That would be great - I’ve compared and my vinyl won, but I fear my 10 year old Esoteric is limited & just can’t keep up with the newer SACD spinners.
I compared all three and all three sounded simply incredible!! There were differences, but pretty minor. I am using the PST vs the Esoteric N-03T server vs the Well Tempered Reference TT with the Benz LP-S cartridge and Esoteric E-02 Phono preamp.
All three was closer than I expected. The files on the server has just a little more richness and stronger transients than the SACD, but the difference is hardly noticeable unless you really listen for it. The LP was also very close to the two digital versions. The LP has slightly better body and more natural textures and a bit fuller bass, so to me, it has the edge on musicality, but the differences weren’t all that great with this wonderful recording.
4 Likes
The Benz LP-S is a great cart! It’s my main groovetracer on my Avenger Plus.
1 Like
That is one fine looking piece of kit you have there sir!
Noice!
1 Like
I found two more copies of Muddy Waters, one a Mobile Fi CD and a Classic 24/96 disc also. I think I’ll compare these two to the SACD tomorrow just for giggles.
3 Likes
Me, too.
1 Like
While there were not much differences between the SACD , DSD files and the LP, there is considerable differences between with the MO FI CD disc. This you can hear right away, the CD sounds while still sounding OK, it is more closed in and lacking in detail compared to the other formats. No surprise here as I’ve done it many times in the past with other recordings and always, the SACD was superior sounding.
For some reason, the PST will not play my DAD recording. I tried some DVD Audio recording with same result, it will not play it. My former DMP plays it fine so must be the different transport is the problem.
1 Like
I have found most MO FI discs to sound closed in.
I didn’t hear this yet but just ordered. The Beethoven box before was one of the best sounding classical recordings AND interpretations available, much better sounding than the same SACD”s. Not even available anymore for the 1000$ last Discogs sales price. Now Schumann, co-produced again by the professionals and audiophile orchestra member vinyl junkeys as last time.
I’m quite sure this will go out of print soon after release.
This time it’s unfortunately 100 bucks more expensive for those outside Europe… so you know how we usually suffer buying such US products 
Buy it before Michael Fremer lists it!
1 Like
Five LPs and $400 … 
I’ve got a lot of old vinyl bought cheap, but the new stuff is just ridiculous. Good thing I have no storage space, makes for a good reason to pass!
2 Likes
Sure, that’s crazy (especially by the same markup overseas, which all Europeans usually pay for all the US releases). But remember, for the same price you can also get a single LP from the Electric Recording Company, which doubles after a few weeks…or as it days, which is when they usually go out of print
I got the Schumann set meanwhile but can’t listen for a week due to holiday. When you see the box and stuff (which is even better than the latest classical direct to disc releases) and also read about the effort of the recording sessions and the technology, you know that this 555 pressings release (the Beethoven was 1000 pressings) will be easily 800-1000$ in about 6-12 months. Probably earlier as soon as Michael Fremer picks it up on his site.
But I know, you won’t buy it I just wrote it for others who know about the expected musical and sound quality value of this one.
Yeah, these prices do make one hesitate. 
I missed the Beethoven set, partly because I already have a couple of other of his sets. But this Schumann set… another favorite composer of mine, but where I have no such similar collection in vinyl. Sigh. Another $400 spent. 
In case you need the money again, 2-3 months from now, you can sell it anytime for the same or more
1 Like
I hadn’t bought any new vinyl (garden variety stuff at Barnes & Noble, not audiophile reissues) in years until about 2019, and was shocked at the ~ $30+ prices. I was remembering the 1970s when we’d pay $7-$9 per record. Then I ran the numbers through an inflation calculator and saw today’s prices are right in line. Even so, I balk at a lot of these, especially as they get north of $50.
I take back what I said about Mo Fi. Their discs are crap!! I just compared their Santana Abraxas SACD with a DSD file a bought some time ago and the Mo Fi sounded pretty dismal. The sound really opened up with the old file I got from Acoustic Sounds. I did rip the SACD and played it with the streamer. It didn’t help. Still sounded as bad.
I also compared the Mo Fi Miles Davis (Kind of Blue) with a gold Sony SACD and same result, the Mo Fi sound pretty veiled, like a copy of another copy from the master. The gold SACD sounded like the master.
Auditory experiences can be varied. I assumed with your comment that it was me or my equipment. Everyone kind of sings the praises of MoFi. I could never join in with the group. Glad that I have been vindicated. I just don’t understand what others are hearing that makes them go gaga of the discs.
I believe it’s mass hypnosis. If the company keep telling how good their product is, and how good their process of making that product is, and having all kinds of documentation to show that process, everybody will start to believe it blindly.
Doesn’t UltraDisc UHR Gain 2 System sound formidable?
I’ve read some frankly astonishing things about the new (released last month) 50th anniversary remaster of David Crosby’s If I Could Only Remember My Name. I haven’t heard it myself yet (either the LP or any other format, including hi-res streams) so I can’t vouch for it. Anyone here have it yet?
