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Mobile Fidelity Surface Noise

Recently bought my first two MoFis in a few years - 'Sinatra in Paris' and 'The Cars.' Cleaned both on a VPI 16.5 w/ the VPI fluid. Both have an unacceptable level of (the same) background noise - kind of a shushing sound with the occasional tick. Played some other LPs after for comparison, inc. a vintage MoFi and some regular issue stuff. The noise was not there, eliminating a set-up issue. Has anyone else had this problem with the new issues? Is it mold-release compound, or the old saw they used back in the day ('i.e. "MoFi does not de-horn its masters, so you my hear the occasional tick or pop until the record is played a few times..."), or just lousy QC? Disappointing, to say the least.
radiodaddy
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
"Do you clean them with Mobile Fidelity fluids? If not - you must. That's the ticket."

I know some with top notch systems, that use VPI cleaning fluid. I use RRL/MFSL, and it is a good product, but I would be shocked if it eliminated your surface noise after cleaning w/ the VPI cleaner. I would call MD, before changing to MFSL cleaning solution. I would only try new copies of your Sinatra and Cars titles if they agree to pay return shipping for the new copies and your current copies. This, in the event that your replacement copies are bad.
vegasears
1,173 posts
 
I find MoFi no worst than any of the other so called Audiophile vinyl pressing. The quality control is poor. All the companies need to sit down with the pressing factory and discuss product quality control. I have better luck with thinner so called domestic pressings, that by the way are much cheaper, than the so called audiophile pressings.
inna
7,296 posts
 
I hope that everyone got it that it was a joke. By the way, I almost never buy re-issues, audiophile or not.
robob's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
robob
202 posts
 
"I hope that everyone got it that it was a joke."

Which part?
simao's avatar
simao
1,819 posts
 
I only have two MoFi pressings - 10000 Maniacs "In My Tribe" and Tears For Fears "Seeds of Love" - and I'm underwhelmed by both.

Both sound is thin and tinny. Admittedly, I have only a Pro-ject 5.1SE and a Sumiko Blue Point cartridge, but I would have expected more presence, more warmth from an audiophile pressing.
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