For anyone who collects vinyl, we all know that some of the most highly wanted pressings tend to be those classed as Audiophile.
Those with the best hi-fi equipment will always want the best quality sounding pressing available, be that high quality 180 gram or heavier vinyl, CD’s, Super Audio CD’s, SHM-CD’s, DVD-Audio Discs and more, from companies like DCC, Mobile Fidelity, Nautilus, Nexus, Simply Vinyl or Nimbus.
AUDIOPHILE VINYL ‘True Fidelity’ vinyl is perhaps the ultimate format for the audiophile. Issues are taken from original master tapes for pure ‘as intended sound’, and production techniques such as half-speed mastering, quadraphonic sound and special formulated virgin vinyl are common in most audiophile releases. There are many labels who issue audiophile recordings, but only a few specialize in it. Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MFSL) have a variety of series including ‘Original Master Recordings’ [OMR] and ‘Ultra High Quality Recordings’ [UHQR]. Other important audiophile labels include Nautilus, Direct-Disk Labs, Sheffield Lab and Wilson Audio.
AUDIOPHILE COMPACT DISCS With the development of the compact disc so typically came the development of it’s audiophile counterpart. Again there are specialist labels, there are varying techniques (gold discs, layered discs, high-density discs) and there are varying opinions on the listening pleasure! But we’re here to bring all those quandaries together.
The truth is some recordings are better than others, in the same way some artists are better than others and some music is better than others! We will look unbiased at them all…
Here at eil.com we have a nice range of Audiophile pressings to suit everyone’s taste and pockets.
PINK FLOYD The Dark Side Of The Moon (Sealed Limited Edition 1981 US ‘Ultra High Quality Recording’ audiophile box set issue of the classic 1973 10-track LP from Mobile Fidelity, custom pressed in a limited run of just 5000 copies from the master stamper at the Victor Company of Japan (JVC) plant in Yokohama in May 1981. The UHQR series was a step up from the already high standard of Mobile Fidleity’s audiophile vinyl series at the time & is now highly collectable; only a few albums were given the UHQR treatment before the series was abandoned as too expensive to produce. Comes housed in a unique 12″ title box with technical spec inserts & numbered certificate. Recently obtained from a retired former executive at Mobile Fidelity, this ultimate collector’s edition remains factory sealed from new, mint & unplayed with impeccable provenance MFQR1-017).FREE Tons Of Sobs (Rare 2014 Japanese promo sample issue of the exclusive limited edition 13-track SACD~SHM. This is the ultimate Super Audio CD that utilizes the materials and technologies that were developed for the SHM-CD to further enhancethe audio-resolution and can only be played on an SA-CD player for a full Audiophile experience. The debut album from the English rock band originally released 1969, this edition includes the bonus recordings of Moonshine, Sweet Tooth and Woman By The Sea all with Alternative Lyrics. The disc has a promo stamped inner rim and comes in a mini gatefold LP replica picture sleeve with obi-strip band and lyric bookley, comes housed in a 5½” x 5½” x ½” pasted picture box with place on the lid to place the disc, complete with the promo stickered wrap-around obi-strip UIGY-9564).IRON MAIDEN Brave New World (Scarce 2016 UK limited edition HMV exclusive 10-track double LP pressed on 180gram Heavyweight Vinyl, first time to be pressed on black vinyl as the original release in 2000 was on Picture Disc, including the singles The Wicker Man & Out Of The Silent Planet, gatefold picture sleeve with printed inners. This was released exclusively in HMV as part of a selection of albums for Father Days. This example remains factory sealed from new with a HMV sticker on the front, mint and unplayed).JETHRO TULL Aqualang (2009 US exclusive limited edition 11-track 4-LP set pressed on SINGLE-SIDED 45-RPM Clarity CLEAR Vinyl SVP-II 200gram VIRGIN VINYL – Tull’s 1971 progressive rock classic gets the ultimate audiophile treatment, and here’s how: Clarity Vinyl represents the ultimate in vinyl formulations because it is comprised of over 90% of the highest quality co-polymer available – a key component in vinyl pellets used for manufacturing vinyl records. Further, Clarity Vinyl has no carbon black additive, common in vinyl formulas for LPs. Carbon Black contains trace metals that become magnetized and cause electrical distortions in cartridges during playback that smear the sound. By taking out the Carbon Black, Classic Records is able to dramatically reduce the distortion and thus bring more clarity to the playback process, providing a more realistic musical experience to the listener and LP enthusiast; within a deluxe 13″ x 13″ box with card belly band. The box on this example has some light crushing to the top left corner, however remains factory sealed in the stickered shrink, therefore in an unplayed condition).
For all our latest Audiophile arrivals please see our dedicated Collectors Store.
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