For anyone who collects vinyl, we 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 its 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.
Here at eil.com we have a nice range of Audiophile pressings to suit everyone’s taste and pockets, and find more ideas across all formats and genres in our Christmas Store.
METALLICA Hardwired… To Self-Destruct (2016 UK Limited Deluxe Edition Triple LP pressed on Audiophile quality 180 Gram Heavyweight Blue, Yellow and Red Vinyl. The tenth studio album and their first through the group’s independent label Blackened Recordings, including Hardwired, Moth Into Flame and Atlas, Rise!, featuring the full album spread over the [Blue & Yellow] two disc’s with two bonus tracks on the third [red] disc, along with a bonus 12-track CD featuring covers and live material. All housed within a picture box with 4 Lithograph Photo Prints, 8 album themed button badges and Digital download card, this example remains factory sealed and still in the sealed brown card mailer box!).
GIRL Sheer Greed (2019 UK strictly limited edition 12-track white label Test Pressing issue of the Audiophile quality 180 gram HQ Virgin Vinyl LP edition released by Tiger Bay Records. The debut album ‘Sheer Greed’ from the British glam rockers was released in 1980 on the Jet Records during the explosion of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal phenomenon and contains their best known songs Hollywood Tease, My Number and the Kiss cover Do You Love Me. The vinyl is UNPLAYED issued in a plain white die-cut sleeve with a resealable outer bag! TB6355).
MASAHIKO TOGASHI with DON CHERRY and CHARLIE HADEN Session In Paris: Vol. 1 ‘Song Of Soil’ (2017 UK limited edition 6-track LP issue of the his collaborative 1979 album now pressed on Audiophile quality 180 gram HQ Virgin Vinyl – Recorded on 12th & 13th July 1979 at Ramses, Studio Du Village, Paris together with Free-Jazz giants Don Cherry and Charlie Haden, this record granted the Japanese percussionist an international audience and collaborations with Steve Lacy, Mal Waldron and Paul Bley were soon to follow. The vinyl is UNPLAYED housed in the picture sleeve which remains sealed within its hype-stickered shrinkwrap TB6126).
BOB DYLAN Bob Dylan At Budokan (2014 Japanese exclusive limited edition 22-track Double Blu-Spec CD album [an audio CD format using Blu-Ray technology, playable on all CD players], featuring his classic live performance at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokanin 1978, housed in the mini-LP gatefold card picture sleeve complete with lyric booklets, a bonus fold-out poster & obi-strip! SICP 30498~9).
DOOBIE BROTHERS Minute By Minute (Limited Edition 2005 US 10-track Audio Fidelity 24kt GOLD audiophile CD, the 1978 album digitally remastered from the original master tapes, housed in an album jewel case with picture booklet & outer die-cut card picture slipcase AFZ025).
JOHN LENNON Imagine (Limited edition 1997 UK EMI 100 series audiophile issue of the 1971 10-track LP pressed on 180 gram Virgin Vinyl, an analogue cutting direct from the original analogue tapes, housed in a custom stickered deluxe sleeve which is promo stickered on the back & complete with the illustrated lyric inner, reproduction fold-out poster & postcard. The sleeve displays minimal wear and the vinyl looks barely played LPCENT27).
For all our latest Audiophile arrivals please see our dedicated Collectors Store.
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