{"product_id":"audiophile-sampler-vol-2","title":"Audiophile Sampler Vol. 2","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAUDIOPHILE SAMPLER VOL. 2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA MUSICAL JOURNEY FROM THE CONCERT HALL TO POPULAR MUSIC\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA truly successful audiophile sampler should do more than assemble several impressive recordings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt should take the listener on a journey—changing scale, atmosphere, instrumentation and musical character while revealing what a carefully prepared analogue record can reproduce.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAudiophile Sampler Vol. 2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e from Switzerland’s Triston Master Recordings has been conceived with precisely that purpose.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReleased in 2026 under catalogue number \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTMR-SE 0027\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this limited, numbered stereo LP follows the highly sought-after first volume with another selection drawn from Jürg Schopper’s private master-tape collection and licensed archival recordings from ARA and Swiss broadcaster SRF. The release is documented as a strictly limited edition of only \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e200 copies\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.discogs.com\/label\/1729633-Triston-Master-Recordings\"\u003eTriston Master Recordings discography\u003c\/a\u003e⁠, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/100057232737178\/posts\/triston-masters-audiophile-sampler-vol2-%E9%BB%91%E8%86%A0%E5%94%B1%E7%89%87%E5%8D%B3%E5%B0%87%E5%88%B0%E8%B2%A8%E5%85%A8%E7%90%83%E9%99%90%E9%87%8F200%E5%BC%B5%E8%81%BD%E8%AA%AA%E6%9C%83%E6%9C%89%E9%96%8B%E5%8D%B7%E5%B8%B6%F0%A0%BB%B9%E4%BF%A1%E6%98%8C%E5%94%B1%E7%89%8C%E7%99%BC%E7%87%92%E5%94%B1%E7%89%8C%E9%BB%91%E8%86%A0%E5%94%B1%E7%89%8C%E5%8F%A4%E5%85%B8%E9%9F%B3%E6%A8%82\/1519703833280693\/\"\u003erelease announcement\u003c\/a\u003e⁠\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTWO SIDES—TWO MUSICAL WORLDS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe concept is beautifully direct.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide A\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is devoted to a selection of classical performances.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide B\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e moves into popular music.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis division gives the album considerably more value than a conventional demonstration record. Classical music tests an audio system’s ability to reproduce natural instrumental timbre, fine harmonic detail, orchestral scale, dynamic contrasts and the acoustic character of the recording venue.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePopular music brings a different challenge: rhythmic precision, vocal presence, bass definition, transient energy and the ability to separate individual performers within a more concentrated mix.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTogether, the two sides form a carefully judged examination of the complete audio system—but the music remains the purpose, not merely the test.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFROM JÜRG SCHOPPER’S MASTER-TAPE COLLECTION\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the heart of the project is producer \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJürg Schopper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a guardian of historic analogue equipment and an exceptionally important collection of original and archival recordings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSchopper does not approach these tapes as anonymous production material. Each recording is selected for its musical character, provenance and ability to communicate something distinctive through a high-quality analogue system.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe first \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAudiophile Sampler\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e followed the same philosophy, using recordings cut directly from master tapes in Schopper’s collection. It was created for the Hong Kong Audio Fair, received an enthusiastic response and rapidly sold out. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.schopper.ch\/index.php\/en\/vinyl\/audiophile-sampler-vol-1a\"\u003eSchopper Audio: \u003c\/a\u003e⁠\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.schopper.ch\/index.php\/en\/vinyl\/audiophile-sampler-vol-1a\"\u003eAudiophile Sampler Vol. 1\u003c\/a\u003e⁠\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVolume 2 develops that idea with material from Schopper’s collection alongside licensed recordings from:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eARA — Armenian Radio Archive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSRF — Swiss Radio and Television\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese archive sources give the compilation a genuine historical dimension. This is not simply a selection of familiar commercial masters assembled for convenience. It introduces performances and recordings that many listeners may never previously have encountered.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePromotional previews have highlighted distinguished classical performers, including archival material associated with violinist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeonid Kogan\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and cellist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDaniil Shafran\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—names that immediately establish the artistic level of the classical programme.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSIDE A — THE CLASSICAL EXPERIENCE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe classical side is designed to reveal the organic character of acoustic instruments.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHere, the listener should concentrate not only on the notes but on everything surrounding them:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe friction and speed of a bow across a string.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe wooden resonance of a cello.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe changing weight of a violinist’s phrasing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe space between soloist and accompaniment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe decay of a final note into the recording venue.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGreat archival recordings possess something that cannot be manufactured through modern processing: a direct connection to a particular artist, room and moment in musical history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen prepared sympathetically, the age of a recording becomes secondary. What matters is the preserved performance—the intensity of the player, the natural relationship between instruments and the atmosphere captured by the original microphones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe best classical selections on an audiophile sampler do not merely sound spacious or detailed. They allow us to understand how a musician shapes a phrase.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat is the real test of fidelity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSIDE B — POPULAR MUSIC WITH ANALOGUE ENERGY\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide B changes the emotional and technical character of the album.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePopular music asks the system to reproduce rhythm, tonal colour and immediacy. Bass must remain controlled but expressive. Vocals should appear present and human. Percussion needs speed and impact without becoming aggressive, while the complete performance must retain momentum.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMoving from archival classical material to popular recordings also prevents the album from becoming predictable. It broadens its appeal beyond the dedicated classical collector and creates the kind of varied listening experience that works particularly well during an audio demonstration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne side explores instrumental refinement and acoustic space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe other brings pulse, colour and direct musical energy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis contrast is what makes the sampler format genuinely exciting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCUT IN SWITZERLAND\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe lacquer was cut by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSimon Kummer of Vinyl Audio in Biberist, Switzerland\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with master-tape preparation and production overseen by Jürg Schopper.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat production credit matters.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCutting a record from master-tape material is not simply a matter of transferring the signal. The cutting engineer must balance level, dynamics, frequency extension and groove spacing while preserving the musical relationships contained in the source.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn audiophile lacquer should not impose a fashionable character on every track. Classical and popular recordings have fundamentally different textures, and each selection must retain its individual identity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe objective is not artificial brightness, exaggerated bass or spectacular effects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is musical truthfulness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCREATED FOR THE 2026 HONG KONG AUDIO SHOW\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLike its predecessor, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAudiophile Sampler Vol. 2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was prepared for the Hong Kong audiophile market and promoted in connection with the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2026 Hong Kong High-End Audio \u0026amp; Visual Show\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat background helps explain both its international character and extremely restricted production. The first edition became difficult to obtain soon after release; Volume 2 has been limited to only 200 numbered LPs worldwide. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DZzWexRD3bh\/\"\u003e2026 edition announcement\u003c\/a\u003e⁠\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor collectors, this makes it more than an audio demonstration record. It is a small-production Swiss archival release with a clear provenance, identifiable mastering team and material selected from sources that are rarely encountered on commercial vinyl.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEDITOR’S VERDICT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAudiophile Sampler Vol. 2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e represents the sampler concept at its most meaningful.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt connects classical and popular music.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt brings private and licensed archival sources together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt places renowned performers beside unfamiliar discoveries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt allows musical enjoyment and critical listening to coexist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMost importantly, it reflects Jürg Schopper’s belief that historic recordings should not remain silent on an archive shelf. They should be carefully licensed, prepared and returned to the listening room in a form capable of preserving their original musical life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an album for discovering music—but also for rediscovering what an analogue system can do.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eListen for the scale of the classical performances.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eListen for the colour and energy of the popular selections.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eListen to the instruments, the voices and the spaces around them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThen forget the equipment and enjoy the music.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🎶 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eALBUM DETAILS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlbum:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Audiophile Sampler Vol. 2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtist:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Various Artists\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLabel:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Triston Master Recordings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCatalogue:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e TMR-SE 0027\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCountry:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Switzerland\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReleased:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Vinyl LP\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEdition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Limited, numbered stereo edition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorldwide limitation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 200 copies\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide A:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Five classical selections\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide B:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Popular music\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSources:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Jürg Schopper Collection, ARA and SRF licensed recordings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLacquer cutting:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Simon Kummer, Vinyl Audio, Biberist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaster-tape preparation and producer:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Jürg Schopper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Sound of Tape","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57267195445626,"sku":"TMR-SE 0027","price":89.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0732\/6856\/0166\/files\/IMG-2106.jpg?v=1789401266","url":"https:\/\/www.thesoundoftape.com\/products\/audiophile-sampler-vol-2","provider":"The Sound of Tape","version":"1.0","type":"link"}