PINK FLOYD ANIMALS A2/B2 1st PRESS 1977 Great COVER & SUPERB AUDIO EX+/NMINT
£
145
$
192
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Description
I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges. However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.
Pink Floyd : Animals A-2 / B-2 1st Press
This first pressing plays with stunning clarity on both sides and with very little intrusion. Just one light click on S1 and only minimal static for a couple of brief moments on S2. This is without doubt one of the cleanest versions of this classic album that you will find and whilst S1 is so impressive in a sense it's S2 that stands out as is very little of the interference that you so often find. The clarity, depth and power on both sides is superb! The vinyl is visually stunning and has clearly not been played very much.
The gatefold is in great condition with only minimal wear on the top edges and for once the lyric inner has no edges splits! Both have been so well preserved down the years.
As this is a first press it has the A2/B2 matrix and no barcode on the back of the cover. The lyric inner also has rounded corners.
SHVL 815 // A-2U / B-2U // GDL 8 / GGD 2
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 Near Mint)
The audio on S2 is Near Mint (T1 Ex+ for one brief section and Mint- for remainder)
The gatefold is Ex+
The labels are Near Mint
The lyric inner is Ex+
Visual description
The vinyl is in lovely condition with an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen and there are no marks or scratches. All I can locate under a strong light are a few very faint sleeve removal hairlines that you always have with this record due to the abrasive nature of the inner sleeve. The labels are very clean with only minimal spindle wear.
Play grading
The run in on S1 has no background so already you are expecting the 'Pigs On The Wing (Part One)' to play with very 'clean' audio and it does not disappoint. The acoustic intro is 'as new' and there is just one barely audible tick as Waters' vocal comes in and I really do mean barely audible! It continues to play with exceptional clarity to the very end and this easily grades as Mint- such is the quality.
The intro on 'Dogs' plays with stunning precision and the opening two verses play to the same high end standard. Gilmour's first solo is faultless and plays with genuine power and definition and the third verse more than keeps up the good work. Gilmour's next solo section again shows just how well this vinyl has been preserved with no interference whatsoever. The following quieter section has a couple of dust ticks and a very light static tick and the next solo is...as good as the first two! The fourth verse is again so 'clean' with just one minor tick but no actual interference and the next instrumental section is as close to perfect as could be! Beginning with the repeated 'stone...' the 'introduction' is perfect and there is just one light click a little further in, that is the only intrusion during this long keyboard section. I often find it plays with a fair amount of static etc but not here! The acoustic section leading into the next vocal plays with sublime clarity and the final two verses have no background either. The remainder of this classic is STUNNING! From Gilmour's final solo to the end 'Who was...' section the playback is so strong and precise. This final 'vocal' is so impressive as it plays with none of the distortion that you so often find and is without doubt one of the finest 'endings' to this track that I have ever heard. No distortion and no interference right to the final note. I will grade this epic as Near Mint but yes the vast majority is better than that!
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As many Floyd audiophiles will know S2 is often beset with sound issues certainly more than S1 and I'm not sure how the A2/B2 first pressing passed quality control in my opinion! However, I am pleased to say this may well be the most stunning example I have ever listened to! The quiet intro on 'Pigs (Three Different Ones)' plays beautifully with no intrusion, just a couple of minor static ticks, and the opening two verses are practically 'as new' with just one tick on the second, not a click I hasten to add! The depth of the audio is also very impressive and if I haven't said already it is obvious this vinyl has not been over-played as the original sonic quality is still very much there. The long instrumental then plays with sensational audio with only 3/4 mega light dust ticks near the beginning and some light static ticks during the quieter section towards the end. The kind of 'ticks' you always find on vinyl and not intrusive in my opinion. The final verse is flawless and the closing solo plays with outstanding power and definition and the fade out is very clean with only a handful of minor static ticks again. The brief section at the end of the instrumental I will grade as Ex+ but the remainder fully deserves a Mint- the clarity of sound is just stunning.
The quiet intro on 'Sheep' plays with wonderful clarity and barely any background, just a small number of insignificant dust ticks and some minor statics towards the end of this section. The opening two verses play with genuine precision - the power and definition of the audio is stunning! The instrumental passage that follows is just as good and there are only a couple of light static ticks in the quiet section section that follows. The Lord is my shepherd section for once plays so clearly with no intrusion and we all know how rare that is! The final verse is 'as new' and the end instrumental has no distortion and again rarely plays as clearly as this. The 'sheep' has no background either! Overall a Near Mint grade is deserved here. The acoustic 'Pigs On The Wing (Part 2)' is so close to perfect with just one tick at the end of the first line. Aside from that there is no underlying static and the clarity of sound cannot be faulted. Let's say Near Mint although 99% is 'as new'! A stunning end to a fine album.
In summary this first press plays to a superb standard with only very minimal background and there is certainly nothing that stands out. There is just one light click on S1 and a modicum of light static on a couple of sections on S2 and that's about it. The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is so impressive and as stated the original sonic quality has been retained so well. This S2 is one of the 'cleanest' I have listened to in many a year and it's worth noting again that there is no distortion on either side. A high end first press for sure which would add to any collection.
The Gatefold & Lyric Inner
This Floyd cover is one of the hardest to find in decent shape and yet this one is very clean with only some rubbing on the top two edges. The bottom edges have only very minimal rubbing and the wide spine remains strong with only a couple of 'specks'. The corners are in great shape with only minimal wear and the opening edge has no handling wear at all. The front cover is in lovely condition with only a handful of tiny spots and has none of the fading / marking around the edges that you so often see. The back cover is just as impressive with only a small number of 'spots' again and the inside of the gatefold is near perfect with only the bare minimum of rubbing at the top and bottom of the inner spine and a few tiny white 'specks' near the left edge. It has kept its original shape and structure and has clearly not been handled very much. A fine example.
The lyric inner is of course so often has a side or bottom edge split but not here! This one just has one small 'nick' on the right edge, a very small rub on the bottom edge and minor creasing in the lower right corner. It is very clean with barely any rubbing on the edges and no other creasing or marking.
Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
SHVL 815 // A-2U / B-2U // GDL 8 / GGD 2
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
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