Customer Reviews

Fragile (Omr)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This has always been one of my favorite albums and I've heard every version (and owned most) of it that I'm aware of, even the 8-track! With this version I have FINALLY found one that satisfies whatever it is that has kept me buying versions looking for The One. The original LP was the best ('til now), but it wore out, got scratchy, was a pain to maintain, etc., etc. The sound on the original CD was execrable. The Atlantic gold CD was better, as was the reissue CD, but still not satisfying. The HDCD version was nice, but try getting hold of one (or don't - there's no need now). I was not a fan of the faux surround DVD-A version.

When I put MFSL's latest into the player I was ready to be disappointed. After all, I had been with every other digital version of this album, but by the time the drums came in on Roundabout, I was smiling and sinking into the music in a way that I hadn't done in a long time. That impression never left me.

Very highly recommended.

I own four vinyl copies of this record, two are a first british pressing, one a second pressing and one a recent US pressing.Then i own a first remastered CD copy with no bonus tracks,so... Till today i considered the first british vinyl pressing the best of all, but now i must say this Original Master Recording Gold CD is... simply the BEST !!! The sound quality is astounding, the sound is transparent, clear, real. When i begun to play this CD it nailed me to my chair, the YES were in my room playing for me! Wonderful experience!I'm enthusiastic about this CD. If you love this record you MUST HAVE this version of Mobile Fideliy Sound Lab,you'll be happy forever!

Roberto Appiana,Rome,ITALY

The Ultradisc II series from MFSL has really worked miracles for some classic rock recordings. I'll leave the reviews of "Fragile" to others; we all know what a great album this was. Comparing the Ultradisc II Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab gold disc to the Rhino re-release from a few years ago, and using audiophile-grade equipment for the A/B comparison, I couldn't hear any really significant sound improvements. The original was well-produced by Eddie Offord, and sounded great for its time (1972). Remember that we are dealing with a remastering only, not a re-mix job, so only trained ears will tend to pick up the sonic improvements in separation and range. The good things about the MFSL version are the cover / inside art, and the fact that the disc is made with real gold, and made well beyond that, so you truly have something that will last a long time. This is also a limited release; once they are gone, they are really gone, so they are collectable. They are well-worth the money.

I bought this newest Mobile Fidelity gold 'Fragile' and was disappointed with the sound. As a result, I did some checking and searching to see what else was out there including reviews on Amazon. I came across an older Atlantic gold (1994) and decided to track it down - I was not disappointed. In this case I agree with those who say they prefer the '94 gold cd that is now out of print but available used on Amazon. It has an outer box, a booklet in that box along with the jewel case and insert. The only thing it lacks is the "We Have Heaven" coda at the end of the album but I can live with that. I just prefer the sound - better mastering and separation to my tastes. This new MFSL Fragile leaves me missing something sonically.

On the other hand, some folks rate this MFSL version as one of Mobile Fidelity's best. Sound is a personal matter and generally, I prefer the older MFSL mastering to the newer ones I have heard (such as this Fragile and the new MFSL of Santana's 'Abraxas'). To me, the sound of this new Fragile, like the newer Abraxas is kind of boxy and a little dull. I prefer the soundstage of the Atlantic disc.

I won't comment on the songs as they are very well known. A great collection. My personal favorite Yes disc though is 'The Yes Album'. I do have the new MFSL gold disc of it and I am very happy with the sound - it is the only audiophile release of it on cd that I am aware of. Great presence all around, a more dynamic sound than the new Fragile. Go figure!

Back to Fragile - good luck deciding. Honestly, I tried to decide just by reading. I couldn't find a consensus in the reviews so I had to hear them both to let my ears decide. Which in the end is the best way anyway.

From the opening sound of Steve Howe's guitar, this is an amazing pressing. Mobile Fidelity has done incredible work on the mastering. It's been a long time since I've popped in a CD that really captured me the way this one has from a sound perspective.

If you are into audiophile quality sound and like music you can't go past this album on the Mobile Fidelty label. Yes is unique and should be in your collection. You should also get "The Yes Album" as well. Look for the Rino remastered reissue of 2003 with 3 bonus tracks. It is a vast improvement on the stock standard CD.

This is easily one of MoFi's best releases. The difference between the commercial cd version of this album and the MFSL version is astounding. You have to hear it to believe it. Highly recommended.

Gorgeous! That's the best word I can use to describe this MOFI release of Yes - Fragile. This CD sounds the same as I first heard it on LP more than 30 years ago.

Make sure you get the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Original Master Recording release. It's well worth the extra $.

I won't go into to much detail here, but overall with this Ultradisc II, I am very impressed and pleased with my Amazon purchase! Aside from this item being very valuable and collectible in the present and even more in the near future, but without me describing too much technical audiophile detail response about this amazing CD, I'll tell you that with a decent system, and this CD comparing to the original vinyl or CD version, you'll notice that this Ultradisc II has an overall cleaner sound, for example, deeper and richer bass response, more present and natural mid notes, and clearer, more alive high notes. You would think that this is a brand new recording and NOT something from the early 70s because of it's amazing sound quality! Overall, if you would like to listen to this incredible masterpiece of an album in super professional quality, I would highly recommend that this is the album for both me and you!!!!!

This is the best sounding version of this CD. It is unreal. The music is very vibrant and alive sounding. The price is higher, but so what. You only live once (maybe). Buy it now!