Oldest Recordings that sound “audiophile”

I agree that the Nancy Wilson, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole recordings on Capitol sound really good.  I had an opportunity to hear a master tape for a Nat King Cole recording and it was unbelievably vibrant, and realistic sounding.

There is something to what Teo_audio said about having tubes all the way through the recording, mastering, cutting and playback chain.  I have a few Acoustic Sounds reissues that claim that tube gear was used throughout, and although I have no way to attribute the sound quality to this particular aspect of the reissue, I do note that these reissues sound terrific.

that tube gear was used throughout, and although I have no way to attribute the sound quality to this particular aspect of the reissue, I do note that these reissues sound terrific.

 I own TACET classical all produced with tubes alll along the way and i must admit that they sound more natural to my ears.....

@larryi ,

'I had an opportunity to hear a master tape for a Nat King Cole recording and it was unbelievably vibrant, and realistic sounding.'


That's just the kind of thing that many audiophile dreams are made of.

Short of being in the control room during the actual recording, how would you top that?