First of all, good choice staying away from the new Japanese pressings. There has been alot written on this forum and on Steve Hoffman's forum of the pros and cons of the various pressings of the Beatles. A search will reveal a lot of information.
Overall, most seem in agreement that the UK Blue Box is the best sound to $$$, 14 stereo albums, reissued between 1978 and 1986. They go for around $200 in great shape on Ebay. Some people prefer the 70's Japanese repressings, EAS-50XXX or EAS-80XXX. The prices for these are all over the road on Ebay, but you can usually find them for $15-25 apiece in near mint condition, or the collection for $200-300.
If you prefer the Mono versions (I do), the UK Y/B reissues ('82) or Japanese Red Vinyl reissues ('82 or '86) run upward of $100+ apiece on Ebay.
The US pressings by Capitol get mostly bad reviews for sound quality, but still are liked by some because those are the records we grew up with here in the US. They are mastered differently than the rest of the world with added echo. When I hear them now, some I like, some I don't. Anyway, they are still pretty cheap. These have been reissued a few times, try to get the ones done prior to the mid '80s. Everything since then are digital remasters. (CD mix).
Some particular pressings that I like best are "Die Beatles" German Stereo Horzu pressing, Magical Mystery Tour German Stereo Horzu/Apple pressing, 70's German Stereo White Album, Canadian Capitol "Beatlemania" Stereo or Mono early 60's.
Original 60's UK pressings have generally been played to death, but there are a few good ones out there if you look carefully. Prices for those are all over the highway.
Ebay is probably your best bet to find these records, but be careful and ask lots of questions before you bid!
Have Fun!
Rick
Overall, most seem in agreement that the UK Blue Box is the best sound to $$$, 14 stereo albums, reissued between 1978 and 1986. They go for around $200 in great shape on Ebay. Some people prefer the 70's Japanese repressings, EAS-50XXX or EAS-80XXX. The prices for these are all over the road on Ebay, but you can usually find them for $15-25 apiece in near mint condition, or the collection for $200-300.
If you prefer the Mono versions (I do), the UK Y/B reissues ('82) or Japanese Red Vinyl reissues ('82 or '86) run upward of $100+ apiece on Ebay.
The US pressings by Capitol get mostly bad reviews for sound quality, but still are liked by some because those are the records we grew up with here in the US. They are mastered differently than the rest of the world with added echo. When I hear them now, some I like, some I don't. Anyway, they are still pretty cheap. These have been reissued a few times, try to get the ones done prior to the mid '80s. Everything since then are digital remasters. (CD mix).
Some particular pressings that I like best are "Die Beatles" German Stereo Horzu pressing, Magical Mystery Tour German Stereo Horzu/Apple pressing, 70's German Stereo White Album, Canadian Capitol "Beatlemania" Stereo or Mono early 60's.
Original 60's UK pressings have generally been played to death, but there are a few good ones out there if you look carefully. Prices for those are all over the highway.
Ebay is probably your best bet to find these records, but be careful and ask lots of questions before you bid!
Have Fun!
Rick