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.
PRINCE & THE REVOLUTION Purple Rain (2009 UK 9-track digitally remastered LP pressed on 180 Gram Vinyl, originally released in 1984, including the classics Let’s Go Crazy, When Doves Cry and I Would Die 4 U. Housed in a picture sleeve featuring the original album artwork plus fold-out lyric insert. This example remains factory sealed from new and remains in an unplayed condition).
FUN LOVIN CRIMINALS Come Find Yourself (2014 Dutch limited edition ‘Music On Vinyl’ 13-track LP pressed on Audiophile quality 180 Gram Heavyweight Yellow Vinyl . Originally released in 1996, the debut album fromthe New York trio featuring the singles The Fun Lovin’ Criminal, Scooby Snacks, King Of New York and We Have All The Time In The World; within an individally numbered picture sleeve and remains in the unopend hype stickered resealable bag MOVLP1193).
ERIC CLAPTON Just One Night (1994 US 14-track Mobile Fidelity 24 karat Gold limited edition ‘Ultradisc II’ audiophile 2-CD set, digitally remastered from the original master tapes. Unique black & gold bordered picture sleeve for each CD with complete original artwork and housed in a glossy outer card picture slipcase, the outer sleeve is showing a little edgewear or scuffing but otherwise remains in really nice shape whilst the contents are in near ‘as new’ condition UDCD2-608).
SIMON & GARFUNKEL Bookends (2009 Japanese exclusive limited edition 14-track Blu-Spec CD [an audio CD format using Blu-Ray technology, playable on all CD players], originally released in April 1968, includes 2 bonus recordings, picture sleeve with Japanese/English lyric booklet, stickered case & obi-strip SICP-20092).
PAUL MCCARTNEY Paul Is Live (2019 UK Limited ‘Online Exclusive’ Edition 24-track remastered double LP pressed on Audiophile quality 180gm Baby Blue & Peachy White Vinyl – Recorded during the U.S. and Australian swings of the tour in support of 1993’s Off The Ground, ‘Paul Is Live’ features a wealth of Wings and Beatles classics, as well as covers of Roy Brown’s ‘Good Rockin’ Tonight’ and Leiber & Stoller’s ‘Kansas City’ and more. Additionally, this release also includes three exclusive ‘improvised on the spot’ tracks which were recorded during rehearsals in various locations over the course of the tour. The vinyl is BRAND NEW & UNPLAYED and comes housed in the gatefold picture sleeve which remains SEALED ‘as new’ within its hype-stickered shrinkwrap).
For all our latest Audiophile arrivals please see our dedicated Collectors Store.
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