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.
DEVIN TOWNSEND Eras II (2018 Deluxe Limited Edition Five album, Eight LP box set pressed on Audiophile quality 180 Gram Heavyweight Gold Vinyl, manufactured in Germany for the US & European market. Includes thealbums Ocean Machine, Infinity, Physicist, Terria and Synchestra, each in their own gatefold picture sleeve, with a 36 page booklet with photos, credits, lyrics & new liner notes for each album by Devin Townsend, all housed within a 13″ square 2¼” wide pull-out box. Although not sealed, this example remains in a ‘near as new’ condition IOMLP510)***Limited to only 200 copies***.
VARIOUS ARTISTS Voyager Golden Record 40th Anniversary Edition (We have lift off! Very rare 2017 US limited first edition 31-track 180g 3LP vinyl set pressed on Translucent Gold Vinyl, with 92-page hardcover book, gold foil print of Voyager plate, slipmat and laminated download card, housed in a numbered 13″ x 13″ x 1.5″ gold title embossed, two-piece textured box with metallic gold picture sticker. Released as part of a kickstarter campaign this incredible box set replicates the long playing records that were sent out on the Voyager Probe in 1977 [and are still out there, somewhere]. It’s a fascinating listen which ranges from greetings in 55 languages, various examples of ethnic music from around the world, classical recordings, blues and even Chuck Berry amongst its many delights. This copy is in superb condition, the box, contents and vinyl are all in near mint condition and is the first we’ve ever seen – highly recommended OZMA001).
ERIC DOLPHY Out To Lunch! (2017 Japanese limited edition SHM/SACD audiophile issue of the classic 1964 stereo album, playable on all CD players, featuring a DSD mastered version in crystal clear sound taken from the analogue master tapes. Alsostars Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Richard Davis & Anthony Williams, housed in an album jewel case with Japanese booklet UCGQ-9020).
THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA conducted by FRITZ REINER Scheherazade, Op. 35 – Symphonic Suite (2014 Austrian 4-track hybrid SACD [Super Audio CD – playable on all SACD & CD players], recorded at the Orchestra Hall in Chicago on the 8th February 1960, with violin solo by Sidney Harth; hype stickered jewel case with picture sleeve insert CAPC2446SA).
DAVID BOWIE Blackstar (Extremely Rare & Limited 2016 US 7-track LP pressed on 180 gram Clear Vinyl, his twenty-fifth and final studio album including the 9:59 title track and Lazarus, die-cut ‘star’ gatefold picture sleeve with digitaldownload card & 16 page booklet. This was originally purchased from Bowie’s online website, and remains factory sealed with the ‘Parental Advisory’ sticker on the front and ‘8 88751 88851 7’ barcode sticker on the reverse. But that is not all,this example also includes the rare original set of three different 17″ x 11″ high quality lithograph prints which were sold as a bundle with the LP with initial orders only. A fantastic example of the stunning rarity)
**Limited to 5000 copies**.
For all our latest Audiophile arrivals please see our dedicated Collectors Store.
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