MILES DAVIS "Kind Of Blue" MoFi vs UHQR vs Legacy REVIEW: Which is the BEST?

[@laurencewhite4809]

“Original master recording” means exactly what is says. They made their own original master of the tape.

[@rinkrat06]

I've got both the Mofi SACD the dvd audio which is in 5.1. I have a surround AVR and I love listening in surround.

[@robertbenton2804]

Great, and honest review!

[@6AM_YT]

No point in doing dishonest reviews, right?

[@GustavoTrillo]

Good video man and good vinyls 🎶🥳👏

[@Chadturner21]

I don’t think the banners ruin the covers personally, it’s a neat thing specially for their company. In all honesty it’s still sourced from the original master tape, just has a digital step, I think it sounds phenomenal, I’m not too picky about analog or digital, so many people seem to be wanting to burn mofi at the stake for this

[@kostaspapadakis3068]

lol you funny! everything comes from the master tape if thats the case! normally people have associated the original master recording banner with a record cut directly from the master tape, apparently this is sourced from DSD cut from a safety copy of the master; you tell me please if you feel that as customer you bought what you thought they were selling you. Now off course the mofi reissue even under these condition was done with care and top notch modern equipment so it will sound good but if you compare it to a true analogue pressing cut from the master such as the AP version it is very evident which is more natural and analogue in sound terms. Your money is your money but for me personally I care were I spend my money

[@hurkamur1]

Why not remove a step and spend $30 less on the sacd then? The reason people want to burn them is that they're selling hopped up SACDs on vinyl.

[@Chadturner21]

@@hurkamur1 I don’t have an SACD player lol

[@Chadturner21]

@@hurkamur1 plus vinyl for the win, and money can be made tomorrow, but you’ll never get time back

[@hurkamur1]

@@Chadturner21 You don't need an SACD player, HDtracks, NativeDSD, there are plenty of direct download options. You can bet I'm not paying $125 for a thriller one step, when i can buy the same SACD for $30 and it will likely sound better. Not sure how much stock to put into the DXD vs downsampled DSD, maybe there is an edge in SQ for the vinyl, and that's something to look into I guess. I'm a vinyl guy too, and I don't doubt that MOFI has the current definitive versions of multiple albums, but if they're just glorified SACDs it's sort of silly to pay extra for the records.

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

UHQR 45 version is the best vinyl pressing. The best, by not a small margin, is the r2r 1:1 master from Hemiolia released recently. Dead black background, wide & deep soundstage and a really smooth presentation. As for the noise and clicks you’ve noted, did you clean the record? Yes, new pressings must be cleaned. Was the azimuth set correctly? Was tracking force set correct for your cartridge. My UHQR 45 lacks clicks & pops and is very quiet. Not nearly as dead quiet at the r2r, but it’s not annoyingly or disruptively noisy

[@6AM_YT]

I set my tracking force and azimuth wrong so I can enjoy non-UHQR records.

[@JC-oz6xn]

Miles and miles of Miles!

[@6AM_YT]

So many miles!

[@playingforthecheapse]

On “So What”, I believe the moisture inside the horn or the reed is coursing the distortion, on “Blue On Green”, I heard issues on the AP version, I have 5 copies from them, all have issues at different places on the song. The MoFi copy, perhaps due to it being 45RPM, wider grooves, does not distort. I have about 6 copies of KOB, from mid 60’s reissues to the ultra expensive modern ones, all are different and the music never gets old.

[@audioguy67]

may be your cartridge does not track it well

[@playingforthecheapse]

@@audioguy67 what’s odd, is that it only happens on that track, no other places on the LP.

[@cristiangil9230]

@@playingforthecheapse I’m pretty sure it’s reed moisture. I hear it on my UHQR and I’ve heard that same noise on albums from other artists a few times.

[@yorkemar]

how does the cheap one compare to cd?

[@6AM_YT]

Good question. I don't have it on CD. I don't even have a CD player right now. Hopefully someone can answer that for you.

[@latheofheaven]

Kevin Gray did the Legacy. I have it and it is okay... It's likely analog because Kevin mostly almost always does analog. I also have the MOFI 2-45. Good descriptions mate! I was glad to hear how much you liked the MOFI 2-45 😊 And yes, I agree too that I can understand why people may not like it. I think it's more of a trade off. I also have the MOV (probably digitally sourced) mono version, and I am *NOT* a mono person whatsoever! BUT... I must admit I feel it is done really well and quite honestly the drums come though much more powerfully (and perhaps 'naturally') than the MOFI 2-45. So, to be honest I almost view those two as completely different sounding but excellent pressings. The MOFI 2-45 as very wide, spacious, and somewhat artificial sounding, but precise. And, the mono is more powerful and natural sounding. Almost like two different animals. If you don't have the MOV mono I very *HIGHLY* recommend it. I think it's only about $25 or so, and the way you were talking, I'm sure you wouldn't feel it 😁 And, trust me, I NEVER go for mono. The ONLY other mono pressing I have that I really like (out of over 2400 vinyl albums) and sounds great is Cream's Disraeli Gears. The main reason being is that the master is clearly of much better quality and Showell does a GREAT job at Abbey Road.

[@CatDadChris]

Kevin stated in an interview a while back (with Michael 45 RPM I think) that his was all analog but I am guessing it's from the remixed stereo tape.

[@hurkamur1]

RKS cut the legacy mono, as far as I've read it's supposed to be pretty killer as well.

[@jonthurston8275]

@@CatDadChris @latheofheaven I'm fairly sure that Sony haven't allowed access to the tapes since 1994 when BG had them to do the Classic Records cut. In his recent interview over at @stevewestman7774 KG acknowledged that his Legacy cut of "In A Silent Way" was from a digital source because Sony aren't willing to let him have any of the Miles tapes.

[@xentakis]

My wife is diagnosed autistic and ADHD, she definitely has issues with certain frequencies. Miles Davis and trumpets in general are an issue, lol. Piano trios are much easier on her. Or players with a very gentle tone like Ben Webster.

[@6AM_YT]

So many things in my life make more sense within the context of something like Aspergers combined with ADD.

[@xentakis]

​@@6AM_YT Yeah, that's how my wife felt. She is so happy she got that figured out. It was quite a journey.

[@leonardoiglesias2394]

This RECORDING is marvelous. You cant destroy it. The room, the reverb, the sound if the instruments is IN THE RECORDING. Listen also to prestige Miles Davis Quintet with Coltrane recordings, you will see what I mean….

[@jeremyr722]

“We all have a billion records and we’re all running out of room.” Buddy, I felt that one. Very soon now I’ll have to find room for more shelving

[@6AM_YT]

At one point if I wanted to buy a record I needed to get rid of a record. I'm pretty good right now, but it's filling up again.

[@mortlach186]

Clean them first on a Degritter(cavitation) if you don't have one already. Even if you have a vacuum machine(any model), they only clean lp's, a Degritter will improve it further. The Degritter improves sonics. It's best if you clean it b-4 the first play. Yea Chad and his love of oversize boxes. For many, space is at a premium. Nothing like putting ten records on a shelf where a hundred can fit.

[@6AM_YT]

I'm actually looking at ultrasonic cleaners.

[@leonardoiglesias2394]

UHQR 45 RPM is the noisiest new vinyl I ever heard. Went on the same day back. I could give it back, thank god. Amazing sound..but I am not going to pay 280 dollars for a noisy vinyl.

[@Valleyplant]

I got the MOFI one, it was $35 at my local shop, and I’m pretty happy with it. That UHQR is so ugly

[@knockshinnoch1950]

Now I wonder how different might this review had been if it had been recorded BEFORE the MoFi storm in a T cup? Listening to any music is subjective- what ONE individual hears is going to be very different to another due to a variety of factors- Hi Fi equipment and room acoustics are the most obvious - but climate/weather time of day and the persons own hearing all are important elements. I always take these less than scientific reviews with a large pinch of salt. There's no doubt some bias is at play on this one as a result of the "scandal" - that's obvious from the barely concealed sarcasm evident throughout the video. Personally I own the MoFi SACD of this disc and it sounds great. I did have a Columbia legacy CD 20 bit edition from the late 90s which sounded good too. At the end of the day its each to his or her own- we often dupe ourselves into hearing and believing what we want to whether it's true or not. Just ask 70 million Americans...

[@6AM_YT]

I'm a little confused about this statement. You seem to imply that my opinions were influenced by the digital source of the MoFi release, however I said I preferred that release despite it being sourced from digital.

[@knockshinnoch1950]

@@6AM_YT Hi! No I was referring to the sarcasm directed at MoFi. Your opinion is as valid as anyones. You paid particular attention to the presentation boxes which is important in creating the impression of luxury, quality and exclusivity- from the thickness and robustness of the cardboard and quality, grade and finish of paper and inks used. As a designer I'm well aware how influential this all is in creating the physiological effect that together with the marketing hype, the heavier grade vinyl contribute to the experience. The listening part is just that - a part of the ritual. These collections are as much of a TACTILE experience as they are AUDITORY. This fact is lost or not fully appreciated by most on a conscious level but it is a major factor!

[@6AM_YT]

@@knockshinnoch1950 I’m not going to pretend that I didn’t want to dislike the MoFi version! I had to call it how it hear it, though.

[@knockshinnoch1950]

@@6AM_YT Apart form MoFi being economical with the truth and hyping their product the major fact that's being overlooked are those pompous d*ckheads who have made a career out of pretending to be able to distinguish analogue from digital- they have been caught with their pants down and totally exposed for the frauds they really are. These are the guys who put ANAL into ANALogue

[@stevebrougham3930]

Good video but can we now get past “KOB”? It’s the famous jazz album but certainly not the best So many other wonderful albums in jazz history deserving more praise

[@6AM_YT]

Agreed. There are a lot of great jazz records, some of which I think are better than it.

[@Jackgrahamphotograph]

if they press another Kind of Blue it will be too soo.. There's so much more to listen too...KoB way over played..sold, pressed.! good info though...JG

[@audioguy67]

bass is extended too much it overtakes everything else on mofi

[@6AM_YT]

That's going to be system dependent, but yeah, that's a possibility.

[@audioguy67]

@@6AM_YT yes especially if bookshelves are used instead of full range it may sound good to me mofi sounds like it is done from fourth generation tape

[@austinhunt4260]

Sounds like you're angry at MoFi.

[@6AM_YT]

Is anyone happy with MoFi right now?

[@austinhunt4260]

@@6AM_YT well I think a lot of self-described audiophiles are trying to reconcile how they didn't hear that these amazing albums were digital. While deceiving your consumer is ill advised in the long run, I think I understand why MoFi almost had to do it. And we're so full of it that we're taking our frustration at being exposed for our dogmatic superstitions (analogue is ALWAYS better than digital) and acting like MoFi just killed some people.

[@Groover71]

@@6AM_YT plenty aren’t. I’m not. I’m laughing at the people who are though, because it’s ridiculous. More transparency going forward? By all means, yes. But that’s all I care about in this whole thing. What’s available now be it on the site or in resell market is fantastic and what’s coming on the horizon is also gonna be fantastic. Just watching videos like this where you can hear the anger and hurt in the KZbinr’s voice is just so odd to me. MoFi didn’t kick your dog.

[@borisgorin1170]

Any recording that’s 180-200 gram works perfectly 👍, paying $125 to maybe get a marginal improvement is insanity 😂😂

[@audioguy67]

if you guys hear only marginal improvement you need to upgrade your eauipment

[@hurkamur1]

The weight of the vinyl is the least of what you pay for here. You pay the premium for every step meticulously done, all analog, ultra flat profile, the best mastering, cutting, and plating, hand pressed clarity vinyl, the best quality jackets. Of course if it's a record you're only mildly into, or you're spinning them on your crosley cruiser, the $125 price tag is probably not worth it.

[@borisgorin1170]

@@hurkamur1 if your ok with paying $125 for dsd digital transfer on to vinyl by all means pay it 🤷‍♂️😂, as far as sound is concerned I compared a few mofi copy’s to there counterparts on 180 and 200 gram Columbia etc pressings … guess what?! 😉😂😂

[@hurkamur1]

@@borisgorin1170 They sound better? I'm not surprised a cheapo Kevin Gray cut beat the mofi digital version. But the mofi isn't what costs $125, it's the analog productions box. The AP is all analog.

[@borisgorin1170]

@@hurkamur1 actually not better at all … highs sounded harsh especially with my at-33 cartridge

[@D.E.E.P.Y.]

Chad mentioned on a livestream that KOB UHQR 45RPM is the next to come out. Since Sony said no more playing their tape, guessing there wouldn't be any more all-analog reissues anytime soon. But hey, we have all those historical releases already. Surprisingly MOFIs KOB was cut from DSD64 transfer of remix tape (master is 3 track) with Dolby NR (done in 80s or 90s) so yeah...relation to the "original master" isn't that big.

[@thomascars1]

Thank god for those Classic Records plates! No tape playback required

[@musicman8270]

I love my UHQR. Looked forever for the best vinyl version of Kinda Blue. This is it.Cheap for what you get.

[@stevebrougham3930]

I have the Mofi and the Legacy mono For me, no comparison- mono wins on naturalness and transparency No requirement for anything else (inc UHQR!)

[@rachelsghost]

Seems like the takeaway is a slight difference overall between the UHQR and Mofi versions. So kind of like 6 of one and half a dozen of the other. 🤷‍♀

[@kelhard5632]

One thing to consider, if it hasn’t already been mentioned, is that these three versions are more than likely one of two remixes that Mark Wilder did directly from the original three track multis. The Legacy addition is probably the newest remix. Really don’t know about the MOFI in light of everything that has gone on. But I am assuming it also is a remix and pulled from a DSD file. The AP I am assuming it’s also the remix, but off of the analogue master that Mark Wilder created (he had mixed to Both analog & digital.). Anyhoo, great video, even greater album whatever version you have!

[@CatDadChris]

The AP version is from the Bernie Grundman Classic Records plates that he made directly from the 3 track masters long ago. The Kevin Gray cut is from the stereo remix probably but he did say it was cut from analog in an interview a while back.

[@andymill32]

I have the 2013 MOV mono reissue I got for €25 and it sounds fantastic. MOVLP961

[@bradt.3555]

The original pressing is absolutely the best. Miles Davis played so much better on that one.

[@aleksanderlitvak6973]

Thank you for a good comparing video. I have Legacy version, and I am totally happy with it

[@Ren_Ezon]

DSD copies smiley-EQed for boomers with tinnitus and presbycusis. That's your MoFi One (million) Steps in a nutshell.

[@hurkamur1]

That's pretty much what mofi has done through every iteration of the company. Even the 80s mofi have the bass FUBAR. I enjoy some of them, but really. The pet sounds sacd is good, and the pixies sacds aren't too clapped up.

[@gregc7314]

I went thru 3 copies of the UHQR and all were very noisy. Won't be buying anymore UHQRs. Plus I hate the packaging. Takes up way too much space. Box sets for muti vinyl sets only.

[@notmanatee2445]

I have seen the DOL version that has the same artwork as the legacy cover but bolder letters,and the waxtime is a completely different record art cover,i saw it at half price books,and on discogs its a bootleg and is banned yet half price books still sells them. I have seen the not now music version of kind of blue and it looks identical,and its a different font,and is in mono,and it is worse than an mp3 download of it. You are not alone,i have seen grey market bootleg records,and other people do a comparison with that album and others,I do the same thing you did in this video,and I enjoy the hobby of playing records like you do.

[@leonardoiglesias2394]

There is a 6 CD box with the complete Columbia recordings of Davis with Coltrane. Ok, that one sounds 10% less good than the Analogue Productions 300 Dollars 45 RPM vinyl.

[@contemporaryhomeaudio]

Not all Sony Legacy reissues sound the same. My 2015 press sounds much better than than my 2010 press.

[@mikep8683]

Curious. Can you check both your copies and see if there are Kevin Gray's initials in either? Looking for KG@CA or KPG&MZ@CA

[@contemporaryhomeaudio]

@@mikep8683 My 2010 version does indeed have KPG&MZ@CA on it. I'll have to give it another listen. Side two on my copy wasn't centered when it was pressed. The stylus does a side to side swing while playing. I think I was so pissed off it ruined the experience for me. The 2015 plays perfectly. I'll give side one another try and make sure my judgment wasn't clouded by disappointment in the quality of the pressing.

[@mikep8683]

@@contemporaryhomeaudioGood to know! Thanks for checking. 👍

[@contemporaryhomeaudio]

@@mikep8683 I do prefer the 2015 press. Sonically the same, much quieter. Made in the EU.

[@leonardoiglesias2394]

The manual is like when a winemaker tells you in detail how his wine was made…..you feel like you have to like it…I dont want to know anything about a wine until I tried it and I found out if I like it. Blind test.

[@EricIzabelle]

Are they using the same version of Side 1 with the corrected speed (-3%)? The two versions were initially printed by Classic Records around 1996. The MoFi version is the corrected speed version for sure (I have it) The Analogue Productions version also has the Columbia CS 8163 reference so I’m wondering if it uses the same master with the corrected speed. Btw - The Columbia original version (CS 8163) with the old version of Side 1 is still in print (for dirt cheap) and it’s always been on the list of best records in print.

[@6AM_YT]

Those are questions I'm ill-equipped to answer.

[@EricIzabelle]

@@6AM_YT - Thanks - But do you notice any difference in tempo between the two versions in the first few notes of So What? (the difference is quite impossible to miss)

[@Anthony-fz7uf]

I am feeling Kinda Ripped off by these records companies. Alot of issues with the UHQR version mine was noisy . Many had the same issues

[@hurkamur1]

Did you clean it?

[@Anthony-fz7uf]

Yes and the UHQR of Kind of Blue had issues. Many returned then to AS . It was on the SH board.

[@tubinonyou]

I have the $25 copy and there's some distortion present for sure. Is it present on the super duper deluxe versions as well?

[@Mooseman327]

It should, because it's on the original master tapes. If it doesn't have distortion, it's been digitally altered.

[@cristiangil9230]

It’s not distortion it’s reed moisture on the sax.

[@tubinonyou]

@@cristiangil9230 Right on. I recently purchased the MOV Mingus Ah Um and thought there was some distortion. Listened to it on streaming and the same noises were there.

[@cristiangil9230]

@@tubinonyou yup, that’s actually the other record that comes to mind, same exact sound

[@bumpdunlop]

This morning I listened to my Mofi 2x45 and my original copy. I lucked out on the original.. $150, very nearly mint. There is a little bit of surface noise at the beginning of the iconic introduction, that goes away quickly. The rest is darn near perfect. The Mofi has a little bit of surface noise at the beginning of the album also. Less, but way too much considering it has only been played twice. The soundstage on the Mofi is wider. To me the bass has neen cleaned up, a little less bass, which occurs on all the mofi's and Japanese vinyl that I've heard. That makes more room for the sparkle, or glitter if you prefer. I could hear a little more drums on the Mofi, and a drum part that had never stood out to me before can be heard better on the Mofi. When I listened to the original, the drum part is there, and i noticed it this time. I wouldn't trade the original for all the Mofi's, 'cause, you know, they are still all reissues, and just not that special. Different, but not all that special. Different strokes.

[@Vriess123]

I think I also prefer the Mofi 45 over the UHQR 33. It's nice to have a great copy at both 33 and 45 though

[@mrcasey69]

So you are fond of digital over analog. Technically digital would be a more perfect sound so it makes sense.

[@6AM_YT]

I this case, I would rather listen to the digitally sourced MoFi release. I wouldn't assume I would always prefer that.

[@laurelhardy4064]

Could you make a video of your listening room and the gear that you use? Thank you.

[@6AM_YT]

Good catch! My gear is constantly changing but I normally I say what I was using when listened to something, but I forgot. I was using a VPI Scout, Denon DL-103, Rogue Trition phono preamp, Manley Shrimp preamp, Rotel RB 1552 MKII.

[@laurelhardy4064]

@@6AM_YT Thanks.

[@mwalczak5603]

What is with the obnoxious music in the beginning?

[@6AM_YT]

You don’t like my intro music?!?! Hahaha.

[@notmanatee2445]

What is the song called?

[@Pinoynoir7]

Wow! Mofi wins!

[@6AM_YT]

Wins for me, probably not for everyone!

[@rainbowheart2728]

That UHQR sucked ass. The best sounding press I've heard is RKS ' mono cut $25. The second best is KPG'S stereo cut for $25. Third best sounding would be probably any US press from late '70's and prior.

[@theayeshaerotica]

Analog productions is stupid for using clear vinyl, like are you fr

[@6AM_YT]

Mkay, thanks.