Which stereo release of Dark Side of the Moon is the nicest?

Looking at my iPod, I chose the Toshiba EMI (black triangle) edition.

Here's some reading on all the editions that I think you'll find interesting.

Poll: Dark Side Of The Moon - best CD version? - SH Forums

I'm surprised the SACD scored as high as it did. I suppose the black Triangle version isn't easily available, and MFSL... well it was going for US$300 at one point IIRC

The MFSL version goes for the $300 range when it is mint and unopened. Otherwise you can find it on Amazon or eBay for the $40 to $75 range. Keeping an unopened copy just to try to sell for $300 is stupid. Open the damn thing and listen to it or sell it to someone who will (at a price where they can afford to open it).

I have three versions of DSOTM.
CDP 7 46001 2 (Capitol Records 11th issue) according to pinkfloydarchives
The 1992 remaster
MFSL (bought it new at MSRP when it was released)

I have heard the SACD (the SACD 2 channel layer) once at a stereo meet

I have not heard the black triangle version or any of the other early issues that apparently used the same mastering.

Of the three I have, my favorite for headphone listening is the MFSL. It is easy comfortable listening that transports you away. It is very nice on headphones. A smooth sound where all the instrument sounds work together and meld together. Nothing fights over another instrument or sound. Cymbals are a bit toned down. Floor toms have a bit of a bloom. Percussion in general is not tight and is laid back. But the overall sound of the entire CD leaves you enjoying the entire CD with no ear fatigue or brain fatigue. Very easy to just zone out to and enjoy.

The Capitol Records 11th issue that I have is slightly harsh compared to the MFSL. Cymbals are more present, but so is sibilance in the vocals. Floor toms have less bloom, but the percussion is still not very tight. Overall listening doesn't leave me as relaxed or enjoying the music as much as the MFSL version.

The 1992 remaster suffers from compression. It really grates my ears. The percussion is tighter and there is no bloom in the floor toms or any other tom. A more rock style sound. Instrument sounds sound like they are layered on top of each other as very separate sounds rather than combining to compliment each other (I suspect too much compression was used to get more separation). If you're playing DSTOM to a party or to a light show this is the version to use (if you don't have the SACD). I don't like listening to this version on headphones. I only listen to it when I want a rocking version of DSTOM with percussion impact, and then I listen to it on my studio monitors rather than the headphones.

The SACD was a fantastic listen. I didn't notice any effects of compression but the percussion was very tight and the toms sounded like normal toms. I recall some odd mixing choices compared to how I'm used to the MFSL version sounding. Very good sound and more rocking than the MFSL version. I might have to buy it even though I don't currently have an SACD player.

It is well worth having multiple versions of DSOTM. I use the MFSL version when I want to enjoy the music and one of the other versions when I want a more impactful rock style sound.

I'm still curious about how the black triangle version sounds.

I am sorry for my confusion - where does the "30th anniversary" vinyl release fit into this scheme of releases?

Yikes. It's actually cheaper to buy a Sony SCD-CE595 SACD player and the DSoTM SACD!

By the way, if the OP is up for spending an extra $50-$100, there are inexpensive SACD players available. The SACD version of DSoTM is my favorite. The Red Book layer isn't bad, but the SACD sounds terrific.

$300 for an MFSL disc is crazy. I wonder if any actually sell at that price? It might be the same handful of sellers continually relisting in hopes of eventually getting a sale.

I'm going to buy the SACD version. I don't expect to be happy with the CD layer (it has compression and limiting that is not present on the SACD layer). But gotta have it. Maybe staring at the SACD sitting there on my shelf will finally prompt me to get an SACD player.

I bought the mofi new, and I still mostly listen to the sacd version.

Damn. I nearly bought that years ago, but wasn't into them enough to bother.

Did get the "Sound Check", though. That's worth having; has a 20 to 20 sine wave sweep that does break in properly.

The SACD layer is fantastic.

For redbook I love the Harvest Black Face CD or the Black Triangle.

For vinyl - the Kevin Gray LP is rather good.

At the end of the day tho, DSOTM is still not even in the running for pink floyd's best album, let alone a great album on it's own, so it's amazing the number of times it's been redone.

Couldn't agree more!

It's their most commercial though.

Of the three I have (Capitol/Harvest, MFSL, 20th Anniversary), I would say they are all equal in their own ways. The mastering does vary, but if my memory serves (it's been a while since doing direct comparisons), it really only varies in terms of balance of the instruments. Some are brought forward a little more in certain versions, while in others they remain balanced. It really depends on personal preference. I wouldn't really say that any one is necessarily "better" than another.

I found the same true when comparing versions Miles Davis' Sketches of Spain. The recent remaster brought his horn forward more in the mix. This made it harder to listen to at night in the quiet, because the balance was off (it would get loud, then quiet), but was nice listening at louder volumes where during quiet passages, the backing orchestra wouldn't fade off.