I'm hoping they don't sound as good as the mono pressings from the 60's. I have a few and I obviously wouldn't be very pleased if they depreciated in value.

Sell, Sell, Sell, before it's to late 

There is no guarantee they'll sound better and it's unlikely given the age of the master tapes but they should be much better than the awful stereo box set.

Then your in for a treat Wat. 

It arrived @10.30am just listened to RS and it sounded superb on beautiful flat noise free vinyl PPM next  

Graham.

"Oi'll give it foive!"

As someone who no longer has a TT, how does this new mono vinyl box set compare to the mono cd remasters from 2009? 

From the Mono Box. This is my first impressions after playing all the albums yesterday. The pressing quality of my sample was like the others so far: perfectly flat and perfectly quiet. I have only Stereo issues to compare this too the best of which is a 1976 Japanese issue however, the mono reissue

blows it out of the water. This pressing has the wow factor I have never heard Pepper sound like this. Within You Without You is just mesmerizing. The Sgt Pepper Reprise blows the roof off the place. I never noticed how incredible the drums sound on the verses of ADITL.. The whole album is a revelation and will be my go-to copy.

Graham

Stevee_S:  Sorry cannot help you regarding the 2009 CDs. However, reading around other forums the general feeling seem to be that this all AAA vinyl issue is better. Maybe someone on the forum can do a comparison review? 

I'm continuing to find these records mesmerizing. You can pick just about any track and hear stuff you haven't before. Trouble is if I start listing everything I notice it would get very boring.

But just a couple of highlights from today's listening. First up Revolution - again I'm gobsmacked at how much better the mono cut is from the stereo (apparently only mixed to stereo in 1971). And what a joy to really hear Nicky Hopkins outstanding piano in all its glory. Worth the entry ticket for that alone. Mustard.

And Hey Jude - the extra texture (thanks George) of the instruments is great but special notice goes to the backing singing. There's a splendid moment when John knocks his headphones off during the take and loudly says "f'ing hell". Brilliant that they kept it in. Its always been there of course, but you can clock it really clearly now.

If anyone isn't aware of it just concentrate on the backing vocal part and you will hear it somewhere after Paul's line 'the movement is on your shoulder' and before the 'na-na-nas' start.

Great fun.

Interestingly in the sleeve notes of my (stereo) CD version of Pepper George Martin recommends reordering the tracks in the order they should have been played in (I forget what it was) rather than the order they were configured in to fit on vinyl.

Side One was originally intended to be:

1. Sgt Pepper's LHCB

2. With a Little Help from My Friends

3. For the Benefit of Mr Kite

4. Fixing A Hole

5. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

6. Getting Better

7. She's Leaving Home

Side Two was unchanged.

The 2009 mono CDs are very good - better than the stereos, I think - but from what I've heard so far (PPM, Mono Masters, Rubber Soul, WTB) these mono LPs blow them out of the water. I have a fairly modest system and these albums sound better than I have ever heard them before.

I'd be very interested to hear Dr Steve's impressions...

Manufacturing defect - 1" band across the back and side on the outer sleeve for the box.

Pepper lp not perfectly flat and hole too tight. Didn't blow me away on first listen. Maybe not in the right mood.

HDN, WTB sound wonderful.

Help - You've GTHYLA sounds a bit ropey. 

finally I couldn't resist it, (ordered, cancelled, re-ordered, etc...);

arrived today; have started to listen to The White Album: Stunning

Played Rubber Soul today. I have an original version to compare to although not a first pressing. I have to say this re issue is superb. The main advantage being the absence of crackle and surface noise. I have checked all the records for warps and can report they are all flat. Top notch. Very happy.

Anyone else given up trying to put the clear plastic sleeves back on?

Keith

I can't wait to 'Get Back' and have a listen. 

Yes Keith, I have decided not to use them as if you catch a record sleeve with the adhesive from the plastic sleeve it could pull off the print and damage it. Therefore I will keep them at the back of the box in order to remain integrity! Have played the first five albums so far and pressings have been very good. SQ is variable as you would expect as were the originals.. very obvious is the difference between side one and two of A Hard Day's Night... this has always been the case. Unfortunately I only have stereo versions of the originals so cannot compare them.

They are a real pain, aren't they?

I'm putting mine in polythene outer sleeves. I'll keep the originals in the cardboard box. The stereo records were shrink wrapped, I think.

Keith 

The uniform enthusiasm for this set across the web's audiophiles must be unprecedented! I'm hoping to get my copy very soon, possibly even today. It was sent on Saturday but second class, I believe.

I was wondering whether anyone had tested the SQ effect with the mono button that is on some of the Naim preamps.

To answer my own question now I have the box, I have not been able to discern any difference, although I have only tried with the early recordings - sounds great both ways!

Cdb: I have tried both and there does not seem to be any night and day difference to my ears. This morning I played TWA and switched between the two, the mono button did seem to present the music a little more focused but as I said its not a big difference by any means.

Graham.