Are you a serious Box Set buyer?

[Johnny Vinyl]

I'm not, but I certainly would like to have more of them. In most cases I can't really justify the price, but I will partake if I feel something is a must-have. Thankfully there isn't an overabundance of those.

Other than the obvious recording/mastering/pressing quality considerations, is there anything else you look for in a Box Set?

[tom_hankins]

Not serious, but own a few.
Beatles, Beatles mono, Lennon, Doors, Traveling Wilburys, (CCR and SRV on back order from AP) my wife is getting me Stones mono set for Christmas. Also a couple classical.
On CD I have the Dead can Dance SACD set

[Analog21]

The Ray Charles 7LP box set in Mono from the Atlantic Years is on my list to get. Haven't bought a box set yet though.

[Johnny Vinyl]

After reading Mikey's review on Analog Planet I'm tempted to get the Stones Mono box.

[Joe Pittman]

I like box sets especially if they are special and I don't have many of the LP's anyway. The Queen box set is a good example. Although source is digital, Abby Road Studios did a superb job with half-speed mastering. BTW, the 45 RPM half-speed mastered single of Bohemium Rhapsody released on Record Store Day (Fall) is exceptional and highly recommended.

The CSNY 1974 Live box set was outrageously expensive but had to have it.

When the Led Zep 45 RPM box set was released, I couldn't afford it. In retrospect, I should have sold a kidney and bought several copies. It would have been like buying Microsoft stock at the IPO.

[siddh]

I had the Zeppelin box in my hands...and I let it go. The cost left me reeling. Total regret!

[rockitman]

I just bought Vol 1 & 2 CD box sets of Mercury Living Presence Titles. At about $100.00 per box of almost 60 CD's, how can you go wrong ? There are many titles that I don't have on vinyl in this set. I also have both RCA Living Stereo CD box sets.

[Steve Lefkowicz]

I used to be for classical. Was even a member of the International Preview Society that seemed to specialize in boxed sets of mostly DG and Philips releases (mostly Italian pressings though). Not so much for rock reissues, after feeling really burned on a German DMM boxed set of the first 12 Stones albums I bought years ago. Mostly terrible sound. However, I do plan on getting the Beatles Mono box set sometime in the near future.

[rockitman]

the Beatles mono box is fabulous !

[Steve Lefkowicz]

I may have to rethink this German DMM box set. I see they are going for over $500 on ebay!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/THE-ROLLING-STONES-STORY-12-LP-BOX-SET-MINT-MIRROR-FINISH-GERMAN-PRESS/252598058817?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D39107%26meid%3Da5340bde08224e36853083a6eb7e98d7%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D110952831002

I bought mine at House of Guitars in Rochester, NY in the early 1980s for $50.

[Beaur]

I buy them when they look interesting. One I have on my radar is the Mozart 225 box. It's expensive but the average is about $2 per disc.

[JCOConnell]

I have 5 Lp box sets, 2 stones (Decca and MoFi), 2 Beatles ( MoFi and Mono Emi), and Sinatra (MoFi). I must admit I don't visit them that often. I have one CD box set, Pink Floyds Shine On. I never listen to that one, only bought it because I got it used at a great price.

[JCOConnell]

I forgot I also have on Lp box set Pink Floyd Echoes and Jimi Hendrix Experience (purple) box.

[JCOConnell]

I used to be for classical. Was even a member of the International Preview Society that seemed to specialize in boxed sets of mostly DG and Philips releases (mostly Italian pressings though). Not so much for rock reissues, after feeling really burned on a German DMM boxed set of the first 12 Stones albums I bought years ago. Mostly terrible sound. However, I do plan on getting the Beatles Mono box set sometime in the near future.

I do not like the "DMM" sound.

[Albert Porter]

I have the blue Beatles box set from EU, also the Beatles stereo and mono box sets. I treasure my Mosaic box sets, I have 23 of them, mostly Jazz, Blue Note and such.

Also have box sets of Classic Records Louis Armstrong (45 RPM), Traveling Wilburys, Buena Vista Social Club (45 RPM) three Chess reissue box sets of Howlin' Wolf, Willie Dixon and Coco Taylor. Last but not least, box set of Robert Johnson, obviously very old material much transcribed from old pressings.

[Rob]

I love the Mosaic boxes. I had the 10 LP set of Miles Davis' Complete Plugged Nickel Sessions. I foolishly disposed of it with several other Mosaic box sets during my big sell-off in the mid 90s.

[mep]

The EMI Beatles Blue box set otherwise known as the BC-13 collection is my favorite of the Beatles collections.

[Rust]

Typically not. By the time a box set from a given artist comes out, I already have the albums from that artist that I like. Off the top of my head I can't think of any artist that I'd consider their entire output as must have.

[JCOConnell]

Would the name "Beatles" jog your memory?

[Rust]

Sorry JC, I do not have every Beatles album.

[Bill Hart]

I'm still reveling in the Marley Wailers Box Set from 1982. Perhaps the best cuttings of the albums from his Island years- the bonus being an instant collection. I'm not much for the merchandised collectibles, but have a few, Beatles, SRV, some big old EMI boxes of classical (Elgar, Dupre) and the odd one (Kinks) or two. There's also a big Sly Stone one that I picked up a few year ago. I wouldn't mind a good Michael Jackson comp set that covers his early years. But, I don't think of myself as someone who pursues boxed sets for the sake of it. That Beatles mono set on vinyl is a real winner.

[Mike Lavigne]

I have most all the 45rpm box sets (including most of the Classic 'red' box 'clarity' versions......as well as the Classic LZ 45 box) and really enjoy most all of them. got all the MoFi box sets plus a few Beatles box sets beyond the MoFi. the recent Stereo and Mono Beatles sets too. as well as most of the UHQR's (single Lp box). i think i have 5 Mosaic box sets. I have 2 or 3 linear feet of 'the right' Opera box sets and when I'm in that mood they are wonderful. I have acquired a taste for string quartets and solo piano and have a number of box sets of those which are in the regular rotation.....I especially love the Dutch Philips pressings. I never get tired of those. and certain classical box sets are very special too.

I'm sure I missing some box set groups but they do hold a high place in my listening.

a few years back when I culled the herd down from 10k/12k records to 6k-7k records I did jettison a good deal of the 'time-life' type collection box sets. the performance/sonics did not justify the storage space. most of those went to Goodwill, then I sold the other stuff which had more value.

[rockitman]

My main analog box set collection:
Stones - MoFi
Beatles - MoFi stereo, BC 13 Blue Box Stereo, Beatles Mono Box 2015
Sinatra - MoFi
SRV Box 45 RPM
LZ Road Case 45 RPM
Oscar Peterson MPS Box
Mosaic - Commodore Jazz Label Vol 1-3
Pink Floyd Pulse Box
Miles Davis ....various box sets