MFSL Steely Dan Aja * TEST PRESSING * MSFL1-033
$
138
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Description
Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs Steely Dan Aja MFSL 1-033 Test Pressing
Used and opened mega-rare MFSL Test Pressing!!!
This is the mega-rare test pressing of the 1/2 speed edition of Aja from Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs. This album was never sealed as it was intended to test the master recording. This record is still in the original plain off-white jacket and has been in the rice paper inner sleeve since it was made. As you can see in the photos above, the jacket is marked "Sample Record not for sale" and under that it says "MFSL 1033" and "A-3" and "B-3" next to that.
Most people like low numbered pressings and it doesn't get any lower than this one. This one is before #0001 was pressed! Only a handful of these were made back in 1980. Did another test pressing of Aja survive? Don't know, this the only one I've ever seen.
I couldn't get a good picture of the vinyl around the label. It is etched with "Steely Dan Aja MFSL 1-033 A3A SR/2 Ortofon 30 May 80" on side A. Same etching on side B except the "A3A" is replaced by "B3A". Hey, this record is about to have its 31st birthday!
How does it sound? I'm listening to it now at very high volume. This one is a little tough to grade... there is some minor surface noise in places and a few minor clicks but it's also the liveliest and best recording of Aja I have ever heard. I haven't cleaned the vinyl and maybe that would knock out the clicks - but I don't know that for sure. If you can live with a very small amount of minor surface noise and a few minor clicks then this might be the record for you because this is a killer recording. I've been an audiophile since 1974 and in my opinion, this is what true high fidelity is all about! Wanna show someone how good vinyl can sound? Drop the needle on this one man! Deacon Blues is on right now... you should hear the horns! Yikes, is that good or what!?!
Isn't vinyl wonderful? I'm listening to a 31 year old record through McIntosh tube equipment and the sound is exceptional. I've been around this stuff my whole life and it still amazes me. Show me a digital system that sounds this good!
Ratings Vinyl Quality = EX-, some surface noise, a few minor clicks, outstanding sound Cosmetic Quality = Fair, jacket shows wear, never sealed, no splits, no dings
This is a great album and a wonderful chance to own a piece of MFSL history: a very early test pressing of MFSL Steely Dan AJA!
MFSL Steely Dan Aja Test Pressing
Payment must be made within 3 days or the auction is void. Please don't bid unless you're serious about paying for this very rare MFSL record. Please don't offer me weird payment schemes, PayPal works just fine. Buyer pays for shipping and any insurance needed. Yes, I ship to other countries but not all so please ask first. I only ship to the registered address. I declare full final auction value on customs forms.
I ship via USPS Priority Mail unless instructed otherwise. Always perfect packaging!
If you have any questions please ask before you bid!
Please see my other listings for more MFSL, DCC, test pressings, and audiophile records.
Good luck and happy record hunting!
Added Info:
In my 3rd paragraph above I quote the etching in the vinyl and part of it is "SR/2 Ortofon". Ortofon is obviously the cartridge that was used in mastering but I didn't recognize the SR/2 part. I believe "SR/2" is a reference to Stan Ricker the legendary mastering guru. Hmm, that would explain why this record sounds so good.
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