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.
SONNY ROLLINS The Bridge (2013 US limited edition 6-track remastered Super Audio CD issue of his 1962 studio album which was his first album for RCA Victor and finds the saxophonist joined by the musicians with whom he recorded for thenext segment of his career: Jim Hall [guitar], Bob Cranshaw [double bass] and Ben Riley on [drums]. Issued in a super jewel case, the disc comes complete with the fold-out picture sleeve containing extensive sleevenotes ORGM-1078).
VARIOUS ARTISTS Voyager Golden Record 40th Anniversary Edition (We have lift off! Very rare 2017 US limited first edition 31-track 180g 3LP vinyl set pressed on Translucent Gold Vinyl, with 92-page hardcover book, gold foil print of Voyager plate, slipmat and laminated download card, housed in a numbered 13″ x 13″ x 1.5″ gold title embossed, two-piece textured box with metallic gold picture sticker. Released as part of a kickstarter campaign this incredible box set replicates the long playing records that were sent out on the Voyager Probe in 1977 [and are still out there, somewhere]. It’s a fascinating listen which ranges from greetings in 55 languages, various examples of ethnic music from around the world, classical recordings, blues and even Chuck Berry amongst its many delights. This copy is in superb condition, the box, contents and vinyl are all in near mint condition and is the first we’ve ever seen – highly recommended OZMA001).
BOSTON Boston (2019 US limited ‘Anniversary’ edition 8-track LP pressed on Audiophile quality 180 Gram Heavyweight Translucent Gold Vinyl, gatefold picture sleeve. Although not sealed, this example remainsin a ‘HQ-180’ stickered bag, the sleeve displays minimal wear and the vinyl looks barely played FRM34188).
RICKIE LEE JONES The Sermon On Exposition Boulevard (2007 UK limited edition 2-disc set comprising a 13-track SA-CD [Super Audio CD – playable on all CD & SACD players] featuring a collection of satisfying & sonically unique recordings on which Rickie& her collaborators try to put Christ’s words into a modern-day context, portraying those words in a way that anyone can understand plus Bonus DVD including 15 video clips, within an individually numbered fold-out digipak picture sleeve).
For all our latest Audiophile arrivals please see our dedicated Collectors Store.
Explore eil.com… the world’s best online store for rare, collectable and out of print Vinyl Records, CDs & Music memorabilia since 1987.
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