MoFi v/s UHQR

@bdp24 I’m definitely enjoying the Tillerman discussion, especially your interesting anecdotes.

Over the years, I’ve accumulated far too many LP versions of this album -- including the pink label Island and the 45RPM AP (the two best-sounding IMHO, despite being very different-sounding), but I’ve found the source material itself to be problematic. I’ve never been a fan of plastic guitars, and this album is the best example of why: the Ovation just *sounds* plastic-y (or at least strummed too close to the bridge) and the better the SQ, the more that’s true. (And, yes, Ornette fans, I do understand that "plastic" doesn’t always mean "inferior.")

But even worse, the exaggerated phase-shifty vocal sibilance on tunes like "I Might Die Tonight" also drives me nuts -- to the point that I rarely play my vinyl copies of this album any more -- I prefer Tidal FLAC, and those who know how strongly I prefer vinyl understand why that’s such a strong statement. Jeez, I never could convince a cartridge to could even track those transients cleanly until I bought into WAM Engineering’s WallyTools alignment procedures.

But I digress. I agree with those here who believe that you can’t generalize about the sound quality of a label’s reissues. MoFi’s 1-Step digitization "scandal" simply doesn’t seem to be as big an issue as some make it out to be. Analog is not only about signal-processing -- playback mechanisms are, IMO, at least as important. As is, obviously, the quality of an analog source -- I hear greater differences between MoFi 1-Step releases than I do, in aggregate, between MoFi’s 1-Steps and those released by other labels.

Anyway, to reply to the OP’s original question, the best, absoutely most realistic remastering I’ve ever heard was the UHQR box of "Kind of Blue." Incredible 3-dimensional soundstage, profound physical presence of each player. No other AP or MoFi release -- not even any other UHQR or vintage London, Mercury, etc. recordings -- can match its "you are there"-ness, at least on my system in my room. Every time I play it, I’m knocked out.

@cundare2: I have another "problem" with Tea For The Tillerman: I just don't like Cat Stevens that much .

Do you have the 2-LP/45RPM version of the Analogue Productions UHQR Kind Of Blue, or the single LP/33-1/3 version? I went with the single disc version; while the 45RPM version reportedly sounds better, I'm willing to forfeit that difference to get the original musical format and flow.

I had both Mobile Fidelity versions of Carole King's Tapestry album, and kept the 1-Step version, returning the other for a refund. Though both were made using the same digital file as source material, the 1-Step is considerably better sounding than the standard MoFi. While the sq isn't great, the original on Ode is really, really bad. While Lou Adler may have been a good producer in musical terms, in terms of sq he was not so hot.

bdp24

I had both Mobile Fidelity versions of Carole King's Tapestry album ... While the sq isn't great, the original on Ode is really, really bad.

That is so true. I was actually stunned when I first heard the MoFi pressing because there was no hint of that sound and dynamic range on the Ode original. The MoFi is still no sonic spectacular, though, as you note.

We are very fortunate that there are several companies making high level audiophile records these days from $38 for Blue Note Tone Poet series to AP UHQRs at $150. Comparisons between MOFI (I assume you are referring to the One Steps from Music Direct) and UHQR (now AP, previous MOFI in the early 80s) is moot because there are NO titles where they compete directly.

The closest one is Kind of Blue, but MOFI's is NOT a One Step, it is a "regular" MOFI on 45, which by the way is excellent, it's just the the 45 of the UHQR is tied for the best sounding record I own, and surpasses the MOFI by a noticeable amount. It is tied with Aja which is phenomenal. I do wish they offered the records in the regular 45 packaging and save $50-$75. I am counting a little extra for the better vinyl they use.

I have been very happy with the One Steps I have, all are tremendous, especially Hotel California, Still Crazy and Somethin' Else. I don't care if they are similar to a HiRez download since I only listen to vinyl. Also wish the packaging was made like their 45's and cut the cost.

The older MOFIs typically play at a lower volume so you have to turn them up a bit, but if you have a very good amp, that should not be an issue and many are excellent. The old MOFI UHQRs are fantastic, especially Sgt Pepper (which is a good step up from the one in the Beatles Collection). Dark Side, Finger Paintings Crime of the Century and I Robot are all in my top 10 best sounding records. Sgt Pepper is the only record I will ever keep 2 copies of since I would never break up the Collection. I wonder how much better the old UHQRs would sound if they were made in the 45 format. In all cases, a 45 will improve the sound, and I can use the exercise getting up twice as often to flip the record.

I would be surprised if there are many people like Mike Lavigne who go all out on analogue and digital, I would think most have a preference. I have to think the analogue would sound different, even if the had a digital step in there. Maybe not if both formats are super high end. I'm not there even in my analogue set up. BUT, I can appreciate the different mastering and pressing qualities of all the different options.

Lets avoid generalizations in comparisons....tubes/solid state, belt drive/direct, gimbal/unipivot (although I hate the unipivot bounciness) analogue/digital, it depends on the specific options you are looking at. The only one that I think is universally accepted is that Moving Coil is better than Moving Magnet, although I bet the best MM is better than the worst MC, so forget that one too.

@sokogear - I've got a Clearaudio Charisma II MM cartridge; it's a $2K cart and it sounds awesome; my guess is it sounds better than a lot of MC carts, not just the 'worst' ones.