I did finally see an expected release date on this first Santana "Abraxas" UD1S release, October 7th, 2016.
Mobile Fidelity Introduces UD1S Analog
MOFI has finally, (well actually it was announced awhile ago) the first UD1S record, Santana "Abraxas".
Here is more on the UD1S process:
More About Mobile Fidelity UltraDisc One-Step and Why It Is Superior
Instead of utilizing the industry-standard three-step lacquer process, Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab's new UltraDisc One-Step (UD1S) uses only one step, bypassing two processes of generational loss. While three-step processing is designed for optimum yield and efficiency, UD1S is created for the ultimate in sound quality. Just as Mobile Fidelity pioneered the UHQR (Ultra High-Quality Record) with JVC in the 1980s, UD1S again represents another state-of-the-art advance in the record-manufacturing process. MFSL engineers begin with the original master tapes and meticulously cut a set of lacquers. These lacquers are used to create a very fragile, pristine UD1S stamper called a "convert." Delicate "converts" are then formed into the actual record stampers, producing a final product that literally and figuratively brings you closer to the music. By skipping the additional steps of pulling another positive and an additional negative, as done in the three-step process used in standard pressings, UD1S produces a final LP with the lowest noise floor possible today. The removal of the additional two steps of generational loss in the plating process reveals tremendous amounts of extra musical detail and dynamics, which are otherwise lost due to the standard copying process. The exclusive nature of these very limited pressings guarantees that every UD1S pressing serves as an immaculate replica of the lacquer sourced directly from the original master tape. Every conceivable aspect of vinyl production is optimized to produce the most perfect record album available today.
Here is more on the UD1S process:
More About Mobile Fidelity UltraDisc One-Step and Why It Is Superior
Instead of utilizing the industry-standard three-step lacquer process, Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab's new UltraDisc One-Step (UD1S) uses only one step, bypassing two processes of generational loss. While three-step processing is designed for optimum yield and efficiency, UD1S is created for the ultimate in sound quality. Just as Mobile Fidelity pioneered the UHQR (Ultra High-Quality Record) with JVC in the 1980s, UD1S again represents another state-of-the-art advance in the record-manufacturing process. MFSL engineers begin with the original master tapes and meticulously cut a set of lacquers. These lacquers are used to create a very fragile, pristine UD1S stamper called a "convert." Delicate "converts" are then formed into the actual record stampers, producing a final product that literally and figuratively brings you closer to the music. By skipping the additional steps of pulling another positive and an additional negative, as done in the three-step process used in standard pressings, UD1S produces a final LP with the lowest noise floor possible today. The removal of the additional two steps of generational loss in the plating process reveals tremendous amounts of extra musical detail and dynamics, which are otherwise lost due to the standard copying process. The exclusive nature of these very limited pressings guarantees that every UD1S pressing serves as an immaculate replica of the lacquer sourced directly from the original master tape. Every conceivable aspect of vinyl production is optimized to produce the most perfect record album available today.
Showing 8 responses by mofimadness
Some UHQR are selling for $300-$500.Try WAY more than that. Sealed copies of "Dark Side Of The Moon" and "Sgt.Peppers" UHQRs are selling for over $1000. From what I understand, "Abraxas" was chosen because it was next in line for the Gain 2 version. Actually, several test pressings were done on the Gain 2 system, so it was, I guess, logical to convert this title to the new UD1S system for the first release. |
I wonder if MoFi will use the clear, super virgin vinyl pioneered by Classic Records?I don’t believe they are. It will be virgin vinyl of course, but I think it will be black. I have a lot of the Classic Records clear formula LPs, and I’m not really sure it made a difference? Was there ever any evidence/tests done to say if it really worked? I think the only thing I can recall was that it did reduce static somewhat. |
Jim...are you asking for a better sounding album on vinyl or CD? The Ultradisc II is, of course, on CD. Mofi never did that album on vinyl. They did "In Concert" on the Anadisq 200 vinyl series. I do have an excellent German copy and a Japanese copy. I think the German is the best I’ve heard. MQA, as I understand it, is a DIGITAL technology not an analog format. I have heard it several times, (but never on my system). I was very impressed, but the music was not what I normally listen to, so it’s hard to judge. We’ll have to wait and see what music, (and how much) will actually be available with the MQA process, but IMHO, it could be a game changer. It seems the proprietary owners of the process are closed mouth about exactly how it is done, and what the what to expect. in sound quality Lots and lots have been written about MQA. They have been pretty upfront about how it works and what is needed to decode it. There are several very long "white papers" on the process. Almost every audiophile magazine has written about it and there have been numerous interviews with Bob Stuart and his team. |
Jim....the "In Concert" album is this one: https://www.discogs.com/Derek-The-Dominos-In-Concert/release/4134403 Mofi re-released this under their 2nd iteration which was the Anadisq 200 series. Catalog number was MFSL 2-239. I was assuming that you were talking about "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs"? If so, the German copy is the LP version that I was referring to. https://www.discogs.com/Derek-The-Dominos-Layla-And-Other-Assorted-Love-Songs/release/8679401 |