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Everybody knows who the Police are, and everybody is familiar with their most popular record, Synchronicity. So, this brief review is not going to focus on the musical content of Synchronicity, but rather on the fact that this is the MFSL Gold version under review. MFSL stands for Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs. (No idea why the are "mobile.") They are still around and you can look their site up on the Web. In a nutshell, MFSL produced ultra-high fidelity versions of a select few recordings. They made both vinyl LP's and gold-coated CD's. The gold coating is said to reflect the CD player's laser beam better, and to be more resistant to deterioration over time. Regular CD's are great, but the MFSL gold ones are noticably better as far as sound quality. I wouldn't say they have that much less pop or hiss although some may, due to the fact that they are usually labeled "Original Master Recording." What they do offer for sure is bolder, brassier sound. It takes a decent stereo system to bring this out, but audiophiles who do a before-and-after listening test will tend to like the format. The cases these disks come in (assuming you get an original and not a substitute) are upgraded as well, featuring an alternative center holding device that clamps the disk securely but does not crack or chip the center hole, and which lifts the disk from the case for you so you can grab the edges gently and lift the disk right out, without flexing it at all - which can only add to the life of the disk. Let me also add, I would not put any of my MFSL's in my car stereo. Too much risk of dust, scratching, theft, etc., and the noise of a moving car would drown out much of the extra fine detail that this kind of disk can produce anyway. A number of years ago, I had purchased a wonderful boxed set with every Police album (and more tracks too), so I already had every song on Synchronicity. But I bought the MFSL version anyway, and for two reasons. First, every once in a while, I just want to put it on, crank it, and hear every last little tick of Copeland's cymbals. But the greater reason is not to play it very often, and to hold on to it as a collector's item. The simple reason: these are much more rare than the foil CD's, most people have seen original master recordings and know vaguely what they are (so there will always be a re-sale market), and these CD's seem to me to have a track record of, in general, increasing in value over time. If the copy I purchased were unopened or mint, I might have to not play it at all, so as to maximize the return when someday it is sold. The market experience of E-Bay allowed me to identify what I wanted, bid what I wanted, be out-bid a few times, but be patient and eventually pay what I wanted for this disk.Read full review
Hard to come by Mobile Fidelity CD anymore, particularly of this awesome album classic from 1983. Number 1 for the year, it still holds up for repeated listenings!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
It is a great edition of Police "Synchronicity" album. The sound on it is just like a storm, strong and fast, with many details reproduced. You can discover that marvellous music once again in totally new dimension. If I was to make a decision which pressing of that album to buy, it would be certainly MFSL again. The only negative of that CD is its pretty high price, but it's worth it after all. I am listening to it on mid-range hi-fi equipment (Arcam CD-player, Pioneer amp and Definitive Technology loudspeakers).
This cd came in mint condition and now I hope to get an update on my next one Led Zeppelin Zofo. It is supposedly coming from Germany and ordered it on the 1st of Dec.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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