While I was playing mono, I pulled out my Peer Gynt conducted by Artur Rodzinski on Westminster (1955). This is one of the Laboratory Series W-LAB 7014. If you aren't familiar with the Lab series, it was Westminsters efforts at audiophile pressings way back in the mid '50s. They understood the increased distortion as you approached the spindle and the value of wider spacing in the grooves... so, they charged more and gave you less music. The dead wax is usually over an inch wide, so reduced distortion. It worked. There is certainly no 1950's weak bass from these pressings. They are deep, rich, and nuanced. As with most good things, they have been somewhat discovered and prices are slightly higher than the typical Westminster pressing... but certainly not overpriced.
The performance is sometimes bordering on slow, as I like Grieg crisp and quick. But it is definitely nuanced and detailed.
Oh, and one other advantage... since these cost an extra 50 cents, people tended to take better care of them. Many are in NM condition.
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