MFSL vs DCC (Hoffman) sound signatures

[Redo]

I find that MFSL seems to have a warm, lush, thick sound signature. Lots of bottom end thrust yet midrange silk and clarity.

DCC (Steve Hoffman) seems to have less on the bottom end, not as lush. However, I have NO CLUE how he does this, but everything is 3d and texturally surrounding.


Neither is better than another, but they do have house sounds.


Edit:

That's not to say MFSL doesn't do a good job with 3d sounds, they nail it spot on (Pink Floyd - Wall for example, stunning on the 3d sound). Hoffman works it differently though.

 

[stewgriff]

Your comments on Hoffman made me take a close listen to the one Hoffman recording I have, the Who's Next. I heard the "textural surrounding" a lot clearer now that you've mentioned it. Compared to the 1995 MCA remaster, I already heard the Hoffman being more detailed at the loss of some bass impact, but now that you've mentioned it, the music just seems to have that depth. Like in Baba O'Riley, the synthesizers just surround you; when the piano comes in on the far left, it's more like hearing a piano played on the far left of a stage, with its distinct place in 3D, then like something panned to the far left of the recording.

Can't comment on MFSL, as I don't have any of that lab's recordings.

 

[balanceofpower]

Your findings are pretty close to mine. I find MFSL incredibly smooth and balanced, with DCC perhaps a bit more 3D and audiophile like. Both signatures are great and it's too bad this standard can't be reached from most mass market masterings today.

 

[rhythmicmoose]

I agree. That's what I hear too.

 

[Dr.Love]

It depends on the album.

The MFSL Madman Across the Water has a different sound than the MFSL Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. There is no "better". The sound has largely to do with the Master Tape being used.

It's not magic or super powers that the engineers at random companies have that allows them to help in the production of a pleasant sounding album. From what I understand less is more, they don't compress the music. By NOT compressing the music well, by default you have a better sounding album. Having access to a choice master tape with some time to go along with it and being payed by a company like MFSL, DCC, et-cetera, well you'll get a nice sounding album, in my opinion. Just because other engineers don't do this doesn't mean that they can't. Many producers and other forces demand the album be louder (compressed), which is just a trend I hope.

There are some excellent sounding CD's that are'nt etched onto gold or mastered by Steve Hoffman. Paul Simon's Graceland (the older non-remastered CD) is one of the best sounding albums I own to my ears.

Just because MFSL did a Linda Rondstadt album doesn't mean I want it. LOL I don't care how well it was mastered, if I'm not interested in the music, I don't want the album. If Steve Hoffman worked on a greatest hair hair bands of the 80's compilation, I wouldn't buy it.

 

[Dr.Love]

The Beatles CD's don't have the best mastering, but guess what, the music is great and I enjoy them immensely. It's the compressed crap that is annoying in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I make it a point to find and buy well mastered versions of albums I like, I didn't end up with a bunch of MFSL/Steve Hoffman's by accident. What I'm saying is that it's not the end all be all.

 

[jilgiljongiljing]

My views are very similar to the OP. But I kinda prefer the DCC remasters to the MFSL ones. I find a more obvious improvement when comparing commercial cd to DCC, to a lesser extent, commercial cd vs MFSL

 

[Jasper994]

Being a good friend of LFF makes it nearly impossible to avoid becoming a Hoffman fan. He really does phenomenal work...

MoFi does some great work too, but as a general rule I'm more impressed with Hoffman's work.

 

[LFF]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasper994 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Being a good friend of LFF makes it nearly impossible to avoid becoming a Hoffman fan. He really does phenomenal work... MoFi does some great work too, but as a general rule I'm more impressed with Hoffman's work.

Thanks!


For anyone that didn't understand the above - it's because I own dozens of Hoffman remasteres.

As for the MFSL v. Hoffman idea - well - I prefer the Hoffman over any MFSL any day, although MFSL isn't shabby at all. It most cases I own both the MFSL and the Hoffman release.

Hoffman's work is simply stunning and the realism he brings to music is amazing. The imaging, the warmth, the ambiance and the dynamics are always there. Moreover, Hoffman takes the time to do his research. There are a couple of instances where I know that MFSL used the wrong tapes for their releases and MORE than a few instances where a naughty engineer at MFSL decided to "tweak" the sound with EQ and made it sound worse.

Hoffman is definately worth his weight in gold and then some. Listen to any of his recent Fantasy 45 releases and you'll know why. Hell, buy some of his old MCA releases and you'll know why. Those of you who own DCC CD's and LP's can easily testify to the fact that those releases just sound right - warm, lush and very real and no noise reduction.

If your interested in Mr. Hoffman's work, please download headfi podcast no. 2 to listen to Mr. Hoffman talk about his work.

 

[Dr.Love]

Is there an internet forum in existence that has people that don't devolve threads into petty hero worship?

 

[goldenratiophi]

Do either have some sort of free samplers, even just 30 secs of stuff they've mastered?

 

[Dr.Love]

After they're done e-blowing Hoffman/MFSL someone might hook you up. If not, feel free to pm me.

 

[LFF]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Love /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is there an internet forum in existence that has people that don't devolve threads into petty hero worship?

I always asked myself if there was an internet forum in existence in which there weren't any a**holes.

Thanks for showing me that even at headfi one can find an a**hole posting in threads.

 

[Dr.Love]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFF /img/forum/go_quote.gif I always asked myself if there was an internet forum in existence in which there weren't any a**holes. Thanks for showing me that even at headfi one can find an a**hole posting in threads.

Clearly the only A-hole in this thread is you, jackass.

So tell me, are you "Mr.Hoffman's " biggest fan?

Steve Hoffman does great work on certain albums, mid range heavy music is where his mastering shines in my opinion. The Bad Company CD is a prime example. His mastering of the Faces is decent, not mind blowing by any margin, and for my tastes his style on a typical jazz album would probably not float my boat either. Too much mid-range saturation to me can sound syrupy and disgusting, and I'm aware that many people love it, to each their own. There is no "better" and I don't come here on a crusade to cram my opinions and preferences down peoples throats. Grandstanding and cheerleading is just noise.

 

[LFF]

Grandstanding....cheerleading.... yeah.

To me there is a better. I guess I just have the gift to be able to make a choice and comment on what I think is the best.

If you want to argue over "there is no best" then fine - you win.