Van Halen – Van Halen

Hands down the most insane single LP I’ve ever owned. Vinyl quality, packaging, mastering—absolute endgame on all fronts.

I bought the SACD on release day and only now finally decided to get the One-Step 2LP version. It was just way too pricey for me back then—but all it takes is side A to realize this is the real deal. Hearing all the tiny details in Eruption and Eds playing over all alone makes it worth every cent.

I also own the West German original pressing, Chris Bellman’s 2015 cut, the box set version, and the MFSL SACD—but the One-Step LP is the definitive version. I cranked You Really Got Me louder than I probably ever have before. 💕

Van Halen I is among my top five favorite albums of all time, and now I can experience it in a completely new way.

Eternal love to Ed, Al, Mikey, and Dave.

IDK about the haters and folks who say it sounds harsh or bright cranked up. I just listened over headphones at a pretty loud volume. Rega P8/Hana Umami Blue > SimAudio Moon 310LP > Oppo HA1 > Beyer 1770. It sounded amazing. Guitars were loud and crisp not at all bright or fatiguing. Bass and drums really tight and punchy. And the vocals very loud and up front. Just a great listen.... In contrast, I'd agree that parts of say the CSN and Hotel California one steps were bright and not entirely faithful to the masters. But this VH is a really nice version compared to the OG US and Hoffman DCC CD which are both excellent in their own rights...

This is the one. I know the Hoffman forum trashes everything Modi and I agree The Bellman release is excellent. But,
IMO- on MY system- the one step is one step better.
Perhaps it's the 45rpm that gives it the edge. If you have a high end system- this release will shine.

The best this album will ever sound. If you cannot appreciate what the one step process has bought to the table then you probably need a new hobby!!

I listened to this record through a Hana ML cartridge mounted to a VPI tonearm/turntable, had a listen and was immediately offended by the remasters harsh brightness. What was MOFI thinking? The original LP sounds just fine compared to this mess, and even the CD sounds better. Oh! The SACD sounds just as atrocious.

This is a mixed bag.

There's more detail, the mix is better, there's more separation between instruments, nice tight bass, and Dave and the backing vocals are a little more forward in the mix... but it sounds "hot" in the treble region.

Played at moderately loud volume it sounds great, but turned up to Van Halen listening levels it hurts my ears. My 2009 reissue is a lot easier to listen to. The 24/192 digital version available on Qobuz sound better than either vinyl version.

Then there's the packaging. The big luxurious boxes are gone. On the plus side, it's less work to get the records out to play and this box fits in my oversized mylar sleeves, which the older ones are too big for. The edges of the outer box are bowed in and thick and heavy, making it hard to put the records back in the box.

From a value/investment standpoint (if you view some records as collectible items like I do) they've gone from 6,000 to 12,000 copies, so a lot more supply and lower quality. I can't say that I feel like it's worth $125.

Sounds amazing. Alex seems slightly low in the mix but overall the sound is simply stunning.

This is my least favourite of the classic Van Halen albums, each subsequent album is better than the last but still in my top 8 albums of all time. Can’t wait to hear the rest.

Wow !!!!!, my faith has been restored in mofis one step, as i have not been overall happy with a few of the last releases, when eddies guitar kicks in on the first track run-in with the devil i literally jumped out of my chair.
i have many versions of this title japan, U.S. first press, canadian etc and this is the real shit, if the rest of the VH catalog sounds this good then I'm all in, don't hesitate on this one folks.

Does anyone have a promotional copy?
Mine has a handwritten Pxxx sticker on top of the numbered rectangle. Is that legit?

It does sound stunning. Really lets you hear the rawness and detail. Can even hear a few of Ed’s little errors here and there. A master piece. Some people complained it’s bright. It is a little. Just keep the knobs at zero. I doubt you will hear a more detailed version. Now we know what that master tape sounds like. Little Dreamer 🤯! Wow! I don’t understand the people complaining. May I suggest clean the wax out of your ears. How can you have any complaints. The cymbals sound great don’t let people sway you. Get em while they last this will go down as the definitive version of this album.