The only album that has enjoyed more reissues and on every format known to man than Abraxas is probably Kind of Blue. Could that one be next up for MFSL?
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.
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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 |
MOFI, I STAND CORRECTED I don't usually read technical or white papers. The last one was either about Dynaco A-25 or the Large Advent. Obviously, I am a tad behind members like you. Nevertheless, regarding "the Concert" I assume you are referring to "Layla" D and D. I used to own the LP about 30 years ago, but currently spin the Ultra II Disc CD which I mentioned before. Is the German copy of "Layla" an LP or CD.?? Is it still available?? If so, who is the vendor?? Thanks |
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. |
MoFimadness. Yes, I have seen the article by Robert Baird in Stereophile. Now, maybe, Mobile Fidelity can get the original masters ( using this process) and reissue The "Layla" Album with Derek and the Dominoes. The Mobile Fidelity reissue of the Original Master Recording as an Ultradisc II is in my opinion only slightly better than the original LP, and all other remasters which generally have abominable sound. I assume there was a Japanese pressing. Is it any better than the Ultradisc II??. Also, what is your take or any other members on this recording process called MQA that is, Master Quality Authenticated There was an article in the same issue of Stereophile on pps 39-41. 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 |
For what it's worth, I heard this played in the MoFi room at either CES or THE Show , can't remember which exactly. Not that I've heard all versions on every system, but it was clearly the best I had ever heard that album. I was not the only one who thought it was excellent. It was black vinyl.There was talk of more releases but no specific titles |
I don't think you are lost. I have found very very few remasters that sound as good as the original, including those dreadful half-speed remasterings. There has been endless speculation on why this is, but IMO the problem lies not only with deterioration of the master tapes but also the loss of industry know-how, aging equipment,and the fact that virtually no one takes the time and effort in comparing reissues with originals. I spent a lot of time doing just this and quit buying reissues merely to confirm that they were in most cases the worst-sounding pressings I could find. Only today I compared a half-speed remaster to an original Bob James Sign of the Times LP and cannot for the life of me understand how anyone, including the record companies, could market something under the guise of "extended range recording", when it clearly had less extended bass and treble, not to mention a loss of dynamic range and immediacy. It sound like electronic equalization was applied to simply boost the bass and treble, i.e. the "smiley face" graphic equalization I used to do 30 years ago when I had one of these equalizers. It results in a loss of detail and extension, completely overwhelming the rest of the sonic spectrum and making the music unlistenable, IMO. The treble became white noise, like cans of spray mist being actuated, and the bass was all mid-bass and boomy. Get an original, especially one from the country of the parent record company (look on Discogs to find this), and ones with the independent mastering house like Sterling and Masterdisk are usually the best. |
cousin, I have a thread on this exact thing .I feel the same way with almost every remaster i have.There are a few but in general they either sound like a cd (digital but not as good lol ) or are so over mixed in the low end and have just a weird sound to them ,to me it gets worse the better the system is . the thread is "why do i keep torturing myself with remasters" |
I'm hoping someone can correct me. The master tape is? - a long piece of tape, with a bazillion little magnets on it. A split second after the recording, those tiny (realigned) magnets start influencing each other, and start trying to shift position. Unless I'm mistaken, tapes should be stored in a fridge/freezer. There's also a small electromagnetic field trying to realign all those tiny little magnets, it's called planet Earth. The tapes need to be stored in a lead case (possibly a little dangerous for the handlers). Every remaster I've ever bought is missing something. When I play the scratched/tick/popped original pressing, I always pack the new one, and sell it. Or am I lost? |
Sounds like MoFi will be advancing the state of the art with this new mastering system. Now if they just don't ruin them like they have with all of their other titles by electronically equalizing them and using a narrow groove width, along with whatever else they employed. I once had every release they did and even some unreleased titles, and it was child's play to find better-sounding copies of their titles. Did get big bucks when I sold them. |
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. |
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. |
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