The greatest recordings of all time...

[manisandher]

... according to o3, at least (don't shoot the messanger!):

Below is a set of reference-quality, widely-loved recordings for ten major genres.
I weighted three things:

1. Engineering & mastering quality – wide dynamics, low noise, natural tonal balance, and (where possible) excellent modern reissues / hi-res or all-analogue cuts.
2. Critical consensus – repeated appearances in The Absolute Sound “Super LP/Download/Tape” lists, Stereophile’s annual “Records to Die For,” specialist magazine polls, and long-standing audiophile-forum favourites.
3. Enduring musical stature – albums that still feel essential, so the sonic fireworks are attached to great art.

Feel free to treat each list as a starting point; every title here is worth hunting down in its best-sounding pressing or hi-res release.

---

Rock (20)​

• Steely Dan – Aja (1977, 2010 SHM-SACD)
• Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon (1973, 2023 50th-ann. remaster)
• Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms (1985, 2005 5.1 SACD)
• Fleetwood Mac – Rumours (1977, 45-rpm KG/SH cut)
• Eagles – Hotel California (1976, early US Asylum LP)
• Donald Fagen – The Nightfly (1982, 24/192 HDtracks)
• Supertramp – Crime of the Century (1974, 2014 96/24)
• Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975, 2011 remaster)
• Led Zeppelin – IV (1971, 2014 24/96)
• Radiohead – In Rainbows (2007, half-speed Abbey Road)
• Peter Gabriel – So (1986, 2012 45-rpm)
• Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run (1975, 2015 DSD)
• Neil Young – Harvest (1972, 2009 Archives 24/192)
• Roxy Music – Avalon (1982, EG first press)
• The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed (1969, 2002 SACD)
• Queen – A Night at the Opera (1975, 2015 24/96)
• Jeff Buckley – Grace (1994, 45-rpm ORG)
• U2 – The Joshua Tree (1987, 2017 24/96)
• Santana – Abraxas (1970, MoFi One-Step)
• David Bowie – Blackstar (2016, 45-rpm)

Sources: The Absolute Sound “Super LP” master list & Stereophile “Records to Die For.”

---

Pop (20)​

• Michael Jackson – Thriller (1982, 2022 MoFi One-Step)
• Prince – Sign “☮︎” the Times (1987, 2020 8-CD/Blu-ray box)
• Madonna – Ray of Light (1998)
• Adele – 25 (2015, 24/48)
• Taylor Swift – folklore (2020, 24/96)
• Daft Punk – Random Access Memories (2013, 24/88.2)
• Billie Eilish – When We All Fall Asleep… (2019)
• The Weeknd – After Hours (2020)
• Sade – Diamond Life (1984, 2020 half-speed)
• Justin Timberlake – FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006, DVD-A)
• George Michael – Older (1996, 2022 remaster)
• ABBA – Arrival (1976, 2010 Deluxe)
• Carly Simon – No Secrets (1972, MoFi SACD)
• Kate Bush – Hounds of Love (1985, 2018 remaster)
• Tears for Fears – Songs from the Big Chair (1985, 2014 SW 5.1)
• Lorde – Melodrama (2017)
• Sting – Ten Summoner’s Tales (1993, DTS CD)
• Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (2002, Classic 200 g)
• Peter Gabriel – Us (1992, 2012 24/96)
• Susan Wong – Close to You (2005, DSD)

Drawn from TAS “Super LP,” Stereophile picks and audiophile-forum polls.

---

Progressive Rock (20)​

• Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
• Yes – Close to the Edge (1972, 2014 Steven Wilson remix)
• King Crimson – In the Court of the Crimson King (1969, 2019 SW mix)
• Genesis – Selling England by the Pound (1973, 2008 5.1)
• Jethro Tull – Aqualung (1971, 2011 SW remix)
• Porcupine Tree – In Absentia (2002, 2020 remaster)
• Rush – Moving Pictures (1981, 2021 40th)
• Camel – Moonmadness (1976)
• Marillion – Misplaced Childhood (1985, 2017 SW 5.1)
• Steven Wilson – Hand. Cannot. Erase. (2015)
• Tool – Lateralus (2001, 2022 vinyl)
• Dream Theater – Images and Words (1992)
• Opeth – Blackwater Park (2001, 2019 hi-res)
• Transatlantic – The Whirlwind (2009)
• Riverside – Second Life Syndrome (2005)
• Haken – The Mountain (2013)
• Gentle Giant – The Power and the Glory (1974, 2014 SW)
• Anathema – Weather Systems (2012)
• IQ – The Road of Bones (2014)
• Jade Warrior – Now (2007)

Forum consensus that Steven Wilson mixes set the modern benchmark; see r/progrockmusic threads and TAS coverage of classic titles.

---

Jazz (20)​

• Miles Davis – Kind of Blue (1959, Analogue Productions UHQR 45 rpm)
• Dave Brubeck – Time Out (1959, Classic Records)
• John Coltrane – A Love Supreme (1965, Acoustic Sounds 45)
• Bill Evans – Sunday at the Village Vanguard (1961)
• Herbie Hancock – Maiden Voyage (1965, MMJ)
• Charles Mingus – Ah Um (1959, MoFi)
• Patricia Barber – Café Blue (1994, 200 g 45)
• Diana Krall – The Look of Love (2001, 24/96)
• Modern Jazz Quartet – Django (1956)
• Sonny Rollins – Saxophone Colossus (1956)
• Art Blakey – Moanin’ (1958, Tone Poet)
• Lee Morgan – The Sidewinder (1964)
• Nina Simone – Little Girl Blue (1959)
• Ella & Louis – Ella and Louis (1956)
• Stan Getz & João Gilberto – Getz/Gilberto (1964)
• Count Basie – 88 Basie Street (1983, GRP)
• Wynton Kelly Trio – Smokin’ at the Half Note (1965)
• Ahmad Jamal – But Not for Me (1958)
• Hugh Masekela – Hope (1994)
• Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (2002)

Based on Jazzwise magazine’s “best-sounding” series plus TAS/Stereophile favourites.

---

Classical (20)​

• Strauss – Also sprach Zarathustra, Reiner/Chicago (RCA Living Stereo, 1954)
• Holst – The Planets, Mehta/LA (Decca, 1971)
• Beethoven – Symphonies 5 & 7, Carlos Kleiber/VPO (DG, 1975)
• Mahler 2, Simon Rattle/CBSO (EMI, 1987)
• Ravel – Boléro, Munch/Boston (RCA)
• Stravinsky – Firebird, Dorati/Minnesota (Mercury, 1959)
• Wagner – Die Walküre Act I, Solti/Vienna (Decca, 1958)
• Tchaikovsky – 1812, Kunzel/Cincinnati (Telarc, 1979)
• Saint-Saëns 3, Paray/Detroit (Mercury)
• Bach – Goldberg Variations, Glenn Gould (1981 digital)
• Vaughan Williams – Tallis Fantasia, Barbirolli (1963)
• Sibelius 2, Berglund/Bournemouth (1970)
• Bartók – Concerto for Orchestra, Reiner/Chicago (RCA)
• Mozart – Requiem, Herreweghe (Harmonia Mundi, 1996)
• Handel – Water Music, Pinnock/EC (Archiv, 1983)
• Berlioz – Symphonie fantastique, Davis/LSO Live (2000 24/96)
• Debussy – La Mer, Karajan/BPO (DG, 1965)
• Mussorgsky/Ravel – Pictures, Minnesota/Johnson (Reference Recordings, 1990)
• Orff – Carmina Burana, Jochum (DG, 1970)
• Beethoven – Piano Sonatas 30-32, Emil Gilels (DG, 1984)

Heavy overlap with TAS “Super Download” & HP “Super LP” lists.

---

Electronic (20)​

• Daft Punk – Random Access Memories (2013, hi-res 24/88.2)
• Kraftwerk – Minimum-Maximum (2005 live)
• Deadmau5 – Random Album Title (2008)
• Yosi Horikawa – Vapor (2013)
• Aphex Twin – Syro (2014, 24/96)
• Boards of Canada – Geogaddi (2002)
• Jean-Michel Jarre – Oxygène (1976, 1997 24-bit)
• Trentemøller – The Last Resort (2006)
• Brian Eno – Ambient 1: Music for Airports (1978, DSD)
• Four Tet – There Is Love in You (2010)
• Amon Tobin – ISAM (2011)
• Röyksopp – Melody A.M. (2001)
• Massive Attack – Mezzanine (1998)
• Burial – Untrue (2007)
• Nicolas Jaar – Space Is Only Noise (2011)
• William Orbit – Strange Cargo III (1993)
• Underworld – dubnobasswithmyheadman (1994, 2014 24/96)
• Sasha – Scene Delete (2016)
• Bonobo – Migration (2017)
• Tipper – Forward Escape (2014)

Community-driven picks from r/audiophile electronic threads plus TAS hi-tech features.

---

R&B / Soul (20)​

• D’Angelo – Voodoo (2000)
• Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On (1971, MoFi SACD)
• Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life (1976, 24/96)
• Curtis Mayfield – Superfly (1972)
• Erykah Badu – Mama’s Gun (2000)
• Sade – Lovers Rock (2000)
• The Weeknd – House of Balloons (2011)
• Al Green – Call Me (1973)
• Prince – Purple Rain (1984, 2015 remaster)
• Beyoncé – Lemonade (2016, 24/96)
• Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989)
• Maxwell – BLACKsummers’night (2009)
• Jill Scott – Beautifully Human (2004)
• Leon Bridges – Good Thing (2018)
• Otis Redding – Otis Blue (1965, Rhino 2016)
• Frank Ocean – Blonde (2016)
• Alicia Keys – Songs in A Minor (2001)
• Smokey Robinson – Going to a Go-Go (1965)
• Janelle Monáe – The ArchAndroid (2010)
• Anderson .Paak – Malibu (2016)

Forum favourite list for hi-fi R&B/Soul titles.

---

Folk & Singer-Songwriter (20)​

• Nick Drake – Pink Moon (1972, 2013 hi-res)
• Joni Mitchell – Blue (1971, 2021 remaster)
• James Taylor – Sweet Baby James (1970)
• Bob Dylan – Blood on the Tracks (1975, MoFi One-Step)
• Crosby Stills & Nash – self-titled (1969, 45 rpm)
• Joan Baez – Diamonds & Rust (1975)
• Fairport Convention – Unhalfbricking (1969)
• Cat Stevens – Tea for the Tillerman (1970, AP 45)
• Gillian Welch – Time (The Revelator) (2001)
• Leonard Cohen – Songs of Love and Hate (1971)
• Vashti Bunyan – Just Another Diamond Day (1970)
• Punch Brothers – The Phosphorescent Blues (2015)
• Laura Marling – Once I Was an Eagle (2013)
• Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues (2011)
• Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog (2007)
• Johnny Cash – American IV (2002)
• Alison Krauss & Union Station – New Favorite (2001)
• José González – Veneer (2003)
• Damien Rice – O (2002)
• Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More (2009)

Many overlap with TAS acoustic-guitar lists and audiophile-folk threads.

---

Blues (20)​

• Muddy Waters – Folk Singer (1964, AP 45 rpm)
• Stevie Ray Vaughan – Texas Flood (1983, MoFi One-Step)
• B.B. King – Live at the Regal (1965)
• Albert King – Born Under a Bad Sign (1967, SACD)
• John Lee Hooker – It Serves You Right to Suffer (1966)
• Buddy Guy – Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues (1991)
• Eric Clapton – Unplugged (1992)
• Keb’ Mo’ – self-titled (1994)
• Junior Wells – Hoodoo Man Blues (1965)
• Robert Cray – Strong Persuader (1986)
• Derek & the Dominos – Layla (1970)
• John Mayall – Bluesbreakers w/ Eric Clapton (1966)
• Otis Taylor – Truth Is Not Fiction (2003)
• Taj Mahal – The Natch’l Blues (1968)
• Ry Cooder – Bop Till You Drop (1979)
• Joe Bonamassa – Blues of Desperation (2016)
• Gary Clark Jr. – Blak and Blu (2012)
• Rory Gallagher – Irish Tour ’74 (1974)
• Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa – Don’t Explain (2011)
• Luther Allison – Soul Fixin’ Man (1994)

Anchored by community recommendations for “audiophile-quality blues.”

---

Reggae / Dub (20)​

• Bob Marley & the Wailers – Exodus (1977, 2015 UHQR)
• Peter Tosh – Legalize It (1976)
• Steel Pulse – True Democracy (1982)
• Burning Spear – Marcus Garvey (1975)
• Toots & the Maytals – Funky Kingston (1973)
• Black Uhuru – Red (1981)
• Jimmy Cliff – The Harder They Come (1972 OST)
• Lee “Scratch” Perry – Super Ape (1976)
• Augustus Pablo – King Tubby Meets the Rockers Uptown (1976)
• Culture – Two Sevens Clash (1977)
• Sly & Robbie – Rhythm Killers (1987)
• Keith Hudson – Pick a Dub (1974)
• Gregory Isaacs – Night Nurse (1982)
• UB40 – Labour of Love (1983)
• Horace Andy – Skylarking (1972)
• Alpha Blondy – Cocody Rock!!! (1984)
• Ernest Ranglin – Below the Bassline (1996)
• Damian Marley – Welcome to Jamrock (2005)
• Yellowman – Mister Yellowman (1982)
• Dub Syndicate – Hard Food (2014)

Drawn from r/audiophile reggae discussions and audiophile-press UHQR reissues.

---

How to use these lists​

• Find the right version. Many titles shine only in a specific pressing, half-speed master, or high-resolution download. When possible, I’ve pointed to the best-known audiophile edition.
• Compare dynamics. Online databases such as the DR Database can help you avoid later, heavily-compressed re-issues.
• Room first, gear second. These records expose both; a little acoustic treatment will sometimes yield bigger gains than upgrading electronics.
• Trust your ears. No list can account for taste, system voicing, or the “goose-bump factor.” Use the picks as benchmarks, then branch out.

 

[manisandher]

Personally, I'd go for the original CD release, wherever I could find it. "Remastered" versions tend to be a bit hit or miss IME.

Mani.

 

[Mart68]

... according to o3, at least (don't shoot the messanger!):

Below is a set of reference-quality, widely-loved recordings for ten major genres.
I weighted three things:

1. Engineering & mastering quality – wide dynamics, low noise, natural tonal balance, and (where possible) excellent modern reissues / hi-res or all-analogue cuts.
2. Critical consensus – repeated appearances in The Absolute Sound “Super LP/Download/Tape” lists, Stereophile’s annual “Records to Die For,” specialist magazine polls, and long-standing audiophile-forum favourites.
3. Enduring musical stature – albums that still feel essential, so the sonic fireworks are attached to great art.

Feel free to treat each list as a starting point; every title here is worth hunting down in its best-sounding pressing or hi-res release.

---

Rock (20)​

• Steely Dan – Aja (1977, 2010 SHM-SACD)
• Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon (1973, 2023 50th-ann. remaster)
• Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms (1985, 2005 5.1 SACD)
• Fleetwood Mac – Rumours (1977, 45-rpm KG/SH cut)
• Eagles – Hotel California (1976, early US Asylum LP)
• Donald Fagen – The Nightfly (1982, 24/192 HDtracks)
• Supertramp – Crime of the Century (1974, 2014 96/24)
• Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975, 2011 remaster)
• Led Zeppelin – IV (1971, 2014 24/96)
• Radiohead – In Rainbows (2007, half-speed Abbey Road)
• Peter Gabriel – So (1986, 2012 45-rpm)
• Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run (1975, 2015 DSD)
• Neil Young – Harvest (1972, 2009 Archives 24/192)
• Roxy Music – Avalon (1982, EG first press)
• The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed (1969, 2002 SACD)
• Queen – A Night at the Opera (1975, 2015 24/96)
• Jeff Buckley – Grace (1994, 45-rpm ORG)
• U2 – The Joshua Tree (1987, 2017 24/96)
• Santana – Abraxas (1970, MoFi One-Step)
• David Bowie – Blackstar (2016, 45-rpm)

Sources: The Absolute Sound “Super LP” master list & Stereophile “Records to Die For.”

---

Pop (20)​

• Michael Jackson – Thriller (1982, 2022 MoFi One-Step)
• Prince – Sign “☮︎” the Times (1987, 2020 8-CD/Blu-ray box)
• Madonna – Ray of Light (1998)
• Adele – 25 (2015, 24/48)
• Taylor Swift – folklore (2020, 24/96)
• Daft Punk – Random Access Memories (2013, 24/88.2)
• Billie Eilish – When We All Fall Asleep… (2019)
• The Weeknd – After Hours (2020)
• Sade – Diamond Life (1984, 2020 half-speed)
• Justin Timberlake – FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006, DVD-A)
• George Michael – Older (1996, 2022 remaster)
• ABBA – Arrival (1976, 2010 Deluxe)
• Carly Simon – No Secrets (1972, MoFi SACD)
• Kate Bush – Hounds of Love (1985, 2018 remaster)
• Tears for Fears – Songs from the Big Chair (1985, 2014 SW 5.1)
• Lorde – Melodrama (2017)
• Sting – Ten Summoner’s Tales (1993, DTS CD)
• Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (2002, Classic 200 g)
• Peter Gabriel – Us (1992, 2012 24/96)
• Susan Wong – Close to You (2005, DSD)

Drawn from TAS “Super LP,” Stereophile picks and audiophile-forum polls.

---

Progressive Rock (20)​

• Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
• Yes – Close to the Edge (1972, 2014 Steven Wilson remix)
• King Crimson – In the Court of the Crimson King (1969, 2019 SW mix)
• Genesis – Selling England by the Pound (1973, 2008 5.1)
• Jethro Tull – Aqualung (1971, 2011 SW remix)
• Porcupine Tree – In Absentia (2002, 2020 remaster)
• Rush – Moving Pictures (1981, 2021 40th)
• Camel – Moonmadness (1976)
• Marillion – Misplaced Childhood (1985, 2017 SW 5.1)
• Steven Wilson – Hand. Cannot. Erase. (2015)
• Tool – Lateralus (2001, 2022 vinyl)
• Dream Theater – Images and Words (1992)
• Opeth – Blackwater Park (2001, 2019 hi-res)
• Transatlantic – The Whirlwind (2009)
• Riverside – Second Life Syndrome (2005)
• Haken – The Mountain (2013)
• Gentle Giant – The Power and the Glory (1974, 2014 SW)
• Anathema – Weather Systems (2012)
• IQ – The Road of Bones (2014)
• Jade Warrior – Now (2007)

Forum consensus that Steven Wilson mixes set the modern benchmark; see r/progrockmusic threads and TAS coverage of classic titles.

---

Jazz (20)​

• Miles Davis – Kind of Blue (1959, Analogue Productions UHQR 45 rpm)
• Dave Brubeck – Time Out (1959, Classic Records)
• John Coltrane – A Love Supreme (1965, Acoustic Sounds 45)
• Bill Evans – Sunday at the Village Vanguard (1961)
• Herbie Hancock – Maiden Voyage (1965, MMJ)
• Charles Mingus – Ah Um (1959, MoFi)
• Patricia Barber – Café Blue (1994, 200 g 45)
• Diana Krall – The Look of Love (2001, 24/96)
• Modern Jazz Quartet – Django (1956)
• Sonny Rollins – Saxophone Colossus (1956)
• Art Blakey – Moanin’ (1958, Tone Poet)
• Lee Morgan – The Sidewinder (1964)
• Nina Simone – Little Girl Blue (1959)
• Ella & Louis – Ella and Louis (1956)
• Stan Getz & João Gilberto – Getz/Gilberto (1964)
• Count Basie – 88 Basie Street (1983, GRP)
• Wynton Kelly Trio – Smokin’ at the Half Note (1965)
• Ahmad Jamal – But Not for Me (1958)
• Hugh Masekela – Hope (1994)
• Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (2002)

Based on Jazzwise magazine’s “best-sounding” series plus TAS/Stereophile favourites.

---

Classical (20)​

• Strauss – Also sprach Zarathustra, Reiner/Chicago (RCA Living Stereo, 1954)
• Holst – The Planets, Mehta/LA (Decca, 1971)
• Beethoven – Symphonies 5 & 7, Carlos Kleiber/VPO (DG, 1975)
• Mahler 2, Simon Rattle/CBSO (EMI, 1987)
• Ravel – Boléro, Munch/Boston (RCA)
• Stravinsky – Firebird, Dorati/Minnesota (Mercury, 1959)
• Wagner – Die Walküre Act I, Solti/Vienna (Decca, 1958)
• Tchaikovsky – 1812, Kunzel/Cincinnati (Telarc, 1979)
• Saint-Saëns 3, Paray/Detroit (Mercury)
• Bach – Goldberg Variations, Glenn Gould (1981 digital)
• Vaughan Williams – Tallis Fantasia, Barbirolli (1963)
• Sibelius 2, Berglund/Bournemouth (1970)
• Bartók – Concerto for Orchestra, Reiner/Chicago (RCA)
• Mozart – Requiem, Herreweghe (Harmonia Mundi, 1996)
• Handel – Water Music, Pinnock/EC (Archiv, 1983)
• Berlioz – Symphonie fantastique, Davis/LSO Live (2000 24/96)
• Debussy – La Mer, Karajan/BPO (DG, 1965)
• Mussorgsky/Ravel – Pictures, Minnesota/Johnson (Reference Recordings, 1990)
• Orff – Carmina Burana, Jochum (DG, 1970)
• Beethoven – Piano Sonatas 30-32, Emil Gilels (DG, 1984)

Heavy overlap with TAS “Super Download” & HP “Super LP” lists.

---

Electronic (20)​

• Daft Punk – Random Access Memories (2013, hi-res 24/88.2)
• Kraftwerk – Minimum-Maximum (2005 live)
• Deadmau5 – Random Album Title (2008)
• Yosi Horikawa – Vapor (2013)
• Aphex Twin – Syro (2014, 24/96)
• Boards of Canada – Geogaddi (2002)
• Jean-Michel Jarre – Oxygène (1976, 1997 24-bit)
• Trentemøller – The Last Resort (2006)
• Brian Eno – Ambient 1: Music for Airports (1978, DSD)
• Four Tet – There Is Love in You (2010)
• Amon Tobin – ISAM (2011)
• Röyksopp – Melody A.M. (2001)
• Massive Attack – Mezzanine (1998)
• Burial – Untrue (2007)
• Nicolas Jaar – Space Is Only Noise (2011)
• William Orbit – Strange Cargo III (1993)
• Underworld – dubnobasswithmyheadman (1994, 2014 24/96)
• Sasha – Scene Delete (2016)
• Bonobo – Migration (2017)
• Tipper – Forward Escape (2014)

Community-driven picks from r/audiophile electronic threads plus TAS hi-tech features.

---

R&B / Soul (20)​

• D’Angelo – Voodoo (2000)
• Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On (1971, MoFi SACD)
• Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life (1976, 24/96)
• Curtis Mayfield – Superfly (1972)
• Erykah Badu – Mama’s Gun (2000)
• Sade – Lovers Rock (2000)
• The Weeknd – House of Balloons (2011)
• Al Green – Call Me (1973)
• Prince – Purple Rain (1984, 2015 remaster)
• Beyoncé – Lemonade (2016, 24/96)
• Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989)
• Maxwell – BLACKsummers’night (2009)
• Jill Scott – Beautifully Human (2004)
• Leon Bridges – Good Thing (2018)
• Otis Redding – Otis Blue (1965, Rhino 2016)
• Frank Ocean – Blonde (2016)
• Alicia Keys – Songs in A Minor (2001)
• Smokey Robinson – Going to a Go-Go (1965)
• Janelle Monáe – The ArchAndroid (2010)
• Anderson .Paak – Malibu (2016)

Forum favourite list for hi-fi R&B/Soul titles.

---

Folk & Singer-Songwriter (20)​

• Nick Drake – Pink Moon (1972, 2013 hi-res)
• Joni Mitchell – Blue (1971, 2021 remaster)
• James Taylor – Sweet Baby James (1970)
• Bob Dylan – Blood on the Tracks (1975, MoFi One-Step)
• Crosby Stills & Nash – self-titled (1969, 45 rpm)
• Joan Baez – Diamonds & Rust (1975)
• Fairport Convention – Unhalfbricking (1969)
• Cat Stevens – Tea for the Tillerman (1970, AP 45)
• Gillian Welch – Time (The Revelator) (2001)
• Leonard Cohen – Songs of Love and Hate (1971)
• Vashti Bunyan – Just Another Diamond Day (1970)
• Punch Brothers – The Phosphorescent Blues (2015)
• Laura Marling – Once I Was an Eagle (2013)
• Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues (2011)
• Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog (2007)
• Johnny Cash – American IV (2002)
• Alison Krauss & Union Station – New Favorite (2001)
• José González – Veneer (2003)
• Damien Rice – O (2002)
• Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More (2009)

Many overlap with TAS acoustic-guitar lists and audiophile-folk threads.

---

Blues (20)​

• Muddy Waters – Folk Singer (1964, AP 45 rpm)
• Stevie Ray Vaughan – Texas Flood (1983, MoFi One-Step)
• B.B. King – Live at the Regal (1965)
• Albert King – Born Under a Bad Sign (1967, SACD)
• John Lee Hooker – It Serves You Right to Suffer (1966)
• Buddy Guy – Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues (1991)
• Eric Clapton – Unplugged (1992)
• Keb’ Mo’ – self-titled (1994)
• Junior Wells – Hoodoo Man Blues (1965)
• Robert Cray – Strong Persuader (1986)
• Derek & the Dominos – Layla (1970)
• John Mayall – Bluesbreakers w/ Eric Clapton (1966)
• Otis Taylor – Truth Is Not Fiction (2003)
• Taj Mahal – The Natch’l Blues (1968)
• Ry Cooder – Bop Till You Drop (1979)
• Joe Bonamassa – Blues of Desperation (2016)
• Gary Clark Jr. – Blak and Blu (2012)
• Rory Gallagher – Irish Tour ’74 (1974)
• Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa – Don’t Explain (2011)
• Luther Allison – Soul Fixin’ Man (1994)

Anchored by community recommendations for “audiophile-quality blues.”

---

Reggae / Dub (20)​

• Bob Marley & the Wailers – Exodus (1977, 2015 UHQR)
• Peter Tosh – Legalize It (1976)
• Steel Pulse – True Democracy (1982)
• Burning Spear – Marcus Garvey (1975)
• Toots & the Maytals – Funky Kingston (1973)
• Black Uhuru – Red (1981)
• Jimmy Cliff – The Harder They Come (1972 OST)
• Lee “Scratch” Perry – Super Ape (1976)
• Augustus Pablo – King Tubby Meets the Rockers Uptown (1976)
• Culture – Two Sevens Clash (1977)
• Sly & Robbie – Rhythm Killers (1987)
• Keith Hudson – Pick a Dub (1974)
• Gregory Isaacs – Night Nurse (1982)
• UB40 – Labour of Love (1983)
• Horace Andy – Skylarking (1972)
• Alpha Blondy – Cocody Rock!!! (1984)
• Ernest Ranglin – Below the Bassline (1996)
• Damian Marley – Welcome to Jamrock (2005)
• Yellowman – Mister Yellowman (1982)
• Dub Syndicate – Hard Food (2014)

Drawn from r/audiophile reggae discussions and audiophile-press UHQR reissues.

---

How to use these lists​

• Find the right version. Many titles shine only in a specific pressing, half-speed master, or high-resolution download. When possible, I’ve pointed to the best-known audiophile edition.
• Compare dynamics. Online databases such as the DR Database can help you avoid later, heavily-compressed re-issues.
• Room first, gear second. These records expose both; a little acoustic treatment will sometimes yield bigger gains than upgrading electronics.
• Trust your ears. No list can account for taste, system voicing, or the “goose-bump factor.” Use the picks as benchmarks, then branch out.

Getting there. Really you want the first seven Steely Dan albums in the top 7 slots

Get rid of Springsteen entirely and swap Neil Young 'Freedom' in, in place of 'Harvest'.

Erykah Badu 'Mamas Gun' - good to see that in there but now Diana Krall has crept in too.

 

[Putter]

Getting there. Really you want the first seven Steely Dan albums in the top 7 slots

Get rid of Springsteen entirely and swap Neil Young 'Freedom' in, in place of 'Harvest'.

Erykah Badu 'Mamas Gun' - good to see that in there but now Diana Krall has crept in too.

Katy lied was considered a sonic disaster by the group. While I won't go that (far), I can't unhear the cymbals that sound completely unnatural.

 

[Mart68]

Katy lied was considered a sonic disaster by the group. While I won't go that (far), I can't unhear the cymbals that sound completely unnatural.

True they were not entirely happy with it, but they still put the album out. It's really not that bad if you're not demanding perfection. They were, of course.

 

[beagleman]

Katy lied was considered a sonic disaster by the group. While I won't go that (far), I can't unhear the cymbals that sound completely unnatural.

I find "Aja" and "Gaucho" to sound good in one way, but also have that overly boosted treble that give ambiance, but looking back, make them sound very overly trebly.
Same with Supertramp and Dire straits.

It brings out detail and "air" and back in the day make them unique sounding, but today not so sure.

 

[Mart68]

Never noticed that and been listening to those records for forty odd years. (Okay, not Supertramp).

 

[thewas]

30 Best-Mastered Albums of the 21st Century That Audiophiles Actually Approve Of

30 Best-Mastered Albums of the 21st Century That Audiophiles Actually Approve Of

These albums slipped past the loudness war and ended up sounding better than anyone expected.

www.headphonesty.com

 

[mk05]

1. Engineering & mastering quality – wide dynamics, low noise, natural tonal balance, and (where possible) excellent modern reissues / hi-res or all-analogue cuts.
2. Critical consensus – repeated appearances in The Absolute Sound “Super LP/Download/Tape” lists, Stereophile’s annual “Records to Die For,” specialist magazine polls, and long-standing audiophile-forum favourites.
3. Enduring musical stature – albums that still feel essential, so the sonic fireworks are attached to great art.

I would have thought with all these advances in technology, reference quality recordings mostly be from modern times, not 1960s-1980s. Are there really no well mixed and mastered recordings in the past 5 years?

 

[Mart68]

I would have thought with all these advances in technology, reference quality recordings mostly be from modern times, not 1960s-1980s. Are there really no well mixed and mastered recordings in the past 5 years?

Modern times? Last big advance in recording was digital, late 1970s. By then it was already possible to make analogue recordings that were pretty much indistinguishable from digital recordings.

Recent recordings by definition can't fulfil the third criteria yet.