Dire Straits-Brothers In Arms-45RPM Vinyl Review

1985 – Dire Straits – Brothers In Arms – Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs – 45RPM

Vinyl surface noise: 4  (not pops and clicks)

Dynamic Range: 5

Stereo Imaging: 5

Image depth/perspective: 4+

Overall frequency response: 5

Side One

1. So Far Away
2. Money For Nothing

Side Two

1. Walk Of Life
2. Your Latest Trick

Side Three

1. Why Worry
2. Ride Across The Water

Side Four

1. The Man’s Too Strong
2. One World
3. Brothers In Arms

This special limited edition 180 gram, 45 RPM, double album, (serial number 007585) was re-mastered in 2014 by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab using the Gain 2 Ultra Analog System and half speed mastering. It was originally released in 1985, recorded at Air Studios, Montserrat and mixed at the Power Station, New York.

Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Pick Withers(drums and percussion). The band became one of the world’s best-selling music artists, with records sales of over 100 million.

This pop rock recording has got to be one of the very best technically engineered and produced commercial recordings ever made. For me, it embodies everything technical, and musical, that a good recording should have. The original vinyl album was good, the CD was better, the 5.1 SACD was outstanding and this 45RPM vinyl is divine. This recording may not be your musical ‘cup of tea’ but it sounds amazing, makes a terrific demo disc, and its not even a Direct To Disc cut. It just shows what can be achieved when everything comes together. So where do I start?

5.1 SACD Remix

So despite the SACD 5.1 version being one of my go to demo discs, I am surprised I haven’t worn it out. This 45RPM vinyl stereo version also makes the demo mold, but will only be played for those especial occasions. This vinyl recording has it all:

• Huge dynamic range
• Very extended frequency response
• Great HF detail
• Excellent imaging
• Respectable depth perspective for a studio recording
• Clean open sound
• Terrific vocals with enormous presence and no hard edges or sibilance.
• Guitars and a drum kit that are almost in my room. The kick drum is just awesome.
• A tight clean bass line that is well extended.
• AND last but not least great playing, music and lyrics.

OK, yes I am a Dire Straits fan boy, but it’s not because I too am British, and about the same age as them. Dire Straits, and in particular Mark Knopler, are terrific musicians and together with their engineers, producers and mastering houses produced some amazing records. This is a testament to one of them.

The Tracks

With only two tracks per side the entire dynamic range of the sessions is unleashed. The only let down is that the vinyl surface noise on MY pressing is higher than I would like becoming slightly intrusive on two tracks during very quiet passages. It is very loud on both lead in and between tracks. That issue aside everything else is all but perfect, and for a none D2D album it is just outstanding. Pops and clicks there were none, and I mean none. I cannot imagine, nor have I ever heard, a none D2D album that provides the listener with such an outstanding sonic and musical experience.

Every track has something/everything going for it. From the ripping guitar riffs, saxophone and keyboard solos to the vocals that are in the room with me. The kit and in particular the snare and kick drum positively drive many of the tracks being tightly coupled with a solid and tight extended bass line. The bass drum on S4T1 is staggeringly low and really tests your whole systems capabilities. The tracks have a really warm sound without being soft and contain a very pleasing level of what sounds to be synthetic reverb that nicely rounds out many of the decays. These musicians rock!

Yes, I could write paragraphs about each track. But what is much better is for you to go buy a copy, and let the music, dynamics and musicianship just roll over you.

For those of you that don’t feel vinyl is the medium for you, but enjoy rock music, go get the SACD 5.1 version. It too is outstanding. Yes it sounds different, but not in a bad way. Its just a different version of the same tracks. Just as dynamic, its shows no signs of digital hardness and to be honest, the bass is slightly tighter and more extended, and the surround mix really envelopes you in the music.

UPDATE: 8/5/2022. According to Mo-Fi both the vinyl and SACD DSD256 stream were created from a Digital clone of the Sony 1630 U-Matic digital master.

Despite this album not being a Direct To Disc cut, significant care and attention was given to both the mastering and cutting process. The result being an excellent rendition of the original master tapes with outstanding dynamics and extended frequency response. All rounded off by some great musicianship and tracks.

If this is your style of music then you must own it. Go buy yourself a copy NOW.

Available on vinyl from Discogs.

See my other vinyl reviews here.