The run in grooves have almost no static so you're thinking (and hoping!) that the quiet intro to 'Shine On...' is going to play with high end quality.  It does not disappoint!  The audio is sublime and plays with a wonderful richness that is so rarely found on these first pressings.  I played it loud and all I could hear was a very small amount of barely audible static in a handful of places.  The static is so quiet as to be negligible in my opinion and I only mention it to complete in my grading.  There is no crackle, clicks or pops and for an A1/B3 first pressing the audio is so impressive.  The long intro plays so cleanly it is hard to believe the vinyl is 42 years old.  The quality continues when the vocal begins and is without doubt one of the best first pressings I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  There is a little gentle static/hiss on the 'Welcome To The Machine' intro but I am perhaps being too critical.  It is very quiet and again there are no clicks or pops and the audio still plays with wonderful clarity and warmth.  Once the vocal starts the audio is Near Mint such is the incredible depth and sonic quality of the music.  The quiet ending also plays with stunning quality and almost no 'background'.  I am confident in grading this side as Near Mint as the audio is of a superlative standard.  There may be a hint of static but it is very much in the background and does not intrude on what is a high end superb listen.

There is no lead in static prior to 'Have a Cigar' plays and it then plays with impeccable clarity and depth and to my ears this can be graded as Mint without question.  I rarely grade as Mint on unsealed albums but the quality here is just so good it deserves that accolade.  The lead in to 'Wish You Were Here' also plays with stunning quality although shock horror (!) I did hear a handful of very light dust ticks.  However, this is one of the quietest sections of the LP so you expect a little 'background' and let's be honest you can hear dust ticks on a new vinyI let alone one that is 42 years old!  Just before the vocal there is a little light static but thereafter the audio is just superb.  There is no 'background' at all and it does play as new.  I get goose bumps when I hear audio as good as this on a first pressing and I am running out of superlatives for the fantastic audio on offer here.  This is definitely one of the best versions of this classic track I have heard on any pressing and this is an A1/B3 press!  You just don't get this warmth and richness of sound on the recent reissues.  The 'swirling wind' section prior to 'Shine On... (Part Two)' plays with amazing clarity again and soon after I did hear one faint click but that is the only one on the entire album and with repeated plays may well disappear anyway.  The guitar solo in the middle section is just mind-blowing, you could not hear better.  The quality does not diminish and the remainder of this epic track continues with near perfection.  The quiet ending plays almost perfectly with only the lightest of dust ticks and is a supreme finish to an absolutely stunning A1/B3 first press.

In summary I am sure many sellers would grade this vinyl as Mint but I am 100% honest as my feedback confirms.  I sold an A1/B3 pressing last month which also had immaculate audio but I believe this one is even better!  This is a final upgrade archive first pressing without doubt.  This audio quality is rarely found on A1/B3 pressings today so I am certain this will garner a lot of interest.

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