LSC-2418 ELGAR Enigma - BRAHMS/HAYDN Variations - Pierre Monteux 200g LP SEALED  

"The Variation form lends itself to glorious arrays of orchestral color, and the two masterpieces recorded here are no exceptions. The performances are famous for both the flawless executions of the orchestra and Pierre Monteux’s interpretations. Recorded when Monteux was in his mid-eighties, both works shine under his guidance, a quality he instilled into so many scores during the Indian summer of his musical life. The octogenarian certainly had clarity of thought and absolute control over his forces. On LSC 2418, the LSO is at the height of its power. They play both works with great precision and verve, portraying solo passages with distinction and character." Andrew Kershaw

 

This title was mastered directly from the two track analog master tapes that were on the machine at the recording at the famed Kingsway Hall in London where many of the greatest Decca recordings were made.  Tony Hawkins, the legendary Decca "Transcription Engineer" flew over at Classic Records expense in the Fall of 1995 with the tapes for the mastering sessions at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood.  Hawkins would oversee many of the Decca/RCA mastering sessions over the early years of Classic Records.  Pressed on Classic's 200g Super Vinyl "Flat" Profile allows every nuance to be extracted from the properly place grooves across the entirety of the LP.  

VERY LAST COPY!

* 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.

Check out our Ebay store for more high quality reissue Classical Music LPs from CLASSIC RECORDS!

----------------------

 

 

 

Refund Policy

Photos are of actual item up for auction. Buy it now items are sealed new old stock that are sold ‘AS IS’.   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. 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.

 

 

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: 

Please add $2 for each additional LP. This rate does not apply to special items such as box sets containing 2LPs or more. 

USPS Media Mail - $4.00 (2-9 business days/ Includes Delivery Confirmation)

UPS Ground - $14.00 (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.