I am loyal to a performance and the music rather than any label, performer
or even composer.

I envy Barrett who is just starting to collect CM CDs - with the fall
of the market there are so many reissues and bargains out there.  I'll
take just two examples - Bruckner and Elgar (if someone else wants to
give other examples go for it)

Elgar
Symph No 1 - Hurst/BBC Phil (Naxos).  An extrodinary propulsive
  performance with great feeling and subtlety.  Brilliantly recorded.
Symph No 2 - Davis/BBC SO (Apex).  See latest Gramophoen magazine.
Enigma Variations - Davis/BBC SO (Apex)

Bruckner
Symphs No 1, 2 & 3 - RSNO/Tintner (all Naxos superbudget)
Symph No 4 Celibibache (EMI - midprice) or BPO Jochum (also midprice)
Symph No 5 LPO/WelserMost (EMI Encore - amazinng superbudget bargain)
Symph 6 (no budget recommendations)
Symph no 7 - VPO/Knappertsbusch 1949 (Archipel superbudget)
   or Karajan (EMI midprice)
Symph No 8 - VPO/Boulez - Full price but only on 1 CD.
Symph No 9 - BPO/Barenboim (Elatus) or BRSO/Kubelik (midprice Orfeo)

BTW, other bargains are one of the finest Winterisse (Faesbender - EMI
Encore superbudget); a stunning Fidelio (Naxos); Parsifal (Knappertsbusch
1962 on Philips midprice); Stravinsky ballets conducted by Chailly (Decca
Double); Horowitz/Coates in Rachmaninov's 3rd (Naxos); Parrotts' Bach B
Minor Mass and Handel Israel in Egypt (both Vergin Veritas doubles)....

Collectors can now also be loyal to their wallets as well as the music.

Kind regards,

David Harbin
Nottingham, UK