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
@fjn04 ,

I don’t own too many FM releases but as my system has evolved, so has my appreciation for the one’s I do own. My OP of America "S/T" sounds better than the FM. My Kansas "Leftoverture" on FM sounds incredible. My Yes "The Yes Album" 45 rpm box really sounds great. My OP does sounds very good but for a warmer yet still detailed presentation with excellent bass, I go to the FM version. That’s 3 that come to mind.

BTW, some crazy stuff has happened to me here in the past as well.
Oops- My bad. I meant to say The Yes Album, not Close to the Edge. The Yes Album is my favorite from Yes, but I'm happy with my early press.I need to revisit FRAGILE, because I've acquired the Hoffman pressing, and need to compare to my Early US directly. I've enjoyed both on separate occasions. As far as great sounding pressings, I also picked up a US Antilles (first press) of Nick Drake: Five Leaves Left... A winner for sound quality, and the music IMO,  is sublime
Tonight I'm listening to an oldie but goody. Never heard this album till now:

Cannonball Adderley- Something else (Analogue Productions Blue Note, 200 gram reissue pressed at QRP. Nice jazz album
@knollbrent ,

I got one for ya, Weinland "Breaks in the Sun". Check it out!