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Depeche Mode : Songs Of Faith And Devotion A1 / B1 1st Press 1993

This genuine first press plays with exceptional quality and I do mean exceptional!  The clarity, definition and power of the audio is on a level that you just so rarely find today and this is easily a FINAL UPGRADE pressing in my opinion.  There is basically no interference, barely any static, and the sonic quality is just phenomenal!  As detailed below you would not be disappointed if you had just purchased this from a record store 'as new'.  I cannot rate it highly enough!  It has to be the finest example I have ever had the pleasure in listening to!  The definitive version...

The cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear and the lyric inner is very near perfect.  A STUNNING album that will not disappoint!

STUMM 106 A1 DMM / STUMM 106 B1 TOWNHOUSE DMM DMM

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

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

The cover is Ex+

The lyric inner is Near Mint-

The labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in great condition and still retains a lovely glossy sheen with no obvious marks or scratches.  There is one small faint scuff on S1 and some faint sleeve removal hairlines that you always find but this has no affect on the stunning quality of the audio.  The labels have no marking/writing and I cannot detect any spindle wear.

Play grading

'I Feel You' plays exceptional quality from the very first note and what you really notice is the sheer depth and power of the audio that has lost none of its original sonic quality.  The playback is so strong and there is no interference at all.  Even the fade out plays to perfection.  Definitely a Mint start to the album.  A STUNNING version!

The intro on 'Walking In My Shoes' is nigh on perfect with only a couple of very quiet static ticks right at the start.  Gahan's opening vocal is faultless and continues in this same precise way through every verse and chorus.  I cannot emphasise enough just how unbelievably strong and clear the audio is - there is a darker edge to this album and that tone is even more evident on a vinyl as 'clean' as this.  The fade out has a small number of barely audible ticks at the end but in all honesty I still think it deserves a Mint grade.

The sonic quality throughout 'Condemnation' is just as impressive and there is no interference.  The clarity and definition of the audio is incredible and Mint is again the right call.

'Mercy In You' has a couple of minor static ticks on the intro and then plays as well as the preceding tracks.  Again the audio is so strong and deep, so dark!  This album was well received at the time and Gahan's voice is particularly strong on every track but especially here.  A stunning Mint- track.

The uilleann pipes intro on 'Judas' plays beautifully with no intrusion as such, just a small number of barely audible dust ticks.  This scarcely deserves a mention but I am just 100% honest in my grading as my regulars know and will state any 'background' however minor.  Gore's opening vocal also plays with sublime clarity with just 3/4 dust ticks and it continues to play like it has never been played before!  Again I just cannot believe what I am hearing!  The powerful end section is 'as new' and right through to the final note it plays to perfection.  Another sublime Mint version.

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The quiet intro on 'In Your Room' plays with amazing clarity with just 3/4 very quiet static ticks - again they hardly require a mention - and then the opening vocal section is 'as new'.  As the percussion comes in the playback is just as clear and it continues to play with zero interference to the very end.  No faults to report this is Mint in every sense of the word.

'Get Right With Me' has a small number of minor static ticks on the intro but again the clarity can hardly be faulted.  The first vocal has no 'background' and proceeds in much the same way.  There is a little light static on the final instrumental section so I will say Near Mint overall but this is certainly a case of the vast majority playing even better than that.

'Rush' plays with outstanding power and depth from start to finish with no interference.  The quiet mid section has not one dust tick let alone anything more.  Simple to grade.  Mint

The strings intro on 'One Caress' play with stunning accuracy and Gore's first vocal is also perfect.  It continues to play with impeccable quality and once again I cannot find a single negative.  A couple of light ticks that is all but no interference and Mint- is again deserved.  Running out of suitable adjectives now!

The final track 'Higher Love' ends the album with suitably impressive audio.  A handful of dust ticks on the intro and from that point on sheer perfect clarity.  Once again the sonic quality confirms this record has hardly ever been played before and I cannot stress enough just how strong and clear the audio is.  This truly is audio of the highest calibre and I have no hesitation in grading this final track as Mint- although I am not convinced the minus is required!  A stunning finish!

In summary this first pressing plays with STUNNING quality - in essence there is no interference and truth be told I have never heard a more IMMACULATE version than this.  The clarity, depth, power and warmth of the audio is comparable to a 'shop fresh' pressing purchased in 1993 that is a measure of just how good the playback is.  This is a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic in my opinion, you just could not improve upon this audio.  Wow!

The Cover & Lyric Inner

The cover is in excellent condition with only minor wear.  The edges have only minimal rubbing and the spine has just a little more but still remains 100% legible.  The corners are very clean with again just minimal wear and the opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The front cover is near perfect with only some faint scratch lines in the centre that you can only see when you hold it at a certain angle.  The back cover is in superb order with no marking.  A very impressive example overall.

The lyric inner is in fantastic shape with just one very small faint corner crease and just a hint of ringwear.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

STUMM 106 A1 DMM / STUMM 106 B1 TOWNHOUSE DMM DMM

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.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!