2. analog
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MoFi controversy

I see this hasn't been mentioned here yet, so I thought I'd put this out here.  Let me just say that I haven't yet joined the analog world, so I don't have a dog in this fight.

It was recently revealed that Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs one step LPs are being cut from digital masters (DSD) rather than being straight analog throughout the chain.

Here is one of the many Youtube videos that discusses it

 

To me, it seems that if MOFI is guilty of anything, it's "deception by omission."  That is, they were never open about the process and the use of digital in the chain. 

One thing to mention is that hardly anyone is criticizing the sound quality of these LPs, even after this revelation.  Me personally, I wouldn't spend over one hundred dollars for any recording regardless of the format.

 

ftran999
boxcarman
350 posts
 

jasonbourne is exactly like my brother.  Why would you spend hundreds or thousands for a cable when this $12 cable already sounds good?

waytoomuchstuff's avatar
waytoomuchstuff
1,023 posts
 

Anyone who has watched early James Bond movies knows that master tapes can be digital.

MOfi’s statement: “utilizing original master tapes” would not be misleading if those master rapes are digital.  

juanmanuelfangioii
958 posts
 

I have $0.00 in Mo Fi in my collection. I also not seeing what the big deal is?

Is it questionable truth in labeling? Yes it is. 

sns
3,005 posts
 

MOfi’s statement: “utilizing original master tapes” would not be misleading if those master rapes are digital.  

 

Only in a literal sense, wink, wink, nod, nod. They know their market is people looking for finest analog reproduction, digital masters makes it something different. These are now hybrid recordings and should be marketed thusly.

 

And I have vinyl mastered or remastered digitally, does not have unique sound qualities of my thousands of full chain analog vinyl.

wolfie62
352 posts
 

DSD is the best format for capturing sound from microphones. Period.

 

I have 3 PS Audio Octave Studios vinyl LPs, and 6 SACDs/CDs. They are of exceptional quality! They capture using DSD, then mix in PWM or analog. The Octave Records LPs are my references for testing and comparing cartridges/styli. PWM captures are obsolete. Too many digital artifacts, no matter whether CD/streaming/SACD/vinyl.

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