Excellent comparison. Helped me decide, MoFi for me. If it’s just a casual listening, I’m streaming for the overall convenience. For vinyl, I want it to be for the experience you described with the MoFi. Thank you.
Sorry - posted previous comment before I finished somehow. Continuing - I didn’t see where you mentioned the sound level output measurements. I might have missed it but I was looking forward to what you found since you mentioned that you would be measuring it. I appreciate your preparation and editing.
Thanks Chris. The db measurements were something I wanted to include but time was my foe on that. Peak readings with volume at 15% on NAD amp (8 foot distance): OG 96.5db Speakers Corner 94.1db MOFI 98.5db Thanks for asking!
I almost didn’t get the Mofi because I thought my Speakers Corner sounded pretty good. But I’m glad I decided to get the Mofi because it was quite an improvement. I don’t think the Mofi has too much bass. It is pronounced a bit but so controlled and punchy.
Another reviewer presented this recently, so I could have a quick listen. I loved the bass of the MoFi from that quick clip, how can that be too much bass? I didn't like the SC in that case. The interesting thing is that the MoFi is from the analogue tape (to 4xDSD) whereas the SC is from the digital master (the only digital SC has done?!), which they had been recorded in parallel? The OG maybe from the digital master too?! Also I agree with the Nagaoka, as I had the mp-200 as my first cartridge. It seriously lacks bass quickness and has a strong overemphasis on the high-end, super unnatural unfortunately. Currently looking for a new one, maybe Grado, maybe something else.
Thanks for the great and very useful review. I have the Speakers Corner version and was not happy with it at all. Your observations are very accurate! I am contemplating getting MoFi, but am still not sure.
Selll the Speakers Corner and get the MOFI. You won't regret it. If you can find a clean OG copy with the Made in Germany scripted in the deadwax, that is a great cheaper option. I'm selling my Speakers Corner (who will buy it after seeing this review? :) )
Just a quick point about the assertion that using more of the play surface is going to make a louder/more bass cut on a side. Cutting hotter level does impact the depth of modulation, but a cutting engineer may choose to not use the inner diameter because of distortion and non-liniarity on the inside. A modern pitch computer may be able to pack the spiral more efficiently, to optimize the cut giving the appearance of less record surface used. I got the impression the Speakers Corner was dismissed, or at least biased in this review based on looking at the record and the cutting geometry. Having said that, I am about to open the Mo-Fi of this title... Cheers!
Thank you for taking the time to comment. While I may have made some hypothesis about the Speakers Corner cut and method affecting the outcome (and that may be true or not) there is no doubt there is much less depth in the SC groove cut (for whatever reason). I can say my perception of the sound was totally based on what I heard and not trying to support a thesis. That said, i did not know when I did this video the SC was a digital source and not analogue like the OG and MOFI. Additionally the MOFI provenance on this title states “1/2" / 30 IPS analog master to DSD 256 to analog console to lathe”.
@@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion Interesting, I didn't realize the originals utilized the analog tape. I would have thought it was done from PCM as well.
@@specializedmastering4083 To be clear, it appears there was a digital master tape and an analogue master tape made for this project (around the time of digital getting popular). Given that this as Alan Parsons, a top notch engineer, he may have been "on the fence" at the time and made sure he had his bases covered. For whatever reason, SC was given the digital master and MOFI says they were given the analogue. (Sorry I have to preface MOFI info where I quote them with "According to MOFI" or "they say"...it's unfortunate.
Nice, thorough review. I assume that you won’t be describing your setup in every review moving forward. It was good information (your equipment rundown) but it made for a 20 minute video which can be quite an investment in time for your viewer
Thank you and yes you are 100% right on the time investment. It was funny it clocked it as 20:20 (perfect vision and this is Eye in the Sky! I thought of breaking it up for a variety of reasons. I may have a separate video on all my equipment including the Quad setup. I appreciate your feedback and perspective.
The Speakers Corner record is the best to my ears. I have a Hana cartridge on a Luxman pd-151. MoFi is very bass heavy and overpriced, don't like that they mess with eq. The German OG sounds good. In my world you have a very weak link in your turntable. I like you videos but your equipment could be a lot better if you're going to do more shootout films
Hanna carts have never been appealing to my ears honestly, but I will say the MoFi isn’t too much heavier bass than the OG so who isn’t to say that Speakers Corner didn’t EQ reduce what was on the tape? The physical cut on the Speakers Corner appears very shallow (almost like DMM but it isn’t). I’ve seen several shoot outs which and reviews which found this particular Speakers Corner to be one of their worst reissues. I’m glad the SC suits your taste and audio sensibilities with the Hanna.
I got that new last year from someone who held old new stock. I'd say 150 hours or so maximum. I have several turntables and cartridges that I use. Thanks for watching and inquiring.
Excellent comparison. Helped me decide, MoFi for me. If it’s just a casual listening, I’m streaming for the overall convenience. For vinyl, I want it to be for the experience you described with the MoFi. Thank you.
Great review David. Great comparisons and very articulate. Great job.
Thank you for saying so Steve and many thanks to you being an inspiration and leader among us :)
UK 1st pressings have usually got the best sound when it comes to the Alan Parsons Project .
Sorry - posted previous comment before I finished somehow. Continuing - I didn’t see where you mentioned the sound level output measurements. I might have missed it but I was looking forward to what you found since you mentioned that you would be measuring it. I appreciate your preparation and editing.
Thanks Chris. The db measurements were something I wanted to include but time was my foe on that.
Peak readings with volume at 15% on NAD amp (8 foot distance):
OG 96.5db
Speakers Corner 94.1db
MOFI 98.5db
Thanks for asking!
I almost didn’t get the Mofi because I thought my Speakers Corner sounded pretty good. But I’m glad I decided to get the Mofi because it was quite an improvement. I don’t think the Mofi has too much bass. It is pronounced a bit but so controlled and punchy.
Another reviewer presented this recently, so I could have a quick listen. I loved the bass of the MoFi from that quick clip, how can that be too much bass? I didn't like the SC in that case. The interesting thing is that the MoFi is from the analogue tape (to 4xDSD) whereas the SC is from the digital master (the only digital SC has done?!), which they had been recorded in parallel? The OG maybe from the digital master too?!
Also I agree with the Nagaoka, as I had the mp-200 as my first cartridge. It seriously lacks bass quickness and has a strong overemphasis on the high-end, super unnatural unfortunately. Currently looking for a new one, maybe Grado, maybe something else.
Thanks for the great and very useful review. I have the Speakers Corner version and was not happy with it at all. Your observations are very accurate! I am contemplating getting MoFi, but am still not sure.
Selll the Speakers Corner and get the MOFI. You won't regret it. If you can find a clean OG copy with the Made in Germany scripted in the deadwax, that is a great cheaper option. I'm selling my Speakers Corner (who will buy it after seeing this review? :) )
Yes there was a considerable amount of bass but it was tight and detailed, not just blurry thumping
but thing is...that album uses bass for a lot of drama that is built up in the music. it needs strong bass.
Just a quick point about the assertion that using more of the play surface is going to make a louder/more bass cut on a side. Cutting hotter level does impact the depth of modulation, but a cutting engineer may choose to not use the inner diameter because of distortion and non-liniarity on the inside. A modern pitch computer may be able to pack the spiral more efficiently, to optimize the cut giving the appearance of less record surface used.
I got the impression the Speakers Corner was dismissed, or at least biased in this review based on looking at the record and the cutting geometry. Having said that, I am about to open the Mo-Fi of this title... Cheers!
Thank you for taking the time to comment. While I may have made some hypothesis about the Speakers Corner cut and method affecting the outcome (and that may be true or not) there is no doubt there is much less depth in the SC groove cut (for whatever reason). I can say my perception of the sound was totally based on what I heard and not trying to support a thesis. That said, i did not know when I did this video the SC was a digital source and not analogue like the OG and MOFI. Additionally the MOFI provenance on this title states “1/2" / 30 IPS analog master to DSD 256 to analog console to lathe”.
@@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion Interesting, I didn't realize the originals utilized the analog tape. I would have thought it was done from PCM as well.
@@specializedmastering4083 To be clear, it appears there was a digital master tape and an analogue master tape made for this project (around the time of digital getting popular). Given that this as Alan Parsons, a top notch engineer, he may have been "on the fence" at the time and made sure he had his bases covered. For whatever reason, SC was given the digital master and MOFI says they were given the analogue. (Sorry I have to preface MOFI info where I quote them with "According to MOFI" or "they say"...it's unfortunate.
@@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion The original, to me sounds as if the PCM tape was used for pressing. It's been a while since I've heard it though.
Nice, thorough review. I assume that you won’t be describing your setup in every review moving forward. It was good information (your equipment rundown) but it made for a 20 minute video which can be quite an investment in time for your viewer
Thank you and yes you are 100% right on the time investment. It was funny it clocked it as 20:20 (perfect vision and this is Eye in the Sky!
I thought of breaking it up for a variety of reasons. I may have a separate video on all my equipment including the Quad setup. I appreciate your feedback and perspective.
The Speakers Corner record is the best to my ears. I have a Hana cartridge on a Luxman pd-151. MoFi is very bass heavy and overpriced, don't like that they mess with eq. The German OG sounds good. In my world you have a very weak link in your turntable. I like you videos but your equipment could be a lot better if you're going to do more shootout films
Hanna carts have never been appealing to my ears honestly, but I will say the MoFi isn’t too much heavier bass than the OG so who isn’t to say that Speakers Corner didn’t EQ reduce what was on the tape?
The physical cut on the Speakers Corner appears very shallow (almost like DMM but it isn’t).
I’ve seen several shoot outs which and reviews which found this particular Speakers Corner to be one of their worst reissues.
I’m glad the SC suits your taste and audio sensibilities with the Hanna.
How many hours do you have on that old stylus?
I got that new last year from someone who held old new stock. I'd say 150 hours or so maximum. I have several turntables and cartridges that I use. Thanks for watching and inquiring.
@@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion fun to find NOS and experiment.
and you're using a Dual, you've just lost all credibility to me, biggest overrated junk box from Germany.
To each their own. I do admit the tonearm wiring and sled concept is a pain.