UHQR Dark Side of the Moon: worth the $$$$?

RichTeer -- Sun, 08/31/2008 - 13:44

Hi all,

MFSL's UHQR version of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon seems to enjoy an almost cult-like existance/following. When they (very rarely!) get a copy, record dealers charge hundreds of bucks for a copy, so I was wondering: from an audio perspective, is it really that good? I have the regular MFSL version in addition to the EMI 100th Anniversary issue, and was wondering if the UHQR version was worth aspiring to.

Anonymous -- Tue, 12/02/2008 - 17:23

Hi Rich,

I had both the regular 1/2 speed MFSL and the UHQR. If you agree the regular 1/2 speed is like day and night compared to a regular pressing then I'am will to tell that the UHQR is a day and night comparison to the regular 1/2 master. It truely is incredible. The information/detail on the album Mind you...your audio equipment needs to be up to snuff top to bottom no weak links anywhere.

Also with a dealer you don't know who owned the album and they CARED for it.. I played my UHQR maybe 30 - 40 times in the twenty years that I owned the album. I always rested the album at least 72 hours before replaying. The album was cleaned on commerical record cleaner (thank you Take 5 Audio). The album was cleaned a very soft brush made in France before and after every play.

P.S. If you ever run into UHQR SuperTramp "Crime of the Century" serial number 50. I owned this album from new...approx. 20 years and cared for it as described as above. I am sorry I don't recall the serial number of "Dark Side of the Moon". If I find any documentation I will post on this site.

Karl E. Landgren (not verified) -- Thu, 01/29/2009 - 16:18

P.S. The Speaker's Corner "Crime" is actually better in some-maybe most--facets of music reproduction than the MoFi UHQR, which is GREAT!

Steven Stone -- Fri, 01/30/2009 - 12:54

To me this album isn't worth $.10 because I really can't stand the "music".

DSOTM epitomizes the audiophile ethos of listening to the same tracks over and over again to get further infusions of sonic jollies. Toward what end, I shudder to contemplate.

For my money I'd rather buy $200 to $300 of fresh new music. I just got Gretchen Peters and Tom Russell's One to the Heart, One to the Head which has more moving music in ten bars than DSOTM has on the entire album.

YMMV :)

Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications

SundayNiagara -- Sun, 09/20/2009 - 15:18

To each, his or her own. It isn't on the TAS list for no reason at all.

PS: I mean the EMI pressing.

stevestoneisadouchebag (not verified) -- Tue, 03/30/2010 - 01:26

U r retarded sir!

proftournesol -- Thu, 04/01/2010 - 19:02

well I've only had 1 UHQR and that was DSOTM. I've also a Japanese pressing and a regular MFSL pressing of DSOTM to compare it to. I have a high resolution analog playback system. My UHQR has more surface noise, no better dynamics and no better imaging. Strangely it also has acquired lots of pops despite using a RCM and it having very light play. In my experience of 1 copy, it was a waster of money.

tasreader -- Sat, 06/12/2010 - 05:20

Yup.
Like most old MoFi's (and other audiophool labels) they sound is sucky, sucky.
Great investments, not great for listening.

bobN -- Sun, 01/16/2011 - 23:19

bobN -- Sun, 01/16/2011 - 23:25

I own and listen to the following versions or releases of Dark Side of the Moon:

the original mass market version mastered by EMI in Europe (early to mid 1970's here in the US)
the subsequent "Mastered by Capitol" version (lacking some of the deep bass present in the above) (late 1970's here in the US)
the vinyl Mobile Fidelity version
the CD Mobile Fidelity version
the rare German quadraphonic SQ version
the Mobile Fidelity vinyl UHQR version (purchased by me for $50 from Mobile Fidelity, played by me less than 20 times)
the SACD version

So, listening to all those, which sounds better? Well, it depends upon what you are listening for....
- If you want the ultimate quiet background, the SACD version wins.
- If you want the widest frequency range with very deep bass that rattles your windows, UHQR is the one you want. The SACD version sounds thin and wimpy in comparison to the very deep bass on the UHQR vinyl version. Additionally, the UHQR version rivals the SACD version in quiet background. As delivered, UHQR record is very, very quiet. How one takes care of them determines the subsequent background noise levels.
- If you are looking for the sharp, accurate clarity of the clock sounds and bells on Time, I have to go with the UHQR version as well. The sound of those chimes and bells is nothing short of phenomenal.
- If you are looking for an alternate, yet very good, mix, then give a listen to the German SQ version.
- If you want the best imaging, so that an instrument sounds like it is present there on the soundstage, the UHQR version is by far the best. It is amazing, you close your eyes and you can see exactly where the instruments are placed. Rock solid imaging that I have not experienced on any of the other versions.

So, my recommendation is the UHQR version. A distant second is the SACD version, but the SACD version, although possessing a quiet background, is rather limited in the imaging and deep bass.

(P.S. I joined this forum for the purpose of posting this message. I hope it helps some folk here.)