Jean.Francois
Active Member
- Joined
- May 31, 2022
- Messages
- 149
- Likes
- 537
Hello,
“Bookends” is the fourth studio album by American duo Simon & Garfunkel, released in 1968.
Among the album's most famous tracks is “Mrs. Robinson”, which was used in the film “The Graduate” and has become one of Simon & Garfunkel's most iconic songs. Other notable songs include “A Hazy Shade of Winter”, “At the Zoo” and “America”.
“Bookends” was a commercial success, reaching number one in both the US and UK charts.
For this evaluation, the compared versions will allow us to distinguish the sound differences between the analog and digital editions, as well as highlight the mastering divergences. These mastering variations are also present within the same publisher, MOFI, between the SACD version and the vinyl record version.
All versions feature a good Dynamic Range (DR12 or DR13).
The graph below compares the spectrum of the Vinyl MOFI – 2024 (white curve) with the spectrum of the SACD MOFI – 2024 (blue curve).While we might expect the same spectrum, we can see a difference in mastering between the SACD and the vinyl record produced by MOFI. There is an accentuation of the bass below 200 Hz (green zone) for the vinyl record, with a difference of up to 4 dB. Between 2 and 10 kHz (yellow zone), the vinyl level is attenuated by a few dB (1 to 3 dB). These differences are confirmed by listening. The yellow arrow indicates the rise in noise on the SACD due to the DSD64 operating principle used on this port.
The graph below compares the spectrum of the Vinyl MOFI – 2024 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Vinyl Japan – 1969 (blue curve).The spectrum of the Mofi “Bookends” vinyl record below shows a signal in the red zone. On a positive note, seeing this problem on the spectrum indicates that Mofi is able to burn lacquer up to 30 kHz! The same problem is found on the “On Every Street” album released in 2024, but is no longer present on the “Merry Christmas” editions. Below 100Hz, mofi vinyl has a higher level (green zone) by up to 7 dB. Between 3 and 15 kHz (yellow zone), the level of the MOFI record is attenuated by 2 to 3 dB. This difference in level will change the tonal balance of the record, as can be seen when listening to the samples.
The digital version on the MOFI SACD offers the most balanced, precise, detailed and very clean sound reproduction of the digital versions.
The analog versions, on the other hand, offer a more natural sound sensation, especially the 1973 Japanese edition, although the bass is slightly recessed. This realism exceeds that of the MOFI vinyl disc, which nevertheless offers a more contemporary sound balance, but remains less natural than the SACD edition.
The choice between the original and remastered versions will therefore depend on individual tastes and preferences, with the 1973 vinyl on one side and the SACD MOFI edition on the other.
You can listen to the samples and find all the measurements (spectra, waveforms, DR...) here.
Enjoy listening,
Jean-François
“Bookends” is the fourth studio album by American duo Simon & Garfunkel, released in 1968.
Among the album's most famous tracks is “Mrs. Robinson”, which was used in the film “The Graduate” and has become one of Simon & Garfunkel's most iconic songs. Other notable songs include “A Hazy Shade of Winter”, “At the Zoo” and “America”.
“Bookends” was a commercial success, reaching number one in both the US and UK charts.
For this evaluation, the compared versions will allow us to distinguish the sound differences between the analog and digital editions, as well as highlight the mastering divergences. These mastering variations are also present within the same publisher, MOFI, between the SACD version and the vinyl record version.
All versions feature a good Dynamic Range (DR12 or DR13).
The graph below compares the spectrum of the Vinyl MOFI – 2024 (white curve) with the spectrum of the SACD MOFI – 2024 (blue curve).While we might expect the same spectrum, we can see a difference in mastering between the SACD and the vinyl record produced by MOFI. There is an accentuation of the bass below 200 Hz (green zone) for the vinyl record, with a difference of up to 4 dB. Between 2 and 10 kHz (yellow zone), the vinyl level is attenuated by a few dB (1 to 3 dB). These differences are confirmed by listening. The yellow arrow indicates the rise in noise on the SACD due to the DSD64 operating principle used on this port.
The graph below compares the spectrum of the Vinyl MOFI – 2024 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Vinyl Japan – 1969 (blue curve).The spectrum of the Mofi “Bookends” vinyl record below shows a signal in the red zone. On a positive note, seeing this problem on the spectrum indicates that Mofi is able to burn lacquer up to 30 kHz! The same problem is found on the “On Every Street” album released in 2024, but is no longer present on the “Merry Christmas” editions. Below 100Hz, mofi vinyl has a higher level (green zone) by up to 7 dB. Between 3 and 15 kHz (yellow zone), the level of the MOFI record is attenuated by 2 to 3 dB. This difference in level will change the tonal balance of the record, as can be seen when listening to the samples.
The digital version on the MOFI SACD offers the most balanced, precise, detailed and very clean sound reproduction of the digital versions.
The analog versions, on the other hand, offer a more natural sound sensation, especially the 1973 Japanese edition, although the bass is slightly recessed. This realism exceeds that of the MOFI vinyl disc, which nevertheless offers a more contemporary sound balance, but remains less natural than the SACD edition.
The choice between the original and remastered versions will therefore depend on individual tastes and preferences, with the 1973 vinyl on one side and the SACD MOFI edition on the other.
You can listen to the samples and find all the measurements (spectra, waveforms, DR...) here.
Enjoy listening,
Jean-François
