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Mythologies on MoFi - Something wrong? ?

Patricia Barber's Mythologies is one of my favorite albums from a unique and talented artist. The cd is nothing short of brilliant, both musically and sonically. Unfortunately, the Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs vinyl is very poorly mastered, so that the level is far too low to be satisfying. I own several thousand lp's and cd's and I have no axe to grind. In fact, I generally love all of MoFi's releases. This time, however, they blew it. I have contacted them, and they will not acknowledge the problem, notwithstanding that I know others who have had the same experience. It is not just that this album was recorded at a low level - it is apparent that the vinyl was mastered improperly, so that the level is WAY too low to be played back at ordinary listening volume. As a result, it lacks dynamics and is dull, lifeless and boring. The cd suffers none of these problems.

Anyone else have the same experience?
128x128strat1117
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,992 posts
 
Mrmitch...the Santana LP you have is NOT a Silver Series. MOFI hasn't released any Santana titles on the Silver label.

It has to be a Gain 2. My copy is fine. It's a pretty low serial number, but doesn't sound as you describe.

Also, most of the Silver Series LPs have been very good, (I have them all). Matter of fact, I have almost every MOFI LP ever made. I think I'm only short maybe 25 titles or so.
philb7777
401 posts
 
Ditto for my Mythologies. Dull, compressed and low level.
mrmitch
359 posts
 
Thanks for the clarification MoFi, as usual you da man on MoFi stuff. You're right, it's a Gain 2, my bad! Serial number 5330 so maybe the latter number explains why my copy isn't the greatest, I dont know.
mrmitch
359 posts
 
Thanks for the clarification MoFi, as usual you da man on MoFi stuff. You're right, it's a Gain 2, my bad! Serial number 5330 so maybe the latter number explains why my copy isn't the greatest, I dont know. System it's played on is a TW Akustic Raven One with Ortofon 12 inch arm and a Dynavector cart to a Fosgate Signature phono pre via Synergistic Research Tricon Analog interconnect, then on to a Joule Electra LA-150 Mk2 pre via Purist Audio Venustas interconnect, then on to a Belles 350A amp via Acoustic Zen Zero Crystal interconnects, and thus to Unity Audio Signature 1 speakers (new Salk Soundscape 8's being made as I type)thru Acoustic Zen Satori shotgun cables.
hevac1
812 posts
 
I find most MFSL recordings even the early ones I had to turn my system volume up further than with mass produced recordings. Even with most current reissues that are not MFSL releases I find I turn the volume up more than with older originals. I think they are recording at lower volume to give more room for the hi's and lows in the recording also to minimize surface noise from the recording tape (less hiss) as MOFI did in the early days. Each recording has a volume point where it sounds best IMHO and if not at that volume the recording sounds flat and lifeless and if too load the recording sounds harsh. Just because the number on the dial is higher does not mean the volume is higher.

I own every MFSL released and some that were not and find all sound better when I get them to that point where they punch out of my speakers.
Do not get me wrong there are a few that sound like crap as all manufactures have.

I have had systems where to get to that volume the sound is too load and think it had more to do with the system being too large for the room. I like my system to have great energy at about 12 o'clock. This may be the old way but I myself am getting old also.

Enjoy
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