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.
NIC JONES Penguin Eggs (2009 UK limited edition issue of the 1980 9-track vinyl LP, now pressed on 200gram VINYL, mastered at Abbey Road, picture sleeve with four page fold-out insert, featuring interview with Nic himself! Classic British folk long player including ‘Canadee-Io’. We can confirm after playtesting, this sounds fantastic. The sleeve shows a little light shelfwear, whilst the vinyl looks barely played. Highly recommended! TBFLP001).
EAGLES Hell Freezes Over (Rare as you like 1998 UK limited edition 15-track double live LP pressed on 100% HEAVYWEIGHT 180gm VIRGIN VINYL, textured picture sleeve with lyric and picture insterts. The sleeve shows a little light scuffingto bottom edge, with only a few signs of play to the vinyl. A great copy of this nugget from vinyl’s wilderness years! SVLP050).
TEARS FOR FEARS Songs From The Big Chair (2021 UK/EU limited edition 8-track LP pressed on 180-gram black vinyl, their excellently crafted second album including the hit singles Shout, Mothers Talk, Head Over Heels, I Believe, and Everybody Wants To Rule The World. Not to mention 6-minute epic The Working Hour, with its gorgeous saxophone riff and piano soundscape. Picture sleeve, factory sealed. Recommended).
BOB DYLAN Christmas In The Heart (2009 UK limited edition 15-track vinyl LP pressed on 180gram VINYL. A collection of holiday songs, which may seem an unlikely Dylan move, but the legendary singer breathes new life into such Christmas classics as ‘Here Comes Santa Claus’, ‘Winter Wonderland’, ‘Little Drummer Boy’ and ‘Must Be Santa’; presented in a festive picture sleeve with picture inner, and also includes the full album on CD. The vinyl is in BRAND NEW condition housed inthe picture sleeve which remains sealed within its custom-stickered original shrinkwrap).
For all our latest Audiophile arrivals please see our dedicated Collectors Store.
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