When you think about it, a really cool, higher rez, greater dynamic range variation on the LP would have been a 16" dia. 45 rpm format. Think about it--the gear and production methods were in place in the '50s through the '70s, but as far as I know, no one attempted to put the faster playback speed on the bigger format. Radio stations had turntables that played 16" transcription records. That's why 12" tonearms were sort of a broadcast standard--to span those big platters.
45 rpm on a 16" disc would have given about 20 minutes per side, the 12" arm would have minimized tracking angle error deviations, and the larger diameter and faster speed would have reduced or eliminated dynamic problems as the groove neared the center.
BTW, at a record show last weekend I picked up a direct to disc 45 rpm of Laurinda Almeida with a backing combo. Stunning sound. The music is dated '70s-sounding in places, but sonically it's the best in the house now.
45 rpm on a 16" disc would have given about 20 minutes per side, the 12" arm would have minimized tracking angle error deviations, and the larger diameter and faster speed would have reduced or eliminated dynamic problems as the groove neared the center.
BTW, at a record show last weekend I picked up a direct to disc 45 rpm of Laurinda Almeida with a backing combo. Stunning sound. The music is dated '70s-sounding in places, but sonically it's the best in the house now.