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Truly Stunning Vinyl Album

Hey friends, I'm relatively new here, first topic post but I read Audiogon topics daily. I'm a total neophyte with a not-inexpensive mid-fi system (Rogue Cronus iii Dark amp, Michel Gyro SE TT, Maggie 3.7i speakers, and a single Perlisten D15s sub, and an Eversolo DMP A8 streamer), and a growing vinyl collection that I'm partial to over streaming (unless I'm working and can't bother to flip the record). I love classic rock, Neil Young, the Stones, and the Grateful Dead, but really I like almost all genres (not into rap or thrasher metal) and since setting up my system I routinely play jazz and classical albums, and artists I never paid much attention to but now listen to quite frequently because their albums sound great on my system (e.g. Jethro Tull, Santana). So with all of that context, what I'm interested in is any TRULY STUNNING vinyl albums you can recommend, in any genre. I'm not asking for a desert island list, or any list of your favorite albums. I have those lists too, but they're dominated by musicians/groups I love and aren't necessarily "stunning" beyond my own subjective tastes. I'm interested in hearing about the one or two albums in your collection that just blow you away for whatever reason (and please explain). I'll kick it off with the Impex reissue of chamber music by Jascha Heifetz in mono, called The Lark. If you had told me that one of the top 3 records in my collection would be a mono chamber music album, I'd have laughed you out of my house. But it just blows me away. I listen to it daily. Why does it blow me away? Mostly it's the opening piece, Heifetz and an organist playing Vitali's Chaconne. It starts off with somber organ tones that I feel in my soul thanks to the Perlisten D15s sub, and then all of a sudden Heifetz comes crashing in with his piercing violin, and it is so darn stunning and beautiful I could listen to it daily until they plant me. And I don't even have a mono cartridge!  So that's the type of album I'm looking for, in any genre. Something younwould play for anyone, and regardless of what genre they prefer, they would likely agree this album is truly stunning. Can you recommend anything like that? And in case you're interested, here's a great review of the Heifetz album: 

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/music-reviews/jascha-heifetz-the-lark/

Thanks for any recommendations!

phillyspecial
phillyspecial OP
19 posts
 

Thank you all so much for the incredible suggestions! Blown away! I was up late last night streaming the suggestions that came in yesterday afternoon/evening, and loved all of them! Elgar, Nils Frahm, that Chet album, Fantasia, Respighi, Rachmaninoff, Gorecki - stayed up way later than I intended and loved every minute of it.  Ordered the Elgar and Fantasia albums on vinyl, and will enjoy listening and hunting down all the others you've sent. Sincere thanks to everyone for your suggestions. I can now see having a section of my collection devoted to the responses in this post, organized under "Truly Stunning" -- keep the suggestions coming, thanks!!

mgattmch
567 posts
 

I recently purchased the Analouge Productions UHQR The Doors LA Woman disc. I honestly don’t know how a 53 year old recording can sound this good on a 33 1/3 vinyl disc, simply mind blowing! Surface noise was non existent, dynamic range was outstanding as was frequency response. Overall, the best vinyl pressing I have ever heard. Also worth mentioning, packaging and associated printed material for the new disc is simply outstanding, as good as it gets IMHO

syr1990
20 posts
 

I have too many speicific records to recommend, so instead will give you labels and series to focus on:

 

Analogue Productions - most of their releases are excellent, they are releasing popular albums under the Atlantic label under their Atlantic 75 series. My favorites so far are Core, the Yes Album, and If I Could Only Remember My Name. They also have high end "UHQR" releases. These are pricey and you'll have to decide whether they are worth the price. 

Rhino has a new series called Rhino High Fidelity, with some great AAA releases. 

Mobile Fidelity of course has some great sounding records as well, most with a digital step. 

Also, I would not shy away from looking for originals, especially if the particular album has not been reissued by a label focused on high quality sound. There's a rabbit hole you can go down to find the best pressings. From the 70s, records that have Masterdisk, Kendun, Sterling in the runouts are typically good. 

 

You can also focus on good mastering engineers. Older ones that come to mind are Robert Ludwig and George Peckham. Newer ones that are excellent are Kevin Gray, Chris Bellman, Bernie Grundman and Ryan K Smith. 

mhmeyers's avatar
mhmeyers
70 posts
 

Two that come to mind immediately:

 

Grateful Dead - Terrapin Station (vintage pressing)

Marillion - Misplaced Childhood (vintage pressing)

dekay's avatar
dekay
5,505 posts
 

"Mad Dogs and Englishmen".

Cocker's live album is killer (both sonically and musically).

 

DeKay

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