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.
13TH FLOOR ELEVATORS The Psychedelic Sounds Of The 13th Floor Elevators (Limited Edition 2013 US 22-track double LP pressed on 180gram Vinyl, the cult 1966 album from Roky Erickson & co, expanded to include a remastered stereo mix presented in the band’s original intended running order, with correct writing credits & full song titles. Comes housed in a deluxe gatefold picture sleeve with updated liner notes. The sleeve & vinyl are Excellent to Near Mint with very little wear & play SNAX616LP).
TUDOR LODGE Tudor Lodge (2007 Japanese exclusive limited edition 12-track LP pressed on 200gram Virgin Vinyl, originally released in 1971, one of the rarest releases on the legendary Vertigo label, superbly presented in a high quality reproduction of the original textured fold-out picture sleeve with Japanese/lyric sheet enclosed. The sleeve is Excellent to Near Mint with just a small internal corner crease & the heavyweight vinyl is Near Mint with barely any play UIJY-9042).
PINK FLOYD Wish You Were Here (Rare limited edition 1984 UK Nimbus Records Supercut audiophile pressing of the classic 1975 5-track LP, with ‘Nimbus England’ machine stamped in the run-out groove, custom gold stickered picture sleeve, illustrated lyric inner & postcard. This edition was mastered and pressed exclusively for readers of ‘Hi-Fi Today’ magazine & available by mail order only. What’s more, this copy is in astonishing condition, showing just the very lightest of wearto the sleeve with MINT contents and vinyl – with only 1000 copies pressed this top Floyd rarity is getting increasingly hard to find, especially in such incredible condition SHVL814).
A-HA Lifelines (2019 UK limited edition remastered double 180 gram heavyweight vinyl LP issue of their classic 2002 seventh studio album which includes the singles Forever Not Yours, Did Anyone Approach You? and the title track. Both vinyl discs are BRAND NEW & unplayed housed in the gatefold picture sleeve which remains sealed within its original hype-stickered shrinkwrap).
THE BEATLES Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Rare 1984 UK limited edition mail-order only Nimbus Records Supercut pressing 13-track LP, gatefold picture sleeve. This edition was mastered and pressed exclusively for readers of Hi-Fi Today magazine by Nimbus & has the original gold sleeve sticker intact and limited to just 1000 copies. Aside from a few spots of paper loss along the bottom edge, the sleeve shows very little wear, the vinyl is near mint with just a couple ofvery light paper scuffs visible under strong light – superb! PCS7027).
For all our latest Audiophile arrivals please see our dedicated Collectors Store.
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