ak2112

Ok, so I know I posted something similar about this earlier, but I have been on a quest to collect all four of the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab remasters of Rush albums (2112, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures and Signals). So far, I have succeeded in getting all of them except for MP. All I can say is that if you've invested in a good stereo system, you owe it to yourself to get the best quality recordings you can get. And if you're a Rush fan, the four MFSL releases are a must. Permanent Waves is still in print and easily available. The others are more difficult to get a hold of, especially if you dont want to pay extra for them! I bought PW directly from MFSL this summer and was so blown away, I started my quest to get the others. I plopped down $55 to get Signals and another $50 to get 2112. However, MP has been a motherf*cker to get. The cheapest I've seen it go for has been around $80 on the *bay, and new, sealed copies are selling in the $300 to $700 range! Even for a Rush freak like me, thats just crazy. I will keep up the quest to get them though. The first time I put the MFSL remaster of PW on the system, I could not believe my ears. There were details I had never heard before from an album I had been listening to for 30 years!

 

If you can drop the extra coin for the MFSL albums, I also highly recommend the new SHM-CD's from Japan. If nothing else, they're awesome collectors items with the Obi strip and mini Lp presentation. In addition, them and the MFSL are the closest to vinly sounding I have ever heard the digital medium get. The SHM's also benefit (or to my ear they do) from repeated playing as the sound quality seems to improve with each spin.

 

At any rate, I'd be curious to hear from the other Rush audiophiles on hear about this subject again. I apologize for posting on this topic again, but I'm so jazzed about these albums I cant help it. I've had the MFSL of Signals on all evening and it just rocks the remaster out of the water. Plus, the final bit of the lyrics on "The Weapon" are missing on this version of the album. Apparently, this is how the song was originally recorded by the boys...very cool. Plus, my all time favorite Rush song "Losing It" sounds simply epic on here!!!!

Personally, I'm glad you put many of the songs from Vapor Trails at the bottom. I'm a Rush fanatic but that album just sucks ass. Every song is too long and sounds tired and unfocused. Strange that their first album in 6 years would be so lame, not to mention the horrible production and sound quality. I have never been able to listen to the album for very long. Just terrible....