@theaudioamp Sony's original intention for DSD use (regardless who invented it) was to Archive master tape recordings first. Yes, DSD was also thought to be a viable consumer file format as well.
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.
Showing 8 responses by aberyclark
@mammothguy54 Mofi has been updating the albums on their site with analog or DSD sources little by little. I'd say within a few days all the albums (future, past, and present) will be updated. |
A couple of thoughts: 1. This is about misleading marketing practices...not which one sounds the best. A One Step could be made from an 8-track tape dub and may be the best sounding ever. However, the box needs to say the source and signal chain for such expensive pressings.
2. Analog vs Digital. My guess with today's digital converters one would need to hear the original master tape and then a flat transfer(DSD) from that tape. Any sound quality differences at the consumer level probably has more to do with the mastering tweaks and/or format (LP, etc) and it's inherited sound charactoristics.
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@lewm The MoFi One Steps are typically $125 for a 2 45rpm box set. The single 33 ONE STEPS are $100. The One Step is a higher end product over the General $40 Mofi Lp |
I'm a huge digital fan. I have tons of SACDs and Digital Hi-rez files. I'm also a vinyl collector. I think MoFi is now doing the right thing and all should be good. MoFi can change the narrative about digital since so many find their versions of LPs are the best. For myself, an owner of many Mofi regular and One Steps, it's a mixed bag. However, that, I'm sure has more to do with the sonic "flavor" from the mastering tweaks and my taste vs the quality of the master transfer.
In my opinion, before all the hubub, I was starting to think MoFi was turning into a "Monster Cable" of audiophile record producers. Tons of pre-order announcements (sometimes years ahead of time), and tons of major, one-step releases. "We'll put the MoFi name on many things, records, gear, record cleaning...you name it....people will buy it all up". I think this controversy will make MoFi stronger in the long run and rethink placing their name on just anything.
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@big_greg 90% of people who purchased one steps did so believing they were buying an all analog “ chain” record. Regardless what sounds best, MoFi was well aware of this, thus avoiding any mention of dsd in their literature. Regardless of what you think sounds best, the analog aspect was important to those buyers and may have influenced if the purchase was made or not. the controversy has Nothing to do with sound quality. It’s about deceptive marketing practices
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@theaudioamp i agree with you. There are many digital recording methods. 24/96 will capture everything that is on an analog tape. Sony invented DSD to be an archive format |