The Dark Side Of The Moon A8/B7 (Complete)

This early A8/B7 pressing is in immaculate condition and has only ever been played once or twice I would say.  It was cut by Harry T. Moss, the mastering engineer for EMI, and during his work with 'The Beatles' he soon built a solid reputation as being the best at his craft.  His initials (HTM) are etched into the run out on S1 and you can see why he was so well respected.  The clarity and depth on any vinyl that has been well preserved (such as this one) is stunning and you can really hear the difference.  This plays as Mint for the vast majority!

It comes complete with a very impressive gatefold and fantastic posters and stickers.

SHVL 804 // A-8 / B-7 // LM 2 & OL 2

The audio on S1 is Mint- (Mint for the vast majority / 'The Great Gig...' is Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Mint ('Us And Them' intro Near Mint-)

The gatefold is Ex++

The labels are Mint

The inner sleeve is Near Mint

The poster are Mint and the stickers Near Mint

Visual grading

You could not wish to see a cleaner more impressive early pressing!  It is visually stunning and has retained a beautiful mirror like glossy sheen that you only see on new vinyls.  This is how good this one looks!  With only a couple of tiny spindle traces on the S2 label, nothing on S1, this has undoubtedly hardly ever been played.  Two times maximum in my opinion.  The vinyl has no hairlines and there are obviously no markings or scratches.  It is just perfect, much like the audio!  It has super clean labels and run out grooves and you will not find a better early pressing than this!  Absolutely stunning!

Play grading  

The 'heartbeat' intro on 'Speak To Me' plays with incredible clarity and has only the minimum of background static.  A superb start and the section leading into 'Breathe' is also of a wonderful standard.  This track then plays with a depth and warmth that can only be described as Mint the audio is 100% stunning!   There are no clicks or pops and no crackle either.  'On The Run' then plays with a sonic quality that is rarely heard.  When you find a vinyl that is so beautifully preserved as this one you can just hear each note so clearly.  A prime example of this is the 'running man' section at the end, wow the clarity is stunning and there is no 'background' at all.  This plays 'as new' no exaggeration.  With 'Time' the clocks chime with superb clarity and no distortion and the intro then lays with sublime quality and only a very minimal hint of light background static that is totally non-intrusive.  Hardly worth a mention really as is so minor!  The vocals then play with perfect precision and the guitar solo is of the highest calibre and again there is no distortion.  To the very end the end the audio could not be any clearer and quite honestly I cannot believe the astounding quality so far.  'Breathe Reprise' is nigh on perfect aside from a couple of light clicks literally at the end which is the first obvious interference on the side.  The quiet intro on 'The Great Gig In The Sky' is superb and there is no static background and only a small number of light 'ticks'.  Once the 'vocal' begins the audio is stunning and rarely have I heard this section play with such dynamic, all encompassing power and you can turn it up to maximum without losing any of the clarity, there is just no distortion.  Wow!  The extended quiet end section plays beautifully with only one click and a handful of mega light dust ticks.  It's not often you hear this section play so cleanly and this is very impressive without doubt.

'Money' on S2 has fantastic audio from the very first note and there are no clicks, pops, static or crackle on the intro.  It continues to play with exceptional quality and again there is no interference anywhere.  The mid instrumental section first with the saxophone, then the guitar work is of Mint quality I have no hesitation in saying and the fade out also plays with 100% precision.  I can't believe what I am hearing here!  'Us And Them' has a little light static on the intro but it is very much in the background and once you hear the saxophone it has disappeared.  From then on the audio is 'high end', it is just spectacular!  The depth and definition is stunning and it plays as Mint a minus is not required!  Rarely will you hear such an early pressing play with such incredible sonic quality.  'Any Colour You Like' plays to exactly the same standard and then we have the final two classics on this iconic album.  I am delighted to say the intro on 'Brain Damage' plays 'as new' which is something of a rarity as so often there is some interference.  The remainder is of the same impeccable and whilst I may be repeating myself now the strength of the audio and deep bass sound is just stunning.  This is playing 'as new' and again 'Eclipse' just has to be heard to be believed!  Incredibly there is no distortion whatsoever, I'm not sure I've ever been able to say that before.  I turned it up loud and the whole room was filled with pure unadulterated Mint audio!  And even the super quiet 'heartbeat' ending plays with barely any static, no clicks or pops, the clarity was superb.  A breathtaking end to one of the finest versions of this classic LP that I have ever heard.

In summary this is a final upgrade, archive copy you will not be surprised to hear.  S1 is stunning but S2 is simply out of this world!  I have listened to many 'Dark Side' early pressings and this is one of the most 'high end' versions I have had the pleasure in listening to.  You can see why the Harry Moss 'cuts' are so keenly sought after and I cannot stress enough just how fantastic the clarity and sonic quality is on this album.  As stated there is barely any spindle wear and this goes some way to explaining the superlative audio on offer.  Perhaps only played once or twice that is very possible I would say.  It comes complete with a very impressive gatefold and super clean inserts and that will only make this album even more collectable.  A stunning 'package' that will not disappoint.

The Gatefold

The G&L gatefold is in lovely condition with only a minimal amount of shelf wear.  The top edges have hardly any rubbing but the bottom edges do have a little more.  The spine is in superb order with no wear at all and the corners are extremely clean, just a little rubbing on the bottom right ones.  The opening edges have no handling wear whatsoever.  So often heavily marked/scratched this cover is superb clean throughout.  The front has no obvious wear, just one very small scratch mark, it really is in great condition, and the back cover is even better!  No marking or wear at all.  The inside is stunning and again there is wear to be seen.  A fantastic example of this 'early press' cover.

Inner sleeve

The original die-cut 'Important Notice' inner is in superb shape with no splits or tears and barely any creasing.

The Labels

They are both mega clean with no marking or writing and are in perfect condition.  As stated this is a vinyl that has been hardly played - no spindle wear on S1 and only a couple of tiny spindle traces on S2.

The Posters & Stickers

The posters are 'as new' and don't even look if they have ever been unfolded.  The 'Crack Back Fasprint' stickers are also in great condition with only a couple of faint crease lines on one of 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

SHVL 804 // A-8 / B-7 // LM 2 & OL 2

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

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