed, maybe.
The MFSL discs I've heard were all really good-sounding, though there's no way I'd shell out $200 for one. $40 for a CD that I really enjoyed, maybe.
I went to the MOFI site where they list all of their archives.
I didn't see Led Zeppelin in there anywhere.
This did not surprise me as I would have been shocked that Mr Page would allow anyone else to "tamper" with his music.
It is also not available by torrent or other "alternate" means.
I would seriously question whether this is genuine MFSL.
I didn't see Led Zeppelin in there anywhere.
This did not surprise me as I would have been shocked that Mr Page would allow anyone else to "tamper" with his music.
It is also not available by torrent or other "alternate" means.
I would seriously question whether this is genuine MFSL.
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab issued Led Zeppelin II on vinyl as MFSL 1-065 in November 1982. This was one of their "Original Master Recording" half-speed mastered issues. As far as I can tell, this was the only Led Zeppelin MFSL ever released on vinyl, and they never released any Led Zep on CD. You can see this MFSL release on allmusic.com if you look up LZ II there.
I have this LP. I saw the original post earlier but didn't reply because I probably only listened to it once after I bought it shortly after it was released. I had a decent Pioneer stereo receiver and turntable at the time but my speakers were not that great at the time. I really don't remember how it sounded, but I'm sure I was not disappointed with it after paying $18 for it.
A couple of years later I got into buying CDs, and the Zeppelin catalog was released on CD (I think this was about 1986), so that's what I listened to from then on. And I've been collecting LPs and CDs for a long time and have a lot to listen to, so I don't hear any one album that often. So, I can't really tell you what the MoFi sounds like for sure. I can tell you that it will probably not sound a lot different from the original LP and later CD releases, but a good MFSL copy will probably sound about as good as you will hear this album. It is on virgin vinyl and should be very quiet, was supposed to be transferred directly from the original master two track tape, and was released early enough by MoFi that they probably did a flat transfer so no juiced up EQ. On a good vinyl rig I'm pretty sure you would think it sounds better than the recent remaster that was released on CD.
There is also a 200 gram vinyl release of this by Classic Records that you can pick up for about $30 to $35 that should be at least a close second in SQ to the MoFi, so you might want to go for a copy of that instead of the MFSL.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention - YMMV. How something sounds is a matter of opinion and depends on lots of factors. If you want a good vinyl copy, find a Classic Records copy. If you want a good CD copy, find an old Atlantic Recording issue on CD, catalog # 19127-2. And if you just want to spend a lot more money, go for the MoFi vinyl.
I have this LP. I saw the original post earlier but didn't reply because I probably only listened to it once after I bought it shortly after it was released. I had a decent Pioneer stereo receiver and turntable at the time but my speakers were not that great at the time. I really don't remember how it sounded, but I'm sure I was not disappointed with it after paying $18 for it.
A couple of years later I got into buying CDs, and the Zeppelin catalog was released on CD (I think this was about 1986), so that's what I listened to from then on. And I've been collecting LPs and CDs for a long time and have a lot to listen to, so I don't hear any one album that often. So, I can't really tell you what the MoFi sounds like for sure. I can tell you that it will probably not sound a lot different from the original LP and later CD releases, but a good MFSL copy will probably sound about as good as you will hear this album. It is on virgin vinyl and should be very quiet, was supposed to be transferred directly from the original master two track tape, and was released early enough by MoFi that they probably did a flat transfer so no juiced up EQ. On a good vinyl rig I'm pretty sure you would think it sounds better than the recent remaster that was released on CD.
There is also a 200 gram vinyl release of this by Classic Records that you can pick up for about $30 to $35 that should be at least a close second in SQ to the MoFi, so you might want to go for a copy of that instead of the MFSL.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention - YMMV. How something sounds is a matter of opinion and depends on lots of factors. If you want a good vinyl copy, find a Classic Records copy. If you want a good CD copy, find an old Atlantic Recording issue on CD, catalog # 19127-2. And if you just want to spend a lot more money, go for the MoFi vinyl.
Yes, it was a Record, not a cd I was going to bid on. Thanks for your input. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks some of those zep albums could sound better. Especially 4. I mean, what the hell jimmy? Is that even an acoustic guitar on Stairway? Wheres the presence and power your acoustic had on Babe I'm Gonna Leave You? Shame...and 4 sticks couldn't be a more muddy mess. Anyway, thanks guys. I still wish I'd bought the damn thing... 
QUOTE(Canar @ Mar 24 2007, 18:20) 
I hear sarcasm. I've never heard MFSL Zep though. More's the pity; I bet it would sound fantastic.
Still though, I doubt they could possibly be truer to intent than Page's remasters. Unless, of course, you're a pretentious audiophile. At which point, you probably think you know the recording better than the guy who made it.
Which releases are Page's remasters, and where could I get them? Are these the compilation discs I've seen, or were the full albums remastered under his authority? Sorry, I'm just unfamiliar.
Thanks.
Maybe I'm the only one who thinks some of those paintings could look better. Especially the Mona Lisa. I mean, what the hell Leonardo? Is that even a smile on her face? Wheres the presence and power your smile had on John the Baptist? Shame...and those colours couldn't be a more muddy mess.
Artistic intent is everything.
Artistic intent is everything.
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