33rpm vs 45rpm - which is better

+1 @mijostyn 

The highest quality audiophile recordings I have are 45 rpm… typically causing one disk to need to be split into two… and requires flipping disks at a ridiculously short interval. But they do tend to be more dynamic.

I was taught by the various audio magazines that 33rpm LP was the best available format for sonics, and yet when a friend bought round his 45rpm 12 inch single of Duran Duran's 'The Wild Boys' the dynamics were something my Linn/Naim system had never before conveyed.

In fact I can't recall hearing a poor sounding 12 inch 45rpm single. Therefore my vote goes to the 45rpm.

Sonically the 45 should be superior to the 33 1/3 pressing especially if mastered by Kevin Gray. And personally, I wouldn't buy an orange record.

78's they have been around longer. 

45 rpm without any debate.  The faster the record spins, the longer the groove length per unit (note, whatever) and therefore the greater the resolution.  Period.

33 rpm is simply a trade off between fidelity and long playing. Note the 33 1/3, whcih replaced 45s and 78 is called the "LP".  not the "good quality".

Same with tape where 15 ips >> 7 1/2 ips >> 3 3/4 ips >> cassette

Basic physics.  and a rule int he record industry.

That said it will take more sides to achieve the same number of songs.

The Tidal version is excellent.  Far simpler :-0