Whether MoFi has done unique mastering of a digital file or an analogue tape, whether the analogue playback chain alters the sound in a way some people prefer such alteration, what matters is whether one likes the end result. I've heard several one-step recordings and they ARE very good sounding. In the Abraxas example, it does sound at least as good as an original Columbia recording of that music, which is WAY better than any subsequent reissues in any format that I've heard. I don't know why it is the case, but, a lot of high quality vinyl reissues seem to be more lively and dynamic than the digital reissue--that is even the case with MoFi digital vs. their LP reissue; is it distortion I am hearing and liking? Perhaps, but so what?
I am not at all religiously attached to analogue. I listen mostly to digital music because of convenience and because newer classical releases are never offered in an analogue format. There are plenty of outstanding digital recordings that I really like for sound quality. But, there are so many amazing sounding analogue recordings that I have so I cannot say that one format is decidedly superior to the other.
In fact, when I want to demonstrate how little the recording and playback technology has advanced in the past 60 years or more, I will pull out certain original issue records from the late 1950's that are in stereo that are shockingly good by any standard. I have an original Ellington "Blues in Orbit" in stereo that stomps all over the Sony SACD reissue that was suppose to showcase what the technology can do; is it vinyl superiority or the tape has deteriorated in time? I don't know, but I do know that the original six-eye Columbia is the one to have. On just the Columbia label, you can do a shoot out of original Brubeck "Time Out," Santana "Abraxas" Benny Goodman albums from the late 1950's and shock people on how good early stereo sounds.