Failure to disclose certain information certainly isn't telling the truth. Whether that bothers one or not is for them to decide. I'd be interested in what SPARS code on jacket states.
According to AZ Mike in today’s recap video (this one, the day after the "interview" video posted), once they have the 4XDSD file, they use their analog mastering system. There’s a video a page or so up thread (here), which has 3 minutes of Krieg talking about mastering and shows their set up.
People asked about mixing or working with 4XDSD- my take, more as an analog than digital guy, is that the file gets played back (not sure they told us what digital recorder and playback they use) into the analog mastering set up. There, it looks like Krieg has a pretty full board, can mix (to the extent two tracks allow you to do anything), pan and probably EQ. I know they can use outboard units too- @TLMusic (who I haven’t seen in a while told me George Peckham aka Porky was famous for using those rare Fairchild tube limiter/compressors on his mastering set up, which gave it that beefy, bombastic sound).
Anyway, it seems like one of their advantages is process, apart from custom made Tim de Paravicini analog paths (probably preamps, amps and modifications to the lathe?). They are able to cut an acetate, have it plated and pressed and listen to it, as one would a regular LP. And they claim they did this multiple times, to hear how their "work" actually played. That would be an advantage. Over tape? Maybe if you are worried about a fragile tape, but I think the problem isn’t the condition of the true mixed down master, it’s that the labels won’t let ’em out the door. And if these guys found it easier, faster, better for work flow to just do the 4XDSD (I dunno), we’ll see how many of the recent releases went the DSD route rather than analog tape. Based on the interview, I suspect a fair amount.
Happy to be corrected on any of this."
@blisshifi -I don’t know if that answers your question. The benefit to you (as opposed to MoFi) is that you are playing a digitized file (cut by analog means and processes) through whatever turntable playback system you have; in my case, my vinyl front end is far better than my digital front end, so I benefit from that. Does it have some of the drawbacks of vinyl? Of course-- out of my cold dead hands, right?
I don’t think this is about the superiority of either format or medium. Both can be good or bad. It’s all about MoFi’s integrity, selling based on process for improved sonics. The argument about "well it sounds better so what’s the harm" excuses what I think are some serious efforts to mislead regarding their "steps." I think the fact they hid this to be appalling, but I’m also willing to give them the time to make it right, if that is possible. It is not going to happen overnight.