Search Results for “clarity”

Reiner/CSO – Also Sprach Zarathustra sealed Classic Records 2 LP Clarity test pressing box set

reiner/cso - also sprach zarathustra classic records test pressing lp

Offered for sale is a 2 LP Clarity vinyl single-sided test pressing of the 200 gram 33 1/3 RPM release of Also Sprach Zarathustra, performed by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, pressed by Classic Records.

This title was never released commercially on the clear Clarity vinyl; all stock copies were black. This copy is #5 of 20 boxed test pressings of this title.

Had the album been released commercially, it would have been released as one two-sided LP; this set of two single-sided discs was created only for test purposes.

About this copy: This copy of Also Sprach Zarathustra is a test pressing, manufactured by Classic Records in 2010 as a test for a planned release on Clarity vinyl that never happened due to the company’s bankruptcy.

The album was originally released in 1960 on the RCA label.

The album had been commercially released by Classic Records as a 180 and 200 gram pressings at 33 1/3 RPM, and as 180 and 200 gram pressings at 45 RPM, with all pressed on regular black vinyl or the black Quiex vinyl.

This test pressing was pressed on the clear “Clarity” vinyl that Classic was just beginning to use for all of their titles shortly before they went out of business in 2010.

The two discs in this set play at 33 1/3 RPM, but are single-sided.

This set is packaged in a box, with a sticker that says, “Classic Records 5 of 20 Limited Edition.”

The box is still sealed and has two Classic Records hologram stickers on the box. There is a sticker on the spine that says, “Classic Records LSC 1806 Clarity A1,B1 (1st Lacquer.)”

The wrap is fully intact with no rips, tears or holes. The records are presumably new and unplayed.

A beautiful copy of a very rare and highly sought-after classical title. Great recording, too!

Background: Originally released in 1960, RCA’s release of Also Sprach Zarathustra by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony has become one the most sought-after classic records ever released, with original U.S. pressings often selling for $500 or more.

In the early 1960s, RCA Records began releasing classical albums in stereo, and the titles released between 1960 and 1963 have long been sought out by audiophiles. These early RCA pressings offered great dynamics and wide, impressive soundstages.

Unfortunately, those RCA pressings also sold in limited numbers when new and finding mint used copies has become quite difficult.

Classic Records began reissuing many of these titles in the mid 1990s, first as 180 gram 33 1/3 LPs, and later as limited edition pressings cut at 45 RPM on multiple, single-sided discs for optimum sound quality. Some of these titles were pressed multiple times at different weights and types of vinyl.

Shortly before they went out of business in 2010, Classic began experimenting with clear, “Clarity” vinyl, which offered a quieter playing surface than black vinyl. Only a few titles were released using this formulation.

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Country of origin:	U.S.
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Classic Records
Catalog Number:	LSC-1806
Year of Release:	2010
Format:	Stereo
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Josef Krips/LSO – Beethoven 9th Symphony sealed Classic Records Clarity test pressing LP

josef krips - beethoven 9th symphony classic records test pressing lp

Offered for sale is a still sealed 200 gram Clarity vinyl test pressing of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, performed by Josef Krips and the London Symphony Orchestra, and pressed by Classic Records.

This album was originally available only in a box set that contained all nine of Beethoven’s symphonies and was not sold separately.

About this copy: This copy of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony is a 2009 test pressing by Classic Records, pressed on 200 gram clear “Clarity” vinyl. This title is a reissue of an album that was originally released in 1960 on the Everest label.

As the album is sealed, the record is presumably new and unplayed. The shrink wrap is fully intact with no rips or tears.

This album is packaged in a plain white cover, and we obtained it from someone formerly associated with the record company.

It appears that the cover was reused, as it has a sticker on the back side with printing that has been crossed out with a permanent marker.

There is a sticker attached to the front of the cover that says, “Classic Records 12/2009 SDBR 3065-9-200g Clarity A/B.”

The disc has a plain Classic Records label on one side; the label on the other side is blank.

A nice copy of a highly sought after classic title, and a hard one to find, as the box set sold quite poorly.

Background: Everest Records wasn’t a well-known label, even during its prime. The label specialized in classical recordings, and some of them are quite good and have long been sought out by audiophiles.

This recording of Beethoven’s 9 symphonies was released in 1960 as a complete box set, and the individual symphonies were also released separately.

Classic Records reissued the entire box set in 2008 or so and that box set is one of that label’s most difficult titles to find. Classic Records did not release the individual symphonies separately; they are only available in the hard-to-find box set.

Country of origin:	U.S.
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Classic Record
Catalog Number:	SDBR-3065-9-200g
Year of Release:	2009
Format:	Stereo
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Beatles – White Album sealed white vinyl German DMM 2 LP set

beatles white album german white vinyl dmm lp

Offered for sale is a still sealed limited edition white vinyl pressing of the limited edition direct metal mastered German pressing of the The Beatles (aka the White Album) by the Beatles, including all original inserts.

Note: This pressing is regarded by many as the best-sounding version of The White Album ever released on vinyl. (see below)

About this copy: This copy of The White Album is a 1985 German pressing on the Apple label.

As the album is still sealed, the records are presumably new and unplayed. The four photos of the band members and the poster should be inside.

The wrap is mostly intact; there is a split in the shrink wrap at the mouth that measures about 2″ (5 cm). This was secured with tape by a previous owner; the tape has yellowed with age.

The cover is M- with no splits; there is a tiny dent in the upper left hand corner.

There is a small hype sticker on the cover that says “Pressung Weiss – Direct Metal DMM Mastering.”

“No. 104970” is faintly embossed on the front cover.

A beautiful copy of a rare and desirable pressing of The White Album.

Background: The Beatles, aka the “White Album”, was the ninth studio album by the Beatles (by the UK method of counting, anyway.) Released in late 1968, the album reached #1 on the charts pretty much everywhere and is the largest-selling album in the band’s history, as a sale of a double album counts as two albums sold.

Analog Planet had this to say about this particular pressing of The White Album:

Our next contestant, the 1985 German white vinyl direct-metal-mastered/DMM reissue (1C 172-04 173/74), is one of my favorite ways to listen to the The White Album in stereo. Compared to the 1978 UK white vinyl export, it is more dynamic and has greater clarity and definition. Listening to “Birthday”, the driving bass is phenomenally deep, taut and tuneful. Ambience retrieval is exceptional, with a layered soundstage and a believable presence on even the more difficult to reproduce tracks. The subtle inner details of the guitars on “Back in the USSR” are revealed, and Ringo’s double tracked drum fills are conveyed with powerful energy on “Glass Onion”. The cymbals can sound a little splashy at times, and on some systems this pressing may not be as laid back as you might like. But I believe it’s a mastering that fits the majority of the songs on this recording. Try listening to Lennon’s “Everybody’s Got Something To Hide But Me And My Monkey”. This LP cuts through the confusion, rendering the dueling guitars brilliantly and the ringing hand-bell distinctly and realistically.

Allmusic.com gave The Beatles a 5 star review:

Each song on the sprawling double album The Beatles is an entity to itself, as the band touches on anything and everything it can. This makes for a frustratingly scattershot record or a singularly gripping musical experience, depending on your view, but what makes the so-called White Album interesting is its mess. …None of it sounds like it was meant to share album space together, but somehow The Beatles creates its own style and sound through its mess.

Country of origin:	Germany
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Apple
Catalog Number:	1C 172-04 173/74
Year of Release:	1985
Format:	Stereo
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Led Zeppelin – Live on Blueberry Hill 1972 U.S. blue/red vinyl live Trademark of Quality 2 LP set

led zeppelin live on blueberry hill u.s. trademark of quality lp

Offered for sale is a rare live album by Led Zeppelin, Live on Blueberry Hill, issued on the Trademark of Quality label with one blue vinyl disc and one red vinyl disc.

About this copy: This copy of Live on Blueberry Hill is a 1972 U.S. pressing on the Trademark of Quality label.

The blue cover has a rubber stamped title and an orange sticker with a pig that says, “Trade Mark of Quality” on the front cover.

The tile is quite well stamped and is fully legible. The cover is VG+ with dents at all four corners and slight wear along the top left edge. It’s a nice example with no splits.

The insert is a reproduction. The original paper inner sleeves are included. Also included is a replica TMOQ catalog.

This copy has “sideways pig” labels. These are the labels with the larger pigs that do not say “Made in Holland” on them.

Both discs are VG++ and close to M- with faint scuffs from the paper inner sleeves. They’re clean discs that have had little play.

A nice copy of a rare Led Zeppelin LP.

Background: Originally issued on the Blimp label and quickly reissued by Trademark of Quality, Live on Blueberry Hill is a live recording of a complete concert from Led Zeppelin’s tour for Led Zeppelin III, recorded at The Forum in Los Angeles, California on September 4, 1970.

Tracks are:

Immigrant Song (listed as “From the Midnight Sun” on the insert)/Heartbreaker
Dazed & Confused
What Is & What Should Never Be
Moby Dick
Medley (Communication Breakdown, Good Times Bad Times, For What It’s Worth)
Since I’ve Been Loving You
Organ Improvisation
Thank You
Out On The Tiles
Blueberry Hill
Bring It On Home
Medley (Whole Lotta Love, Let That Boy Boogie Woogie, I’m Movin’ On, Think It Over, Lemon Song)

Allmusic.com gave Live on Blueberry Hill a 3 star review:

Los Angeles, 1970: Led Zeppelin perform a powerful set of songs (prior to recording Zeppelin III) comprised of heavy blues numbers and a dense onslaught of rock & roll. While the sound clarity is adequate at times, at other moments the sound is faint and simply flat — common flaws in bootleg recordings from this era. Still, the music on Blueberry Hill packs a punch. The set is dominated by three outstanding folk/blues rock medleys: “From the Midnight Sun” (later titled “Immigrant Song”) and “Heartbreaker”; “Communication Breakdown,” “Good Times Bad Times,” “For What It’s Worth” and (not listed) “I Saw Her Standing There,” and Zeppelin’s signature blues rock medley comprised of “Whole Lotta Love,” “Let that Boy Boogie Woogie,” “I’m Movin’ On,” “Think It Over,” and “Lemon Song.” The bass and guitar transitions between the tunes on “Communication Breakdown” medley are funky, and the explosive renditions of Stephen Stills’ “For What It’s Worth” and Lennon/McCartney’s “I Saw Her Standing There” are priceless in their inventive approach.

Country of origin:	U.S.
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Trademark of Quality
Catalog Number:	72002
Year of Release:	1972
Format:	Mono
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Cream – Live Cream Volume II 1972 U.S. LP

Offered for sale is an original U.S. pressing of Live Cream Volume II by Cream.

About this copy: This copy of Live Cream Volume II is a 1972 U.S. pressing on the yellow Atco label.

The cover is VG++ with no wear, but with a couple of small corner bends and a saw mark near the mouth of the cover.

The disc is VG++ and close to M- with a couple of faint scuffs from the heavy paper inner sleeve. There are no other marks on the vinyl; the record has likely only been played a couple of times. Clean disc!

A nice copy of a terrific live LP.

Background:Live Cream Volume II , released in 1972, with the second live album by Cream.

The album reached number 15 on the UK album chart and number 27 on the US album chart.

Allmusic.com gave Live Cream Volume II a 3 1/2 star review:

Live Cream, Vol. 2 is a more ambitious album that its predecessor, offering more songs and including concert versions of two of the group’s AM radio hits (as opposed to the album tracks that comprised the repertory on Live Cream, Vol. 1). And it is just about essential listening for anyone who wants to understand what Cream was about, which was live performance. Utilizing — for the time — state-of-the-art mobile recording equipment, it was a significant achievement at the time in capturing the genuine sound of a high-wattage power trio on-stage, playing away at full volume, and the overall sonic excellence here must surely be credited to engineers Tom Dowd and Bill Halverson. The feeling that you are in the front row is very much in evidence, and this is largely due to their ability to capture the band’s live fury with clarity and intimacy, down to every nuance of Ginger Baker’s playing. … And coupled with the compact, four- to five-minute versions of “Deserted Cities of the Heart” and “Tales of Brave Ulysses,” among others, the album is a vital, intense, and enjoyable listen that is ultimately rewarding.

Country of origin:	U.S.
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Atco
Catalog Number:	SD 7005
Year of Release:	1972
Format:	Stereo
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Led Zeppelin – Live on Blueberry Hill 1972 U.S. orange marble/blue vinyl live Trademark of Quality 2 LP set

led zeppelin live on blueberry hill tmoq lp

Offered for sale is a rare live album by Led Zeppelin, Live on Blueberry Hill, issued on the Trademark of Quality label with one orange and brown marble vinyl disc and one blue vinyl disc.

About this copy: This copy of Live on Blueberry Hill is a 1972 pressing on the Trademark of Quality label.

The cover has a rubber stamped title and a silver sticker with a pig that says, “Trade Mark of Quality” on the front cover.

The tile is quite well stamped and is fully legible. The cover is VG+ with trace corner wear and some discoloration along the top edge. It’s a nice example with no splits.

The original insert is M-. The original paper inner sleeves are included.

This copy has mixed “sideways pig” labels; the orange and brown marble vinyl first disc has black labels. The blue vinyl second disc has green labels. These are the labels with the larger pigs that do not say “Made in Holland” on them.

Both discs are M- and may be unplayed. Clean discs!

One of the photos of the orange and brown disc was taken with a light bulb behind it to better display the marbling.

A beautiful copy of a rare Led Zeppelin LP and the only copy we’ve ever seen with a marbled vinyl disc.

Tracks are:

Immigrant Song (listed as “From the Midnight Sun” on the insert)/Heartbreaker
Dazed & Confused
What Is & What Should Never Be
Moby Dick
Medley (Communication Breakdown, Good Times Bad Times, For What It’s Worth)
Since I’ve Been Loving You
Organ Improvisation
Thank You
Out On The Tiles
Blueberry Hill
Bring It On Home
Medley (Whole Lotta Love, Let That Boy Boogie Woogie, I’m Movin’ On, Think It Over, Lemon Song)

Allmusic.com gave Live on Blueberry Hill a 3 star review:

Country of origin:	U.S.
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Trademark of Quality
Catalog Number:	72002
Year of Release:	1972
Format:	Mono
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The Reiner Sound – Fritz Reiner/Chicago Symphony Classic Records 45 RPM 200 gram 4 LP set

reiner/cso - the reiner sound classic records 45 rpm lp

Offered for sale is a limited edition 45 RPM, 4 LP 200 gram pressing of The Reiner Sound by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony, pressed by Classic Records.

About this copy: This copy of The Reiner Sound is an early 2000s U.S. pressing on the Classic Records label.

This set consists of the entire album on 5 200 gram 45 RPM single-sided discs.

Note: The photos show the five covers and both sides of the first disc only. There are 5 records in the set.

The artwork on the cover and label duplicate that of the original 1958 RCA release. Only the first disc in the set has a custom cover; the other four discs are in plain white covers indicating which disc is which.

The covers are M-. The discs are M- and look unplayed. Clean discs!

A terrific copy of a great sounding record.

Background: Classic Records earned a solid reputation by reissuing long-out-of-print and highly sought out classical titles originally released by RCA in the late 1950s and early 1960s. These pressings offered great dynamics and wide, impressive soundstages. Unfortunately, they also sold in limited numbers when new and finding mint used copies has become quite difficult. Classic Records began reissuing many of these titles in the mid 1990s, first as 180 gram 33 1/3 LPs, and later as limited edition pressings cut at 45 RPM on multiple, single-sided discs for optimum sound quality. Some of these titles were pressed multiple times at different weights and types of vinyl. Later pressings note Quiex SV, Quiex SV-P, Clarity Vinyl or 200 Gram vinyl on the jackets. Earlier, 180 gram pressings omit this.

The Reiner Sound has long been sought out by audiophiles for its dynamics and wide soundstage. Works on the LP are Ravel’s Rapsodie Espagnole, Pavan for a Dead Princess and Rachmaninoff’s Isle of the Dead.

This item is eligible for PayPal Credit financing by PayPal. U.S. customers may choose to pay later at checkout, and may receive up to six months financing with no interest. Click the banner below for more information. (opens in a new window)

Country of origin:	U.S.
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Classic Records
Catalog Number:	LSC_2183
Year of Release:	early 2000s
Format:	Stereo
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Cream – Live Cream Volume II Japan white label promotional LP with obi

Offered for sale is an original Japanese white label promotional copy of Live Cream Volume II by Cream, including the original obi.

About this copy: This copy of Live Cream Volume II is a 1972 Japanese pressing on the Polydor label.

The cover is VG + +, with slight general wear. The obi is VG +, with a few wrinkles. The hojyuhyo (reorder tag) is still attached.

The insert is M-.

The white label promo disc is M-, with one or two spindle marks on the labels, but no marks on the vinyl. Clean disc!

A beautiful copy of a terrific Cream LP.

Background:Live Cream Volume II , released in 1972, with the second live album by Cream.

The album reached number 15 on the UK album chart and number 27 on the US album chart.

Allmusic.com gave Live Cream Volume II a 3 1/2 star review:

Country of origin:	Japan
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Polydor
Catalog Number:	MP 2247
Year of Release:	1972
Format:	Stereo
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MC5 – Kick Out the Jams Japan white label promotional LP

Offered for sale is a Japanese white label promotional copy of Kick Out the Jams by the MC5, including the original obi.

About this copy: This copy of Kick Out the Jams is a 1981 Japanese limited edition pressing on the Elektra label of an album that was originally released in 1969.

The cover is M- with trace corner wear. There is a sticker on the front cover that says “SAMPLE” in both English and Japanese. The obi is VG+ with slight foxing, but no tears. The insert is M-.

The white label promo disc is M- on side one. Side two is difficult to grade. It would be M- if not for some light scratches through the second track (see photo.) The record has not been played much; perhaps the record was dropped at some point. The scratches look ugly, but they do not affect play and are confined to the second track.

The track plays through quietly; we’ll call the disc VG+.

A nice, if not quite perfect, copy of a very rare MC5 LP.

Background: Released in 1969, Kick Out the Jams was the first album by the MC5.

The album reached #30 on the U.S. album charts.

Allmusic.com gave Kick Out the Jams a 5 star review:

Rather than try to capture their legendary on-stage energy in a studio, MC5 opted to record their first album during a live concert at their home base, Detroit’s Grande Ballroom, and while some folks who were there have quibbled that Kick Out the Jams isn’t the most accurate representation of the band’s sound, it’s certainly the best of the band’s three original albums, and easily beats the many semiauthorized live recordings of MC5 that have emerged in recent years, if only for the clarity of Bruce Botnick’s recording. …For many years, Detroit was considered the High Energy Rock & Roll Capital of the World, and Kick Out the Jams provided all the evidence anyone might need for the city to hold onto the title.

Country of origin:	Japan
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Elektra
Catalog Number:	P-8608E
Year of Release:	1981
Format:	Stereo
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Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – Deja Vu 2010 sealed U.S. Classic Records unreleased 45 RPM test pressing box #1/100!

crosby stills nash & young - deja vu classic records test pressing lp

Offered for sale is a still sealed U.S. test pressing of the unreleased 45 RPM 4 LP Clarity vinyl box set of Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

This copy is #1 of 100 copies pressed. The four discs are single-sided, 45 RPM, 200 gram clear vinyl.

About this copy: This copy of Deja Vu is a 2010 test pressing on the Classic Records label, pressed on single-sided, 45 RPM “Clarity” vinyl.

As the album is still sealed, the records are presumably new and unplayed.

The wrap is fully intact with no rips, tears, or holes. There are two hologram stickers under the wrap that hold the box shut. A third sticker on the box says “Classic Records 1 of 100 Limited Edition.”

A beautiful copy of a very rare Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young LP.

Note: Classic Records did release Deja Vu as a single-disc, black vinyl 33 1/3 pressing on 200 gram vinyl.

They later intended to release the album as a four record set, cut at 45 RPM, and pressed on single-sided 200 gram clear “Clarity” vinyl, but the company went out of business before the album could be released in that format. One hundred numbered test pressings exist of the 45 RPM Clarity vinyl version. No stock (retail) copies exist.

Background: Deja Vu is the second album by Crosby, Stills and Nash, with the addition of Stills’ former bandmate in Buffalo Springfield, Neil Young. The album reportedly took 800 hours of studio time to record, and became one of the most anticipated releases of all time.

Deja Vu reached #1 on the U.S. album charts and has been certified platinum 7 times. It also reached #5 in the UK. The songs “Our House,” “Teach Your Children,” and “Woodstock,” all reached the American Top 40.

Allmusic.com gave Deja Vu a rare 5 star review:

One of the most hotly awaited second albums in history — right up there with those by the Beatles and the Band — Déjà Vu lived up to its expectations and rose to number one on the charts. …. Déjà Vu worked as an album, a product of four potent musical talents who were all ascending to the top of their game coupled with some very skilled production, engineering, and editing. There were also some obvious virtues in evidence — the addition of Neil Young to the Crosby, Stills & Nash lineup added to the level of virtuosity, with Young and Stephen Stills rising to new levels of complexity and volume on their guitars…. All of this variety made Déjà Vu a rich musical banquet for the most serious and personal listeners, while mass audiences reveled in the glorious harmonies and the thundering electric guitars, which were presented in even more dramatic and expansive fashion on the tour that followed.

About Clarity vinyl: About Clarity vinyl: In 2008, Classic Records determined that magnetic particles in regular black vinyl were compromising playback results. This was due to trace metal contained in the carbon black that was added to the vinyl during manufacture.

Classic worked with Kenan, a PVC manufacturer, to produce a proprietary vinyl compound that did not use carbon black, and thus did not contain these distortion-causing magnetic elements. The resulting vinyl compound was called Clarity vinyl, and Classic intended to eventually produce all of their titles using this new vinyl.

Country of origin:	U.S.
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Classic Records
Catalog Number:	SD-7200
Year of Release:	2010
Format:	Stereo
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