The question to be asked is this: can a $350 reissue be considered a good deal for the serious record collector? I think not, not even for bragging. They’re more like expensive stop gaps, because they’re just fancy reproductions and serious collectors will continue to long for the original. That’s how collectors are wired.
The other question is: can it be a good deal for the serious audiophile? That will depend on the quality of the original recordings and the condition of the original tapes. But most of the classical records released by ERC were not chosen for their sonics. They were chosen because the originals are trophies for the rich, like the Martzy Bach or Kogan Violin Concertos. These are undoubtedly great performances, but sonically they’re average late 50’s EMI recordings.
ERC has all the characteristics of a labour of love, for me it’s also an exercise in futility. But apparently their products sell out quickly, so they do serve a purpose.
The other question is: can it be a good deal for the serious audiophile? That will depend on the quality of the original recordings and the condition of the original tapes. But most of the classical records released by ERC were not chosen for their sonics. They were chosen because the originals are trophies for the rich, like the Martzy Bach or Kogan Violin Concertos. These are undoubtedly great performances, but sonically they’re average late 50’s EMI recordings.
ERC has all the characteristics of a labour of love, for me it’s also an exercise in futility. But apparently their products sell out quickly, so they do serve a purpose.