The Dark Side Of The Moon A5/B5 (Complete)

This complete A5/B5 pressing is a final upgrade archive copy as it plays with the most astonishing quality that I have heard in a long time.  The clarity and depth is breathtaking.  This is perhaps not surprising as it very possibly has never been played before judging by the visual quality of the vinyl.  It includes the posters and stickers that are also in great condition.

SHVL 804 // A - 5 / B - 5 // HH 3 MM 4

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The gatefold is Ex- (Ex if not for the mark at the foot of the front cover)

The labels are Mint-

The inner sleeve is Ex+

The poster and stickers are Near Mint-

Visual grading

This vinyl is visually immaculate to say the least.  There is no spindle wear so it has maybe only been played once, twice maybe never!  It really has been so beautifully preserved this is a visual stunner...plus the audio also!  There are no hairlines and obviously no scratches and it quite simply looks 'as new'.  It has the most incredible jet black mirror like glossy sheen that I have ever seen on such an early pressing.  The only negative perhaps is that it doesn't lie perfectly flat on the turntable as there is just a minor 'lift'.  It is certainly not an obvious warp.

Play grading  

There is minimal static on the 'Speak To Me' intro that only lasts a few seconds and is soon replaced with audio that can only de graded as Mint- the clarity is that good.  'Breathe' then plays to the same standard with a couple of dust ticks only.  This sounds fantastic!  'On The Run' is yes Mint- and I am only using the minus as always because the album isn't sealed.  A very gentle hiss on the 'running man' section at the end but certainly not intrusive and no clicks or pops at all.  The long intro on 'Time' is stunning and the quality does not let up and provides S1 with yet another highlight.  If I'm being super critical there are a couple of mega quiet dust ticks but to all intents and purposes this is audio of Mint- quality once more.  The  playback was of a superb standard and 'Breathe Reprise' also plays with faultless audio.  The quiet intro on 'The Great Gig In The Sky' is just spellbinding!  There is just no obvious 'background' and this immaculate audio continues to the end.  Yes I use my adjectives a lot but this is quite possibly the cleanest version of this track I have ever heard.  A couple of mega quiet dust ticks only (that most people would not hear!) this explains why we listen to vinyl.  The sound is so pure and full of warmth and depth.  Absolutely stunning!  The quiet end section also plays with great precision and no clicks or pops or interference of any kind.  Wow is all I can say!

S2 I am pleased to say continues in the same fashion.  There is no static on the 'Money' intro and it then exudes Mint- audio to the end.  Displaying superb power the mid section guitar solo has no distortion and plays perfectly.  This is as close to Mint that you will find on an A5/B5 pressing and even the fade out plays without fault.  There is a minimal hint of static on the 'Us And Them' intro but perhaps I'm being too critical, it is barely audible!  The clarity throughout is of the highest standard and is yet another 'high end' listen.  You won't hear a cleaner version than this, it is absolutely sublime.  The final three tracks again provide further proof that this vinyl has been incredibly well preserved and perhaps never played.  They display audio of Mint- quality and the depth on 'Brain Damage' is just stunning.  It plays 'as new', the clarity is astounding.  'Eclipse' ends this superb album with, you guessed it, the most incredible audio I have ever heard on this track.  Stunning power and clarity and no distortion at all.  This is spine tingling stuff!  Even the 'heartbeat' ending plays with near perfection.

In summary, as you may have guessed, this is without a final upgrade, archive copy by anyone's standards.  I have eulogised so much about this vinyl but believe me when it is worth it.  I have listened to so many versions of this classic this has to be in my top 3 of all time, perhaps right at the top!  With no clicks or pops and almost no static this is as near to perfection as you will find.

The Gatefold

This G&L gatefold is in excellent condition overall but as can be seen there is a scrape mark near the bottom edge on the front cover.  The top edges have no wear at all and the bottom edges only have a minimal amount of rubbing near the corners.  The corners themselves are very clean with very little rubbing.  The spine has only a couple of rub marks and remains in great order for its age.  The opening edge is mega clean and has no handling wear again providing further proof that the vinyl has rarely been removed from its sleeve.  Aside from what I have already mentioned the front cover is in excellent shape with only one very thin 'line' near the top edge.  The back is in fantastic condition with only one very faint line near the top again.  The inside of the gatefold greatly impresses also and is extremely clean with just a couple of faint lines near the bottom this time.  Strange really, not sure where they came from, but they do not detract from the overall very clean look of this iconic gatefold.

Inner sleeve

The original die-cut DRG inner is in excellent shape with no splits or tears.  There is some light creasing and a couple of very faint marks only.

The Labels

They are quite simply in superlative condition and have no spindle wear at all providing further evidence that this vinyl has been hardly played if at all!  They are super clean with no marking/writing and the run out grooves are fantastically clean also.

The Posters & Stickers

The matt finish posters are in great condition with no splits or tears and there are only a minimal number of very small age related spot marks on the reverse, not many at all.  The stickers are also in lovely condition with only a minor hint of fading in a small number of places, hardly noticeable though.  They both have 'Crack Back & Fasprint' on the reverse side and neither have any creasing or tears.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

SHVL 804 // A - 5 / B - 5 // HH 3 MM 4

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

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