LED ZEPPELIN HOUSES OF THE HOLY A2/B3 1st PRESS w/OBI *Stunning* AUDIO NM/MINT-
£
134
$
178
Favourite Auctions
To save auctions to your favourites, please login
If you don't have an account, please register
Description
Led Zeppelin A2/B3 UK Houses Of The Holy inc very Rare Obi
This FINAL UPGRADE album plays with stunning audio quality and there are no clicks or pops! The clarity is so impressive with only the bare minimum of light static which is not intrusive in any way. This is up there with the 'cleanest' I have ever heard and visually it cannot be faulted either. It is in beautiful condition! With only a couple of spindle traces on each label it has only been lightly played and that is reflected in the amazing audio!
This is the highly collectable Robert Ludwig cut which many audiophiles say is the best pressing sonically and I cannot disagree having listened to every second of this often underrated album. Being the first variant of the first pressing it has no WEA logo on the labels.
This stunning record also includes the rare original Obi. So often discarded this one is in lovely condition with no marking and only a small amount of wear on one corner.
The gatefold is also in superb condition as is the textured lyric inner. This came in a collection that I purchased recently and all the records have been so well looked after down the years. This one will not disappoint!
K 50014 // A2 STERLING RL (Stamped) / B3 STERLING RL (Stamped)
The audio on S1 is Mint- (Track 2 Near Mint-)
The audio on S2 is Mint- (Tracks 3 & 4 Near Mint)
The gatefold is Near Mint-
The original Obi is Ex+
The lyric inner is Mint-
The labels are Near Mint-
Visual grading
You won't find many better than this! The vinyl is in fantastic condition and still has a beautiful glossy sheen with no marks or scratches at all. At first glance it looks 'as new' and only on closer inspection can you detect a handful of very faint hairlines but obviously there is nothing that intrudes on the immaculate quality of the audio. This record has been so well preserved down the years and with barely any spindle wear it has hardly ever been on a turntable. The run out grooves and labels are also very clean with no marking.
Play grading
The instrumental opening on 'The Song Remains The Same' plays with stunning precision and there is no interference of any kind. 'As new' is no exaggeration! This immaculate audio continues as the vocal comes in and from then it plays with remarkable power and definition. I cannot overstate just how superbly this plays and there is not even a dust tick! It grades as Mint there is no need for a minus here!
'The Rain Song' has a couple of very faint ticks on the intro and only the bare minimum of light static. It is totally non-intrusive and the clarity is very impressive. In fact it is clear this record has been hardly played judging by the sonic quality here. Each note can be heard so precisely and there are no annoying clicks or pops. Yes there is a minor touch of light static here and there but then this vinyl is fast approaching 50 years of age! The many quieter sections still play with wonderful depth and clarity and as the volume increases towards the end there is no decrease in quality. The quiet closing section plays beautifully with barely any static and it would be very difficult to find a better version in my opinion. A stunning Near Mint- track although the majority is even better than that :-)
The acoustic intro 'Over The Hills And Far Away' cannot be faulted, it is practically 'as new' with only a couple of mega light dust ticks for company. Thereafter it plays with 'high end' quality and again there is just no interference. There is no 'muddiness' to the sound, the definition of the audio is stunning. The only 'background' is a little static on the very quiet instrumental end section but even then it is minimal. This grades as Mint- I am confident in saying.
'The Crunge' ends the side with no interference at all. From start to finish it plays with sublime audio and barely any inner groove distortion which is a rarity for this track. A Mint- end to the side.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Dancing Days' is STUNNING from the first groove to the last! The audio definition could not be any better and it sounds as good as it would have done back in '73. The Robert Ludwig cuts are highly regarded by audiophiles and you can see why with the sonic quality on offer here. With a vinyl that has been hardly played and so well preserved the quality just shines through. This is Mint in every sense of the word.
'D'yer Mak'er' is of the same 'high end' standard and the depth of the audio is out of this world! This is just a perfect version of this track with no interference whatsoever. The fade out also has no 'background'. You know the grade!
The following version of the classic 'No Quarter' is without question one of the finest I have ever heard and quite possibly the best. It is fantastic! There is no intrusive crackle, clicks or pops at all and the first Page section quite simply plays 'as new'. What sound! The first verse is so 'clean' and again has only a handful of light dust ticks. There is just a little more static at the start of the third quieter section but does not last long. The remainder of this 'piano' piece plays beautifully with barely any 'background' and as Bonham re-enters the scene the playback is of the highest standard possible. The rest of the track plays with great quality and I cannot emphasise enough just how well this plays! The definition and sonic quality is up there with the strongest I have ever heard and Near Mint is a fair reflection of the audio. What a version! The fade also plays with perfect precision.
The 'spoken' intro on 'The Ocean' is 'as new' and it continues to play with superb power and depth. There is perhaps a little inner groove distortion but it is very minor and non-intrusive and I only mention it to be complete in my grading. There are no clicks or pops and it plays with great clarity from beginning to end. An example of this clarity is during the quiet 'la la' mid section which has only a small number of insignificant dust ticks. The end section has a little more distortion perhaps but this is a common feature even with the Robert Ludwig cuts. This is nonetheless a stunning Near Mint version and the final note has no 'background' at all which gives you a good example of the clarity on offer here.
In summary this FINAL UPGRADE album plays with sublime clarity and definition and there are no clicks or pops, how rare is that?! It is not that surprising when you consider the stunning visual quality of the vinyl. With the Robert Ludwig cuts you expect 'high end' sonic quality and when you find such a 'clean' vinyl the quality is not to be underestimated. This album often plays with a fair amount of interference I find but apart from a minimal amount of light static there is barely any intrusion on the 'high end' quality of the audio and some would say no intrusion I'm sure. The gatefold and lyric inner are in superb condition and it is so rare for the original OBI to be included and 100% intact also. A stunning 'package' for certain.
The Gatefold & Obi
The cover is definitely one of the most impressive I have ever seen and has no obvious shelf wear. The edges are nigh on perfect with only minimal rubbing on the bottom edges and the wide spine has no marking or wear either. All corners are in superb shape with barely any wear and the opening edge has no handling wear at all. The front cover is beautifully clean with only a couple of mega small 'spots' top right and a tiny scuff bottom left and the back cover is just perfect as is the inside of the gatefold. The colours are still so strong and this is a cover that has been very carefully handled down the years. It would be difficult to find better!
The rare Obi remains intact with only minor 'corner' wear. It is very clean with just a little marking on the left and right hand edges and just to confirm this is the UK Obi and not the more commonly seen German or French one.
The Lyric Inner
The rough textured inner is absolutely stunning with none of the marking/staining that you so often see. With only one mega tiny corner crease this is as close to perfection that you will find.
The Labels
They are in superb condition with only minimal spindle wear on the S2 label. There is no marking or writing on them.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
K 50014 // A2 STERLING RL (Stamped) / B3 STERLING RL (Stamped)
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
Recent Feedback
Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!
Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you
100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++
Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!
Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.
Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.
Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!
Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!
Postage & Packaging
I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.
WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.
FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY. THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.
COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN 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.
UK Postage Rates (First Class)
LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item
7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra
EUROPE (Standard)
LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Standard)
LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra
I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT. THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED. I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!
price rating
![The Best Of [LP] by Radiohead (Vinyl, Jun-2008, 4 Discs, Capitol/EMI Records)](https://www.popsike.info/php/thumbnail.php?url=https://www.popsike.pics/pix/20201008/184479384261.jpg)
![[US] JAY CHOU Greatest Works Of ART (2022) 2LP *TAIWAN IMPORT* 周杰倫 最偉大的作品 SEALED](https://www.popsike.info/php/thumbnail.php?url=https://www.popsike.pics/pix/20240129/305375879956.jpg)
