Is "audiophile" being overused in the LP listings?


Have noticed in the music LP category a number of posters consider anything that is an early pressing "audiophile". In fact, there are numerous albums referred to as "audiophile" which are far from it sonically. I had someone over to look at my LP's for sale, and said he was interested in that genre, but not the Japanese pressings as he was told they were too bright and had too much bass. I let him pick out an album and listen, and he immediately was converted. I think there are many who listen on more of a basic system and have not heard the openness, timbre, detail, and intimacy of a true pressing determined as audiophile by those with hardware to enjoy those defining aspects. Not that anyone having a more basic system could not possibly hear the detail of a superb pressing, but to call an import album of lessor sound quality than most earlier US pressing has just not heard the comparison on a better system. I understand the value of early pressings is one thing, I am talking about the sonics. And, am not saying that all albums listed on the cover as "audiophile" are, in fact, "audiophile", or that there aren't some early pressings which are true sonic gems There are also many LPs, particularly early direct to disc, which sonically are lacking in musicality. My point is simply an early US pressing does not make it audiophile, as simply being an import does. Nothing does until it is experienced on a system allowing it to sound sound three dimensional, open, detailed, and capturing in the ability to make one forget it is hardware being listened to. Am not trying to be HP :)
chidancer

Showing 1 response by mofimadness

I think that "Hot Stamper" is being WAY over used also. I'm not sure if most sellers, (or buyers) even know what a "Hot Stamper" is, but they claim this in their ads and then jack the price way up???