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.
RICK WAKEMAN Return To The Centre Of The Earth (1999 UK EMI Classics 22-track double LP pressed on high quality audiophile vinyl, from the ex-Yes keyboard maestro featuring guest artists Ozzy Osbourne, Trevor Rabin, Justin Hayward & Bonnie Tyler, and narrated by Patrick Stewart; glossy gatefold picture sleeve designed by cover art legend Roger Dean, complete with lyric inners & fold-out poster of Dean’s fantastic cover artwork. The sleeve displays minimal wear, the poster has neverbeen displayed, the inner have no splits of rips and the vinyl looks barely played).
SLASH Featuring MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS World On Fire (2014 UK limited edition 17-track double LP pressed on Translucent Red Vinyl, the third solo studio album from the legendary guitarist and his second recorded with Myles Kennedy [Alter Bridge], including the singles World On Fire, Bent To Fly and 30 Years To Life. Complete with the download code voucher and picture / lyric booklet, both discs appear barely playedhoused in the gatefold picture sleeve within the titled slipcase! RR75581).
DIRE STRAITS Brothers In Arms (2015 US Mobile Fidelity Ultra Analog 9-track double LP issue of their classic 1985 album which now comes Half-Speed Mastered and specially pressed & plated on 180gram High Definition Vinyl at 45rpm. The deluxe gatefold picture sleeve reproduces the original album artwork and is gold number-embossed on the back and comes with static inner bags & wraparound series card inserts, while the two vinyl discs appear barely played MFSL2-441).
BILLY JOEL Songs In The Attic (Sealed 2013 US exclusive limited edition Mobile Fidelity ‘Original Master Recording’ 11-track Audiophile DSD remastered Ultradisc UHR™ SACD [Super Audio CD – playable on all SACD and CD players], originally released in 1981 and recorded live in concert in June & July 1980, mastered directly from the original tapes; un-numbered LP-style gatefold picture sleeve with the barcode blocked due to being issued in advance of release, factory sealed UDSACD2092).
ENYA Watermark (TAS listed 1988 UK 11-track LP, pressed in Germany for the whole of Europe, including the singles Orinoco Flow, Evening Falls, Storms In Africa & Exile, complete with illustrated lyric inner, picture sleeve. This example remains in the open shrink, therefore the sleeve displays minimal wear and tje vinyl looks barely played WX199).
For all our latest Audiophile arrivals please see our dedicated Collectors Store.
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