Anybody following the MOFI "One Step" fiasco?

Nope but how are labels like Analogue Productions and Intervention records able to cut AAA all the way and have the time they need with those master tapes? Their records specifically say on their site CUT at 33 1/3 rpm or 45 rpm from the analog master tapes!

There’s a lot to say and also that DSD256 seems to be really good, but what you should realize, is that what you repeat is just the part of the story that sells best. The main reason for using DSD for them was that they mostly don’t get the tapes anymore into their house to cut from them. And that doing a tape copy as a quasi rule, is no proper solution, is obvious. The DSD path has a huge lot of financial advantages for them compared to cutting from tape. And that they mainly think in commercial terms got most obvious in this whole story. Anyway they have some great releases.

That’s a question Mofi likely wants to avoid.

haha yep i absolutely noticed that! him and 45 rpm also seemed to not understand that the mofi guys CLEARLY said they cut from DSD 256 AND have been for a long time!

yes they do… their SACD’S sound GREAT! haha… I only have like one mofi vinyl. glad i didnt buy a ton of those and have mostly mofi sacds! Way closer to the source DSD 256 file! Totally destroys the logic of paying 125 for their one steps.

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Compare a 1 step to the SACD and you will wonder. SRV for example. The 1 step blows the SACD away, the AP vinyl blows the 1 step.

A part of the reason could be that SACD is reduced DSD64 and the DSD256 resolution is directly transferred to the vinyl.

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what album is SRV? Sorry the abbreviation is not coming to me.

Breaking! Mike Esposito just posted a follow up video on his trip to mofi!

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Pretty sure we’re talkin’ Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Yes. Same with the Mngus Ah um.

I bought the Mingus Ah Um one step but before I can un seal it I found a copy of the original SONY SACD of it Mark Wilder did and was BLOWN by the sound and held back opening it. Plus that version has the un edited tracks on it while the one step has the edited tracks. Not sure what to do with the sealed one step.

Well then it might depend on the quality of you digital compared to your analog. I have the Mosaic vinyl box with all the outtakes and unedited versions and the Classic Records 45 RPM Grundman remaster (probably from 3 track on the fly) and the Mofi 1step.

The Mosaic AAA in this case sounds worst (too calm), the Grundman AAA sounds very similar in soundstage and sound as the Mofi 1step, has a bit more open top end openness and general airiness (all well mastered AAA releases with equally good sources have a more open top end than the digital Mofis, also than the 1steps), but the Ah Um Mofi 1step has the better EQ choice and weight and due to the 1step process clearly better definition than the 3step Grundman. If your record player isn’t in another league than your digital rig, it also sounds quite a bit more lively and dynamic than the Mofi SACD. The EQ choices combined with the 1step advantages overrule the amount of difference in opennes/airiness towards the single sided Classic Records 45RPM in my opinion.

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Where the hell is Jim Davis? He is ultimately answerable for the gathering storm as owner of MoFi and Music Direct. Why is he letting bits and pieces of this mess to trickle out in YouTube videos? Dude had better get out in front of this and take ownership before it festers further. As a long time MoFi customer of their reissues, I literally don’t care about a hyper-academic analysis of each of MoFis gazillion releases. I purchased their vinyl reissues of pivotal recordings from the height of the analog era based on their claim of starting with the original master tape and with the understanding that was the analog master. That is what I wanted. I’ll bet thousands, millions, of MoFi customers made their purchase on that basis. In my mind, MoFi built its reputation on that premise and if it transpires MoFi has not honored that premise the damage that has been done with a loyal customer base is getting worse by the day. Jim, where are you?

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I guess he had to make a video with all of those eyes on him. It’s a pretty long video (all of these are rather long), but Ingroove Mike points out some good food for thought after his big day with professional, seasoned (grey bearded), engineers.

45RPM Mike seems to be having trouble with Ingroove Mike, but I haven’t dug for all the details and it might not be personal, but it’s close. Fremer has been kinda weird lately, as was pointed out above, but know lots of people find him important.

It’s a sticky situation, and I do think big leaders should come in next and say something, as @owlsalum already expected from Davis.

Was this good for vinyl and its future? TBD, but I’m saying no. Finally, careful ordering any records from AZ right now. It’s a little warm there.

If you’re interested, 45RPM has an interview on Sunday with Chad Kassem of Analogue Productions which should be interesting, I’m sure there will be some thoughts about all this

It’s Sunday 8PM European time, 7PM UK, 11AM PT, 14:00 ET

(1) Channel Announcement: Chad Kassem Has Some Things to Share! - YouTube

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Perfectly put.
The virtues of digital are another subject. If you favor vinyl, great. If you favor digital, great for you too.
This is about forthrightness, honesty, integrity, treating customers respectfully.
“We now understand how important the difference is to some customers. We’ll be more meticulous hereon. We love our customers”.

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On my calendar for 13:00 CT Sunday. I’m definitely tuning in. My hope is by ‘things to share’ Chad isn’t going to be confessing to shenanigans at AP similar to those alleged at MoFi. Yikes, my long-time best sources of vinyl reissues are going to dry up fast. I’ve already resolved not to spend one more penny of my discretionary income on MoFi vinyl until the head honcho comes clean and I believe he’s being 100% transparent. Trust matters. Chad don’t let us down, buddy!

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We love our customers money.

I think they omitted a critical word in the above phrase. :wink:

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In Michael’s (45PRM) video he references this video and it is another worth watching.

Did Mobile Fidelity Lie?? The evidence examined (with a surprise at the end!)

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Especially the surprise end!

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