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Audiophile LP's

That title sounds pretty general but I didn't know how else to name it to attract some attention. For several decades in the production of vinyl the sound quality has widely varied due to recording process, pressing, and other factors. I remember years ago that some commonly available LP's were also available in a much higher quality (and a higher price) than the standard LP and offered superior sound quality. Can't remember all the terms to describe these records but direct-to-disk, master recording, and probably a few others I can't recall. Back then I never purchased any of those since when the needle dropped and music was there what else mattered? To buy a record at 2 or 3 times the standard price didn't make sense to anyone I knew at the time.
My question....I know that numerous sellers on the web list LP's for sell as "mastered", "audiophile", and the like. Back in the day were current sellers offering these truly superior records just trying a ripoff? If not, are most of the ones still in existence only are owned by private collectors?


jrpnde

Showing 2 responses by harold-not-the-barrel

harold-not-the-barrel
799 posts
 
Blue Öyster Cult: Agents of Fortune (CBS UK 1976).
Bought it for Xmas 1976. Years later when I first listened it with true HQ cartridge I was blown away as the whole sound/music space became visible with unbelievable refined and nuanced sound in mid and high register especially... suddenly Albert Bouchard´s symbals filled the landscape, dancing and shining and sparkling as if the sound came from another another world. Buck Dharma´s solo on "Don´t fear the Reaper" raised straight into the high sky and cut like a scythe, it was both terrifying and very beautiful at the same time. The sound is nothing but absolutely fantastic. To make it better is a very hard job, for any record manufacturer of today. Actually I tried one "180 g high quality" reissue but sold it shortly afterwards.
I have a couple of other rock albums which actually are like audiophile quality so I don´t need "audiophile quality" LPs to judge my system.
harold-not-the-barrel
799 posts
 
^ ^ Great and very informative post. For jazz fans I highly recommend the ECM label German pressings, Pat Metheny etc.
In general, the quality of vintage records is higher, 50´s, 60´s and 70´s. "Dynamic compression" kinda nailed the opposite. The first pressings practically are much better than later editions, and the label´s country of origin usually are better. There are exceptions, like a certain Pink Floyd album from Germany, and even not the very first edition, has the best sound quality of them all, including Japanese audiophile editions.
Yes it´s so fun to find these cheap surprises. What a wonderful hobby this is : ) Good luck for all !
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