When nothing less than the best sound quality will do https://better-records.com/collections/new-arrivals
Spoiler alert: not cheap!
Spoiler alert: not cheap!
How do you avoid buying new LPs that sound just like CDs?
When nothing less than the best sound quality will do https://better-records.com/collections/new-arrivals Spoiler alert: not cheap! |
Regarding the European labels mentioned (there are others also), they are what are called "public domain" record companies. Due to the nature of Europe's copyright laws, a lot of music, such as 1960's jazz, is now in the public domain so, anybody can make and sell records of that music. The problem is that they don't have access to the original analog tapes of the music so, they source from cd's and maybe digital downloads. The pressings themselves are very good to excellent and the price is cheap but, it is digital sound on vinyl. Buyer beware! |
I have not thought about Japanese pressing. I will look into it. Spoiler alert: not cheap!Ouch! Right, it is a bit over my price range. But I will give a try for at least one album to find out how good they are. Close to Sheffield Lab records? Or Direct to Disc recording? Reading the OPs initial post here, sounds to me like his issues lie elsewhere in his system. My cds sound vg to great and I have 500+ of themIf it is, I am willing to find out. Actually my Esoteric SACD player plays CDs pretty good too. But not as good as well recorded/mastered/pressed Vinyl. System dependent for sure. What record player, arm, cartridge, phono preamp, cables, speakers...I have three turntables: Clearaudio Bluemotion(Satisfy Arm+AT150mlx), Garrard 301 with two arms (Ortofon RS212+DL103r, RMG309+SPU), and Denon DP80 (DA401+DL303). All set up by myself. I will check overhang, azimuth, vtf again, but I'm sure I did them right. Phono pre is MAGI Phonomenal. Speaker is Gershman Grand Avant Garde. Cable is ELF's Solid Core Super Helix Gold cable. Anyway, audiophile LPs sound just as good as always have been. The problem is that they don't have access to the original analog tapes of the music so, they source from cd's and maybe digital downloads. Gee, I should have known better. That answers the whole problem. As far as I recall, I did not experience SQ issues that much with those new and reissue LPs I bought up until 5 years ago. But since then, I was very disappointed with some albums. I was looking at their labels, and they were WaxTime and Jazz Images. I've been spending $ like crazy for new turntable (DP80), new plinth (DK2300), new arm (DA309), new cartridge (Ortofon MC20 super), and for LPs over the past month. I guess I need to slow down a bit and enjoy music from my own collection rather than adding new ones. Thanks for all. |