In the early 1980s, Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs released a limited series of 200gm Ultra High Quality Recordings. One of the reported advantages of such heavy vinyl was that this greater mass of vinyl would absorb vibrations generated in the LP by the stylus as it travelled along the groove, decreasing the transmission of such vibrations back into the stylus where they would otherwise degrade the analogue signal. These pressings, along with MFSL’s standard half-speed releases, utilized JVC’s proprietary vinyl. Compared to the standard MFSL pressing, the UHQR of The Beatles’ “Sargent Pepper’s” (I’m fortunate to have both) is across-the-board better sounding. Most notable is a striking increase in soundstage depth, this most appreciated on “Within You and Without You”.
Does such esoterica serve as a reason for current heavy vinyl pressings? It doesn’t make sense that, in light of the Loudness Wars/overwhelming compression, most labels would consider this to be of importance, much less even be aware of such theories. Save for the likes of Analogue Productions and such, it’s most certainly a cash grab.