Here is a rare opportunity to acquire the greatest sounding pressing of this album ever made.
Just 1,000 copies of this edition were pressed by specialist UK audiophile label Nimbus in 1984 and wwas only available via Mail order through a specialist Hi-Fi magazine.
Using the highest grade vinyl supplied especially to them from ICI, Nimbus cut the album from a direct 1:1 copy of EMI s stereo master tape via the purest signal path possible using all tube equipment without any limiting.
You may have seen our recent review of this album using this very copy on our YouTube channel Parlogram Auctions .The disc uses 2-EMI box Parlophone labels c.April 1984 and carries the standard EMI catalogue number: PCS 7027
The album was pressed on Nimbus own press as indicated by the distinctive ridge on the labels.
Various initials are also hand-etched into the run-outs which include MPT and JH
NIMBUS ENGLAND is machine stamped in both run-outs.
Disc weight: 134g
Housed in an EMI supplied semi-gloss gatefold stereo cover to which Nimbus have added their own Supercut sticker in the upper right of the front panel.
The cover still retains its original shrinkwrapping.
The package is complete with the original unused cut-out sheet insert and Nimbus-supplied poly-lined inner-sleeve.
CONDITION
Labels: MINT
Perfect. No spindle trails or wear to either. A sliver of untrimmed vinyl protrudes from the side 1 centre hole.
Visual: MINT
Factory-fresh playing surfaces which are as new and unmarked in both daylight AND directly beneath halogen light. Both sides lie 100 flat on the the turntable when playing.
Audio: MINT
Flawless incredible audio throughout.
Below is my own personal review of this incredible pressing which was sourced from this copy on offer here:
The first thing I noticed was the increased ambiance of the opening crowd noise where 1st pressings are usually at their noisiest. Right from the opening track, it s Paul masterful bass lines which takes centre stage and goes onto dominate this album. Its sound is rich and deep throughout without being overblown.
The vocals on every track seem to float over the music, and never once become buried or overpowered by the sound around it. There s a sparkle in Ringo s cymbal work, especially on tracks like Getting Better and the cutting guitar solo which on some pressings grates, it just right here without being too soft, as it is on the MFSL. The sound of the room is audible on Paul s vocal on Fixing A Hole and the backing vocals towards the end of that song come alive in a way I have never heard before. The drums and bass on Mr Kite fit perfectly together with Paul s melodic lines holding everything together in perfect harmony.
All the other tracks on side 2 blend perfectly together with more floaty vocals and tight bass lines. John s vocal on Good Morning, Good Morning is, despite the effects added to it, right in the room with you and have a warmth I d not noticed before.The kick drum and bass sound amazing together on the Sgt Pepper reprise and the icing on this cake is Day In the Life where the orchestral orgasm builds from every frequency, even in the bass which seems to have eluded the others in this test. The fade out of the final piano chord is totally free of any vinyl noise and unlike the UHQR and MFSL pressings, the voices in the lock-groove audio are present.
For me this record is THE best sounding pressing of Sgt Pepper s I have ever heard. It succeeds on every level.
It s a cutting which showcases Paul s melodic bass to its fullest which is the real backbone of the album. The vocals float over the music with a warmth and intimacy missing from all other pressings. The mono version has many of these elements already but I have never experienced them on any other stereo pressing until this.
The sound is detailed enough without that lazy high-end boost of the MFSL and of course it has that all-important mid-range magic and for me is worth its weight in gold.
Cover: EXCELLENT
Protected all these years by its shrinkwrapping which apart from the opening edge is 100 intact all-round , this cover is still in the same condition as the day it was received by its original owner. The only flaw is a 4cm upper seam split on the front pocket. However, I think this has been there since day one, as the other copy I have sold of this pressing had exactly the same flaw.
Cut-out Sheet: MINT