![]() ![]() the newer FET based single card per channel DolbyAs, It is easier to disable HF1 (9k-20+k) on an old A301 vs. disable the 9kHz to 20kHz band) might be helpful for the actualy listening quality. IMO, a hybrid approach of partially decoding (e.g. MFSL seems to bias more in the direction of doing the canonically correct decode, and that CAN be hit-or miss, even when done very carefully. There is one device that can do a TRUE noise reduction decode, better than a true DolbyA - the DHNRDS DA, but other than that, the decision to decode or not, it is based upon which impairment is preferred. Also, in some cases, esp with noisy older recordings, the sound can be 'grainy'. In original, non-DolbyA recordings you can often hear voices more individually, but with DolbyA, they smear together. Almost always, a truly DolbyA decoded recording will have lost definition in the super highs - also, there will be a 'fog' over the sound. One such defect happens when the calibration is not done correctly when using a DolbyA - in the worst case, it can cause expansion surges. On the other hand, properly decoded material will often have undesirable defects. There are also other effects to the normal improper mastering - the midrange is often quite woody sounding, and the lower bass is truly distorted. For the normal consumer digital release, the highs are compressed, giving a springy sound to the highest frequencies and often 'sweeter' sound to vocal sibilance. This is an important difference, and the expectations for the sound are very different. One thing that I noticed about MFSL of older recordings, and might be one reason for the sound being different than common releases: Their recordings are often *properly* DolbyA decoded. They choose mostly really good music to re-release. Many of the titles they advertised, I probably would have never discovered the music otherwise. I have discovered much good music that way, thanks to them. I think maybe the best thing about Mobile Fidelity for me, is that before spending big bucks for their audiophile pressings, I often would try to find a regular version LP or CD cheap to see how much I like the music first, before spending big bucks. Robbie Robertson self titled is good on MFSL cd. Might be the best sounding MFSL LP I have heard. I have the Brubeck Mulligan, the MFSL LP destroys it for sound. Some Sheffield too, but not much on there by what we think of as audiophile re-release labels. A few M& K Realtime lps made it: (For Duke & Fatha) direct discs. I looked at it one day to see which half speed master Lp's made the list. The only MFSL that I recall seeing that made the list was the album Slowhand by Eric Clapton. The ones with exceptionally natural sound got an asterisk designation. The Absolute Sound used to publish a 3 or 4 page Super Disc List of hundreds of the ultimate records and cds which have both the greatest music/performances and great sound. ![]()
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