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
@2channel8,

I have "Goodnight Rhonda Lee" on it's way. BTW, it's a helluva deal on vinyl (Amazon). "Bleeding Diamonds" isn't available on vinyl that I know of.

@rjamilla,

That MFSL Derek & The Dominos re-master is the only version of that lp I've ever heard that I can enjoy.
My bought new back around '81 copy of The Wall - UK EMI! I consider it reference quality - and musically it is a fun listen! And the last best work of the original Pink Floyd!
The recent Giles Martin remaster of Sgt Peppers US press (QRP) is just wonderful. Highly recommended. Read several times it is better than the UK/European pressing.

I have purchased many of the Rhino 33rpm Doors records. They sound very nice, have wide range sonics with ultra quiet vinyl. The mono of Strange Days was probably the weakest but still very good. Same can be said of "Kiln House" and several other Rhino reissues of earlier Fleetwood Mac albums. 

Recently picked up a DS "Brothers in Arms" US first press (variant 1 on Discogs) outstanding sonics and in good enough shape that it is very enjoyable. Deep Deep bass.

Happy listening and good luck in your searches.


Regarding Pink Floyd: The Wall... I'm not a huge Japanese pressing guy, but I must say, my Japanese pressing of The Wall is oh, so good. Quiet, so analog sounding, dynamic as hell. The Cowboy Junkies: Trinity Sessions is also excellent. I have the Classic 45, which in this case, is worth the extra hassle. 
I've had the very latest Cowboy Junkies in my cart for quite a while.

I'll be waiting to see if there are anymore 20% off in the near future.
good topic brent!  good source for new music and recordings!  

My best sounding include: 
1) Donald Fagan, The Nightfly"  Literally the absolute best sounding recording I have ever heard..  Clarity, dynamics, bass, imaging.  All others are no. 2 or worse behind this one although it is strictly a studio recording.
2) Joni Mitchell "Blue".  Most transparent, life like vocals I have ever heard in a recording. 
3) Pink Floyd "Division Bell".  Best sounding Pink Floyd recording IMHO with incredible staging and dimensionality.  The guitar on "What do you want from me" is spectacular.  
4) Miles Davis "Sketches of Spain" MoFi.  Most transparent, clear jazz trumpet recording I have ever heard.  
5) Branford Marsalis "Trio Jeepy".  This one has it all- clarity, live you are  presence,  acoustic bass, dynamics and great tunes! The most realistic, natural live timbre and sound I have ever heard in a recording.  
Excellent @avanti1960  I have the Fagan and you are correct. It's a special piece of vinyl no doubt. Which issue of Pink Floyd Division Bell did you get? I'm going to look into it!  Also the Trio Jeepy!
Surprised no one has mentioned Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto yet.  Right up there with The Nightfly in sound quality.  Simply superb.
I own the "Division Bell referenced here. I just checked it's jacket and inner sleeves for identifying marks...there were none, not even liner notes, lyric sheets, or the usual small printed basic info on the bottom of the lp jacket. I’d have to listen again and compare but the last time I played my original US pressing of "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" I was extremely impressed!
I just played my new Wall Mastered by James Guthrie, Joel Plante and Bernie Grundman. What a shame, terribly noisy pressing heading back to Acoustic Sounds. This is the second copy that I've sent back of this pressing. Shame on you whomever pressed it!

Dire Straights "Love over Gold" fantastic, this is a new one for me. 

Cowboy Junkies "Trinity Sessions" and Roseanne Cash's "The River and the Thread" is fantastic. 

Having trouble with my Soul Journey, Gillian Welch. Noisy first side. Going to clean it again and see if that will fix it. 
My latest finds..

Gregory Alan Isakov "Evening Machines"
Valley Maker "Rhododendron"

@knollbrent ,
You’ve got to get a spare amp.
BTW, "Goodnight Rhonda Lee is an excellent lp! I've listened to it 3 times now.
@slaw  where did you find the Nicole Atkins copy? My usual source "Acoustic Sounds" isn't carrying it. 

And yes, I do need a spare amp!
@knollbrent ,

Amazon.
……………………………..

Amy Helm "This Too Shall Light"
Here some of my fav:
Inger Marie ,make this moment 180g HQP.
Jacintha ,here to Ben.
Lyn Stanley ,lost In romance.
Melody gardot,my one and only 45rpm.
Stacey Kent ,changing lights.
Holly cole ,don’t smoke in bed.
Lauren white,AT last 45rpm.
Simone ,Simone best (Japan press venus).
Cecile Mclorin ,woman child.
Gregory Porter ,Be Good.

This is a freaking awesome thread
will need to spend hours and $$$ digesting this before I list mine
love that Folfreak linked to his Discogs collection - mine is pawltry but will endeavor to do same ....

i just got done done cleaning my newly acquired Eva Cassidy Nightbird 4 Disc set from
UK
so listening takes priority !!!


I took a thirty year hiatus from Vinyl, so I can somewhat relate to your journey Knollbrent... at retirement an audiophile/ fellow music lover gave me a Denon TT and I have since perhaps gone down a similar path...


Since your initial post parameters seem to have evolved a bit, so shall my compliance....


My $.02 is the snarky wisdom present in this thread is a hidden gem, your mileage will of course vary....


Recent stuff ( not in any preference order )

1.) Eva Nightbird- 4 LP/Blix/UK

2.) Peter Gabriel-US / pglpr7 

3.) Jacintha - Fire and Rain / 45 rpm grv 1099

4.) cowboy junkies -all that reckoning /latexlp55 

5.) Michel Legrand - Legrand Jazz/imp6028

6.) Dead Can Dance - Within the Realm of a Dying Sun/cad3629 

7.) London Grammer - If you wait/Columbia 

8.) Joe Jackson - Night and Day/ Intervention IR003

9.) Marianne Thorsen - Mozart Trondheim Solstene/2L038LP

10.) Chet Baker Quartet- Barclay 84017

And because every amp goes to 11!

11.) Grant Green - Matador /Blue Note MMBST 84442


Recent Bin scrounging scores.... I assume you have a high end record cleaning system to suit your collection???


A mix of  very recent and / or epic scores, in no order...all under $10

Mostly M-


1.) Ronald Thompson & Emma Lou Diemer - Trumpet and Organ music of the baroque/ WLA-WS-13

Echoing Eric comment + anything Water Lilly

2.) JJ Cale - FIVE /MCA SR-3163 just $1 at Goodwill 

3.) Jerry Garcia - Garcia / Warner BS 2582

4.) David Lindley  & El Rayo-X - Win This Record/asylum 60178

5.) David Lindley - Mr. Dave /WEA 252-161-1

6.) Valerie Carter ( RIP ) - Wild Child / Columbia JC 35084

7.) Marianne Faithfull - Dangerous Acquaintances/ Island 204-015-320

8.) Charlie Byrd - DD / Crystal clear records ccs8002

9.) Pink Martini - Hang On Little Tomato ( always a live show favorite-band ) Heinz Records HNZ002

10.) Al Di Meola - Elegant Gypsy / Columbia 34461

And for Spinal Tap

11.)) Christine McVie / Warner $2.99 in some Long Beach record dive.....




This is a great thread everyone, thank you.

I'm just back into vinyl after 35ish years and these lists give my 16yo daughter and I some good things to treasure hunt with. She came to me about 6 months ago wanting a turntable and some records. That's all I needed to hear to ignite my inner wannabe audiophile again...lol. :) The great thing is she likes mostly the older stuff like me so we are seeking similar vinyl. Now we have some awesome daughter/father dates hitting the record stores, exploring restaurants (being foodies is another passion of ours) and coming back to listen to our found treasures. Hell, I even bought a new couch so the wife can't complain too much about us spending too much money...lol.
Excellent treasures everyone! I look forward to sharing my latest finds and looking into some of your greats!
Got my preamp back from the local McIntosh authorized tech here in Miami. I haven't been listening to my analog setup for two weeks, so I'm putting down a few beers and catching up on some vinyl I just received. 

1. Chet Atkins- Chet Atkins in Hollywood (Classic records  RCA Living Stereo, 200 gram) Never heard of this person before but this collection of well produced, pressed music is outstanding!

2. Vanessa Fernandez- When the Levee Breaks (Groove Note, 45rpm, 180gram) I've listed this album before. Listening again as I sent my original copy back as it was noisy on some tracks. This one is perfect so far. 

3. Stacy Kent- The Boy Next Door (Pure Pleasure Records, 180gr)  I had her Dreamsville on cd years ago and really enjoyed it. The Boy Next Door is Dreamy too...

4. Nora Jones- Feels Like Home- (Blue Note, sealed 2004 copy) I love her voice so much. Well produced and quiet. 

More to come!
@tomic601 what a list! Thank you for taking time to check in. Those are some real nuggets you listed. I’m going to check them out!



Glad your back @asahitoro Happy you can share this fun hobby with your daughter!
At the moment listening to John Hiatt- Bring the Family (Mobile Fidelity) preowned M- from Acoustic Sounds. Absolutely fantastic. Whomever suggested this one. Thank you! Quiet and perfect on so many levels. 
Yer welcome, knollbrent ;-) . The music’s great too. If you love the album enough to justify the cost, look for the original UK/British pressing; it has a great front cover.
For years I've searched for a pristine copy of "Wake of the Flood" but always fell short. I've bought NOS and used first pressings, imports, and later pressings, none of which provided what I knew this album had in its grooves. I even bought a NOS cassette in hopes to catch lightening in a bottle. That too came up short.
Until today, that is, when I walked to our local B&N and low and behold a Rocktober surprise was waiting for me. Grateful Dead Records has, for the first time since its original pressing, released this gem of an album. They have used the original analog tapes and have accomplished exactly what I have been searching for throughout the past 30 years or so.
Here is a tomb quiet, beautiful mastered, extraordinarily detailed version of "Wake of the Flood"! This should qualify as a holy grail of releases. if you are into vinyl, run, don't walk, to the nearest B&N and pick this up. Trust me, you will thank me for giving you a heads up and adding this to your collection. Yes, it is only 140 grams but you will not miss the extra 40 grams.
Tonight I'm one happy camper!
@raymonda Have you compared the new Wake to the MoFi?  It's a great pressing.
Love GD: Wake... I have a nice copy, on early press. Always thought it was a good listen, but I may grab the Rocktober. I bought the T-Rex LP on Rocktober due to overwhelming great feedback, but have yet to crack it open. 
No, I haven't tried the MoFi version of Wake of the Flood. I do have a lot of MoFi pressings and enjoy them. However, this pressing would be hard to beat ana it is $21.00. I would be more than happy to dropbox a 24/96 sample to interested parties. PM email address.
First thing tonight, I want to thank everyone that participates in this thread. I've picked up some great records as a result. Thank you!

Okie doke, let's get down to business...Here are some recent purchases:

1. Dire Straits- Love over Gold (33rpm, Warner Bros., 180 gram reissue) Fantastic! Quiet, well mastered, damn fine...Recommended by another member. 

2. Linda Ronstadt- Heart like a Wheel (Capital EMI, 33rpm, 1974) I got this M- from Acoustic Sounds and it's perfect. What a wonderful album!

3. Pink Floyd- Division Bell (Pink Floyd Records, 180gr, 2016 reissue, Mastered by James Guthrie, Joel Plante and Bernie Grundman, pressed at QRP) Very, very, very good!

This is what I'm sharing tonight. Glad to have my amp, preamp and cables back as everything went to the tech for two weeks. I also have a new phono pre from Australia that loads my vintage mm's at 100ohm if needed. Sounds fantastic!!!

Keep those suggestions coming! 
@knollbrent ,

Well, you really didn’t have to start this thread to get great lps, as there are currently ongoing music threads.....but I’m more than happy to participate.

Regarding Pink Floyd... my domestic copy of "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" sounded absolutely fantastic last time I played it. No high priced re-issues, no high priced Acoustic Sounds.

Them "The Angry Young Them" Mono/Sony/Legacy. This one ROCKS!
The original Heart Like a Wheel is outstanding, no doubt about it.  Beautiful analog sound
@tzh21y  I'll look into that Zep. 

@slaw  I appreciate you chiming in from time to time as I know you have a vast collection. Goodnight Rhonda Lee is wonderful!

@tomic601  Eva Cassidy Nightbird is fantastic isn't it! I've played that album at least 5 times this past month. I've always loved her. 

Cracking knuckles. Here's what I'm listening to now:

1. Dead Can Dance's Serpent's Egg is playing while I post this. Extraordinary!!! 1984 issue from 4AD. OMG I love this band, always have. Never heard anything besides Into the Labyrinth which is phenom. I got this M- and it's a perfect copy. 

2. I agree with slaw, Goodnight Rhonda Lee is a great find and cheap on Amazon. Single Lock, 33 rpm, release date 2017. 

3. Bryan Ferry- Avonmore (BMG 2015 release, 33rpm)   very nice album. Great character, quiet, well mastered, inexpensive on Amazon. 

Later on I'll be listening to some Roxy Music original releases that just came in along with Creedance Clearwater and Melody Gardot. 


I’m gonna come at this just a bit different in my suggestions based on my digging around like folkfreak suggested as a methodology. 
I have found anything by these guys to be excellent music and top fkn shelf sound. These are not rare birds but I gottem cheap and were unknown by me. 

Gentle Giant
Dan Hicks
Tony Rice
Brand X
Brazil Classics any vol. compiled by D. Byrne(Tom Ze in particular)



I also found some really cool used  stuff I wouldn’t normally had considered (chamber music)but when I started really paying attention to names like Ludwig, Kipper whom I’ve come to realize  are household names but anyway  things really went some fun directions. 

New releases, many but I do not tire of John Abercrombie’s last. I’m blown away by it. Like seriously. May just be me but I think the mucisianship is absolutely crazy there’s just something special about the way they play together and off each other. The whole record ebbs seamlessly like a concert playing feelings less songs with so much depth and touch ECM label, so ya know sound does not suffer that’s for sure. 

Have fun!!