Best Audiophile Voices Vol 7

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Best Audiophile Voices, Volume VII is one entry in Premium Records’ eight-volume series of female-vocalist reference recordings, mastered on the high-resolution XRCD format and playable on any standard CD player. Volume VII itself – featuring Eva Cassidy, Jheena Lodwick, Emilie-Claire Barlow and Kelly Sweet among others – is the featured pick below, alongside the other seven numbered volumes in the same series, all confirmed real, independently purchasable releases.

Pick 01 of 08

Best Audiophile Voices, Volume VII

The volume most searchers are after: 14 tracks including covers like ‘Time After Time’ and ‘Hungry Heart’ from Eva Cassidy, Jheena Lodwick, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Kelly Sweet and others, mastered on XRCD2.

• XRCD2, 24-bit/192kHz mastering
• 14 tracks
• Female vocalists incl. Eva Cassidy, Jheena Lodwick, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Kelly Sweet

Pros

• Plays on any standard CD player despite the XRCD mastering
• The volume most people searching this title want

Cons

• XRCD2 pressings sell at a premium over a plain CD

Price: $25-$40 (XRCD2); used standard CD copies $10-$34 on the resale market

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Pick 02 of 08

Best Audiophile Voices, Volume I

The original volume that started the series, with vocalists including Eva Cassidy, Alison Krauss, Stacey Kent and Salena Jones – also released as a 180g vinyl LP.

• Original volume in the series
• Also released as a 180g vinyl LP (Premium Records PR 27831)

Pros

• Where the series started
• Vinyl LP available as an alternate format

Cons

• Original CD/XRCD2 pressings are increasingly scarce

Price: $15-$35 (CD/XRCD2); vinyl LP priced separately

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Pick 03 of 08

Best Audiophile Voices, Volume II

A continuation of the female-vocalist audiophile demo-disc formula, mastered on XRCD2 like the rest of the series.

• XRCD2 mastering
• Part of the numbered series

Pros

• Same reference-quality mastering as Volume I and VII

Cons

• Track list is less documented than the more popular volumes

Price: $15-$35

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Pick 04 of 08

Best Audiophile Voices, Volume III

Also released as an XRCD24 in a 2003 Japan pressing using JVC’s K2 super-coding, a genuine step up in mastering for collectors.

• Also available as XRCD24 (2003 Japan pressing, JVC K2 super-coding)

Pros

• Japan XRCD24 pressing is a real mastering upgrade for collectors

Cons

• The Japan XRCD24 pressing is pricier and harder to find than the standard XRCD2

Price: $20-$45

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Pick 05 of 08

Best Audiophile Voices, Volume IV

One of the more track-rich volumes in the series, with 15 tracks including Trisha O’Brien, Susannah McCorkle, Alison Krauss & Union Station and Salena Jones.

• 15 tracks
• Female vocalists incl. Trisha O’Brien, Susannah McCorkle, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Salena Jones

Pros

• More tracks than most other volumes

Cons

• Both standard CD and XRCD2 pressings circulate – check the specific listing before buying

Price: $15-$35

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Pick 06 of 08

Best Audiophile Voices, Volume V

Continues the series’ female-vocalist demo-disc format at the same XRCD2 mastering quality as the rest of the line.

• XRCD2 mastering
• Part of the numbered series

Pros

• Same reference mastering quality as the rest of the series

Cons

• Less widely reviewed than Volume I, IV or VII

Price: $15-$35

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Pick 07 of 08

Best Audiophile Voices, Volume VI

Part of the main numbered series, with the same XRCD2 source quality throughout.

• XRCD2 mastering

Pros

• Same source quality as the rest of the numbered volumes

Cons

• Same availability caveat as Volume II/V – shop used or import sellers

Price: $15-$35

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Pick 08 of 08

Best Audiophile Voices, Volume VIII

The newest numbered volume in the main series, for listeners who already own Volumes I through VII.

• Latest numbered volume in the main series

Pros

• Newest mastering in the series if you already own I-VII

Cons

• Least documented volume of the eight – confirm the listing’s exact format before buying

Price: $15-$35

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Buying tips

• Volume VII is the specific disc most searches for this title want – start there before deciding whether to collect the rest of the series.
• XRCD/XRCD2 pressings play on any standard CD player, so you don’t need special hardware to hear the improved mastering.
• Standard CD and XRCD2 copies of the same volume both circulate on the used/import market at very different prices – confirm the format in the listing before buying.
• This is a small-label audiophile series rather than a mainstream release, so expect to buy from specialist retailers (Elusive Disc, Acoustic Sounds) or the used marketplace rather than big-box stores.

As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.