Bought ever album, each with the first week. Saw Dire Straits on the first tour, small venue. Have all their and Mark’s studio albums and recordings, enjoy each - very good recordings. Nice to have the originals.
I've got an original UK 1st pressing of Making Movies. It was the soundtrack to my late teenage years - every song seemed to speak to me. I played it to death!!
I won a promotional copy first pressing of the self titled from a radio station contest when it was released. I still have it in my collection. It sounds fabulous. Super quiet.
it is funny... first mfsl was the best of the best but after scandal with mofi and michael get 1st press all changed... all comparison now is that 1st press is better.
Bin auch ein Dire Straits Fan der 1. Stunde. So großartige Musik und damals schon so gigantisch gut produziert...das gesagt kann ich 100% unterstreichen. Ein Grund warum ich Musik so unglaublich Liebe!
You take me back man! I used to put Dire Straits on to relax and often fall asleep to. My mom would come and lift the tonearm when the side finished. Those albums are burned into my subconscious. Love it! Edit: In terms of cost-I paid $7.99 for my original copy of Love Over Gold!
Great video, love your channel, which for some reason I have just discovered recently, maybe something to do with me not really going on RU-vid for a couple of years, glad I am back and found your channel from Michael F, doing a link with you. Keep up the great work. Rodger from Scotland.
It's a bit strange that the 45 rpm Mofi's have suddenly become second choice here for some time now. That may be true for many mofis, but it's just not true for the 45 rpm Dire Straits albums, otherwise most hi-fi magazines and hi-fi dealers wouldn't call these mofis absolute reference vinyls. These Dire Straits albums are among the best available on vinyl in the rock genre. The OG's are great sounding records and those who don't want to pay for audiophiles buy sensational sounding records, but they don't sound better but different, because they were not made for the audiophile listener. By the way, there are also OGs that sound better than analogue production records because they sound different. But from an audiophile point of view, this is not the case.
@@FleagleSangria Everything you say is right. Only I noticed that before the Mofi scandal, the Mofi's 45 rpm were celebrated on this channel. It was only when the OBC and the 45 rpm shop came along that things changed. That's all I was trying to say. There is no doubt that I like his channel and appreciate his commitment. I think he just has to be careful that people don't accuse him of something. I certainly don't do that.
Hmmm, not so sure. I purchased MoFi Making Movies last year to “upgrade” my slightly crackly OG that I bought in 1980. Sad to report the OG killed the MoFi which was in my opinion a complete mess. Super toppy (high frequencies) and unnatural sounding. I’m now n the look out for a MN OG
@@theheepster Agree. It seems like a bizarre 180 degree turn. At least he is listening now rather than drinking audiophile snake oil. I have the 45rpm Dire Straits self-titled and it’s a very good sounding record, which Michael doesn’t deny.
As always, enjoyed your video and review. To go back to 1978 when rock was struggling to get airplay, this song came out of nowhere and commanded the radio. Disco had taken over, and for those of us who were true music fans of guitar rock, this song blew everything else away. Marks singing, writing, and especially his playing placed Dire Straits from this first album and on in music history. He doesn't get the credit he deserves.
Thanks! Great to hear the comparison with the OG. I only have the one included in the box set of 2020, and am quite happy with it. I think it was BG mastering.
I compared the german OG of the first Dire Straits with the Mofi and came to the conclusion that the Mofi has more pronounced bass and low mids, which is not too bad (check water of love). I prefer the Mofi over the German OG, as the sound is more impressive on my system (my speakers easily go down to 30 Hz, which maybe helps). Also no noise floor on the Mofi in comparision to the old OG, which I bought in 1980. On a side note: videos like this will make the OG’s definitely not cheaper 😢!
I agree. I also had the german OG (at least mine has the same matrix numbers as the uk one and was also mastered by Bob Ludwig) and the remaster by Bernie Grundman. The remaster didn't impress me much but then I got a digital copy of the MoFi and I thought that one sounded better than both of them. So after the MoFi scandal I bought the 45rpm LP for a very low price and yes, I think the MoFi sounds the best.
I have multiple copies of Dire Straits discography. I was under the impression that most were not that great until I heard the Mofi copies and I was impressed at the quality and the sound of the Mofi??? My opinion but I have to say I line the Mofi better.
I've never heard the Mofi versions, but have had access to all the originals for decades, and I still love them. I also get a thrill anytime I see those original labels, and feel disappointed any time I see different labels on these records.
Since watching your videos I have been experimenting in the same way, inspired from your videos, I’ve been purchasing particular reissues and comparing them and finding the same thing you say in most videos. Simply, that the originals are punchier and clearer.
Michael, thanks for the video. Dire Straits is one of my favorite bands. I recently did an A/B/C test with Love Over Gold. Versions were US OG, MoFi and RSD 1/2 Speed Master that was released in Europe last year. My results were MoFi First, 1/2 Speed second and OG Third. It was really closed between the three. I will say the 1/2 Speed Master RSD was very well done. Dynamics were really good on that version. The MoFi pressing was slightly better. Telegraph Road and Private Investiagtions sound great. Bass is tight and percussion jumps from my speakers. The only studio LP MoFi didn't do was On Every Street from 1992.
Somehow I have the feeling, that if the re-issue was from AP - your judgment would have been different. I’m missing your objective approach from earlier days, Michael, prior to the whole Mofi “scandal”. Come on,.., you know that the Mofi LOG 45rpm is absolute killer and the OG is second. Not only because it’s a 45rpm with more dynamic range! I don’t care how many times it was digitally optimized by Mofi, the result is what counts to my ears. Also the Mofi Allen Parsons “eye in the sky” smokes the OG easily, as I convinced myself by comparison, different to your judgment from your older blog. Of course: on my system with my personal taste… But apart from that, I love to see your passion when you talk about the music and different productions! 😃
Fantastic Michael,been waiting for this comparison. Beautifully described & great analysis. I totally agree with your findings. It’s unbelievable the value of these originals when you consider how amazing they sound. I’m like you more punch & better separation in the original of Dire Straits self titled,but Mofi did a fantastic job ,the biggest success for Mofi is Water of Love track ,Mofi got close , Regarding Love over Gold is an amazing sounding record,my opinion don’t bother with the Mofi.Original beats it all day long. A clear winner & wow the value is with original, Cool Michael,love these videos, Michael see you next time 🙌
Great commentary, thank you. I was hoping you'd get into Love Over Gold. I remember just being blown away listening to Private Investigations on my Vertigo Japanese OBI pressing in the 80s, which I sadly sold on EBay wenn ich arbeitlos war.
All original pressings of the albums of Dire Strait are made with a lot of care, because Mark Knopfler has always been a perfectionist. The change of style between the first and let's say from the 3rd album on is unbelievable. Another band, who made always fantastic sounding records because of the leader of the band was an audiophile was Steely Dan with Don Fagan...thanks for your work!
I agree Michael on Love Over Gold. It is one of the best sounding albums I've ever heard. I have 3 originals, a rare Quiex II promo which isn't bad at all, and a remaster from around 2012 which is disappointing. The OG is an incredible sounding record. The whole of side 1 is an absolute joy
Fantastic video,especially as i was wondering whether to take the plunge and get the MOFIs,i love Dire Straits and have All the UK originals,they do sound stunning
Great video Michael, been waiting for you to do a comparison on the DS catalogue for a while now. Have been a DS fan since I heard Sultans of Swing in 1978 & actually bought the 45rpm single. I am UK based & bought all the Dire Straits albums in their first week of release. I have all the MOFIs as well and agree that they did a great job with these. I tend to alternate between the OGs & the MOFIs if listening on vinyl, which I normally prefer. I have some friends who like the MOFIs more than the originals - they definitely have more bass if that’s your bag. In my opinion though the best sounding versions are actually the “Super Bit Mapping” CD remasters which were also done by Robert Ludwig & released in 1996 in the UK. They can be picked up reasonably cheaply now & are worth checking out, especially if you are on a budget. Yes digital can sometimes sound terrible but IMO this is not the case here.
When comparison of things that are close ………..There can only really be a clear winner in Olympic Games sports where it’s first over the line . I always enjoy hearing your thoughts Michael
All DS UK ORG releases were perfectly recorded. To put a remaster stamp and reissue at 45 rpm is no brainer. It's nearly impossible to ruin the orig quality just do nothing. Bought VG++ UK orig 1st DS for 4 pounds in some London shop 20 years ago. Now 100 EUR for Mofi Thank you! )) Never!!
I am lucky enough to have a promo copy of Love Over Gold pressed on Quiex II vinyl. The sound is remarkable. I A/B'd it against the 45RPM MoFi version - particularly Private Investigations, as you did - and I honestly had trouble deciding which I preferred. Both are just stellar, IMO, but I think I have to give the edge (ever so slightly) to the Quiex II promo. But if I had never heard the promo I would have been completely satisfied with the MoFi, it's really phenomenal!
Thank you for the info on the Love over gold. I set about the challenge to find a UK OG. I received a mint copy luckily living in the UK, as you stated at very reasonable money. I paid £26 inc post. Stunning sonics.
Michael try Communique next,incredible sounding original.Punch & separation is on another level It will blow your away. Maybe more obvious the difference to Mofi🤙
I have the first four albums 1st UK pressings in great condition, I paid $2 or less at carboot sales. It took around 10 years but i have picked up some amazing deals. The 1st press UK versions are so dynamic with very silent vinyl .
Sound stage and clarity seem to be the bench mark for all Dire Straits records. MoFi is one to have in the collection as well they are highly collectible. I will be seeking out Love and Gold (Great Price) and can't believe the time frame, I was in junior high school when it was originally released. Wow ! Thank you as always for your wonderful review !
Another great video two of my demo LP's when I want to show off my system love over gold I have a u.s. quietx 2 limited edition sounds outstanding and dire straits first album it's a Japanese import and does sound a lot better than my u.s. Warner Brothers thank you Michael!
I have Canadian copies. Brothers in Arms and prior are all great records. Telegraph Road and Private Investigations are both great tunes on Love over Gold.
One of my most heartbreaking buys was an original Love Over Gold that looked to be in mint condition. I was so excited…it did sound amazing…but had one flaw…a “pop” during my favorite song Private Investigations. No type of cleaning could get rid of it so I bought the MOFI version. Such a beautiful sounding album. I agree that the OG is one of the best ever produced. Thanks for your videos.
Cool review Michael I picked up the Mofi for the debut and was happy with it the Vertigo is thought one is hard to track down clean. Love over Gold I found the Quiex i promo at a local shop and was blown away how Telegraph Road sounded .
Danke again Micheal! I'm so glad I have my OG copy,,,it does sound delicious! Off topic: can you recommend a version of Get Yer Ya Ya's Out? I have an OG American release and I love it so that after all these years she deserves a break, so to buy a new remastered copy perhaps??
i bought all their albums as they came out and kept them immaculate. Unfortunately we didn't get the pretty labels in the US. just standard Warner Bros labels. Bought a WB Live Promo LP that was supposed to go to radio stations only. Very nice. Had some songs from Communique as well before that was released.
I remember when love over USA was released I bought it on the release date and was knocked out which made me purchase the UK version the next day. The UK was much quieter which was very important to the music. Having never bought any of the MoFi versions I can not compare but I find it hard to believe that they could best the original UK pressings
All last year I bought mostly used records and very few new releases. Of the new releases, I only bought audiophile releases, namely Blue Note, Prestige, Impulse, Impex Speakers Corner and some MoFi.
was my favorite band when I was 17 and it's still my favorite band now at 55 ! here is an idea for a video ... 10 best day view album --- of course my pick is ---Dire Straits !
Very nice presentation as always, I was just searching for purchasing all the albulms and thank you, So sad that the new editions of MOFI are nt that good as the originals as you stated and as many viewers wrote in their comments too. Oh! where can i find original pressing of all the albums of Dire Straits in mint condition. I FELL DESPERATE :)
Got the first album British first pressing near mint 15 Euros only two months ago. Sounds terrific. Norwegian first pressing Love over Gold also sound terrific. Got NM for 15 Euro also. Wonderful records!
I remember while ago I mention on Melinda’s channel that I like the original better I have all original and the 45Mofi, this Melinda video was before the Mofi debacle if I’m not mistaken.
Please Michael, next time compare with a Dutch original pressing. I have to tell you that I am generally very satisfied and I think that the Dutch pressings are somewhat underestimated. Thank you in advance.
Another cheap swipe at Mo-Fi from Michael in Germany. It is amusing to watch you turn yourself into a pretzel in order to denigrate Mobile Fidelity these days. You're like a jilted lover. For the record (no pun intended) I have all the U.S. Dire Straits originals in minty-fresh condition and all the Mo-Fi versions. The OGs all sound great but the Mo-Fi's come out on top every time. I'm happy to have both.
I have not heard the MoFi records in person, but various critical reviews seem to agree with Michael. I asked an audio engineer at work what he thought based on the product description as to the merit of such a record, and he burst out laughing after reading it for a while. It’s a try-hard sales attempt, full of gimmicks. Sonic information up to 120kHz, seriously? Is this a record designed for bats? 😂 if it can even contain such high frequencies… The only redeeming quality is that it’s a 45rpm, but for that to make any noticeable difference means blind tests on a variety of equipment from budget to high-end. At this point you may as well just get a W.German original pressing CD and save yourself the trouble and the embarrassment of having spent money needlessly. 😅
I loved this review, Michael! Thank you, right at this time in 2024, I am currently trying to work out which are the best quality Dire Straits pressings? Your video has been very helpful! 👍
I love my S/T Because Sound Matters version that is 33rpm, mastered by B Grundman and pressed at Pallas for $25. It truly sounds three dimensional! My $4 OG of Love Over Gold is also plenty good to my ears! -Russ
I have the "Bernie Grundman box set" version of the "self-titled" one and a "probably 3rd pressing " of "Brothers in arms" ! They both sound great eventhough the latter was recorded in primitive 80's digital! Still sounds great to me!
IF, IF, IF I could only find a clean 1st uk press? I didn't even have to listen to your review as with certain others to know the outcome, you have biases and should refrain from comparing any MOFI titles. A fair comparison would be the Bernie cuts starting in 2009 where you may find a clean copy.
I’ve got the first pressing year, but the Netherlands, and also the MoFi. I bought it from Latvia for $30 USD and it took a month to get here. It’s the best sounding album I’ve ever heard. It’s just remarkable. The MoFi is not worse, it’s just not better. The OG I have is NM media and VG+ on the sleeve. It’s a very basic no frills sleeve. The MoFi sleeve and all is amazing, of course.
It was the Dire Straits MoFis (well before the debacle) that helped me realize that modern day MoFis just aren’t for me. Great soundstage and separation, but their mastering process (NOT any DSD step) comes at the cost of sucking some of the life out of the music, whether you want to call it veiled or “pushed back”. Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. I had never heard Dire Straits sound just above average until I heard the MoFis, and it turned me off.
OGs vs. MoFi ! What separates the best copies from the merely good ones? In a word, ENERGY. The best copies make this band sound like they are on fire, ready to go head to head with the world, fiercely proud of the new sound they’ve created. The not-so-good copies make Dire Straits sound the way Dire Straits usually does - laid back and well under control, perhaps even a bit bored with the whole affair. The best copies show you a band that wants to rock with the best of them, and can. MoFi’s records sound like they’ve been mastered with the levels pushed up at the top and bottom in an effort to highlight the details and beef up the low end. What’s lost in the process becomes strikingly obvious when you hear a good vintage pressing. one listen to the sublime “Water of Love” is enough to show everything that the MoFi is lacking. Air, space, natural sounding instruments and vocals, musicality and fluidity define this song and this recording. It is absolutely beyond me why anyone would remaster such an album and take most of what’s great about it away, leaving in its place a lifeless waste of time and money.
I totally Agree about Love Over Gold and Private Investigations. One of the best sounding albums I own. I did an A/B with my first US pressing to the SACD from MOFI and came up with about the same result you did. The MOFI SACDs are great but don't compare. I would love to compare the US first Pressing to the UK Vertigo Pressings. My only issue with my First US pressing is I have played it over and over through the years so the soft passages have some noise as one would expect. So maybe I need to find a NM Vertigo pressing. I just can't justify spending the money on any of the MOFI releases when first pressings of most of the titles sound as good or better at a fraction of the cost.
I absolutely think it's possible for audiophile pressings to sound better than the originals. Not saying they DO sound better, but sometimes they do. I think a lot of it has to do with the pressing when it comes to the OG. Which plant was used, what quality was the vinyl, did they press 50,000 or 5,000,000 copies, how often were the stampers replaced, etc.
Great video 👍 I have a German first pressing of these and Brothers In Arms and they are also excellent. I wonder if they are just as good as the UK pressings?
Very interesting Michael. Are you able to compare these to the 2009 Bernie Grundman all analogue cuts? They are stellar. I wonder how they hold out against the originals.
Hi Michael, many thanks for this great review! I can only agree with you that the sound of the UK first pressings is outstanding. However, I have a question: are the specific examples you present here free of noise? I mean specifically surface noise, clicks, pops, crackling, etc.? I have now tried several times to get perfect copies (each offered as NM / M-) on the second-hand market and each time I have new problems with the above-mentioned noises. I find the noise on "love over gold" in particular extremely annoying, as the album is mixed so dynamically and contains many quiet passages. Is it just me? Or have I just had bad luck with all the previous copies? In any case, I'm slowly losing hope of getting hold of another clean copy ... 😕
what about the 2009 versions from the analogue tapes, pressed at pallas… these are my favorites. what do you think about? i can only compare it with the mofí´ s and the 2009er are blowing them away…!
Thanks for the video. I have a U.S. first press of the Dire Straits album and compared it to the MoFi reissue. The MoFi has an obviously cut from digital sound that just doesn't sound analog to me. It sounds just like the high res digital file it was cut from. The OG is far superior. To me, it's not close.
Great video, I actually just listened to the debut album (MFSL version) myself and thought it just sounded good. I then listened to Brothers in Arms, a German first pressing and then the Abbey Road Half Speed Master Reissue. I liked the Abbey Road better, the MFSL version of Brothers in Arms I do not own and I will not buy because it is too expensive for me (now in Germany) and as I said I find the Abbey Road very very good. I would be interested in a comparison of Brothers in Arms Abbey Road vs MFSL vs UK Original :D I think the Abbey Road version of Brothers in Arms is a good price / performance tip.
I will say thus listening to all the Dire Straits Mofi collection very much the smiling face Eq was employed here. The original pressings are the gold they were presented with care from the Gecko no question about this fact ♥️ Much more head room on the Original pressings than the Mofi Strait up Dire Straits first album to me will always be without question the best work !
I think you need to obtain the Bernie Grundman cuts of Dire Straits titles (2009). Certainly better than Mo-Fi and close to originals but quieter vinyl if you can get the Pallas pressed versions. LOG often has issues with noise and from long experience it was an issue from new. Initially I bought the CD due to noisy pressings but there are fairly quiet copies out there. Mo-Fi LOG is the one they screwed up the transfer and had to send it to Plangent which means the source is PCM (DXD) rather than DSD.
Genuinely interested in LOG but I could only find a 2010 bellman cut. There are subsequent pressings that also have cB in the deadwax so I assume they would use the same metalwork and are also analog?
Michael, just a couple of years ago I bought a new Vertigo copy with Phonogram logo and bar code on the backside of the outer sleeve. I Compared to my brothers in arms original album that sounds really bad. The voices are set back so badly that you can hardly hear Mark Knopfler sing, and the dynamics are poor. Do you know if there what might have happened, why would they have released such a poor copy?
Interesting... I have probably a first German pressing, because I bought it for 13,90 DM at Karstadt Hören & Lesen in Essen the week it came out. Apart from the fascinating transparent acoustic guitar sound, this early digital recording seems to have no bass. It is one of these typical thin pressings Polygram produced in Germany in the 80ies, this increased the lack of punch and warmth. I would like to know, how the Original Master Recording by MFSL sounds in comparison? CD versions sound very similiar to the old LPs, transparent, but thin sound. I love "Private Investigations"! Better bass and dynamics came with the next Album "Brothers in Arms".
You like the OG better...what a surprise...have you heard any Mofi records since the DSD story came out that you like better than the OG? Most of my Mofi records I bought in the 80s. My overall experience with Mofi is that they are generally better than the vinyl I got from record stores at the time with a few exceptions like Sticky Fingers. The few I've picked up recently are also quite good. I've never heard a better recording of Dark Side of the Moon or Steely Dan Asia than my original Mofi recordings.
I do not think rock history needs to be re-written here. Having said this and if I am not mistaken, to my knowledge indeed Dire Straits were not a great success in UK in their beginnings in the times of punk and new wave. They became first popular in the Netherlands and Germany, even before the US.
So glad I picked up UK 1st pressings of the first 4 when I was visiting London about 5 years ago. Spinning my “Space Ship” label original of self titled right now. NM, with the inner, price tag still on the outer sleeve, I paid 12 GBP 👍
I recently picked up the remastered (by Bob Ludwig I think) 2 LP Money for Nothing’ reissue that came out last year and man it sounds great. Definitely an audiophile record and maybe my favourite compilation album ever. (Incidentally at one time I had a 1988 original and that was a dreadful pressing!)
You're paying way too much! my minty 1st press of the self titled cost me £8.33 2 months ago, I wanted a play copy to compare with my bought from new original. Same with love over gold £6.17 and yes I have the MOFI's with sound "Sanitized"
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