SS: Still Sealed
Label: Mercury Living Presence
Catalog Number: SR 90226 33/-45
Product Condition: NEW

This auction is for a STILL SEALED, NUMBERED (12 of 20), 2LP CLARITY Comparison Test Pressing Box Set.  This set consists of 2 single sided discs (Side A at 45rpm* and Side B at 33rpm), for optimal sound performance, of the Classic Records 200gram reissue of Stravinsky's "The Firebird" with Antal Dorati conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. This title was planned, but never released as a 200g set at 45rpm on clarity vinyl, thereby making this an ultra collectible set. 

These highly collectible test pressings are from the first stamper. Test pressings reflect the closest you can get to the lacquers and hence have a special collectible value and store of value.

Only a very small number of these unreleased sets exist and thus this is a special opportunity to hear your favorite title on Classic's 200g Super Vinyl Profile on Clarity Vinyl at 45 rpm - it doesn't get any better than this!

This set is packaged in a white special edition box and each test pressing comes in a white jacket. Original jacket is included as a bonus. Jacket in mint condition.

*45 rpm records have long been recognized as providing a higher fidelity musical experience resulting purely from the cartridge being able to extract more of the nuance from the complex vertical and horizontal groove modulations in stereo LP’s. Further, Classic Records 45 rpm “single sided” pressings dramatically reduce the mechanical resonances created by the cartridge during playback by allowing these resonances to be more fully transmitted to and absorbed by the turntable platter.  Classic Records Clarity Vinyl 45 rpm pressings are designed and manufactured to provide the “LOWEST DISTORTION” in every aspect of LP playback resulting in putting the listener as close to the music as possible.  With only 20 copies of this definitive reissue, don't hesitate before the price on the secondary market skyrockets!

ULTRA RARE item... Good luck!

Background on Classic 200g Super Vinyl Profile

In 2003, Classic Records launched its now famous Signature Blue Note Mono reissue series.

As part of that series Classic developed an "authentic" 200 gram LP profile that replicated that of an original Blue Note record from the 1950's.  Comparing a test pressing on the new profile versus the same title on the normal 180 gram pressing it was discovered that the 200 gram version sounded significantly better.  The 200 gram pressing sounded louder, with more definition and solidity of notes across all frequencies and there was more detail - particularly low level detail like room or hall sounds, pages being turned, musicians whispering and automobile sounds outside the studio all became easier to identify.  At first it was speculated inside Classic Records that the extra weight resulted in the better performance as no one could come up with a better answer given that the stampers were the same as well as the vinyl pellets used on both 180g and 200g pressings.  One day, Michael Hobson, the founder of Classic Records was discussing this unexplainable sonic discovery with the Legendary Mastering Engineer and Sheffield Records founder, Doug Sax when Doug, without hesitation stated "Ah Michael you've discovered the difference in a flat versus conventional profile". Puzzled, Hobson asked for an explanation which Sax described as going all the way back to 1950's mono pressings and what happened when stereo records came out in the early 1960's.  Sax explained that in the 1950's when mono records had no vertical modulation (only lateral), pressing PolyVinylChloride PVC (plastic) records were more easily pressed on "Flat Profile" dies fitted to the pressing machines since the grooves on the mono stampers were all the same height (no vertical modulation).  The molten vinyl was able to flow evenly across the stampers and fill properly during the molding (pressing) of the record.  The problems started when stereo record cutting came into vogue producing stampers that had variable height grooves sticking up across the diameter of each stamper.  Using the older mono pressing dies resulted in tremendous problems getting the areas between grooves of different heights to fill properly - a groove that is in front of another taller one often got passed over by the flowing molten vinyl resulting in "non-fill" which was audible and thus a "defective" record.  Pressing plants don't like to press defective records and are always looking for high pressing yields or a s few rejects as possible.
To solve the problem, the engineers developed a new pressing die profile which tapers from the center of the die, flattens in the middle of the diameter and then tapers again toward the outside of the die. The new profile was "concave" rather than flat.  When you put a flat stampers onto the concave dies the stampers distort and are no longer flat - the grooves are no longer perpendicular across the stamper and by association across a finished vinyl pressing.  This new die profile created "back pressure" on the flowing vinyl and solved the "non-fill" problem with stereo pressings and resulted in higher yields which was great for pressing plants and good for record companies who wanted good prices on pressings.  The problem was and still is that the new profile records don't sound as good as they could because they are not flat across their profile.  Using a micrometer across the diameter of a 1950's mono records reveals that the thickness is virtually the same across the record's diameter from center label to outer edge but not so for a newer stereo profile pressing which is convex across its diameter resulting from the concave profile dies / distorted stampers.  This is the dirty little secret that Classic had rediscovered was known to old school experts like Doug Sax who founded Sheffield Labs in the 1970's.  After the discovery, Classic Records never looked back and all of its releases and re-pressings after 2003 were on the new 200 gram Flat Profile dies that were specially made for Classic.  Some years later Classic discovered that the very same profile was used by JVC in Japan to produce the legendary UHQR pressings for Mobile Fidelity which are well known to sound better than the conventional Mobile Fidelity pressings of the same titles - it all makes sense now.  The long and the short of this is that Classic 200g Super Vinyl Profile (Flat Profile) pressings are as good as it gets for proper playback without groove distortion from non-flat pressings - Period.

Background on Clarity Vinyl Pressings
In 2008, Classic discovered that de-magnitizing black vinyl records leads to better sound in playback.  The engineers at Furutech in Japan, makers of a commercial record demag machine, explained that the carbon black that was added to PVC record pellets contained trace metal that became randomly magnetized and while spinning below an electro-mechanical transducer (phono cartridge) caused electrical distortion inside a cartridge during LP playback.  Hence, demagnetizing a black vinyl record dramatically reduces the electrical distortion and leads to more "Clarity" in playback.  Michael Hobson, founder of Classic Records reasoned that if the carbon black were removed then the result should be more Clarity in playback.  Working closely with the PVC manufacturer Kenan, Classic developed its own proprietary "Clarity Vinyl" devoid of the problems with trace magnetic particles contained in black vinyl formulas.  A Clarity vinyl pressing on a flat profile die is the absolute ultimate pressing possible and even a step above the JVC UHQR black vinyl pressings.  Not to be missed - you can hear the difference!

------------
Thank you for visiting our eBay shop!
Make sure you subscribe to our eBay store themusic24 to get updates on our NEW listings each week.

Refund Policy
Stock photos are used for all Clarity 45rpm Test Pressing Box Sets up for auction. No returns or exchanges on all items. Items are sold "as is" and cannot be guaranteed against defects of any kind once opened. If an item is not as described, an exchange can be granted for the correct item. We are not responsible for buyer's remorse. Once you have placed your bid, you must complete the transaction per eBay's policy. Please pose any pertinent questions regarding your item of interest prior to placing your bid.

We strive to describe our items with the highest level of accuracy. If any issues arise, we will be happy to work with you to insure customer satisfaction. Please contact us first to try to seek a resolution before escalating the matter.

When available, jackets are provided gratas and as such are not described as part of the listing/auction. Jackets are included in "as is" condition. No exchanges or returns on complimentary jackets.

Packaging
We use thick cardboard boxes specially designed for LPs and bubble wrap all around to ensure records are well protected during shipping.  We are not responsible for any damages that occur during shipping. 

Payments & Shipping
State tax will be charged to California residents. These costs will be included in your final invoice for payment.

Payment must be completed within 7 days of purchase or auction win. Items will ship within 2-3 business days of receiving cleared payment.

We ship worldwide.

Shipping costs will be calculated after the winning bid is submitted to ensure that costs are accurate depending upon resident's address, the item's weight and type of shipping service.

Combined shipping is available.
Multiple purchases can be consolidated into one shipment. Items must be paid together in a single transaction for the combined rate to apply. Please request an invoice at the end of the auction, so that we may provide you with the discounted shipping rate.

Shipping Services

-Domestic Flat Rate: Applies to 1-2 LPs only (<2 lbs). Please add $2 for each additional LP. This rate does not apply to special items such as box sets containing 2LPs or more. Please wait for us to send you an invoice for accurate shipping costs after auction ends.
USPS Media Mail - $4.00 (2-9 business days/ Includes Delivery Confirmation)
UPS Ground - $12.00 (1-5 business days/ Includes Tracking Number)

-International: Please refer to the shipping calculator for approximate international shipping rates.
USPS Priority Mail (6-10 business days/ Includes Tracking Number + Insurance)
USPS Express Mail (3-5 business days/ Includes Tracking Number + Insurance)

DHL Worldwide Express Mail (1-2 business days/ Includes Tracking Number + Insurance) >> We recommend this service. It's quick, reliable and often less expensive than USPS Priority Mail. Please request an invoice from us to provide you with this service.

Note for International Buyers
For customs purposes, all items will be declared at closing auction price. Duties and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer. We do not reduce the value on customs forms as it is against eBay policy and is considered customs fraud. Custom delays could be expected on high priced items.
 
Customer Service
We appreciate our customers. If you have questions regarding any of our items, please feel free to contact us. Questions are generally answered within 2 business days. We are closed on major holidays and weekends.

We strive to describe our items with the highest level of accuracy. If any issues arise, we will be happy to work with you to insure customer satisfaction. Please contact us first to try to seek a resolution before escalating the matter.

We appreciate 5 star feedback and will do our best to work with you to earn it. Those who leave positive feedback will receive it in return.

Happy shopping!