Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab has been cutting vinyl from digital since a long, long time ago...

The real problem is that it's very hard to find a copy different than vinyl (digital or not) which is not compressed to death. My main reason for buying vinyl nowadays. Just check the sound of Nirvana's Nevermind hires on HDtracks and check the sound from the ORG pressing. Same source totally different results.

 

I actually received the Aussie 1st Pressing of this same one (does not have MJ in the credits) yesterday & lucky for me was also in Mint condition.
Based on Mazzy's suggestion pages ago in the thread, to go with an original.

I have only heard it once on vinyl before (a friend has the Japanese one - but I found it to be very bright).

So I spun that 1st Pressing for the first time last night and WOW !!
I have never heard that album sound that way before (I only owned CD versions previously).
MJs voice was no longer bright but rather warm and involving and the details in that pressing and the rolling bass !!!
I really could not imagine much could be improved from that 1st Pressing?
No surface noise, was flawless (got lucky to get a mint copy).

Thanks Mazzy

 

Yes it would be no surprise considering the type of recording it is. The question remains, on what and how was it recorded?

 

Similar to this, my move from CD to vinyl in the last 10 years or so gave me more of an appreciation for the Chilli Peppers since the vinyl was mastered so much better than the CDs

 

from: MOFI Customer Service <cs@mofi.com>
date: 9 Oct 2020, 07:16
subject: mastering question
mailed-by: mofi.com


Thank you for your email, there is no analog to digital conversion in our vinyl cutting process. Any product that bears the ORIGINAL MASTER RECORDING stripe on the jacket lets the customer know that the Original Master Tape was used to produce the release.

Any product that bears the MOBILE FIDELITY SOUND LAB stripe on the jacket lets the customer know that, although it is possible that what we have is the original master, that tape could not be fully verified as such and, in the interest of honesty, is not granted the ORIGINAL MASTER RECORDING stripe. As information on the tapes boxes for non-master sources are sometimes wrong or not present, we will not be listing what generation the source is. It may only be a guess and thus could not be consistent from title to title. If a non-master source meets our standard we will use it. If it does not, we will reject it.

In addition, all titles on our main label are sourced from the original master tapes while; although the majority of Silver Label titles are sourced from the original tapes, there are some exceptions where the best available source is used. We do not use digital sources except in cases where the title’s original master was digital itself.

Customer Service

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab

 

Thanks. So clearly they would be ok when the original master is digital, at least from a digital vs analog perspective. Whether it’s the “original” who knows at this point (if they haven’t already disclosed)

 

I happen to be an MD, the topic interests me because health level HAS something to do with the audiophile world. (Do you know any blind cameraman?) and I also wouldn't classify my comment as an "invective." I was just stating facts, but, on the other hand I also appreciate your sympathy

Journey into the world of hearing

 

With my touch of tinnitus and rawk-battered aging ears, I'm a bit touchy about this stuff!

 

Rob Lo Verde mentioned that he would be interested in cutting from tape, the other two guys forget it.
If Lo Verde could latch on to a nice mastering studio in NYC, he might get to cut Sony titles from tape.

 

Cheers!

 

There is a video of them cutting a Sinatra title from tape. Pre 2015 many titles are from analogue. Sony titles appear to be DSD64 before 2015.

 

The poll is some what useful. I think, in truth, the cancellations got their attention, which is why we many be seeing a different mastering process for the Van Halen titles. I voted yes in the poll but I have cancelled some of my orders at MD. I will likely cancel more.

 

can go to the original CD for that don’t need vinyl. What you speak of is in the mastering.

 

No, but you can be damn sure they are looking at the cancellation numbers.

 

For the record, I find the new vinyl pressing better than the original CD as well.

 

Yeah, I noticed that later on. That poll is so flawed.

 

Stories like this do make me appreciate the old (analog) records. I just cleaned the Playboy All Stars sets Vol 1 and 2, 1956-1957, to try to record some nice "transfers". There is no danger of any of these being given the modern DSD to LP treatment, I think.

Various - The Playboy Jazz All-Stars

 

At this stage I am more interested in knowing who voted multiple times over what MOFI might have used for mastering.
C'mon, someone leak the info

 

This is right.

 

Nope, no digital. Probably a tube cut to boot!

 

Well , plenty of debatable stuff there. If CD is from the 80's, sound is usually thin, as DAC were in their infant stages. If CD is from the 90's (like RHCP BSSM) you can find some awesome masterings. If CD is from the 2000's and on, you are just doomed.

 

This is not only about One-Step. It’s all MoFi LPs.

 

Not my point.

 

My opinion is that you'd have to be truly spineless to be placated by a nominal discount, if you're not happy with the situation. I said this before but they could cut prices by half and I still wouldn't buy anything from them.

 

I received a similar though shorter email from MOFI in 2021. Last sentence was also in the email I received.