4 Rare Japanese Audiophile Gems from The Absolute Sound Superdisc List

In this video, I revisit four unusual Japanese audiophile records from the late 1970s that earned a place on The Absolute Sound Superdisc List, compiled by legendary reviewer Harry Pearson. Back in the day, I carried a folded copy of that list in my pocket, scouring record stores for these elusive titles — the hunt was part of the magic. The records featured are: • Amemiya – Summer Prayer – A stunning sonic journey through an astonishing array of percussion instruments. • Beethoven – Appassionata (Direct-to-Disc, 45 RPM) – A masterfully captured performance with breathtaking dynamic range. • Stockhausen – Zyklus (Direct-to-Disc, 45 RPM) – Avant-garde percussion at its most intricate and revealing. • Check Up On Your Sounds Vol. 1 – Audio Symphony – A fascinating test record that’s as much art as it is utility. Both the Beethoven and Stockhausen were recorded direct-to-disc and cut at 45 RPM — a rare pairing that ensures extraordinary fidelity. Add in the whisper-quiet Japanese pressings of this golden era, and you have a listening experience that still holds up as part of audiophile history. Whether you remember chasing down Superdisc recommendations or you’re just discovering these records for the first time, this is a trip back to the golden age of high-end vinyl. Reference System -VPI Scout with Classic Platter Upgrade -JMW Memorial Tonearm -VPI Analog Drive System -Hana ML MC Cartridge -Phasemation PP-500 MC Cartridge -Perpetuum Ebner PE 6060 Turntable -Ortofon Quintet Black MC Cartridge -Miyajima Labs Infinity Mono MC Cartridge -Phasemation EA 350 Phono Preamplifier -ModWright PH 9.0 Tube Phono Preamplifier -Cayin A-50T Integrated Tube Amplifier -System Audio Pandion 30 Loudspeakers -Degritter Ultrasonic Record Cleaner -VPI 16.5 Vacuum Record Cleaner -Sweetvinyl Sugarcube SC-1 Mini -Pioneer RT-707 Reel To Reel Tape Deck -Ramar Record Brush The reference system is wired exclusively with Audio Art cables. #VinylRecords #Audiophile #TheAbsoluteSound #DirectToDisc #JapanesePressing #VinylHistory #Superdisc 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Support 01:36 Summer Prayer 03:41 Zyklus 06:08 Apassionata 08:02 Audio Symphony 10:23 Conclusion