Janos Starker/Antal Dorati/LSO Dvorak: Cello Concerto AAPC 90303 TEST PRESS Set

$

89

I offer a combined shipping discount for multiple LP's. Please select "REQUEST TOTAL" before paying and I will send you an invoice with a cost calculated for combined shipping. 

I Care About Vinyl

I do clean my records on a machine I designed and built myself. Even though these records look very clean, I believe that all records need to be deep-cleaned at least twice, especially older LP's. I will leave it up to the buyer to use their own method and machine to do the final deep clean these records.

I use a strong halogen side light sometimes looking at small marks with a strong hand-held lens inspect them before assigning a visual grade. 

Most Importantly- I also take the time to play-grade the record on my system (Technics 1200 TT with an Ortofon cartridge, Roksan Integrated and JBL speakers) to establish the fidelity of the recording and pressing as well as the condition of the LP. This helps to ensure that the description of the record will match the play experience you have on your own system.  

Janos Starker /Antal Dorati /LSO Dvorak:  Cello Concerto 

45 rpm Audiophile Test Pressings. 

These are the original test pressings used for the Analogue Productions mastering of the re-issue of Mercury Living Presence SR 90303. There are (2) discs (both sides) to cover the entire original LP at 45 rpm speed. Nice heavy 200 gram pressings. Comes with original plain white jackets and AP control stickers. 

Both have a deep inky black gloss and are in NM-/NM visual condition with very very minor marks. They play NM-/NM quiet with astounding beauty and clarity. I could only a hear a few soft tics in one spot where there is a small 1/4" light mark. 

I consider a few soft tics acceptable for a NM- LP, if you do not, then please do not buy or bid.  

Why Test Pressings are Important

Typically white label manufacturer test pressings, like this, were pressed in very limited quantities and used for proofing the sonics. I would stand it up against any "white hot stamper" for strong sonics. It's provenance is unquestionable.    

"This new 45 RPM remastered reissue by Tom Fine and Ryan Smith might just be the first analog reissue that is hands down better than the original (and my original is a minty RFR P17 US cleaned before playing). No ifs, ands or buts. No excuses needed. ... Tom Fine and Ryan Smith turned to the original backup 1/2-inch master tape for this release. No detail was too small and Tom and Ryan had to cut several lacquers until they achieved the desired quietness. ... Dorati and the LSO have never sounded better. While the Dvorak captures everyone's attention, it's perhaps the performance of Bruch's Kol Nidrei that is the hidden gem on this recording. The low end, extension and the sound of Starker's cello is off the charts. Starker's cello is revealed like never before on this reissue; the detail, tone and solidity of his cello is stunning. ... Highly recommended!" 

                                                                                                   — Myles B. Astor, senior editor, Positive-Feedback.com

More info from the Analogue Productions site:

"Janos Starker performs with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Antal Dorati performing Dvorak's Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104, and Bruch's Kol Nidrei
   

Mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound using an AMPEX ATR-100 Tape Machine customized with 3-track flux magnetics heads Plated and pressed at Quality Record Pressings, makers of the world's finest-sounding LPs. These newly remastered Mercury Living Presence reissue LPs represent the state of the art of all-analog technology and production.

Led by remastering supervisor Thomas Fine, son of high-fidelity recording pioneers C. Robert Fine and Wilma Cozart Fine of Fine Recording Inc. in New York City, these reissues were cut at 45 RPM directly from first-generation 3-track master tapes. A 3-2 channel mix was made directly to the cutting lathe, no "cutting master" tape stage, digital source or digital delay was used. Plated and pressed at Quality Record Pressings, makers of the world's finest-sounding LPs.

Thomas Fine made the 3-2 mixes with mastering engineer Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound's new facility in Nashville, Tennesee. Smith manually controlled groove margin and depth on his Neumann VMS-80 lathe, working with no preview signal and bypassing the lathe's margin-control computer. In doing so, he cut these sides the same way the original LP was cut by George Piros, who was Fine Recording Inc's VP and head of mastering. As with the original LP, no "sweetening" equalization or dynamic range control was used.

Hungarian-American cellist János Starker epitomized refined elegance and superbly subtle bow work. Starker, who died in April 2013, was one of the 20th century's most renowned cellists. The Dvorak Cello Concerto and Bruch's Kol Nidrei were recorded July 6, 7 and 10, 1962 at Watford Town Hall outside London. Three Schoeps M210 microphones, set in omnidirectional pattern, were hung across the front of the orchestra, with the players positioned on the floor of the hall in order to best utilize its acoustics. The microphones direct fed 3-track recorders: a 1/2? tape machine and a 35mm magnetic film recorder. Both first-generation tapes and first-generation films were edited into production masters.

At the original session, Wilma Cozart Fine was the Recording Director, Harold Lawrence was the Musical Supervisor, C. Robert Fine was the Chief Engineer and Technical Supervisor, and Robert Eberenz was the Associate Engineer.

The original LP was cut from the 35mm film, and the Mercury Living Presence logo on the front cover included the 35mm designation. Over time, the 35mm mag-film material deteriorated and the master is now not in good playable condition. Meanwhile, the 1/2? magnetic tape has held up well and still sounds as good as the day it was recorded.

This 2LP set, cut at 45 RPM, allows for the full dynamics present on the first-generation master tapes to shine through masterfully, as the wider-spaced grooves let your stereo cartridge track more accurately." 

Genre/Sub Genre/Featured Instruments: Classical / concerto / cello

Label: Analogue Productions Classical AAPC 90303 

Format: 2 x LP Stereo 45 rpm

Country: US Pressings

Year Released: 2018

Shipping: Album will be placed inside new 3 ml. poly outer sleeve. Record and inner sleeve are placed between the jacket and outer sleeve to prevent jacket splits during shipping. Shipped in pro-quality #200 LP mailer w/padding.

PLEASE READ THIS

For your protection as well as mine, all domestic record and audio sales over $100 will have to be sent with full value insurance.

All international record sales over $100 will have to be sent with insurance and shipped via registered mail.

Please ask or wait for a final invoice before paying for the auction. If you pay the stated Ebay postage (which does not include the insurance and registered mail fee) I will send an invoice for the additional cost and hold the shipment until it is paid.

~~~~~~~~~~ END OF LISTING ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Record and Jacket Grading Standards

I have been very unhappy with the variation in grading I see between record sellers. While all grading seems to reference the Goldmine grading standards, there are subtle variations in a condition that can make a big difference in the sonic enjoyment of a record, especially at the higher quality end of the grading spectrum. As such, I have created my own grading standards for records and jackets that points out these finer differences.

(SS) Still Sealed:  "Still Sealed" is a grade I am reserving for factory-sealed records that have never been opened. This grade assumes the disc inside is undamaged and in "Mint" condition but this cannot be verified until the disc is opened and examined. The jacket will have its original shrink wrap.

(M) Mint: "Mint " is a grade I am reserving for a perfect record. There are no scratches, scuffs, hairlines, fingerprints, spindle marks or other indications that it has been handled or played. The jacket will have its original shrink which is opened. The are no corner bumps, scratches, marks, creases or other signs of jacket wear.

(M-) Mint Minus: A "Mint Minus" record may have one very light paper scuff but no hairlines or other surface scratches. It looks clean and unplayed. I may also use a "Mint Minus" to grade a sealed record that has corner bumps or tears in the shrink wrap.

(NM) Near Mint: "Near Mint" is a record that is virtually flawless, clean and glossy. A near perfect, rarely-played record. May play with some very light and occasional dust or static related light noise that is only heard in the quietest passages. The vinyl and label surfaces show no obvious sign of wear. It looks clean with the factory shine and there may be a very light, barely visible paper scuff or two and a few light hairlines but no scratches. An LP jacket has no seam splits or any other obvious signs of wear but one or two light creases are acceptable. Ring wear should be almost invisible. No punch holes or other discount marks.  Very minimal corner bumps. Artist signatures are the only acceptable forms of handwriting for this grade. Basically, "Near Mint" looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap.

(NM-) Near Mint Minus: Same as above, yet shows a few very light hairlines which have no effect on the sonic quality. The record will have its factory gloss and ?rainbow luster? and only light spindle marks. Ring wear is minimal but starting to show lightly at the top and bottom. The jacket may have discount cuts or sales stickers, which will be noted. Artist signatures and minimal owner marks are the only acceptable forms of handwriting for this grade.

(VG++) Very Good Plus Plus: Shows some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show signs of use and may have slight paper scuffs or very light surface scratches that only reveal themselves in the quietest of passages and don't detract from the overall sonic quality. Most factory shine is still present. Slight edge warps that do not affect the tracking or sound quality are OK and will be noted. An LP jacket may have some signs of ring wear and shelf wear and a small corner bump or two these are minimal and acceptable for this grade.  A small seam split is also acceptable and will be noted. Light owner signatures, DJ marks and other forms of handwriting are acceptable for this grade. In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be a showcase piece. All but the most discriminating collectors will find a ?Very Good Plus? record highly acceptable.

(VG+) Very Good Plus: Many of the defects found in a VG++ record are more pronounced in a VG+ disc but it is still a keeper. Surface noise is evident upon playing, but does not overwhelm the music. Groove wear will start to be audible and a random click, tic or soft pop may be evident but will not detract from the enjoyment of the recorded material. The jacket may have a seam split or ring wear and labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. A small light stain or some discoloring may be evident. The cover may exhibit a combination of these flaws but they will not overwhelm the piece.

(VG) Very Good: A VG disc will have more flaws but it is still a keeper. Surface noise is evident upon playing but does not overpower the music. Groove wear will be audible along with occasional pops and tics but there are no skips. The jacket may have a significant seam split and the spine may be seriously flaked. Labels and jackets may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. A small light stain or some discoloring may be evident. The cover may exhibit a combination of these flaws but they will not overwhelm the piece.

(G+) Good Plus, (G) Good: ?Good? means acceptable?not completely roached. The grade I usually reserve for listing the rarest of records. A record in ?Good? condition can be put onto a turntable and will play but it will it will have significant audible surface noise. A jacket or sleeve has larger seam splits and there may be significant water stains. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object.

Special Note:

(+) Plus: An extra "plus? may be added occasionally to a grade to highlight the finer points of some better grades.

Domestic / USA Shipping

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$4.00 for the 1st 45 

$1.00 for each additional 45

Priority Mail

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$9.00 for the 1st LP 

$2.00 for each additional LP

  45 Only Shipments:

$9.00 for the 1st 45 

$2.00 for each additional 45

  78 RPM Only Shipments:

Calculated

  Double LPs & Box Sets:

Additional charge per LP as indicated above

  Mixed Format Shipments:

Additional charge per LP or 45 as indicated above

International Shipping

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  45 Only Shipments:

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Priority Mail

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  45 Only Shipments:

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Worldwide

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  45 Only Shipments:

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Priority Mail

  LP Only Shipments:

$45.00 for the 1st LP 

$5.00 for each additional LP

  45 Only Shipments:

$40.00 for the 1st 45 

$3.00 for each additional 45

  78 RPM Only Shipments:

Calculated

  Double LPs & Box Sets:

Additional charge per LP as indicated above

  Mixed Format Shipments:

Additional charge per LP or 45 as indicated above

Customer Service and Return Policy

A five-star rating is important to me and I will work with a reasonable buyer who is not satisfied. You can buy with confidence because I provide a thorough assessment of a record. In a case where a buyer feels that I have provided a record below what has been described or I missed a major fault, please contact me through Ebay within 30 days of receiving your item, explain your problem and If we agree, then I will take the item back and provide a full refund. Buyer must pay return shipping. Sealed records must be returned still sealed to be eligible for a full refund.