Van Halen Partners with Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab & Warner Records …

JasonA: No, it plays hi-res in an SACD compatible CD player. Some Sony Blu-ray players also recognize SACD discs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Audio_CD

Ahh Roger that. Many thanks

kaloway: So this is also available as vinyl. How is this different from the remastered units sold via Walmart 6 pack?

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Limited to 12,000 numbered copies, pressed on dead-quiet MoFi SuperVinyl at RTI, and mastered from the original analog master tapes, Mobile Fidelity’s ultra-hi-fi UltraDisc One-Step 180g 45RPM 2LP collector’s edition pays tribute to the record’s merit and allows fans to experience Van Halen’s original blend of raw power, Hollywood flair, and vaudeville fun for generations to come. Playing with reference-setting sonics that elevate a 10-times-platinum landmark whose importance cannot be quantitatively measured, this definitive version provides a clear, clean, transparent, balanced, and turn-the-volume-up-to-11 view of an album that birthed entirely new styles. Since MoFi’s unique SuperVinyl compound allows you to crank the decibels to your wildest desires without risking noise-floor interference, prepare to not only hear but feel Van Halen in your chest, no fifth-row concert seat necessary.

The premium packaging and gorgeous presentation of the UD1S Van Halen pressing befit its extremely select status. Housed in a deluxe box, it features special foil-stamped jackets and faithful-to-the-original graphics that illuminate the splendor of the recording. No expense has been spared. Aurally and visually, this UD1S reissue exists as a curatorial artifact meant to be preserved, touched, and examined. It is made for discerning listeners that prize sound quality and production, and who desire to fully immerse themselves in the art – and everything involved with the album, from the iconic cover art to the meticulous finishes and, yes, of course, Eddie Van Halen’s pioneering fretwork and his brother Alex’s double-bass percussion.

kaloway: Thanks Ron. Now putting aside the collector value, purely on sound, would you buy this vinyl if you already own the remastered?I can’t figure this on my own for some reason…

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It’s kinda an apples and oranges thing in my mind.
Remastered is remastered. (Someone took the masters and re-mastered them.)
This MoFi release (the 5 other DLR era to follow) aren’t remasters as far as I know. They took the original tapes, and used a process to create these 12,000 copies (for VH I) that enables the listener to hear what was on the masters better because of the lower noise floor and better fidelity.

I think in the long run, the collectability will be high, but at release, I would think that 12,000 copies should satisfy the die-hards.

Keep in mind that this is the 3rd release of the 6-pack in the last year. We had the WalMart exclusives last year, “The Collection” this week, and now these MoFi discs. The market is saturated!

JasonA: No, it plays hi-res in an SACD compatible CD player. Some Sony Blu-ray players also recognize SACD discs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Audio_CD

I’m gonna havta look into this to make certain my CD Player can play SACD … I’d actually be more interested in just getting in as High Res FLAC. HDTracks use to do that I don’t know if they still do.