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Best sounding LP's

I'm new to analog, and discovering that LP's, like CD's, are definitely not created equal in terms of sound quality. I've bought some used classical LP's, including a recent Deutche Gramaphone (sp?) recording that sounded really great and I realized how bad the others were after that.

Is there a web site that rates records for their recording quality? CD's also for that matter. If there's not one, somebody should start one. For me with classical, sound quality is paramount. How do you guys decide what to buy?
matt8268
cpdunn99's avatar
cpdunn99
639 posts
 
Matt8268,

Some of those heavier vinyl discs are not necessarily "audiophile" 180 or 200g LPs. If they are older, they are probably 150g.
sknnyc
51 posts
 
You can't go wrong with any of the Decca classical reissues on Speakers Corner. They are pricey at around $25 each but you get a thick slab of 180g vinyl for your money. Next up would be the Classic Records reissues some of which are being sold for $10-12 by web sites such as www.amusicdirect.com and www.elusivedisc.com. The Classics jazz reissues are pretty good too. On the pop side, you have the usual suspects (Pink Floyd "Dark Side" and "The Wall", Neil Young "Harvest", etc.). Check out Ebay and you can pick up some of these for less than $5. Good luck.
melville's avatar
melville
22 posts
 
The LPs that impressed me most, and there are only a few, were TACET, particularly The Tube. For pure sonics, the Sheffield Labs are amazing.
agaffer
256 posts
 
For new LPs, I have found all the Super Analogue discs from Cisco as good as it gets. Their Vanguard label is also great but, limited titles.
jsujo
348 posts
 
Classical labels I found to be consistently good:

1. Erato,,,great production and dead quiet vinyl,,,very smooth sound with great dynamics.
2. Deutsche Gramophon from the 60's (the label has a big arrangement of Tulips on top and surrounding the inner label..I find the performaances first rate and vinyl very quiet.
3. The Melodiya/Angel releases, are dead quiet vinyl,,,great sound.
4. The London label I find that most of the ones I have are very very quiet, with very nice performances...I just got my first blue back and its pretty good.
5. Phillips of any kind, especially if pressed in Holland,,,dead quiet vinyl and good dynamics.
6. Teldec Direct Metal Mastering (derived from telefunken (derived from Decca)),,,Spotless production.
7. RCA Living Stereo (I am not that willing to pay anymore)
8. Mercury Living Presence...(reissues are supposed to be excellent) (not willing to pay that much anymore either).
9. Hungaratron and Supraphon (Eastern European labels)

I am paying an average of 2 dollars per classical LP that basically have never been played (or it looks that way)
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