Let It Be 3U/2U (2nd Pressing)

This very early second pressing plays with stunning, immaculate audio the quality of which I have never heard before.  The cover has the rare red Apple logo on the back cover and this is of particular interest as it is generally believed only the 2U/2U first pressings had covers with this on.  This is a relatively early second pressing judging by the matrix numbers so perhaps some were issued with the second pressing.  The album was released in May 1970 with the second pressing available from Nov 1970 to early 1971 so it perhaps likely some 'red Apple' covers could have 'slipped through' the first batch.  The previous owner did tell me that it had definitely never been mixed and matched.

Second stereo pressing on Apple Records.  'An EMI Recording' text on the labels and the red Apple logo on the back cover.

Apple Records PCS 7096

YEX 773-3U / YEX 774-2U // GGR 2 3 / GAT 4

The audio on S1 is Mint- 

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The cover is Ex

The inner is Ex

The labels are Mint

  This is a vinyl that has only been lightly played.  There is hardly any spindle wear on S1 and only a little more on S2 and to say it is visually immaculate, pristine etc is an understatement!  It is 100% absolutely stunning and has a superb jet black mirror like surface.  There is only one tiny blemish (couple of minor hairline marks) on S1 but apart from that it has a beautiful glossy sheen the likes of which are rarely seen today.  Quite honestly it looks 'as new' I cannot put into words just how good it looks!  The run out grooves are also in lovely condition with no marking.

Play grading

'Two Of Us' plays with stunning precision and clarity.  The depth of the sound is incredible and you just would not believe this was pressed in late 1970.  There is no interference apart from a couple of dust ticks on the intro and the fade out is nigh on perfect.  There is then complete silence in the dead wax prior to 'Dig A Pony' starting which then plays with immaculate audio and aside from one faint 'tick' it plays with Mint audio throughout.  'Across The Universe' plays in similar fashion with only one mega light 'tick' on the extended fade out that I don't think can be classified as interference.  Thus far there is no intrusive 'background' of any kind, no loud clicks, pops, static or crackle.  This really is audio of the highest standard.  Many would say 'I Me Mine' here plays with perfection but I think my strict 'grading ears' detected a hint of distortion on the top level here and there but again if it is there it is in no way intrusive.  It still plays with wonderful clarity and remains an exceptional listen.  The fade out again plays as Mint and 'Dig It' then has no 'background' whatsoever again.  The intro on 'Let It Be' is just sublime.  The clarity is quite simply stunning.  I can confidently say I have never heard such a 'clean' intro on such an early pressing.  The remainder does not disappoint, I cannot stress enough just how good it sounds!  A minimal amount of distortion on the ending perhaps but nothing to detract from what is impeccable audio from start to finish.  'Maggie Mae' ends the side with superb audio once more with only a minor amount of distortion which is most probably due to being the final track where the grooves are pressed closer together in order to fit it onto the side.

With barely any lead in static 'I've Got A Feeling' begins S2 in stunning style and there is no interference or distortion at all.  Again the depth and richness of the sound is breathtaking.  Without wishing to appear repetitive 'One After 909' has audio of exactly the same caliber.  Is this really a 3U/2U pressing?!  What follows is a fantastic version of 'The Long And Winding Road'.  The intro is practically 'as new' and this quality prevails throughout the rest of this classic.  A very small number of the lightest dust ticks imaginable but this really is a spellbinding version of this track.  The strings play so clearly and the separation of the music is 'high end' in the extreme.  Wow!  'For You Blue' continues this fine quality with incredible clarity once more.  There is a miniscule amount of static but it really is so quiet and in the background as to be negligible.  I'm not even sure why I'm mentioning it as the sound is still of an amazing standard for a vinyl of this age.  'Get Back' ends this classic album unsurprisingly with dynamic audio and no interference.  It plays loud and true with no distortion.  A stunning end to this very early pressing that impresses on every level.

In summary this is without question the 'cleanest' second pressing I have ever heard.  To play with such distinction and definition is a rarity and to reiterate there is no intrusive interference of any kind.  Not one single loud click or pop.  Not bad for a vinyl approaching 50!  And of course what adds to the rarity is that it comes complete with an original cover with the red Apple logo.  With more or less complete silence in the dead wax between every track this is a final upgrade archive copy of that I have no doubt.

Cover

The laminated G & L cover has minor shelf wear only and as can be seen has the red Apple logo on the reverse.  The edges have hardly any rubbing although a small area on the top edge looks slightly raised as if the record has pushed against it.  There is no however, not even the beginnings of one.  The thin pinched spine is in great condition with only a little wear on the corners as do the two right hand corners of the opening edge.  The latter has barely handling wear.  The laminate has been preserved very well and has only a small number of faint creases.  There are also a few faint creases either side of the spine.  Overall this is a fine example of this rare cover.

Inner sleeve

The die-cut plain white inner (Patent number and Made in Great Britain) is in excellent condition with no splits just some light creasing and a handful of small very faint marks.

The labels

The Apple labels are beautifully clean with no marking or writing and very little spindle wear.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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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