Led Zeppelin I 200 Gram QUIEX-SVP Classic Record Vinyl LP - FACTORY SEALED / SS

$

145

******** SPECIALS? I like to change things up now and then because everyone likes a great deal!

ON THIS AUCTION ONLY LED ZEPPELIN I (one), USA ADDRESSES ONLY, USE "BUY IT NOW" & GET FREE USPS MEDIA MAIL & FREE INSURANCE.

Otherwise, if not a "Buy it now" purchase, please choose the $4.00 Media Mail rate after regular auction ends.  Payment due within 24 hours. ********

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PLEASE READ BEFORE BIDDING & SEE MY OTHER AUCTIONS!

I have been a collector of fine vinyl for over 40 years and am very anal about not only WHAT I buy, but equally important is HOW it is packaged. The cover is just as important as the record, to me, in defining price. My time is valuable just like yours, and it is my goal to provide ethical and honest descriptions.  Because of my character, these offerings will most likely be conservative because like you, I don’t like surprises when it comes to purchases.

You may ask why am I selling these? Why am I selling some of my duplicates, one of a kinds, and some precious pieces out of my addiction hobby? Well, its time to upgrade and I have my eye on a set of speakers and I need to generate revenue because I HAVE A WIFE who knows me all too well.

Some key points about MY PERSONAL records that will be offered here:

-       Most of my collection is minty (ok NM or NM-) sealed, MFSL sealed, MFSL UNPLAYED but opened (display purposes), MFSL Opened, TELDEC, or UHQR.  Basically, nicest you’ll find anywhere.  Did I mention I am OCD and anal?  I’m starting out with one or two and see how it goes. 

-       They have been stored carefully, upright, smoke free, and ALL in protective sleeves in a closed cabinet that is free from light.

ITEM DESCRIPTION

For your consideration:

SD 8216 - Led Zeppelin I (One)

Zeppelin I - 200g Quiex SVP

Classic Records Reissue - Still Sealed with Sticker

Note: small dog ear on top right

Background on Classic 200g Super Vinyl Profile - In 2003, Classic Records launched its now famous Signature Blue Note Mono reissue series. As part of that series Classic developed an "authentic" 200 gram LP profile that replicated that of an original Blue Note record from the 1950's.  Comparing a test pressing on the new profile versus the same title on the normal 180 gram pressing it was discovered that the 200 gram version sounded significantly better.  The 200 gram pressing sounded louder, with more definition and solidity of notes across all frequencies and there was more detail - particularly low level detail like room or hall sounds, pages being turned, musicians whispering and automobile sounds outside the studio all became easier to identify.  At first it was speculated inside Classic Records that the extra weight resulted in the better performance as no one could come up with a better answer given that the stampers were the same as well as the vinyl pellets used on both 180g and 200g pressings.  One day, Michael Hobson, the founder of Classic Records was discussing this unexplainable sonic discovery with the Legendary Mastering Engineer and Sheffield Records founder, Doug Sax when Doug, without hesitation stated "Ah Michael you've discovered the difference in a flat versus conventional profile".  Puzzled, Hobson asked for an explanation which Sax described as going all the way back to 1950's mono pressings and what happened when stereo records came out in the early 1960's.  Sax explained that in the 1950's when mono records had no vertical modulation (only lateral), pressing PolyVinylChloride PVC (plastic) records were more easily pressed on "Flat Profile" dies fitted to the pressing machines since the grooves on the mono stampers were all the same height (no vertical modulation).  The molten vinyl was able to flow evenly across the stampers and fill properly during the molding (pressing) of the record.  The problems started when stereo record cutting came into vogue producing stampers that had variable height grooves sticking up across the diameter of each stamper.  Using the older mono pressing dies resulted in tremendous problems getting the areas between grooves of different heights to fill properly - a groove that is in front of another taller one often got passed over by the flowing molten vinyl resulting in "non-fill" which was audible and thus a "defective" record.  Pressing plants don't like to press defective records and are always looking for high pressing yields or a s few rejects as possible.

To solve the problem, the engineers developed a new pressing die profile which tapers from the center of the die, flattens in the middle of the diameter and then tapers again toward the outside of the die. The new profile was "concave" rather than flat.  When you put a flat stampers onto the concave dies the stampers distort and are no longer flat - the grooves are no longer perpendicular across the stamper and by association across a finished vinyl pressing.  This new die profile created "back pressure" on the flowing vinyl and solved the "non-fill" problem with stereo pressings and resulted in higher yields which was great for pressing plants and good for record companies who wanted good prices on pressings.  The problem was and still is that the new profile records don't sound as good as they could because they are not flat across their profile.  Using a micrometer across the diameter of a 1950's mono records reveals that the thickness is virtually the same across the record's diameter from center label to outer edge but not so for a newer stereo profile pressing which is convex across its diameter resulting from the concave profile dies / distorted stampers.  This is the dirty little secret that Classic had rediscovered was known to old school experts like Doug Sax who founded Sheffield Labs in the 1970's.  After the discovery, Classic Records never looked back and all of its releases and re-pressings after 2003 were on the new 200 gram Flat Profile dies that were specially made for Classic.  Some years later Classic discovered that the very same profile was used by JVC in Japan to produce the legendary UHQR pressings for Mobile Fidelity which are well known to sound better than the conventional Mobile Fidelity pressings of the same titles - it all makes sense now.  The long and the short of this is that Classic 200g Super Vinyl Profile (Flat Profile) pressings are as good as it gets for proper playback without groove distortion from non-flat pressings - Period.

CONDITION/GRADING/CARE (my pet peeve)

-       ALL unsealed albums have been cleaned using MOFI cleaners and a VPI 16.5 record cleaning system.

-       I do not play grade since every system is different. But what I can assure you of that it will be graded by my ears and my visually via bright light assisted from what I have experienced on my audiophile grade equipment.  I am not a professional grader, but have a dang good ear and keen sight for imperfection.

-       They have been played or unplayed on audiophile equipment.  I will be specific on how many times they seen the table because (yes) I keep track.  If I forget to mention that, remind me.

SHIPPING 

TO USA & CANADA

(all other countries read below)

-       It will arrive to you in the same condition as presented and I WILL COVER (pay) THE INSURANCE. 

-       They will be packaged well, in a LP mailer (similar or better), and you WILL have a hard time opening it ;-).  Rest assured it will be well protected, and if it is an opened record, it will be shipped independent of the cover to avoid seam splits and sandwiched between stiffeners.If sealed, it will be reinforced tightly, especially on 200g records, to ensure safe arrival.

-       USPS Media Mail within USA (INSURED) - $4.00 (2-9 business days/ Includes Delivery Confirmation)

         OR

-       UPS Ground within USA - $14.00 (INSURED) (1-5 business days/ Includes Tracking Number)

-  CANADA - $25.00 Intl Priority Mail (INSURED). Please note you are responsible for all customs and duties of actual eBay auction price.

-  All other eBayers from countries other than USA or CANADA - contact me FIRST for authorization/quote.

      RETURN POLICY

-       If the album is sealed and you open it, then you bought it and there are no returns or refunds. I cant control or warranty a something that is out of my control. 

-       However, if you find that it my description is not as described in an opened album situation (unlikely ;-)), then lets discuss it calmly and come to a win-win outcome.

-       If it was my fault and I grossly misrepresented, then I will pay for return shipping with proper contact and authorization -first. Meaning, contact me first, and I will give you my number and we can discuss arrangements. 

-       PLEASE NOTE: FOR OUT OF PRINT SEALED LP’S - ONCE OPENED it is IRREPLACEABLE and therefore NOT RETURNABLE. In these instances, I am offering a sealed pressing with flaws indicated on the cover only, if any. Please note that in case of pressing flaws I cannot accept a return or replace it with another copy.

FEEDBACK

-       When you abide within the guidelines of my auction, you have fulfilled your obligation to me.  Therefore, you receive positive feedback asap without being held hostage like other auctioneeres will do.

-       Your feedback is very important to me as well. My intention and goal is for the 5 star rating across the board with zero problems.  When you get it and have time to review it, please return the kindness and reward me with your feedback.

Happy bidding! Cheers!