SXL 2044 Chopin Les Slyphides Delibes Source Maag WBgBB

	£		92
	$		122

ARTISTE, RECORD TITLE  AND LABEL 

CHOPIN: Les Sylphides-Ballet

DELIBES: La Source- Ballet Selection
PETER MAAG conducting The Paris Conservatoire Orchestra

DECCA SXL 2044 ( Blue back ; Wide Band grooved with "Original Recording By.." text in 10'o clock position;  pressed in England)

Matrix Numbers:

ZAL 3803-1E/ZAL 3804-1E 

BACKGROUND :

An early Decca ED1, this is on the wide band grooved English Decca with the "Original Recording By" text. It comes with the original inner sleeve though I will ship it in a brand new custom made acid free paper sleeve.

GRADING RESULTS:

I would rate the cover as generally a strong Excellent.  There are no writings, tears  etc  on the cover . However, there is a scuff on the laminate on the left hand side as well as spots where the laminate has separated from the cover with some parts missing on the top flipback on the back.

Side 1 of the vinyl has 2 hairline surface scratches and Side 2 with one light hairline surface scratches all of which did not affect play. There are some light spindle marks. The vinyl maintains its lustre and is mirror like. Tracking at 1.7g on my Naim Aro arm and Lyra Helikon SL cartridge, the playing on both sides was generally between a strong Excellent to Near Mint. There was the some light extraneous surface noise especially in the beginning but these were not intrusive .There was no distortion whatsoever.

How I Clean and  Grade my Records

Cleaning: Cleaning is usually done on a Loricraft PRC 4 cleaning machine  using the US made Walker Audio stage cleaning solution.

Playback Equipment: Playback is through a Linn LP12 turntable/Armeggedon/Naim Aro tonearm/Lyra Helikon SL cartridge and through a brace of active Naim 250s/135s into Naim DBL speakers. For 45s I use a second Linn/Lingo/Aro/Linn Troika though I change them occasionally as the arm tubes can be easily transferred from one deck to another.

I use both Goldmine and Rare Record Price Guide grading system as a guide and came up with the following:

·       Mint  I only use this for sealed items. The record is virtually unplayed and is in a brand new condition. Cover is pristine. Up till now, I have never used this grading and, chances are, never will, due to my conservative nature in matters of record grading.

·       Near Mint  Very little or negligible flaws. Faint lines or very faint creasing  on laminated covers visible under a strong light is acceptable but nothing serious. Records which show some signs of having been played such as very faint spindle marks are allowed but there should be no lessening in sound quality. .

·       Excellent   Item obviously played, though not often,and enjoyed with some slight noise. The record should be nice and shiny but may have a few light marks which should not intrude on play. Slight wear on cover is acceptable. 

·         Very Good Many more imperfections which are noticeable but not obtrusive. The record has been played several times but there should be no major deterioration in sound quality despite some noticeable surface marks and light scratches. Normal wear and tear or writings on the cover  is acceptable but there should not be any major tears.

I do not offer any records below Very Good  unless its extremely rare. 

Shipping costs

I use brand new custom made  plastic sleeves  for both the vinyl and for the sleeve. Shipping is always by Airmail and by registered post as it allows one to track items in case of delays.  Shipping costs in pounds are:

UK/USA/Europe                           10 pounds

Hongkong, Taiwan South Korea 8.3pounds

Australia China Japan                 8.9 pounds

Postage is via Airmail, "signed for" delivery. I prefer signed for delivery as it allows me to "chase" on my side if buyers do not get their items within 2 weeks though so far this has only happened with Italy.

 I will  inform buyers of the registration details through Email on posting.

Forms of payment that I accept include:

·       PAYPAL (preferred choice) 

·       International Money Orders