The Beatles : Revolver 2/2 2nd Press 1964 (Dr. Robert)

This second pressing issued very soon after the 'withdrawn' 2/1 press is absolutely stunning!  In all my years I do not think I have heard this classic album play with such immaculate precision and clarity.  There is barely any interference and for once there is no distortion on the top end.  I cannot emphasise enough just how impressive the sonic quality is.  There are of course many reasons for this but a major factor must be just how infrequently it has been played resulting in the stunning sonic quality we have on offer here.  There is very little spindle wear and the vinyl is also beautifully clean with only a small number of faint hairlines, it would be difficult to find cleaner!  It has been preserved so well and that also applies to the cover which is also in superb condition with only very minimal shelf wear.   

Arguably you could call this a first 'official' pressing was of course soon withdrawn as stated due to well publicised reasons.  I guess it is better to be safe and call it a second press though!  It still has the incorrect spelling of Doctor Robert as Dr. Robert on both the label and the cover.

PMC 7009 // XEX 605 - 2 / XEX 606 - 2 // GOA 4 / GGR 5

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T2 & T7 Near Mint)

The cover is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

The Emitex inner is Ex+
Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition and retains a superb jet-black glossy sheen that you rarely see.  Both sides are so 'clean' with only a small number of very faint hairlines and there are no scratches.  S2 does have one very small 'mark' that may have been caused by a needle drop but this is without doubt one of the cleanest 2/2 pressings I have seen in years with no groove wear and no radial lines at all.  The labels are in superb condition with only very minimal spindle wear and the KT tax code can clearly be seen on the S1 label.

Play grading  

'Taxman' plays with stunning clarity and power throughout - from the countdown intro to the fade out.  This track often has some distortion I find but this is one of the 'cleanest' version I have heard in years.  The sonic quality is incredible and there is just no intrusion on the audio whatsoever.  Harrison's brief solos are a prime example of the clarity and have no jarring distortion.  This truly is an exceptional version and Mint is an easy grade to give.  What a start!

With complete silence in the dead wax the classic 'Eleanor Rigby' proceeds to play with sublime quality.  There is just one light click in the middle section but aside from that you can hardly fault the clarity.  There are just a handful of barely audible dust ticks and the playback is so incredibly 'clean' where each note is so precise i.e. there is no underlying static getting in the way of the audio experience.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and Near Mint- is still deserved in my opinion.

'I'm Only Sleeping' is absolutely superb!  There are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and the clarity is breathtaking!  To think this record is nearly 55 years old!  There is a real sense of depth to this song, helped very much by a strong deep bass sound and is Mint from start to finish.

I have no wish to be repetitive but the tabla intro on 'Love You To' is absolutely STUNNING!  The audio is 'crystal clear' and I am delighted to say it continues in the same precise way.  No word of a lie there are things here that I have never heard before and that is not a selling technique.  It just plays with a clarity that is quite simply off the scale and I can categorically say I have never heard a better version.  Mint all day long!

'Here, There And Everywhere' plays beautifully with no intrusion on the audio.  There are only a handful of very light dust ticks which you find on vinyl pressed yesterday let alone one back in '66!  I am sure many would say the playback is perfect but I will grade as Mint- just to err on the side of caution :-)

The iconic 'Yellow Submarine' has a clarity and depth that could not be any stronger and 'as new' is a correct description.  Even the fade out plays perfectly.  You know the grade by now...

'She Said She Said' ends the side with wonderful audio but I guess that's no surprise.  This mono record is being played through a stereo system and yet none of the original sonic quality has been lost because of it.  The playback is remarkably clean and if there is any inner groove distortion it is so minimal as to be totally non-intrusive.  A Mint- version for sure - and that may just well be the finest S1 of this classic LP that I have ever had the pleasure in listening to :-)

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The intro on 'Good Day Sunshine' is faultless and it continues to play with a S1 like quality!  There are no clicks or pops etc and again it's the clarity of the audio that really stands out.  Mint

The powerful intro on 'And Your Bird Can Sing' plays perfectly and from that point on plays with phenomenal clarity and depth.  Honestly I am running out of superlatives for the sonic quality on offer here!  Having thought about it a little more it's the clarity on the vocal that is a real highlight.  I often find the first/early mono pressings have some static distortion on the vocal but that is certainly not the case here.  The guitar sections also play with incredible precision and with no distortion at all.  There are four ticks on the final section (I don't think you can call them clicks really) and that is the only 'background' during the entire track.  I will grade as Near Mint but the vast majority is better than that!

'For No One' is immaculate from beginning to end which is rather impressive for a relatively quiet track.  There is no intrusion on the audio and Mint is again deserved.

'Dr. Robert' is of the same 'high end' standard and this is another 'higher octane' track that plays with stunning precision even when turned up loud!  There is no loss in audio quality in doing so and Mint and once again I do not think I have heard a stronger version.

The build up intro on 'I Want To Tell You' is 'as new' and continues to play with imperious quality.  No interference, just pure Mint audio in all its glory!

'Got To Get You Into My Life' is awesome!  Hate using that word but it's an adequate description!  As you get closer to the end of the side you might some inner groove distortion but not here!  The playback is so strong and wow what a version this is!  A couple of barely audible static ticks and a very minimal touch of static on the top end near the end but no intrusion basically.  Even Mint- might be doing it an injustice!

'Tomorrow Never Knows' has just one quiet dull click on the intro and then plays with outstanding power and definition.  Once more there is no distortion and the precision of the audio is just incredible!  A STUNNING version to end this classic album and the fade out again exemplifies just how good the clarity is here.  This would be Mint but for that one minor aberration at the start but Near Mint is certainly a true reflection of the audio.

In summary this first 'official' pressing is of a standard that you so rarely find today.  Clarity of sound is the key to any record and I cannot stress just how clean and impressive the audio is here.  As any audiophile knows you can have an album with no clicks or pops but the clarity can still be somewhat 'muddy'.  The sonic quality here is absolutely stunning and I honestly cannot remember when I last heard this album playing with such immaculate precision, depth and warmth.  Perhaps never!  Of course this all points to a record that has only been lightly played down the years and that is clear from the visual quality of the record also.  Yes there are a couple of minor clicks but aside from that you cannot fault the audio definition here.  What a find!

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The G & L Patents pending cover is superb condition with hardly any shelf wear.  The edges have no rubbing and the spine is near perfect with only a couple of small faint marks at the top.  All of the corners are very 'clean' with very little wear and the opening edge is also in excellent order with only minimal handling wear.  The laminated front cover has no marking, just a couple of minor creases that are difficult to find (!) and one small crease top left which I only just noticed as it is so faint.  The back cover is very impressive with marking and the flipbacks remain firmly attached to the cover.  For once they have very little of the edge staining that you regularly see.  A stunning example overall.

The original poly-lined Emitex inner has no side splits or tears and only faint age related fading around a couple of edges and a little creasing.

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

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

PMC 7009 // XEX 605 - 2 / XEX 606 - 2 // GOA 4 / GGR 5

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

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

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