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.
DAVID BOWIE David Bowie (Rare 2018 UK White Label Test Pressing for the limited edition Record Store Day remastered double LP pressed on Black 180 Gram Vinyl, the RSD release was actually on Red & Blue Vinyl. This is Bowie’s 1967 self-titled debut studio album in both MONO and STEREO. Pressed in small quantities purely to test the sonics, each disc has plain white labels with ‘Side A’ indicated on both, each in their own plain die-cut card sleeve with information sticker in the top right corner, and remains in a new & unplayed condition).
DEFTONES Koi No Yokan (2012 UK 11-track LP pressed on Audiophile quality 180 Gram Heavyweight Vinyl, the seventh studio album by the American alternative metal band including the singles Leathers, Tempest and Swerve City; within a gatefold picture with lyric insert. This example remains in the original open hype sticked shrink, therefore displays minimal wear, whilst the vinyl looks barely played).
LINDA MCCARTNEY Wild Prairie (2019 UK limited edition ‘Online Exclusive’ 16-track LP issue of the 1998 posthumous compilation album now newly remastered, pressed on Audiophile quality 180 Gram Milk/Blue Coloured Vinyl, comprising of a collection of songs by different incarnationsof Wings recorded between 1972 – 1980, including previously released single only ‘Seaside Woman’ and ‘Cook of the House’, a track from Wings at the Speed of Sound, and Linda McCartney’s works recorded in the end of the 80’s and 90’s. The vinyl is BRAND NEW & unplayed housed in the picture sleeve which remains sealed within its hype-stickered shrinkwrap).
MARIAH CAREY Japan Best (2018 Japanese only limited edition 19-track Blu-Spec CD [an audio Compact Disc format using Blu-Ray technology and playable on all CD players], an exclusive compilation with unique lyric picture sleeve, custom printed handkerchief & obi-strip, still in the hype stickered re-sealable bag SICP-31218).
JOHN MAYALL with ERIC CLAPTON Bluesbreakers (Rare 2010 Japanese promo sample issue of the exclusive limited edition 12-track hybrid SACD [Super Audio CD – playable on all SACD & CD players], issued to radio and journalists ahead of actual release. Originally released in 1966, this groundbreaking British Blues album has achieved legendary status largely on the basis of Eric Clapton’s incredible contribution on guitar, changing the face of ‘rock’ guitar, which was still in its infancy; with a custom printed inner rim of disc, within a fold-out mini-LP style card picture sleeve with Japanese sleeve notes inside, a ‘Super Audio CD SHM’ embossed card inner, and promo stickered full back wrap-around obi-strip, inside a printed re-sealable bag! UIGY-9043).
For all our latest Audiophile arrivals please see our dedicated Collectors Store.
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