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Hounds of Love vinyl – audiophiles are impressed

Hounds of Love - Audio Fidelity (photo by Donna)

Note: Don’t forget, if you wish to order the vinyl edition of Hounds of Love at the Audio Fidelity store here my site visitors can use the following code at check-out (enter it into the coupon code section of the check-out screen) to receive a tasty 20% discount: The coupon code to use at the Audio Fidelity checkout for this item is: hounds9th. Again, thanks to Audio Fidelity for doing this. This coupon code can be used till the end of September.

According to Wikipedia, an audiophile is “a hobbyist who seeks high-quality audio reproduction via the use of specialized high-end audio electronics.” Clearly, I am a “vinyl-lover” and not an audiophile then, but either way I was very happy to receive my copy of the new Hounds of Love on vinyl yesterday. I’ve been trying to confirm whether this is the very first time it has been issued in a gatefold sleeve like this? Was it released in some territory in that format? South America? Answers to the usual address, please. In any case it looks very nice and sounds really superb. I found the discussions on Steve Hoffman’s site about this release quite enlightening. Steve is the highly-respected guy who mastered the album, in fact Kate has just recently personally approved the test pressing he created of The Sensual World for Audio Fidelity. Kate insists on personally approving the test pressings each time (you may remember the Aerial vinyl release was initially delayed a little till the pressing was to Kate’s satisfaction). A consensus seems to be emerging about the vinyl being “exceptionally quiet”, which I take to mean no crackles and pops etc. One comment says: “Kate’s vocals were clear, the background voices and effects were distinct, the instruments sounded perfect. For example, the double bass on Under Ice was so real and clear that you can easily hear the difference between each note that Danny Thompson played. Lots of air between the instruments here – no muddy sound.” Read more discussion at Steve’s forum here. This is all making me think that I need to invest in a better record player!

Steve Hoffman (right) at work

WIN! One of five giveaway copies of Hounds of Love on vinyl! Site Exclusive!

UPDATE JULY 15TH: 20% DISCOUNT AVAILABLE TO SITE VISITORS!

20% offCoupon code details: If you wish to go ahead and order the vinyl edition of Hounds of Love at the Audio Fidelity store here my site visitors can use the following code at check-out (enter it into the coupon code section of the check-out screen) to receive a tasty 20% discount:

The coupon code to use at the Audio Fidelity checkout for this item is: hounds9th

Again, thanks to Audio Fidelity for doing this. This coupon code can be used till the end of September.

Kate’s classic 1985 album Hounds of Love is being reissued in a special audiophile vinyl edition.The re-issue was mastered from the original master tapes and pressed on 180g marble vinyl. This is the first time the album has been presented in a gatefold sleeve. Audio Fidelity is based in Camarillo, California. The label works from the original master mix tapes. Then, without further sonic manipulation, it is pressed “real time” onto the disc’s surface by laser at the manufacturing plant. The end result is a vinyl album with the warm sound of the original analog master tape. We’re hearing very good things about the sound quality of this limited edition. The Sensual World is also going to be released in this format later this summer. Read more about the release on this information sheet here. Please also keep an eye on this site in the next couple of weeks for news of an exclusive discount to my site visitors who want to go ahead and purchase this album on the Audio Fidelity website.

The Competiton is now closed. From the hundreds of entries, five winners (three from the UK, one from Canada and one from Israel) have been contacted. The correct answer was Jonathan Williams (we allowed alternative spellings of his first name!)

Thanks to the nice people at Audio Fidelity we have 5 copies to giveaway! To be in with a chance of winning all you have to do is answer the following question:

Who is credited with playing cello on the track “Hounds of Love”?

Please send your answer to competition@katebushnews.com – if you are successful I will then be in touch by email to get your details for getting the album to you. The competition runs till July 31st 2010 at which point the random draw will be made. Good luck!


Competition Rules: Competition starts July 1st 2010 and ends July 31st, 2010 at 23:59 (GMT). One entry per person. Multiple entries, the registration of multiple email addresses for one person and incomplete entries will result in disqualification. katebushnews.com is not responsible for the timeliness of delivery or electronic or computer malfunctions that may affect the delivery or content of entry. Winners will be selected in a random draw from all eligible entries on or about July 31, 2010. Winners will be notified by email. If winners cannot be reached within 3 days of notification, alternate winners will be selected. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Prize is non-transferable and non-exchangeable. No substitution or cash equivalent will be made. All decisions of katebushnews.com is final. Winners should allow 6 weeks for delivery of prize.

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