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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
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano
2,414 posts
 
When Tower records was going out of business they were selling their Sheffield Labs LP’s out for $7.99 a pop.  I bought a s###load of them at that price.
As has been mentioned, the Leinsdorf — Prokofiev and Wagner LP’s as well as the Harry James direct discs are sensational.
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,745 posts
 
There have always been audiophile pressings, they were just never so heavily and aggressively marketed as they are today.

One group that was not mentioned was Columbia Records' Half Speed Mastered Series.  


Rich 
smandlej
70 posts
 
I have all bar two of the Nimbus Supercut records which were available from Practical Hi-Fi/Hi-Fi Today magazine here in the UK. Limited to 1,000 pressings, half speed mastered and pressed on virgin vinyl these can be found on eBay, but at nothing like the original price of £5.25 (if memory serves !!). Original master tapes were used for each monthly issue and these are well worth seeking out. When the magazine went bust the remaining stock of discs was bought by British Audio/Moth Group and were sold off for a fiver each including Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band- the Beatles (sigh !!!).
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,411 posts
 
lewm is SO right about the Reference Recordings LP's. Though not as startling "alive" sounding as direct-to-disk LP's (RR are recorded on a really good analog reel-to-reel recorder by Keith Johnson), they not only contain great sound, but also great music (unlike Sheffield's imo). I particularly like the label's Baroque artists and repertoire.
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rauliruegas
12,776 posts
 
Dear friends: Well here I come again with these great labels and a must to look for to any one:

Clarity Recordings especially its " one side " recordings.
Three Blind Mice. ACT Music ( expetional. ). REGA recordings ( yes, the same TT manufacturer. ). All the Stockfish ( DMM ). First Impression Music ( FIM. ). Wind Music ( extraordynary recoprdings. ).

In the last time I´m extremely selective of what to buy of those " audiophile quality " recording hypes because the majority are truly BS . More and more I’m buying less and less LPs. Well, I own thousands so makes no sense to follow accumulating LPs with no time to listen it because the day has only 24 hours.

I forgot: the " one side " Stereophile recordings,.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
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