Favorite Classical Labels

[kh1958]

Having become addicted to buying classical LPs, since they seem to be available in relative abundance, in excellent condition, and at modest prices, I was curious for opinions on what labels made the best records, sound-wise.

My personal favorites:

London (the ones with the blueback labels sound the best, but I also quite like the heavy 1950s era LPs).

Mercury Living Presence.

RCA Living Stereo

Columbia (six eyes and two eyes)

Archiv (the ones with the plain tan covers).

Any other highly recommended labels?

[porcy62]

http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php...=43722&st=0

[kh1958]

Oops. Forgot about that thread.

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

certain Everest 1st pressings

[Teasing the Korean]

Second vote for Everest. Also, Capitol mono classical LPs from the 1950s sound much better than repressings on Angel.

[Stefan Wood]

argo

Some killer stuff (music and sound quality) on that label, especially from the mid 60's to the early 70's.

[clifford_thornton]

Seconded. I have a few really nice Argo LPs. Birtwistle's The Triumph of Time is especially nice.

[kh1958]

I found several LPs in near perfect condition on The Haydn Society label. This label has very nice sound, at least on these circa 1953-55 albums. Uses the "NAB Curve," whatever that means.

[Teasing the Korean]

I found several LPs in near perfect condition on The Haydn Society label. This label has very nice sound, at least on these circa 1953-55 albums. Uses the "NAB Curve," whatever that means.

"National Association of Broadcasters."

A lot of early hi fi sets, including my Dad's, had EQ presets for different broadcasting companies. NAB was one of the choices.

It was a mammoth two-speaker tube mono hi-fi, by Pilot. It sounded great and I wish I'd kept it.