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.
RADIOHEAD The Best Of (2008 UK ‘Deluxe Limited Edition’ 29-track 4-LP set pressed on Heavyweight Vinyl – This was the first ever Radiohead retrospective, consisting of singles, key album tracks and live favourites from their twelve-yearcareer on Parlophone [1992-2004], including Just, Paranoid Android, Creep, No Surprises, There There, Fake Plastic Trees, The Bends, Pyramid Song, Airbag, I Might Be Wrong, Exit Music [For A Film], Knives Out, Anyone Can Play Guitar & much more. Housed in a 12″ picture box with individual glossy picture sleeves & die-cut red inners. The packaging is Excellent with very little age wear & the contents including the vinyl are Near Mint).
LED ZEPPELIN Houses Of The Holy (2014 UK Super Deluxe Box Set, now newly remastered by Jimmy Page featuring the remastered album on CD in a mini-LP replica sleeve, companion audio Disc in card wallet, remastered LP pressed on Audiophile quality 180 Gram Heavyweight Vinyl in a sleeve replicating the first pressing, companion audio also on 180-gram vinyl, high-def audio download card of all content, an 80 page hardback book filled with rare & previously unseen photos & memorabilia, and an individually numbered high quality print of the original album cover, only the first 30,000 copies were numbered. All housed in textured picture box with the Swan Song hologram on the back and remain factory sealed in the hype stickered shrink).
ALANIS MORISSETTE Under Rug Swept (2002 Japanese promo sample issue 11-track multi region NTSC Audio DVD, includes Advanced Resolution Surround and Stereo sound, on screen lyrics, The Making Of and Studio Scrapbook, plays on all DVD players. This was manufactured in the US and exported to be sold in Japan. This was ssued to radio stations and reviewers ahead of the actual release date, with a Japanese insert and promo stickered full-back obi-strip. This example remains factory sealed from new with the obi & insert outside the shrink WPAR-10034).
JIMI HENDRIX The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Long out of print 2000 US limited edition eight LP box set pressed on 180gram Virgin Vinyl, featuring 56 previously unreleased or unavailable recordings including rare takes of Purple Haze, HeyJoe & a stunning version of Little Wing, complete with illustrated inners, a 40-page booklet filled with rare photographs, all housed in an embossed purple velvet box with metallic-effect photo cover. Due to the weight of this incredible package, there is a 2″ hairline split to a bottom edge of the box, otherwise the packaging is in Excellent condition with only minor corner ageing & all contents including the vinyl remain Near Mint. A fantastic tome for the greatest instrumentalist in the history of Rock!).
For all our latest Audiophile arrivals please see our dedicated Collectors Store.
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