MoFi v/s UHQR

A high-res file is going through a DAC; a vinyl LP is going through a cartridge, a turntable, and a phono preamp. I don't know how those are going to sound the same. 

The reputation of the MFSL LPs took a big hit when it was discovered that they were making a digital copy of the tapes they weren’t allowed to remove from the record company’s vaults, which is about all of them now.  MFSL says that making a digital copy sounded better to them than making a tape copy. Prior to the scandal, Michael Fremer had some of the MFSL LPs with the digital step on his 100 best LPs list. They have since been removed.

Mike Levigne has a 7 figure system. He can easily tell the difference. You might try one or two to see if you can, if you trust your own ears.

A high-res file is going through a DAC; a vinyl LP is going through a cartridge, a turntable, and a phono preamp. I don't know how those are going to sound the same. 

@larsman 

sure, you can add on the colorations of the vinyl playback to the digital file and you might prefer it, but if you have a good dac the digital tape transfer will be on the same level and maybe better.

my point being that if you are starting out with a native analog recording, and you are contemplating spending over $100 on a digital step pressing, you are much better off (1) finding even a decent earlier all analog pressing of that recording, or (2) finding the best high rez tape transfer.....instead of the spendy digital step pressing. both (1) & (2) will be much cheaper and sound better. of course, some don't have high quality digital at all, so that is a different case.

the only justification of the digital step pressing is the packaging which is nice, and the convenience of it. and people are free to spend their money as they choose. 

I have several of the MoFi releases variety with 'Original Master Recording' at the top of the jacket.  I find these are around 70/30 or maybe a bit better in their favor to be good releases.  Several of mine where I have a good copy of the original release I find that sounds better.  Often the MoFi has less gain which messes with my brain and also I have found several to have a somewhat thin presentation.  I haven't ever collected anything in my life and find a lot of joy in having special releases that often appreciate in value....and sound fantastic!  I have no plans of selling my records but it is comforting to know I could.  All the Analog Productions albums I have are fantastic.  I have not been disappointed in a single release from the $60 variety and definitely not on the few UHQR that I own.  They have a new sticker on their releases showing 100% analog! : )  

I went in a different direction about 20 years ago-- I’m pretty much good on classic rock and where I wanted a better pressing due to mastering, I sought it out, but I rarely spend money on new audiophile reissues of the same old. To me, an incrementally "better" sounding copy of a record (that may be a subject of dispute) is less interesting than "new to me" music. That isn’t to say I don’t spend on records, but the stuff I chased was more obscure, typically not reissued by the usual suspects (though, on occasion, you’ll find something- for example, Bernie G did a recut of bobby Hamilton’s dream queen, a lounge slo-fi sexy late night record that was easily over a grand). The reissue is 30 bucks. Tone Poet did Katanga!-- killer and I think it is back in stock.

I get the "OMG the sonics" thing, but at a certain point, I’m more interested in music I have not experienced. Recently, Pure Pleasure, who is cagey about sources, did a live Cecil McBee record that is worth checking out. But, my taste these days leans towards spare post-bop jazz. A lot of the heavy rock I collected back in the day was reissued from questionable sources, and I doubt it will ever be done properly, so I bought the OGs.

My punchline: Don’t limit yourself to audiophile warhorses and the usual suspects. Explore more. You may find things that tickle your fancy. Given the inflation in LP pricing and corresponding decline in accurate grading, it’s a jungle out there, but there are so many records that aren’t reissued, let alone by these two houses.

PS: I was a Chad customer when he was selling old shaded dogs and Living Presence LPs from his mom’s place. That was a different era.