Cat Stevens TEASER AND THE FIRECAT 50th vs the Mobile Fidelity Anadisc!

[@mporentas]

I’ve been waiting for Chad to put this title out since he pressed Tillerman at QRP, and I’m still waiting. I think this 50th has a lot to offer, in clarity and bass definition, where my go-to US and German originals have a much sweeter mid range and mid bass. Never noticed how thin the voice is on the 50th until you pointed it out, but you’re spot on. I’m keeping this in rotation until we get a better option. C’mon Chad!

[@ThePressingMatters]

Yes it's a very good copy but not reference because of the edge on the vocals. I haven't played it since I went to a tube based system so perhaps I'd feel differently now. Chad really needs to do this title! Agreeed!

[@valuevinyl110]

I am a bit biased... I could listen to Cat Stevens on an 8-track with a tape that has been ate 10 times and still enjoy it... With that being said... I have heard (did not buy... I can not spend more than $2 on any vinyl) all the 50th Anniversary releases so far and they are all better quality than what I am used to and made me feel dirty listening to it. Very good pressings and mastering... So Good I also got the CD versions gifted to me so that I could continue listening to that quality over time. When I feel naughty and want to listen to something that I did not pull out of a dumpster at Goodwill and want to enjoy and make believe I am an audiophile... These are my go to's. In all reality... I still pull out my OG Teaser and the Firecat I got from Salvation Army for 99 cents and enjoy it... As much as I like the new releases... They are not 200 times (or more... those Mo-Fi's are way too expensive...) better than the version I got for 99 cents. Diminishing returns... In the world of Value Vinyl... For 2 bucks and under for any vinyl in my collection... you quickly learn that good enough... is good enough... This is why I can never be an audiophile.

[@ThePressingMatters]

I'd like to find a nice original at the thrift store! Sadly don't see any good stuff around here any longer but I bet your original beats the 50th in being a more natural presentation. I agree on the aftermarket cost of the Mofis. Luckily I purchased it new when it came out for $30. Still not cheap but a great one. Thanks for watching!

[@pizzainthebox3449]

I got Cat on my mind now. Great video, as always!

[@ThePressingMatters]

Thank you! It was great to revisit this music no matter which pressing. I fell in love with it all over again. I really appreciate your support and your comments.

[@jimmccluney7514]

I really enjoyed your review Scott as I’m waiting on my super deluxe edition to arrive

[@ThePressingMatters]

Thank you, Jim. This is a marvelous recording and one of Cat's best efforts. I'm sure the set will be a delight. I'd love to hear back from you once you've heard it. Thanks so much for watching and take care.

[@primeanalogrecords]

About a year ago I picked up Teaser and the Firecat 1st pressing! Sound is amazing so I think this was a very early pressing! Like you I love this album! I'm in the process of finding Tea for the Tillerman DBX Disc!

[@ThePressingMatters]

Wow don't you need a DBX decoder for that format?

[@primeanalogrecords]

@@ThePressingMatters Yes! Currently in my system I have a DBX 224 for use with my Nakamichi 482Z And that encodes and decodes and decodes the Discs as well! Unreal dynamic range and dead silent after the needle drops! They are as silent as CDs with much more dynamic range! Ive got probably 10-15 titles right now but trying to acquire more! Ive always been fascinated by what they created there! I have 3 pieces of DBX gear running including DBX 3BX and all lines output to Klipsch Cornwalls so have no problems with bass! Hehehehehe

[@ThePressingMatters]

@@primeanalogrecords Wow that sounds great. To think of all the great DBX records I passed by over the years! Good titles!

[@primeanalogrecords]

@@ThePressingMatters Too bad I moved away from Miami at the back side of Covid or I'd be able to audition these to you! You would be hooked! Maybe I'll hit you up next time I visit!! Still have many friends there! You could show me the new stores around!

[@ThePressingMatters]

@@primeanalogrecords Of course, I would love to! Please let me know. It's always great meeting fellow fanatics!

[@gerardbreault9993]

Good comparison review.

[@ThePressingMatters]

Thank you! Now we know the MOFI was digital! Still sounded better to my ears.

[@ThePressingMatters]

Correction - we still don't know about this title yet.

[@Andrewslattery1984]

Finally got my copy and compared to my OG Pink Island. Crazy difference. Pink island is warm like a blanket. The 50th is clinical but ridiculously detailed. Massive sound stage, everything super detailed but no warmth. You can tell it's analogue though as you can hear the tape pre echo on a track. Very interesting. I think my preference would depend on mood.

[@ThePressingMatters]

Hi Andrew, I can imagine! Would love an original British pressing! What you heard is about the same as I did with the MOFI, which tells me they are more similar in tonality. I'm so glad you were able to do that comparison and share your findings with us here. Are you saying that there was no digital involved with the new cut, just hyper detailed eq?

[@Andrewslattery1984]

@@ThePressingMatters track down an Aussie original. I got a VG+ copy at a shop that plays NM after a few good cleans for $25. The aussie has great vinyl and uses the original island / Sterling plates

[@Andrewslattery1984]

@@ThePressingMatters also interesting to note that the 50th of Tea for Tillerman is very different. Much more "warm and analogue" sounding, and it absolutely kills the original

[@Andrewslattery1984]

@@ThePressingMatters also re no digital... I had a listen in really good headphones and you can hear pre echo on a few tracks. To me that says it's been cut from tape. As you don't get that on digital. I reckon it's just aggressive EG that's led to lack of warmth

[@michaellord9745]

The asking price for the Mobile Fidelity pressing, new and used, is obscene. I've got a minty original and the 50th - both sound terrific. Somehow I'll have to find a way to soldier on without the Mo-Fi version.

[@ThePressingMatters]

That original I imagine will serve you well, Micheal. I wish I had one when i did this shootout. I bought the MOFI when it was released, so it was relatively inexpensive. I wouldn't dream of paying the going rate for it. It does sound more natural than the 50th in my opinion as I and sure the original does. I recently listened to the 50th again with my new tube amp and still found it a bit too bright, but it may sound great on other systems. I did not mean to suggest the MOFI was the only way to go on this title. Original US and UKs should be plentiful and sound on par with it.

[@p8pillon]

Nice vid Scott.

[@ThePressingMatters]

Thank you!

[@RocknRonni]

It's always disappointing when they make records with digital Masters they have the tapes why don't they just make records with the tapes Chris Bellman knows how to do this the big record companies Like A & M they like making so-so records because they know they're going to sell them all anyway it's very frustrating for people like us. Like I always say it might sound good but what are you comparing it to that's where you find out you're getting ripped off with the digital records because they can make a better if they really wanted to yeah you know CD sound good but analog sounds better thanks for the review

[@Ricardo-fs1xe]

Hi Scott, great video as always! What about the Canadian pressing (A&M Records) that says "AUDIOPHILE" in the cover? Is it better than the MoFi? Do you believe the MoFi one is the best version of this album? Tks a lot!

[@ThePressingMatters]

Hi Ricardo, Thank you! I don't know about the Canadian Audiophile or the British or US originals. I would think the might be better than the Audiophile, more natural. However the MOFI is really awesome sounding and much better than the new one. I wish I could tell you more but I don't have the other pressings. If o can borrow them I'll try and revisit this. I know who might have the missing versions

[@Ricardo-fs1xe]

Tks a lot!@@ThePressingMatters

[@jameslatham6512]

The 50th anniversary is very disappointing: it is harsh sounding. The bluray version is a total waste. Vinyl rules on this release for sure.

[@ThePressingMatters]

I haven't heard the cd or Blu-ray. But even this vinyl release suffers from it to some degree. I'm always open to hearing these different 50th anniversary releases but half of them are a waste of time!

[@p8pillon]

It's done with Cat and the original producer. They made it sound how they wanted it to sound for today. Nothing today can be made to sound as it was, the mastering engineers of back then are all gone and the equipment they had is almost all gone

[@ThePressingMatters]

It's true Cat was involved. Though artists sometimes aren't the best judge of these things especially 50 years later. Much rather a noted mastering engineer handle these releases. That said, it's still pretty good.