LOL, and that's going by MFSL difunctional site, boy things have changed there a lot. It wasn't that long ago they only posted titles they have for sale. A couple here and there would be marked back ordered and I really mean 1-2. And then they would have the Archive Page, where OOP records would go just for reference. I'm sorry they are starting to leave a bad taste in my mouth again, I feel for all these people getting records that look the way they do. It's just not right, and I don't care if someone says you can get replacements. No way, a premium one step shouldn't even arrive to customers like we are seeing. In fact a $35 silver label shouldn't but they are counting on people settling for less and less every day. Not me!!! I'll go buy $25-$60 non MFSL records that are producing better quality.
Same here. Aside from the Marvin Gaye 50th Anniversary, this was my only preorder ever. But I just can't justify keeping it after the latest couple of One-Steps (especially this latest one) are routinely in such bad shape. MFSL's lax QC would literally cost me double what the record itself costs. I already own the Classic Records 33rpm pressing of I Robot which is phenomenal and engaging. IIRC, this was the first time the actual master tape was used (for some reason I forget) and the mastering is terrific. What I'm interested in primarily is whether the One-Step bests it. I'm wholly uninterested in the 2x45rpm format so that's a non-starter for me unless the album warrants it due to running time. FOMO isn't part of my record buying habits, thankfully. My actual fear is needing to pay through the nose for what should be provided after paying the initial price... which has happened over and over due to eBay/Discogs sellers misgrading their records or pressing issues. Either way, this hobby is far more expensive to me merely due to both my geographical location and the overall nonchalance with which a lot of vinyl is pressed, these days. The irony is the UHQR pressing of Kind Of Blue experienced a ton of pressing issues, this Unplugged One-Step does as well, yet the MOV records I've bought through the years *never* have ever had any issues whatsoever. Damn near perfect with amazing reliability; dead quiet too. At 1/3 the price these supposedly high-end audiophile labels charge (MFSL and AP), in spite of all the marketing BS, how it can be that challenging for them to deliver a quality record is shameful. "Oooooh, the box is nice, the liner notes are fun to read, and look at the limited edition origami praying mantis we give you with every purchase..." Yeah, OK. How about you guys stop with all of this packaging BS and focus on delivering a record that wasn't used as a makeshift skateboard? Sheesh!
I spoke with an Acoustic Sounds rep the other day I asked about the next UHQR The reps response “We are working on Kind of BLue 45 rpm, and a few other things” Anyone want to hang out at the dumpster in Salinas Kansas?
One thing I know is none of use really need anymore records of same stuff we already have. I know both of you have outstanding vast collections of all past TOTL records. Anything we get now is just different packaging of the same old stuff. @teag your included in this also, I seen your pre order list LOL. We're all crazy, but I don't like getting it up the you know what. I also don't mind having and paying for quality records, just not seeing the quality, only hype on some of these so called top level records.
These marks are down to not polishing the stampers which RTI and QRP don't do unlike other plants like Optimal and Pallas. Would not return if not warped. I bet every disc done with that stamper has same inaudible marks. I've seen this type of thing on many US pressings over the years including RTI and QRP.
damn I already bought from Mofi site. At least Mofi doesn’t charge sales tax, unlike music direct. Difference is pretty negligible for one steps, but ends up being $5 more for the standard titles
thanks for the info! I remember hearing that, but completely forgot. I think polishing the plates takes off some of the high-end. I’m guessing that since it is a one step plating process and with clear super vinyl that these marks are more apparent than on standard titles.
I find that difficult to believe. I have hundreds of records pressed by RTI and QRP. I don’t think I’ve ever seen those type of marks
So who is at fault here? The plant in California that plates, presses and packages the records? Or MOFI in Chicago? I think that as consumers we need to understand the problem.
In my opinion RTI, and if MOFI brought QC under their roof then they're equally to blame - albeit for a different reason. As I understand it, RTI presses for Intervention and AP as well. I have seen that cloudy substance and finger prints on my records from MOFI, AP and Intervention and it doesn't come out with washing. However, it is nowhere near the level on my AP and Intervention records as it is on my MOFI records. So, this is a RTI problem. The MOFI's cost double (ballpark), and come out worse. So, what is MOFI's QC doing other than checking for seam splits?
You don't always get them or they aren't that obvious. Maybe it's something that occurs in plating but it doesn't necessarily amount to a faulty disc. Why QC aren't rejecting them. Anyhow I don't call this a faulty disc unless there is audible damage. They would be invisible if this was clarity vinyl. I've seen it on many RTI and QRP discs over the years and has nothing to do with One Step pressing.
RTI is only plating and pressing records for MOFI. The QC and packaging is happening at MOFI's new facility in Nevada.
Respectfully disagree. It's MFSL (or AP) who has their name on the product and it's their responsibility to figure out the issue and solve it. It isn't up to the consumer to start educating themselves as to who does what, when, how, or why. The end result is the consumer likely gets an inferior product. No one should care more about their reputation or the ultimate satisfaction of the user than (in this case) MFSL. Whether they crack the whip, implement more thorough QC, or change pressing plants, I don't care nor should I, as long as the underlying issues are addressed.
This new shipping and QC procedure seems to give RTI a green light to ship whatever they want, then let MOFI sort thru all the records. Would love to know MOFI's QC sampling rate and procedure in Nevada.
Not sure. In a youtube video on acoustic sounds channel, Chad did a video chat with Jack Stoughton owner of Stoughton printing and Don MacInnis RTI owner. Chad said in the video he was in negotiations with with Don to have RTI press some records for them. RTI would crate and ship the records to QRP. RTI has a rule they will not schedule pressing time for a record until they have the jackets in the warehouse. What it sounds like is MOFI and QRP are handling the jackets at there facilities and RTI is only plating and pressing. That would give MOFI an advantage over other customers to get pressing time at RTI.
What procedure? He doesn’t know and has no details. For example: 1. Who puts the LP into the sleeve? 2. Who puts the sleeved LP into the jacket? 3. Who puts the shrink wrap on? If RTI doesn’t do either 1 or 2, how do they protect the lp for shipment to MFSL? If they perform 1, same question. Etc, etc.
It's not RTI its just how manufacturing works. Pressing records is easy, pressing good consistent quality is hard. The pressing plant will always press an overrun to cover defects. Records are typically stacked vertical on top of each other. QC is an employee that visually looks at each record, if it looks good they insert it into an inner sleeve. If it looks bad they drop it into a bin in front of them. Wash, rinse, repeat. Whatever records are left over will go to the customer (MOFI) to cover return/replacements. RTI offers services to there customers. Plating costs $$$, Pressing time $$$, QC/ inserting $$$, Packing /Shrink wrap $$$, ETC. I'm sure RTI would QC the records, if MOFI is paying for it. My theory is RTI is crating the records in a wooden crate stacked vertically on a spindle (just like they come off the press). Records on top are vibrating causing scratches. The records on the bottom have weight on them and are not moving as much. MOFI has staff in Nevada that is uncrating them, inspecting them, sleeving and inserting them into jackets/boxes, shrink wrapping packaging, and shipping directly to us. EDIT: RTI has said the Neotech VR900 vinyl (super vinyl, SRX) is difficult to work with and has a very height defect rate.
