Item Description
The Dark Side of the Moon A2 / B2 1st Pressing - Solid Blue Triangle This highly collectable first pressing is in superb condition and plays with Near Mint / Mint audio for the vast majority, just one small section of interference on S2.
The midnight blue gatefold is in excellent condition with only minor shelf wear.
It is worth noting that this is a relatively early first press as can be seen by the double stampers and S2 begins with a G So many of these first pressings are found with triple stampers.
Based on EMIs GRAMOPHLTD system S1 was made with the 48th stamper and S2 with only the 15th The posters and stickers are all in superb condition.
SHVL 804 // A-2 / B-2 // MT 2 / GO 2 The audio on Side One is Mint- the vast majority is Mint The audio on Side Two is Near Mint Mint- in many sections / track 2 intro VG The gatefold cover is Ex The labels are Ex The original poly-lined inner is Ex The posters and stickers are Mint- Visual grading This solid blue vinyl is in great condition and you can see it has always been carefully handled down the years.
It has only a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines, and I mean very faint There is just one hairline on S1 that is slightly more obvious and a mega tiny scratch on S2 about 2mms long.
It is so small you need a magnifying glass to see it It really is a very impressive looking A2/B2 pressing and there cannot be many around as clean as this.
It still has a lovely glossy sheen and whilst there is some spindle wear there is not a massive amount.
I can safely say it wasn t taken to any parties in the 70s The labels and run out grooves are also extremely clean.
Play grading So often the heartbeat intro on Speak To Me has some interference as it is so quiet.
The clarity here is very impressive and there are no clicks or pops at all and there is very little static either A minimal amount for the first few seconds but as soon as you hear the clock ticking there is hardly any.
It builds superbly and you can hear each note so clearly and there is just no intrusive background whatsoever.
This is not far off a Near Mint grading and that is relatively rare for this instrumental.
The segue into the next track is perfect.
Breathe has only a couple of mega light dust ticks on the intro and then plays with stunning quality.
Aside from a 3/4 further dust ticks on the 5th and 6th line this is audio of a fantastic standard.
Again no clicks or pops and it is very close to playing as new it is that good.
On The Run is quite simply immaculate You do not hear this depth and definition on the later pressings let alone the more recent reissues.
The A2/B2 first pressings are well known for their sonic quality and on a well preserved copy such as this it really stands out.
The clarity and strong bass sound are breathtaking.
There is no distortion on the crash and the superb quiet running man ending plays with impeccable precision, no static just a couple of barely audible dust ticks.
This is Mint- without doubt and I do not over-grade as my 100 feedback confirms I am sure many would grade it as mint it is high end audio to say the least.
The clocks chime perfectly on the Time intro and with no distortion.
The following section then plays with superb clarity and with only minimal light static which is very much in the background, definitely not intrusive.
As the vocal begins the audio is absolutely stunning and it could not be any clearer.
Again I cannot quite believe what I am hearing here The definition of the sound is incredible and it continues in the same way.
The guitar solo is just astounding and plays loud and true with no distortion.
The remainder of the track is equal to this and I am more than grading this track as Mint- and the vast majority plays better than that Breathe Reprise plays nigh on perfectly with only a couple of light dust ticks.
What is patently obvious so far is how well this album has been preserved.
It has been played on high end equipment and indeed there is no groove wear on the vinyl and no markings etc hence the stunning quality of the audio.
The Great Gig In The Sky is very impressive with only a small number of light ticks and a just touch of background static on the spoken section.
Once the vocal begins the power and depth is awesome There is no distortion and the definition is incredible.
I am not sure I have ever heard this loud section play better And as for the quiet section that follows - wow The clarity is so good and there is no obvious static at all.
2/3 mega light dust ticks perhaps but as I often say they are barely worth a mention anyway as any vinyl, new or old, can have that.
If anything the clarity just gets better as you near the end There is no background and this section is just Mint it is superb This piano/vocal section has to be the best I have ever heard, no exaggeration.
The final note that rises just has no background .
It provides an impeccable end to a side that plays with immaculate precision from beginning....to end.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Money on S2 plays with near perfect precision from the very first note and I only heard one trace of light static prior to the vocal.
It then plays with wonderful depth and sonic quality.
It may sound like I am repeating myself but I prefer to provide a comprehensive grading as this is what this iconic and very collectable album deserves.
The first vocal plays as new and the saxophone section that follows is mind-blowing Again the strength of the audio here is incredible Plus I cannot adequately explain how superbly the extended guitar section plays.
It is Mint as simple as that and once more there is not one iota of interference and no distortion whatsoever.
The long fade out just has a couple of light dust ticks.
The Us And Them intro plays with very clear audio but there are about 10 ticks and a couple of louder clicks.
This interference only lasts for 20 seconds and there is no other background .
Up to the first verse the audio is as new and the depth on the first chorus is stunning.
The audio reverberates around the room and there is no muddiness to the sound.
The next verse just has a small number of dust ticks but obviously they are not intrusive.
Thereafter the audio is of a superlative standard with no other background .
It is unfortunate re the intro but this is the only obvious interference on the entire album which is quite impressive I m sure you ll agree impressive indeed Any Colour You Like plays superbly well with no real background .
There is perhaps just a minimal amount of static on the top end of the guitar but it in no way intrudes on the quality of the listen and still plays incredibly well.
No crackle or clicks or pops anywhere.
The quiet intro on Brain Damage is Mint the audio is so clear.
This classic then continues to play with a quality that is rarely heard on these solid blue first pressings.
There is no interference and no distortion and that is another indication of a record that has always been well cared for and not over-played.
A fantastic version.
Eclipse ends the album in similar style.
If there is any distortion here it is only very minimal and there is definitely less than on nearly all other A2/B2 pressings I have heard.
It plays with great power and depth and no clicks, pops etc.
Of course this tracks needs to be played right to the end and I am pleased to say the heartbeat ending plays with exceptional clarity and hardly any static.
A superb ending to this classic album.
In summary this would be a final upgrade archive press but for the brief interference at the start of Us And Them .
Apart from that the audio plays to a spectacular standard with no clicks or pops.
It is rare to find an A2/B2 without any background and the depth and clarity is highly impressive throughout and I am happy to say much of it plays as new .
The midnight blue gatefold is also very clean and the posters and stickers are in superb condition.
The Gatefold This original G L midnight blue gatefold is in impressive condition and has only minor shelf wear.
It has been preserved very well and has none of the fading/spotting that you so often see.
The front cover is extremely clean and has only a couple of very small creases and a corner crease bottom left as can be seen.
It also has a not very obvious ripple type affect towards the top edge but it is only very minor.
The back cover is very clean but has a little ringwear and one small mark by the opening edge.
Only two of the edges have a little rubbing - the top edge of the front cover and the bottom edge of the back cover.
The other two edges are perfectly clean.
The spine is in great shape with just a little creasing at the bottom and the top corner has no wear at all.
The right hand corners have a little more wear but nothing serious and the opening edge has only a very small amount of handling wear near the top.
The right hand side of the front cover has actually become unglued and again has a small area of minor handling wear.
The inside of the gatefold is in lovely condition with very little spotting and again the corner crease can be seen at the bottom of the inner spine.
It may seem like I have listed a lot of negatives but I just prefer to be thorough in my gradings.
Any wear is only minor and it remains in excellent condition and is certainly a lot better than many you see Original Black inner sleeve The original die-cut black poly-lined inner sleeve has the patent numbers and Made in Great Britain in silver text on one side.
It is in excellent condition with no splits or tears and only light creasing.
The Labels The iconic labels are in great condition with no writing or marking and whilst there is some spindle wear there is not a massive amount.
The Posters and Stickers The posters are in stunning condition and have no rips or tears, they are so clean.
The CrackBack / FastPrint stickers are equally as good with no markings or creases.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B W 684 SpeakersThis record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine SHVL 804 // A-2 / B-2 // MT 2 / GO 2 I grade according to Record Collector guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to askPlease pay within 4 days of auction end Recent FeedbackVery happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing Fabulous - like new.
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