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.
BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS The Complete Island Recordings (2015 UK Limited Collector’s Edition Eleven LP box set pressed on 180 Gram vinyl. Includes all nine Bob Marley & The Wailers studio albums recorded for Island Records, featuring some of their most celebrated releases, including Catch A Fire, their 1973 label debut and Rastaman Vibration, their 1976 breakthrough album in the United States, along with two live albums Live! and Babylon By Bus. Each in their own picture sleeve replicating the original releases, also includes a 70th anniversary slip mat and two photographs in glassine envelopes, all packaged in a unique hinged top brushed metal box to emulate a classic flip-style lighter [similar to the original Catch A Fire album sleeve], individually numbered and lined with velvet. This example remains factory sealed from new and remains in the original card mailer box) ***Limited to only 3000 copies Worldwide***.
BOB DYLAN Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits Vol. II (2009 Japanese exclusive limited edition 21-track 2-disc Blu-Spec CD [a new audio CD format using Blu-Ray technology, playable on all CD players] set, originally released in 1971, picture sleevewith obi strip, this example reamins factory sealed in stickered shrink SICP-20222~3).
BON JOVI The Circle (2009 Japanese exclusive limited ‘Deluxe Edition’ 2-disc set, comprised of 12-track SHM-CD [Super High Material CD – playable on all CD players] album, including the singles ‘We Weren’t Born To Follow’ and ‘Superman Tonight’, plus bonus All Region NTSC DVD featuring the ‘When We Were Beautiful’ documentary, including tour footage, interviews and more; presented in sealed fold-out metallic-effect digipak sleeve with Japanese & English lyric booklets +obi strip).
FOREIGNER Foreigner 4 (1994 US limited edition 10-track GOLD audiophile CD issue of the 1981 album, remastered from the original master tapes, jewel case picture sleeve with booklet featuring credits, all the original LP artwork, liner notes and photographs in a card picture box. The box shows just a little light wear & all contents remain near ‘as new’).
ROLLING STONES & MUDDY WATERS Live At The Checkerboard ’81 (2012 US Special Edition 3-disc [2LP/DVD] set. On the 22nd November 1981, in the middle of their mammoth American tour, the Rolling Stones arrived in Chicago prior to playing 3 nights at the Rosemont Horizon. Long influenced by the Chicago blues, the band paid a visit to Muddy Waters’ club the Checkerboard Lounge to see the legendary bluesman perform. It didn’t take long before Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Ian Stewart were joining in on stage and later Buddy Guy and Lefty Dizz also played their part. It was a unique occasion that was fortunately captured on camera. Now, restored from the original footage and with sound mixed and mastered by Bob Clearmountain, this amazing blues night is being made available in an official release for the first time. Comprised of a 2-LP set pressed on 180 gram Heavyweight Audiophile Black & White Vinyl, within a three panel gatefold picture sleeve with a Bonus NTSC DVD held in the middle panel. Although not sealed, this example remains in a ‘near as new’ condition EV305539).
For all our latest Audiophile arrivals please see our dedicated Collectors Store.
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