Audiophile (Very High) Quality Recordings

[StevenKay]

Hi Audiophiles and all Music Lovers

Audiophile (Very High) Quality Recordings

Could you please recommend some CDs which are of the highest possible (audiophile) quality in the following categories:

a) Classical Music

b) Jazz

c) Hard Rock

Thanks

Steven Kay

 

[Olli1324]

I'll start off with MTV unplugged albums (particularly Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Eric Clapton). Fantastic albums and beautiful quality.

 

[Inter_Voice]

For Classical and Jazz I would recommend "The Absolute Sound TAS" series in hybrid SACD format. For vocals try hybrid SACD "Closer to the Music" Vol. 1 to 3 from Stockfisch Records. If your player can play SACD you will be amazed by the quality of recordings in these Albums.

 

[StevenKay]

Olli1324

Thanks a lot . Yes MTV Unplugged albums would be a great start. The recording quality is very good.

 

[StevenKay]

Inter_Voice

Thanks for the response and the suggestion. Shall definitely check out.

 

[Anonymous]

Higest quality classical CD I own:

Highest quality rock CD I own:

That is, the original 1992 release

 

[Clare Newsome]

I can highly recommend both Analogue Productions and Mobile Fidelity masterings.

The Analogue Productions version of Nat King Cole's Love is the Thing is the best-recorded disc in my collection....

 

[6th.replicant]

The Who - Who's Next (SHM-SACD)

Hesperion XXI / Jordi Savall - Estampies & Danses Royales (SACD)

Fritz Reiner / Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade; Stravinsky - Song of the Nightingale (SACD)

Hilary Hahn / Jeffrey Kahane / LA Chamber Orchestra - A Love Supreme (SACD)

Stan Getz and João Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto (SACD)

Diana Krall - My One And Only Thrill (2-CD Deluxe Edition)

All of the above are also available as CDs, but the hi-res versions sound even better

 

[malthus80]

Ill also recommend Alice in Chains unplugged. Like being there on a good setup. RATM eponymous for a virtually prefectly produced heavy rock cd. Anything by Reference recordings for classical. Breathtaking dynamics. For jazz id recommend Moving by Bugge Wessletoft. Very modern but very good. Anything on the Naim and Linn labels.

 

[the record spot]

I'd wise up to the good recordings/masterings that have been out there for years without having to spend shedloads. For instance, if you're a Gerry Rafferty fan, check out the current twofers from EMI which has his Night Owl and City to City albums. HMV are doing them on a two for £10 deal, so effectively a fiver each.

What's the fuss? They took the Steve Hoffman mastering for City to City for the release, which you'll only find on an out of print DCC release that'll cost a load more to lay hands on now.

 

[StevenKay]

jules153Clare Newsome6th.replicantmalthus80the record spot Re: Audiophile Quality RecordingsMy thanks to all you for your helpful suggestions.

 

[the record spot]

This is the 2CD set I was referring to earlier. Should've popped this in but I think it's widely available. Now £4.49 on Amazon and free delivery.

 

[Big Chris]

The MoFi remaster of Faith No More's 'Angel Dust' is excellent..... Sadly, the MoFi of Megadeth's 'Countdown To Extinction' isn't.

 

[6th.replicant]

The MoFi remaster of Faith No More's 'Angel Dust' is excellent..... Sadly, the MoFi of Megadeth's 'Countdown To Extinction' isn't.

There're three versions for sale on Amazon: a 1992 release, a 1999 and a 2010, which is the MoFi version?

Ta

 

[Anonymous]

a)Emma Shapplin - Carmine Meo from late 90's

 

[margetti]

Don't like these type of threads - they always cost me money!

Gerry Rafferty already purchased, God help me on the APO website!

 

[6th.replicant]

Don't like these type of threads - they always cost me money!

...

Tell me about it!

Currently have cursor hovering over 'add to basket' re MoFi's Ultradisc UHR™ SACD versions of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On and Let's Get It On, among others...

But they're $30 each...

And with my luck I'll get clobbered for VAT, too

 

[the record spot]

Go to the UK Amazon site and search for Mobile Fidelity. You'll find some keener prices from Uk sellers. I picked up the mo-fi version of The Yes Album for about £14 delivered. Likewise Audio Fidelity's version of Billy Joel's Glass Houses. It can be done although assume they're always the best versions.

 

[6th.replicant]

Go to the UK Amazon site and search for Mobile Fidelity. You'll find some keener prices from Uk sellers. I picked up the mo-fi version of The Yes Album for about £14 delivered. Likewise Audio Fidelity's version of Billy Joel's Glass Houses. It can be done although assume they're always the best versions.

You did well to snap 'em up early, The RS...

MoFi's Yes Album is now £34 at Amazon

Billy Joel's Glass Houses is £32 at Amazon

 

[the record spot]

Ah, don't buy from Amazon itself, but one of the other retailers on there, just look at the bottom of the page you've linked to: "6 New from £13.95"....the devil's in the detail!

 

[Clare Newsome]

It costs me too - linking to MoFi from this thread *made* me buy their latest Frank Sinatra mastering. Ordered From Diverse Vinyl online - delivered today; cheaper than Amazon!

 

[the record spot]

"Made"? Methinks the lady doth protest too much...!

 

[Clare Newsome]

Well I had no idea there was a new Sinatra release until I clicked on the MoFi site in order to link to it here - so I'm blaming you lot ;-)

 

[6th.replicant]

Ah, don't buy from Amazon itself, but one of the other retailers on there, just look at the bottom of the page you've linked to: "6 New from £13.95"....the devil's in the detail!

 

[Big Chris]

The MoFi remaster of Faith No More's 'Angel Dust' is excellent..... Sadly, the MoFi of Megadeth's 'Countdown To Extinction' isn't.

There're three versions for sale on Amazon: a 1992 release, a 1999 and a 2010, which is the MoFi version?

Ta

Mine says 2008. It's in a cardboard sleeve with "Original Master Recording" written along the top, and "special limited edition" on the back in the bottom left corner (mine's #00142).