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Depeche Mode : Violator A1 / B1 1st Press 1990

On offer here is another very collectable Depeche Mode album and is another that plays with stunning clarity and precision on both sides.  There is no obvious interference at all, some would say no actual interference!  There are only a small number of insignificant ticks and just a mild hint of light static on a couple of intros and fade outs.  It is without doubt one of the most 'complete' versions I have ever listened to the playback is superb!

The cover, notoriously found in poor condition, has been preserved extremely well and has only very minimal wear.  The lyric inner is also in great shape with very little wear.

There are numerous pressings of this album but I am confident in saying this is one of the early first press variations.

STUMM 64 A1 P4 PR-P JA / STUMM 64 B1 P4 PR-P

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T5 Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 end 'instrumental' Near Mint-)

The cover is Ex+

The lyric inner is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

Visual description

The vinyl still has a very strong glossy sheen and has no marks or scratches.  There are a few faint hairlines and some minor 'mottling' on a couple of small areas but this can only be seen under a certain light and has no effect on the superb audio.  The labels are unmarked and have hardly any spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on 'World In My Eyes' plays with perfect clarity and Gahan's first vocal is of the same quality with no intrusion.  It continues to play with a clarity and depth that cannot be faulted.  A superb Mint start to the album.

The quiet build up intro on 'The Sweetest Perfection' plays beautifully with no background static and this standard is kept up as it progresses.  There is just one very light tick in the instrumental section before the final vocal section which is very quiet so you might miss it!  A superb Mint- version.

'Personal Jesus' plays with great quality and again there is no interference.  So far this classic album is playing with wonderful clarity and precision and this particular track is no exception.  Crystal clear Mint audio throughout.

'Halo' is just as impressive with no intrusion on the audio whatsoever.  Just a hint of very light static right at the end of the fade out so will grade as Mint- accordingly :-)

'Waiting For The Night' has only the lightest of static on the intro - to be honest so quiet it hardly warrants a mention.  The opening vocal has a couple of light ticks and from then on it plays with outstanding clarity for a relatively quiet track.  There is barely any static and only a small number of very light ticks and there is nothing that detracts from the overall 'sound' quality.  The playback is stunning and Near Mint- is more than deserved.

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The 90s classic 'Enjoy The Silence' plays with sublime quality and the depth and resonance of the audio could not be any stronger.  The actual track is Mint and the quiet instrumental section that follows is Near Mint- with only a very minimal amount of light static here and there.

'The Policy Of Truth' has just one very quiet tick on the intro and then plays with STUNNING audio through every vocal and instrumental section.  A Mint- track at the very least.

'Blue Dress' is as close to perfect as is possible with just one mega light tick towards the end.  In essence the playback is as clean as it was when first released over 32 years ago!  The end 'instrumental' also plays with great clarity and overall Mint- is more than deserved.

'Clean' ends the album with very impressive audio...as you would expect.  There are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and the audio could not be any errr cleaner!  This is Mint- at the very least.

In summary this first pressing plays with superb clarity and depth and is easily one of the finest versions I have ever heard.  In a sense the clarity is even more impressive because it is a more 'stripped down' album where there is less 'going on' musically so any interference would be more obvious.  But... as stated the clarity is stunning throughout and there is no 'background' that stands out - the audio is very much high end and with no clicks or pops and very little static it could hardly play any better.

The Cover & Lyric Inner

This cover is so often in found in poor condition but this is not one of them!  The edges have only very minimal rubbing and the spine has no wear at all.  The corners are also super clean with barely any wear and the opening edge has next to no handling wear also.  The front cover is in great order with only a couple of 'specks' near the top and a handful of minor creases around the edges.  The back cover is equally as clean and overall Ex+ is a fair assessment of this very impressive cover.

The lyric inner is in great shape with no marking as such just some minor fading around the edges on the 'rose' side and a little ringwear.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

STUMM 64 A1 P4 PR-P JA / STUMM 64 B1 P4 PR-P

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

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

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LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra

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