NM- BEAUTIFUL Clash Sandinista LP CX AUDIOPHILE PRESS Self London

$

45

PLEASE NOTE: I WILL ONLY GRADE AN OPENED LP NEAR MINT (NM) IF I CAN GUARANTEE IT HAS NEVER BEEN PLAYED (i.e. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER).  OTHERWISE, NEAR MINT MINUS (NM-) IS THE ABSOLUTE HIGHEST GRADE I WILL ASSIGN AN OPENED LP.


MEGA RARE original CX-encoded noise reduction system audiophile pressing on Epic, presumably from 1981 (when the system was introduced) or 1982, with custom center labels featuring the CX logo unique to this sole pressing, different matrix numbers than stock copies underneath the side indicators to the right of the center holes with a CX prefix, RARE original instruction sheet insert with directions on how to use the CX system, transparent CX audio sticker in the bottom right hand corner on the rear cover and huge original Armagideon Times poster insert with complete lyrics, credits and cartoon drawings!!!  Not many people remember CX (derived from Compatible eXpansion) technology.  It was developed by CBS Laboratories to compete with Dolby and dbx in the late 70s.  The most likely reason it never caught on was that CX-encoded records required a special CX expander that had to be hooked up to a stereo in order to play them and very few people bought one.  Though it was unsuccessful with LPs, CX technology did see later success with Laser Discs (though we all know how that turned out).  While the instruction sheet insert makes the claim that CBS Records had produced hundreds of CX records, the truth is that only 70 were ever produced (approximately) up to 1983 and only in very small numbers.  Whoever cut the lacquers for this pressing must have had a hell of a time too, as evidenced by the corrections made to the matrix numbers in the dead wax.  Side 1 sees the mistake corrected entirely (photo 9), side 2 was partially corrected (photo 10) but by the time he got to side 6 he must have just said "Screw It" and left it the way it was (photo 11).  Release year is unclear as there doesn't seem to be an entry for this pressing anywhere in the massive, sprawling Discogs database whatsoever.  I have had well over 30 copies of this LP pass through my hands in my 40+ years of collecting and this is the only one I have ever seen.  I wasn't even aware these existed until I unearthed this one around 10 years ago from a large collection I purchased.  LPs are a beautiful near mint minus and cover VG/VG+ with a hint of corner wear and a small crease in the top right hand corner.  A massive rarity from punk's first wave by the only punk band that mattered.  Complete CX encoded copies of this LP with the original instruction sheet and Armagideon Times poster RARELY come up for sale, particularly in this condition, so don't sleep.


I USE GOLDMINE GRADING: MINT (SEALED)
NEAR MINT: LOOKS UNPLAYED VG++:  VERY VERY MINIMAL SIGNS OF USE
VG+:  AVERAGE SIGNS OF USE, NOTHING DEEP, SUPERFICIAL VG:  STILL AN OK RECORD, NOISE BETWEEN SONGS
GOOD: WORN BUT PLAYS FINE WITH DISTRACTING NOISE POOR:  FILLER COPY ONLY.  LOTS OF SCRATCHES