STYX GRAND ILLUSION RARE ORIG MFSL LIMITED EDITION AUDIOPHILE TEST PRESSING LP

$

51

WE CURRENTLY HAVE  MORE THAN 300  LISTED ITEMS

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·       STYX – GRAND ILLUSION - ORIGINAL 1979 MOBILE FIDELITY (MFSL) HIGH-QUALITY 'ORIGINAL MASTERS' AUDIOPHILE, EXTENDED DYNAMIC RANGE VIRGIN VINYL LP MFSL-1-026

·       ORIGINAL U.S. PRESSING

·       ULTRA-RARE MOBILE FIDELITY TEST PRESSING

·       ORIGINAL WHITE MFSL LABEL, TEST PRESSING VERSION

·       THIS IS THE ORIGINAL, AUTHENTIC, FIRST U.S. AUDIOPHILE PRESSING; THIS IS NOT A REISSUE, AN IMPORT, OR A COUNTERFEIT PRESSING

·       ORIGINAL, THICK CARDBOARD COVER (AMERICAN STYLE)  WITH THE MOBILE FIDELITY PROMO STICKER WITH CATALOG NUMBER AND HANDWRITTEN ARTIST NAME

·       CLEAN, WEAR-FREE LABELS

·       FAIRLY THICK VINYL PRESSING On the scale from 1 to 10 (1 being the least, and  10 being the most severe), we assess the thickness of the vinyl as 7.

·       PLEASE NOTE: THIS TEST PRESSING APPARENTLY NEVER HAD A CUSTOM COVER;  THE ALBUM WILL BE SHIPPED IN A PLAIN, GENERIC [WHITE] CARDBOARD COVER. TEST PRESSINGS ARE RARELY – IF EVER – FOUND IN CUSTOM (STOCK) COVERS.

 (►PLEASE SEE THE IMAGE OF THE COVER, LABEL OR BOTH, SHOWN BELOW)

(Note: this is a REAL image of the ACTUAL item you are bidding on. This is NOT a "recycled" image from our previous auction. What you see is what you’ll get.  GUARANTEED!)

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The until-recently-defunct "Mobile Fidelity Labs" audiophile album vinyl pressings were not only analogue, audiophile masterpieces and connoisseur delights, they have become true pieces of audio history and lore. These majestic recordings received a meticulous and laborious treatment like no other recordings in the entire history of the recorded sound. They are characterized by the massively extended dynamic and frequency range, mastering from the very first generation of original master tapes, almost compulsive attention paid to the detail and integrity of the pressing, and the highest quality of the material (only the "virgin-", audiophile-grade vinyl was used, and most of the titles were pressed by RCA/Victor and/or Warner-Pioneer corporations of Japan, both known for their near-obsessive attention paid to the fine sonic detail and audio craftsmanship); a special proprietary  technology was used to achieve analogue-like, warm, translucent, radiant, vivid and all-encompassing sound. To this day, many of these recordings remain unsurpassed, delivering music reproduction as close to the actual recording session as possible, without any loss of musical information inherent in the standard practice of mastering from the inferior "production" copies.  EVER SINCE THE MOBILE FIDELITY SOUND LABS TEMPORARILY CLOSED IN DECEMBER OF 1999 (ONLY TO REOPEN IN 2003), THESE RECORDINGS HAVE BEEN ESCALATING IN VALUE AND DEMAND.

This is a rare opportunity to acquire this great album in its FINEST audio format, no longer in print, and no longer easily obtainable.

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Other than being their first platinum-selling album, The Grand Illusion led Styx steadfastly into the domain of AOR rock. Built on the strengths of "Come Sail Away"'s ballad-to-rock metamorphosis, which gained them their second Top Ten hit, and on the high harmonies of newcomer Tommy Shaw throughout "Fooling Yourself," The Grand Illusion introduced Styx to the gates of commercial stardom. The pulverized growl of "Miss America" reveals the group's guitar-savvy approach to six-string rock, while De Young pretentiously struts his singing prowess throughout the title track. Shaw's induction into the band has clearly settled, and his guitar work, along with James Young's, is full and extremely sharp where it matters most. Even the songwriting is more effluent than Crystal Ball, which was released one year earlier, shedding their mystical song motifs for a more audience-pleasing lyric and chord counterpoise. Reaching number six on the album charts, The Grand Illusion was the first to display the gelled accomplishments of both Tommy Shaw and Dennis De Young as a tandem.

 (EXCERPT FROM AN ONLINE REVIEW BY MIKE DeGAGNE, ALL MUSIC GUIDE  /ALLMUSIC.COM/)

For additional historical or discography information on this album, including track listing ►click here

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·                               CONDITION:

·                               RECORD

(IMPORTANT NOTE: unless otherwise noted, ALL records are graded visually, and NOT play-graded!; we  grade records under the strong, diffuse room light or discrete sunlight)

(a)          WE GRADE THE VINYL AS STRONG NEAR MINT. The original luster is very much intact, and the vinyl shines and sparkles almost like new.

(b)          The record is STILL in its original inner, hi-grade MFSL PVC inner sleeve, which has - apparently with success - shielded the record from the harmful impact of elements over many years!

(c)           The record is pressed on a beautiful, high-quality, virgin-grade vinyl, which is usually used for audiophile, extended-dynamic-range, half-speed mastered and connoisseur pressings.

(d)          In addition, the record is pressed on a fairly thick, relatively inflexible vinyl.

(e)           Of course, this is a full-bodied ANALOG recording, and not an inferior, digital recording!!!

COVER : This reference (test) pressing comes without any custom jacket, and will be shipped in a plain, generic, white MFSL cardboard test pressing cover (NOT SEPARATELY GRADED, BUT IN A VERY NICE CONDITION OVERALL)

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POSTAGE & SHIPPING:

We offer THREE postage rates for both Domestic and International Mail: Media Mail, Priority Mail and Express Mail for domestic, and First Class, Priority International Mail, and Express International Mail for international orders. INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS PLEASE NOTE: WE RECOMMEND that you pay for USPS International Priority Mail OR International Express mail when making a payment in order to obtain tracking information, which is NOT available for First Class International shipments.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE rates vary from country to country. For SPECIFIC international and domestic postage rates ►click here. While you can be rest assured that ►our packaging is careful, sturdy and impact-proof, please note that damage, loss or theft in transit is always possible, and in the case of some countries even PROBABLE. To discuss this potential problem and ensure flawless delivery, please contact us thru eBay BEFORE placing a bid.

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OUR REFUND POLICY :

WE OFFER UNCONDITIONAL MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE RECEIPT OF THE MERCHANDISE, NO QUESTIONS ASKED (THE BUYER PAYS FOR THE RETURN POSTAGE); Still sealed items MUST be returned sealed in order to be eligible for a refund Some restrictions apply. Please read our complete refund policy before placing a bid. ►Click here  for the full text of our policy

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