MF Beatle Boxes are awfully dear.


Back in the 80's, I was looking for a box set of Beatle records, and a set of Japanese pressings on high quality vinyl sounded better, to me, than the MF, which seemed to have exagerated bass (not so unusual for MF records) and not so much clarity in the highs. Several reviewers shared that view. Older mono Parlophones were considered by many to be ultimate versions of the genre (the artificial stereo versions of the early records can be irritating - like hearing George play in one channel while singing in the other). Now, the MF sets seemingly command the highest prices. Did the "conventional wisdom" somehow change, over time, did everyone just "forget", a younger generation just doesn't know any better, some strange artifact of marketing hype, or what?
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"Reel To Reel was probably the best format ever"

Could very well be.

I heard a recent high quality reel-to-reel orchestral recording on an all MBL system recently. It outdid both vinyl and digital recordings available for comparison. I think the recording sold for something like $350 dollars, the dealer told me though. That's pricey!

I used to record radio broadcasts onto hifi VHS, which is still around. That is not so bad either.
I had the Blue Beatles box and Liverpool Box (odeon). Both were Japanese pressings. While warmer sounding than the MF set, I definitely preferred the focus and clarity of the MF pressings. On the other hand, I found the Stones MF box set to be on the bright side.
Not just the Beatles sets are (over) pricey on MFSL records but some of the individual LP's from them are getting ridiculously out of hand in price for both used and sealed. I realize that being long out of print makes them more scarce therefore can demand a higher price but its silly now in my opinion anyway. I have to agree some of them just are not as good as the japanese pressings but I have also heard (and own) originals that sound superior to both. The Classic records re-issues are also getting overpriced and some are not that good some are....Sorry for the rant but in answer to your actual question " Did conventional wisdom some how change over time"... Yes it did , it is replaced by some who must own something conceived to be rare and expensive and trophy cased for eyes only that only the few have. I just have a different take on it, Lp's to me are artifacts of no real value sitting unused and unopened on a shelf. Placed on a turntable with a needle in their grooves they come to life and fulfill their purpose of bringing hundreds upon hundreds of hours of enjoyment. After all it is about the music, isn't it ? Glad to see some still remember just how good Reel to Reel is also. Cheers
I believe its supply & demand. There are alot less MFSL than the other and is US only release. The blue box stereo was released in many countries and for the most part sound similar. Now look at the limited mono released box sets both black & red only released in the UK & Japan, MFSL box set is cheap compared to them. Open box set MFSL $500 to $900. Limited open mono from 1200.00 to 2000.00 to start the bidding. I have seen sealed box sets by MFSL but never a sealed red or black box set. IT's all supply demand even in the used department.
thanks for the info, I didn't realize some of those things were available. Not really feasable for me to go down the mono or open real path, though, at those prices.