Vinyl Showdown: Mobile Fidelity Bill Withers & Warren Zevon vs Originals

[@mazzysmusic]

Thanks for doing this. Yes, the OG Zevon is a fabulous-sounding record, but I, too, give the MoFi a slight edge (more detailed). Of course, if you do not compare them, nothing is missing from the original. I hope folks who only know Werewolves check either version out, as he is one of the great American songwriters and record makers. A dark and humorous side of life and love.

[@TheInGroove]

I remember David Letterman was a big fan and would have him on the Late Show all the time. He really was excellent till the end.

[@chrisgrillo579]

Thank you, Mike, for the Billy Cobham spectrum recommendation. It's simply amazing. YOU are the man 👍

[@fidelios_frequency]

Nicely done. I like how you described the differences of the reissues vs the OG. Thank you.

[@tlar9572]

Thanks for the vid. By biggest takeaway is, if Mike can barely hear a difference between pressings with his elite setup, i likely won’t hear any difference at all on my $1-$2k system.

[@chadnewmandrums]

I just picked up the Billy Cobham Spectrum Rhino clear version at Hogwild Records in San Antonio thanks to this video!

[@bobbyg7458]

I agree with that Billy Cobham "Spectrum" Rhino reissue: It sounds incredibly nice!

[@YAMAHA808]

KG is the best. Most Valuable Cutter. Never been disappointed by one of his cuts.

[@MarkHannen-e8t]

I can’t thank you enough Mike for the recommendation of the Billy Cobham. It sounds fantastic. Keep the recommendations coming!

[@jackde1965]

This is a pretty large coincidence. I'm trying to find some jazz that I can enjoy. I've always been in need of vocals with my music. I'm a gigantic EVH fan and someone recommended Billy Cobham's Spectrum to me only this past week and I've been listening to it non stop streaming. I'm glad to see you still had it in stock Mike. I feel like once you recommend something they disappear quickly. Well I ordered mine from The In Groove today and I'm looking forward to getting it. Thanks Mike, always great videos.

[@sandyfader4649]

I have the original Spectrum but just ordered the SYEOR. With Tommy Bolin on guitar, it’s KILLER.

[@love2spinvinyl]

Thanks for the vid, I’ve got Still Bill on the way from Mofi. I did pick up the Spectrum the other week from my local store as i had heard it recommended from a YT channel. But here in Australia i paid a lot more than the $21usd you guys get it for lol. It is an amazing sounding album. Think ill pick pick up the Warren Zevon down the track. Side note i got to order Chet Baker sings off Bluenote last night so a bit excited about that.

[@henricusinstitoris2325]

So glad I read your comment about Chet. Just preordered it. Thanks a ton

[@vinniemorciglio4632]

In printing there are "Soft Touch" coatings that can be applied during printing for those reasons, so that is probably what that is. Aqueous and UV finishes are other options popular now...

[@jessechristensen6028]

I felt that way about the one step of Texas flood not impressed but for the other examples I’ve got I’ve been very happy.

[@MWO486]

There is not one bit of filler on that Billy Cobham Spectrum album. I bought the Kevin Gray remaster and it is absolutely super.

[@tubinonyou]

Damn! Looks like that steak analogy got the Cobham out the door.

[@MJNS301]

Hey Mike. I only recently got in to record collecting for some weird reason. Lol. I used your 100 best AAA list to pick some of my selections. I have a couple SYEOR albums already, and picked up the Billy Cobham at my local record store today, and I gotta say, it's smokin: hot! Nice to see that you guys are shipping to Canada now as well. Might order some stuff I can't get locally. Thanks for the vids, and keep on spinning! Lolz.

[@sammencia7945]

10:25 "...now when you turn it up quite a bit now the record kinda comes alive" DJs in clubs play at 112dB volumes excluding the sub 40hz earthquake bass. There are some songs, definitely not all, that "come alive" at extreme volumes. At home you probably never play above 93dB. That is very loud. Louder than you think. Measure it at your listening seat. Bullet the Blue Sky by U2 was one such track that at max volume (lights would dim in time to intro kick drum) would sound incredible. But it had to be 112dB maxed out, clipping amp and nearly overheating.

[@rixvspinner]

The OG Zevon works for me and I have the OG Spectrum which sounds excellent. I saw Billy do a drum clinic at an old church in Toronto in the late 80's I think. I was sitting maybe a yard from him and could feel the air coming off the drums. Billy is a hard hitting drummer and what a drum clinic it was. Another I saw was Bill Bruford's Discipline drum clinic, also excellent. Mike, you didn't mention Buddy Rich.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

I've got a live Mahavishnu orchestra album signed by Billy

[@panleszek]

Good job selling me another copy of Spectrum that I don’t need! I have the white promo copy since new and I played it countless of times (which could be heard) - I will always go back to this album - I guess I have to get this definitive version, right? I appreciate what you do - so I had to buy it…

[@TheInGroove]

At least this time it's only $22 :)

[@hemantishwaran5741]

I found the MOFI Still Bill overly analytic and forward, even harsh at some points. Otherwise if it weren’t so forward sounding this would have been a home run

[@rocdocs]

Love the new tee 😮

[@chaky1978]

I find it funny how you’re last two videos are so different , on your Q&A you come across a bit distracted and a bit disinterested on the very process you decide to provide , one can easily walk away from that thinking you don’t care that much , yet then this video fully displays your knowledge and experience, excellent and informative, btw I enjoy the mom and pop aspect of the Q&A and hope you continue but maybe shorter …Saludos !

[@syr1964]

That spectrum sounds glorious. I ordered from barnes and noble and had to go through 4 warped copies and ended up with a slightly less warped one unfortunately

[@scottwheeler2679]

You can not level match with a DB meter. Perceptual loudness is frequency dependent. You have to do it as best you can by ear.

[@theboomerscalper]

That Spectrum is excellent.

[@derosa1989]

"Red Baron" is the killer track on the Billy Cobham record ! Just be prepared to have it stuck in your ear for the next month.

[@Jamko1970]

My NM Original Monarch pressing of Still Bill sounds better than the MoFi. The Original really kicks that funk.

[@djjoeykmusic]

Great Video Michael. Well Done _ Thank you

[@vincegg5405]

As a freshman in vinyl collection, I just want to ask what does “cut hot” mean? How would it affect the sound quality of the vinyl? Thank you guys 😅

[@TheInGroove]

Cut hot refers to how loud the music is at the same volume compared to a LPs that plays at a lower volume. Assuming you have the volume set the same.

[@dbodine328]

Bob. Great episode! As always killer records and commentary about said records. But now you’re throwing in a smoking hot K Constantinople? What?? Guitars are ok but we need more cymbal talk. 😅

[@Big-J-8579]

They don't advertise it because it really does not matter. The things some people worry about often have nothing to do with the sound of a pressing. I so look forward to the day when I don't hear the silly words, "All Analog" and just here this is the best recording, engineering, mixing, and mastering.

[@TheInGroove]

It matters. Demonstrated by the lawsuit against MoFi. People want know how the sausage is made.

[@Big-J-8579]

@@TheInGroove Yep, the lawsuit changed the sound of the recordings. I chuckled when my claim form showed up in the mail. One of the dumbest suits ever.

[@TheInGroove]

All I’m saying is if it didn’t matter to people they wouldn’t of got sued.

[@tomwebb7091]

Still Bill is one of Withers' best. In the UK Mofi records are even more overpriced than US prices and conversely we get the MOV label stuff for less than US. Now i can vouch for the quality of the MOV Still Bill reissue. For around £20 its very good and MOV pressing quality is as good as it gets when they are on it. I have just got lucky on a new Mofi Still Bill for £40 which for a Mofi is great as they usually cost around £60 (which is too much). Cant wait to see if the Mofi issue really is worth twice the cost of a good quality MOV issue. C'mon mr postman.....

[@ajmoore2201]

Definitely keep us posted on your thoughts

[@charlesgund4812]

Just waiting for Michael 45 review saying the original is best due to the freshness of the tape…

[@7and12inchvinyl]

Really mike

[@vcp93]

Do the boogers cost extra? 🤑

[@TheInGroove]

They came free with the record.

[@smason]

Perhaps they want to release these in an organic fashion, building a following of in true listeners instead of flocks of flippers.

[@jesse8435]

Second

[@Born2gun77]

First