2. analog
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Best vinyl purchases based on pressing, studio production, sound quality and enjoyment.

As you all know this question has been asked a million times on a million sites BUT each time it’s asked, it can be very helpful to those trying to find great vinyl that is quiet, produced well and touches the heart each time it’s played.

I’ve only been into vinyl for 6 months now and have purchased 250 albums, 99 percent new, recent pressings, reissues. So within the last year, what are 10 of your favorite album purchases based on pressing, studio production, sound quality and pure enjoyment??? Here’s my top 20:

1. The Wonderful Sounds of Female Vocals. (Various artists, 200 gram QRP)
2. Willie Nelson- To all the Girls (Various artists 180 gram Legacy)
3. Dead Can Dance- Into the Labyrinth (180 gram Mobile Fidelity reissue)
4. Rickie Lee Jones- Rickie Lee Jones (180 HQ Pressing Warner Bros reissue)
5. Stevie Ray Vaughn- The Sky is Cryin (200 gram Analogue productions 45rpm reissue)
6. Pink Floyd- Dark Side of the Moon (2016 reissue)
7. Renee Flemming- The Beautiful Voice (Decca 20th anniversary gatefold)
8. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong- Ella and Louis (Analogue productions Mono reissue)
9. Eva Cassidy- Nightbird (Blix Street Records 180 gram)
10. Doors- All the new reissue 45’s from Analogue Productions, 200 gram
11. Cash- The Man Comes Around (American Records, QRP, 180 gram)
12. Shelby Lynne- Just a Little Lovin (QRP, Analogue Productions, 45 rpm, 200 gram)
13. Vanessa Fernandez- When the Levee Breaks (Groove Note, 45 rpm, 180 gram)
14. Nils Lofgren- Acoustic Live (Analogue Productions, QRP, 200 gram)
15. Neil Young- Live at Massey Hall (Reprise, 180 gram reissue)
16. Tony Bennett- I Wanna Be Around (Mobile Fidelity, 180 gram reissue)
17. Linda Ronstadt- What’s New (Analogue Productions, QRP, 200 gram, reissue)
18. Cat Stevens- Tea for the Tillerman (Analogue Productions, QRP, 200 gram reissue)
19. Muddy Waters- Folk Singer (Analogue Productions, QRP, 200 gram reissue)
20. Fleetwood Mac- Tango in the Night (Rhino, 180 gram, 2017 reissue)

Ps: You can go beyond 1 year if needed.


128x128knollbrent
knollbrent's avatar
knollbrent OP
526 posts
 
Got my preamp back from the local McIntosh authorized tech here in Miami. I haven't been listening to my analog setup for two weeks, so I'm putting down a few beers and catching up on some vinyl I just received. 

1. Chet Atkins- Chet Atkins in Hollywood (Classic records  RCA Living Stereo, 200 gram) Never heard of this person before but this collection of well produced, pressed music is outstanding!

2. Vanessa Fernandez- When the Levee Breaks (Groove Note, 45rpm, 180gram) I've listed this album before. Listening again as I sent my original copy back as it was noisy on some tracks. This one is perfect so far. 

3. Stacy Kent- The Boy Next Door (Pure Pleasure Records, 180gr)  I had her Dreamsville on cd years ago and really enjoyed it. The Boy Next Door is Dreamy too...

4. Nora Jones- Feels Like Home- (Blue Note, sealed 2004 copy) I love her voice so much. Well produced and quiet. 

More to come!
knollbrent's avatar
knollbrent OP
526 posts
 
@tomic601 what a list! Thank you for taking time to check in. Those are some real nuggets you listed. I’m going to check them out!



knollbrent's avatar
knollbrent OP
526 posts
 
Glad your back @asahitoro Happy you can share this fun hobby with your daughter!
knollbrent's avatar
knollbrent OP
526 posts
 
At the moment listening to John Hiatt- Bring the Family (Mobile Fidelity) preowned M- from Acoustic Sounds. Absolutely fantastic. Whomever suggested this one. Thank you! Quiet and perfect on so many levels. 
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,821 posts
 
Yer welcome, knollbrent ;-) . The music’s great too. If you love the album enough to justify the cost, look for the original UK/British pressing; it has a great front cover.
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