Sony Enters the Audiophile Vinyl Game with the New “Artone Signature” Series
Sony launches the Artone Signature series, a new line of audiophile vinyl. The debut release, Golden Earring’s Moontan, features premium mastering, deluxe packaging, and an in-house production process for serious vinyl collectors and hi-fi enthusiasts.
For years, audiophiles have looked toward labels like Mobile Fidelity, Analogue Productions, Impex, Tone Poet, and Intervention Records when searching for premium vinyl reissues. Now, it looks like Sony is making a serious move into that same conversation.
Through a collaboration with the legendary Dutch pressing operation behind Music On Vinyl, Sony is launching a new high-end audiophile series called Artone Signature. And honestly? This could end up being a much bigger deal than many vinyl collectors realize.
According to the official announcement, every Artone Signature release is handled entirely in-house, including mastering, lacquer cutting, plating, pressing, and packaging. That level of vertical integration is something audiophiles pay attention to because it often leads to tighter quality control and greater consistency from start to finish.
The debut release is none other than Moontan by Golden Earring, one of the most iconic rock albums of the 1970s and the record that introduced many listeners to “Radar Love.”
You can check out the release here:
What makes this especially interesting is the timing. Vinyl is no longer a niche collector hobby. Major labels are clearly recognizing that serious listeners are willing to spend more for premium mastering, better pressings, quieter vinyl formulations, and deluxe packaging. Sony stepping directly into the audiophile space signals that this market is continuing to grow beyond boutique reissue labels.
The real question now becomes:
Will Sony treat this as a true audiophile-first initiative, or will this simply become another premium branding exercise?
That answer will come down to mastering choices, source transparency, pressing consistency, and whether these releases actually deliver meaningful sonic improvements over existing versions.
Either way, it’s exciting to see another major player entering the space with what appears to be genuine intent.
And yes… I already purchased the first release.
Once Moontan lands on my table, I’ll be doing a full review covering the pressing quality, mastering, packaging, and most importantly, whether this new Artone Signature series deserves a place alongside the established audiophile heavyweights.
