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.
MILES DAVIS Kind Of Blue (2015 UK issue of the classic 1959 5-track stereo LP pressed on Audiophile quality 180 Gram HQ Virgin Vinyl, picture sleeve reproducing the original album artwork. The sleeve remains in the open hype stickered open shrink therefore displays minimal wear, whilst the vinyl looks barely played DOL725H).
DIRE STRAITS Brothers In Arms (2014 UK Back To Black series 9-track remastered double LP pressed on audiophile 180 gram vinyl – their 1985 fifth album, including the singles Money For Nothing and Walk Of Life. Issued as part of ‘The Studio Albums 1978-1991’ series and housed in a single pocket picture sleeve with download card. This example remains factory sealed from new in the original stickered shrinkwrap).
MOODY BLUES On The Threshold Of A Dream (Rare 1996 US 13-track limited edition Mobile Fidelity ‘Ultradisc II’ 24-karat Gold audiophile CD, mastered directly from the original master tapes, Mobile Fidelity jewel case with unique black & gold bordered picture sleeve & booklet including the complete original artwork UDCD612).
VAN MORRISON Blowin’ Your Mind (1995 UK limited edition 13-track Super Bit Mapping 24-karat Gold picture printed CD, including five bonus Alternate Takes not available on the original album, within a jewelcase with a di-cut back inlay and picture sleeve which remains sealed, and still in the texured die-cut slip case).
QUEEN The Queen Studio Collection (2019 UK issue Deluxe Edition Boxset comprising all FIFTEEN studio albums pressed 180 gram Coloured Vinyl originally released in 2015, all digitally remastered at Abbey Road Studios from the original master tapes and individually housedin their own picture sleeves together inside a gold-coloured box with a flip-open lid with an black outer slipcase with gold titling and logo on the front complete with a lavishly illustrated 108-page hardback book featuring an introduction to each album, quotes from the band and rare photographs & memorabilia from the Queen Archive. Still factory sealed in the card mailer box).
For all our latest Audiophile arrivals please see our dedicated Collectors Store.
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