Best Audiophile Voices V
The album is listed as Best Audiophile Voices V on Premium Records, released in 2007, with XRCD2 mastering and a vocal/audiophile focus. Audiophile Music lists the label as Premium Records, and Elusive Disc describes it as an XRCD2 release from the Premium label, mastered by Tohru Kotetsu at JVC under supervision of Shizuo Nomiyama.
Audiophile description / recommendation
Best Audiophile Voices V is a beautiful audiophile female vocal compilation for listeners who enjoy warm voices, emotional ballads and refined high-end sound. Released by Premium Records in XRCD2 quality, this album is made for serious hi-fi listening and is highly suitable for testing vocal clarity, midrange warmth, stereo imaging, acoustic detail and smooth treble.
The album features a strong selection of well-known audiophile vocal artists, including Alison Krauss & Natalie MacMaster, Noon, Emi Fujita, Stacey Kent, Salena Jones, Janet Seidel, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Eva Cassidy, Jheena Lodwick and Ilona Knopfler. The music is gentle, emotional and easy to enjoy, with familiar songs such as “The Rose,” “You’ve Got A Friend,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “A Groovy Kind Of Love” and “What A Wonderful World.”
This is highly recommended if you like female vocal audiophile CDs, soft jazz vocals, acoustic pop covers and relaxed evening listening. It is not a loud demonstration disc; it is a smooth, intimate and polished vocal reference album that lets you hear the quality of your speakers, headphones, DAC, amplifier or complete high-end audio system.
What you must hear
| What to listen for | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Centered vocal image | Voices should appear stable, natural and realistic between the speakers |
| Warm midrange | The emotional heart of the album is in the voice |
| Smooth treble | High notes should be clean, soft and never sharp |
| Breath and phrasing | Listen for small vocal details, emotion and air around the singer |
| Instrument separation | Piano, guitar, strings and soft percussion should each have their own space |
| Stereo depth | The soundstage should feel open and intimate, not flat |
| Natural dynamics | The music should breathe without sounding compressed or forced |
Recommended tracks
| Track | Artist | Why recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Get Me Through December | Alison Krauss & Natalie MacMaster | Excellent for emotional vocal purity, fiddle texture and natural acoustic warmth |
| 500 Miles | Noon | Beautiful for soft vocal tone, intimacy and midrange clarity |
| The Rose | Emi Fujita | One of the best tracks for smooth female vocals and relaxed audiophile listening |
| You’ve Got A Friend | Stacey Kent | Great for jazz vocal phrasing, gentle swing and natural voice placement |
| I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing | Salena Jones | Good for vocal power, warmth and emotional presence |
| Blame It On My Youth | Emilie-Claire Barlow | Excellent for jazz vocal texture, timing and elegant arrangement detail |
| Bridge Over Troubled Water | Eva Cassidy | A highlight for emotional dynamics, vocal realism and soundstage depth |
| A Groovy Kind Of Love | Jheena Lodwick | Very good for clean recording quality, vocal focus and smooth high-end sound |
| What A Wonderful World | Kimber Manning | Recommended for gentle atmosphere and tonal balance |
| Alfie | Ilona Knopfler | Strong closing track for vocal expression, piano tone and late-night mood |