The Most Expensive Recording in your Collection

[Lisztianwagner]

Wagner's Götterdämmerung, with Herbert von Karajan & Berliner Philharmoniker; it cost me very much, but it was definitely worth buying

[Geo Dude]

Annie Fischer's complete set of Beethoven sonatas.  I don't recall the exact price, but I suspect it was from the $100-$120 going range of the set when it was still in print.

Technically, the most expensive recording in my collection is Solti's Ring, but this was given to me as a gift by my uncle...

[Mirror Image]

Two box sets in my collection I paid almost equally for: $95 -



...and they're worth every penny.

P.S. Those interested in the Solti Ring, it's going for $84 on Amazon right now. A very good price considering this set hardly ever dips below the hundred+ mark. Anyone in your family trying to figure out a Christmas gift for you and you really want this set, then tell them to buy it for you now!

[Lisztianwagner]

Two box sets in my collection I paid almost equally for: $95 -



...and they're worth every penny.

Haha, I absolutely agree with you

[JerryS]

I don't recall paying an exorbitant amount for any single recording, but I paid about $200 for the Glenn Gould Complete Original Jacket CD Collection. Some sellers are now listing it for over $1000     so maybe I should have bought a few more at $200! 

[asin] B000TJQ75E[/asin]

[Octo_Russ]

I bought Bruckner's Eighth Symphony by Sinopoli [2CD box set] for $105 on Ebay auction, at the time it was rare and you couldn't get it anywhere, plus i was richer then, and i could throw money around, but it's a wonderful recording, and i don't regret having it in my collection.

[Octo_Russ]

Just seen Sviatoslav Richter's Well-Tempered Clavier on auction on Ebay, 2 days to go and already up to $237 / £148, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1973-Innsbruck-Bach-Well-Tempered-Clavier-Richter-Victor-4CD-/130594755981?pt=Music_CDs&hash=item1e680dd58d#ht_500wt_949, now that's crazy money, but boy that's some incredible music.

[Kontrapunctus]

I paid $150 for this out of print SACD (new--still sealed--now it's $399!). The cathedral has four separate organs played by a single keyboard--it's the last word in surround sound!

[Szykneij]

I only paid $1.00 for this album, but the lone copy available on Amazon is priced at $200.00 used (and mine is in better condition, too.)

[snyprrr]

I only paid $1.00 for this album, but the lone copy available on Amazon is priced at $200.00 used (and mine is in better condition, too.)

It's crazy how the Market is so strange now.

[The new erato]

Well, if a lone copy is available at USD 200 it doesn't mean that the price is US 200, just that somebody wish they could get USD 200 for it. The price is what somebody would be willing to pay given that seller would be willing to sell at that price.

[Szykneij]

Well, if a lone copy is available at USD 200 it doesn't mean that the price is US 200, just that somebody wish they could get USD 200 for it. The price is what somebody would be willing to pay given that seller would be willing to sell at that price.

I'm sure that's true in most cases, but this record is one of the exceptions. There are copies available from a variety of sources on line, and all command high prices.
  Fortunately, I stumbled across mine in a second-hand shop and picked it up with a bunch of other gems not really knowing what I was getting. A description from a current listing says:

"Panorama of Musique Concrete" 1 LP: "S/T" (Ducretet-Thompson – DTL93090) Original pressing containing groundbreaking works by Pierre Henry, Pierre Schaeffer and Philippe Arthuys. Impossible to get in such a top condition as this copy here. Historical important and a milestone recording. A total must if experimental music is something you live by. Price: 150 Euro

[Szykneij]

Any takers? 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Borodin-24K-Gold-CD-CSCD-6126-Prince-Igor-/130540945924?_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D1%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D3952592939710910030

A used copy might save you some money, though:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330587171576&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Well, since 24K gold CDRs sell for less than $4.00 each, the hefty price can't be attributed to bullion value.

[Coopmv]

On a per CD basis, the Annie Fischer's Beethoven Sonatas set is no doubt the most expensive - at over $10 per CD.



On an absolute basis based on current price, this Glenn Gould set is no doubt the most expensive at almost $1200.

[Geo Dude]

On a per-CD basis, this is now my most expensive purchase at $45 for a two disc set: 


I justified it by reminding myself that the album is heavily out of print, supposed to be amazing...and that I've purchased Testament albums in the past.

[Xenophanes]

Without a doubt, the Solti Ring, which cost about $250 at the time. Actually, I didn't pay for it, it was a retirement gift.

Some of the audiophile LPs used to cost about $30, I think, notably the Telarc Holst Band Suites with Fennel and the Firebird Suite with Shaw and the Atlantal Symphony.

For that matter, in the early days, many CDs cost $25-30.  Inflation adjusted, that would be a lot more in today's dollars. I used to look a lot for used CDs. Nowadays, there ares always Naxos CDs and numerous budget reissues.

[mszczuj]

I'm not really sure, but about 15 years ago I bought this nice box set:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Haydn-Eszterhaza-Opera-Cycle-Dorati/dp/B001AEDFFC

Alas I didn't care for maintenance of the big box and I don't remember if it was exactly like this or if it was open without cover.