Which country/region produced/produces the best vinyl?

[Golucid]

I own vinyl pressed in the following countries:

USA, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, UK, and Japan. So far, I am liking Japanese and German pressings the best.

Who do you believe both past and present produced/produce the best vinyl?

 

[socfan12]

From what I read, and minimally sampled, Japanese pressings are generally very good (my DSOTM is awesome). Don't know if I have anything German yet. UK is also good.

 

[MusicDirector]

Really hard to say. I have one Japanese pressing and I think it's ok. I think I have an Italian pressing, but not sure, I'd have to look. I have a couple of German pressings and find them to be good. I also have a couple from Canada and they are good. It's been a while since I compared, so my answers may be moot.
In my opinion, its entirely possible to get good and bad pressings from anywhere. It depends on the pressing plant and such.
You know who could shed more light, would be Michael Fremer. He has records from all those countries and maybe some we have never heard of for all I know.

 

[Steve]

Currently, I would rate USA Quality Record Pressings by Chad Kassem to be the best in the world.

Next I would rate Germany. Historically, Mercury Records GMbH (West Germany), Vertigo.

Thirdly, Japan. Anything vintage from Japan is a relatively safe bet.

Fourth... UK. Eg London Records.

There are sometimes exceptions from other countries like Canada and some Australian pressings under license. Generally though, Australian pressings were average.

Eastern block EU and Greece was mostly rubbish.

Not much from the tropics in the way of collectibles survives including South America.

 

[XV-1]

I live in the prescent, although EMI Australia pressings using the world famous maxi-cut mastering are the sensational in the most.

Pallas and Optimal in Germany are the creme de le creme as they press a LOT of vinyl and its first class.

MPO in France is terrific.

Vinyl factory in the UK es excellent

A & R Record manufacturing in Dallas are extremely good.

I have heard Quality Record pressings are excellent, however all they seem to do is reissues of LP's I already have or have zero interest

We all know RTI can produce stunning records, however they also seem to be the world capital of non-fill


I am sure there are others, but hard to tell from the pressings.


GZ records in the Czech republic and United in Naseville are the absolute worst.