Styx – Equinox [1980 Canadian Audiophile Series] Half-Speed Mastered

$

40

JVC "Super Vinyl" Pressing – Near Mint!
For the Discriminating Styx Collector: The Definitive Audiophile "Grail" Pressing
If you are looking for the absolute best-sounding version of Styx’s 1975 masterpiece Equinox, your search ends here. This is not a standard retail copy; this is the 1980 Canadian A&M Audiophile Series reissue—a legendary pressing that combined the best of West Coast mastering technology with Japanese manufacturing precision.
This record is a masterclass in late-20th-century production, boasting a "multi-continental" pedigree that is highly coveted by progressive rock enthusiasts.
Why This Pressing is a Sonic Revelation:The Half-Speed Mastered Advantage: Cut at A&M Mastering Studios in Hollywood, this record was mastered using a half-speed process. By running both the tape deck and the lathe at 16 ⅔ RPM, the cutting stylus had double the time to carve ultra-intricate high-frequency waveforms and lightning-fast transients. The result? Unmatched spatial depth and clarity that makes standard pressings sound dull by comparison.The "Super Vinyl" Secret: Pressed at JVC’s world-famous facility in Japan, this record uses their proprietary, low-friction "Super Vinyl" compound. Hold it against a strong light, and you’ll see the beautiful, translucent smokey-amber glow that confirms you're holding a true JVC Super Vinyl disc. This material is not only incredibly durable but offers a near-zero noise floor, allowing the quietest passages to shine against a vault-like, dead-silent backdrop.Engineering Excellence: The dead wax reveals the handiwork of master engineer John Golden (JG/2), with metal plating by the renowned Sheffield Lab Matrix (SLM) in Santa Monica.Technical Specifications & Matrix Data:Label: A&M Records – SPJ-4559Series: Audiophile SeriesMastering: Half-Speed Mastered by John Golden (A&M Mastering Studios)Pressing Plant: JVC, JapanMatrix / Runout (Side A): SPJ-04559 A + SLM + △415 JG/2 JVC-JAPAN 121 * * [Trumpet Stamp]Matrix / Runout (Side B): SPJ-04559-B + SLM + △415-X JG/2 JVC-JAPAN [Trumpet Stamp] 121 *Condition Report:Record: NM / M- (Near Mint). Plays with exceptional fidelity and minimal surface noise, exactly as one would expect from this high-end pressing.Sleeve: VG+ / E (Very Good Plus / Excellent). Well-preserved and displays beautifully.Collector’s Note:Because this was a limited-run, luxury item produced for the high-end stereo market of 1980, these pressings were manufactured in very small numbers. They rarely surface in this condition. Whether you want to hear Dennis DeYoung’s synths on "Light Up" with newfound power, or experience the clarity of "Suite Madame Blue" without the usual inner-groove distortion, this record is a trophy for any serious classic rock collection.-----Buy with confidence—this is a true audiophile rarity. Feel free to reach out with any questions!