THIS LP BY THE BEATLES IS THE ULTRA RARE AUSTRALIAN HALF-SPEED MASTER, NUMBERED, AUDIOPHILE PRESSING OF SGT PEPPERS .
In the late 70s and early 80s a new craft of mastering had started that would redefine the quality of hi-fidelity in vinyl.
By slowing the mastering tape to 1/2 speed the sound quality was superior with fewer pops and crackles. In all a much higher quality and these were known as Half-Speed Masters or Audiophile pressings.
It was normally the import record stores that stocked them but many would be gone in no time. In the case of Sgt Peppers it was virtually a miracle if you got one.
In 1981 EMI decided to produce a range of Australian Audiophile Pressings, to be honest it s not clear how many different albums were issued in the series.
EMI at one stage did confirm they were working on an Australian pressing, BUT it never appeared in retail stores. Sold only at a one off Hi-Fi Exhibition in Sydney in 1983. There were only 497 of these pressed, and each numbered, this copy is number 026. It is said to be the best quality and rarest most sought after pressing in the world, for this album. Here is what Discogs say about it.
This Audiophile record came into existence following a decision by EMI Australia to try their hand at half-speed mastering for a reissue series.
This LP never went on sale in regular record stores, but was made exclusively available to the public at the Sydney Hi-Fi And Audio Show on July 3rd 1983. Just 497 numbered copies were released with unique label artwork, mirroring the black and silver one EMI box Parlophone labels of 1969, and housed inside a single pocket picture cover with AUDIOPHILE designated on the back. Each LP had an individually numbered sticker fixed to the top right corner of the back cover.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA IN 1983 BY EMI, AUDIO-5. THIS IS IN A NUMBERED SLEEVE 026 AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, STILL IN THE PLASTIC SHRINK WRAP OPENED .
INTERNATIONAL AIRMAIL POSTAGE AND HANDLING VARIES . AUSTRALIAN POSTAGE AND HANDLING - 12. ITEM SENT WELL PACKAGED IN THICK CARDBOARD AND PLASTIC SLEEVE.
