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.
STING The Soul Cages (TAS listed 1991 UK 9-track audiophile LP pressed on high quality vinyl in Q-Sound, which involves recording through the ears of an artificial head to simulate a ‘real’ all round listening experience, fully compatible with regular stereo setups, picture sleeve with lyrics on reverse. The sleeve shows minimal wear and the vinyl looks barely touched – a stunning near mint copy).
ELLA FITZGERALD & LOUIS ARMSTRONG Ella And Louis (2011 issue US Limited Edition 11-track Ultra HD 32-Bit Mastered CD by Lim. Originally released in 1957 and featuring the 2 giants at their peak on some of the finest jazz standards ever recorded with smooth vocals, that unmistakeable trumpet and a little help from The Oscar Peterson Trio and Buddy Rich. Housed in a silver foil embossed hardback book picture sleeve with integral booklet LIMUHD045).
DISTURBED Believe (2002 German 12-track DVD-Audio disc featuring Advanced Resolution Multi-Channel Surround Sound (48 kHz/24-bit), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, Advanced Resolution Stereo (48 kHz/24-bit) and Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Sound, includes bonus footage of ‘Behind The Scenes On The Prayer Video Set’ and ‘In The Studio Recording Believe’, within a stickered Super Jewel Box with booklet picture sleeve).
THE DOORS Strange Days (Back in print for 2021 Analogue Productions magical double album 2-LP edition of The Doors 1967 sophomore album, mastered by Doug Sax using an all-tube system, and overseen by producer/engineer Bruce Botnick who said, “When mastering for the 45-RPM vinyl release, we were successfully able to bake the original master tapes and play them to cut the lacquer masters.” Pressed on two 180-gram vinyl LPs at Quality Record Pressings, cut at 45RPM – offering incredible dynamics and beautiful detail. Deluxe gatefold picture sleeve, with hype stickers & factory sealed. A beauty!).
DONALD FAGEN Kamakiriad (Rare 2003 US 8-track multi region NTSC Audio-DVD, including Advanced Resolution Stereo or Surround sound 24 bit/48 kHz DVD-Audio, Dolby Digital & DTS 5.1 surround sound versions of the album, Lyrics, Behind the Scenesvideo and the videos for Snowbound & Tomorrow’s Girls; booklet picture sleeve R9-73782).
For all our latest Audiophile arrivals please see our dedicated Collectors Store.
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