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.
BELINDA CARLISLE Gold (2019 UK limited edition 20-track double LP pressed on Audiophile quality 180 Gram Heavyweight Gold Vinyl, greatest hits compilation including Heaven Is A Place On Earth, Circle In The Sand, I Get Weak, La Luna, Leave A Light On and more; single pocket picture sleeve with printed inners. This example remains in the open hype stickered shrink, therefore displays minimal wear and the vinyl looks barely played DEMREC501).
THE POLICE Flexible Strategies (2018 UK 12-track half-speed mastered compilation 180g vinyl LP, picture sleeve with inner and obi-style insert. Originally released as part of the remastered box set, this collection brings together hard-to-find B-Sides alongside some genuine rarities. The sleeve, which is still in its opened shrinkwrap, shows very little wear and the vinyl appears barely played – here’s your chance to own it without having to buy the complete boxset!).
JOBRIATH Jobriath (2018 UK Record Store Day exclusive limited edition ‘Music On Vinyl’ LP pressed on Audiophile quality 180 Gram Heavyweight Pink Vinyl, manufaactured inHolland. Glamtastic album orignally released in 1973, by one of America’s first openly gay artists & a favourite of David Bowie; within an individually numbered gatefold picture sleeve, still in the hype stickered re-sealable bag MOVLP2062)
***Limited to only 1000 copies***.
BOZ SCAGGS Silk Degrees (1996 Japanese promo sample issue of the limited edition 10-track 20 Bit Super Bit Mapping Re-Mastered Stereo Picture printed Gold CD audiophile issue of the 1976 album, issued to radio stations and reviewers ahead of the actual release date, includes the hits Lowdown, Lido Shuffle & We’re All Alone; with a custom stamped inner rim on the disc, complete with lyric booklet picture sleeve & promo stickered black & gold ‘TheCollectors Item Series’ obi-strip SRCS-7485).
KATE BUSH The Whole Story (1986 Japanese 12-track Audiophile quality vinyl LP compilation, complete with with fold out insert with detailed biography, album discography & lyrics, gatefold picture sleeve & picture obi-strip. The sleeve displays minimal wear and the vinyl remains in barely played condition EMS-91204).
For all our latest Audiophile arrivals please see our dedicated Collectors Store.
Explore eil.com… the world’s best online store for rare, collectable and out of print Vinyl Records, CDs & Music memorabilia since 1987.
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