(Hard Rock) [LP][24/192] Led Zeppelin – IV (ZoSo) (Rare UK 1st Stamper) - 1971, FLAC (tracks), lossless

Analog/Digital Equipment & Process

• Vinyl Cleaning
- Loricarft PRC4 Pro Record Cleaner
- Mint LP Cleaning Solution (cleaned twice)
- Fisher Scientific Deionized Ultra Filtered Water (rinsed twice)
• Turntable Setup
- Basis 2800 Signature with Vacuum Hold-Down
- Basis Calibrator Base with Cable Isolation System
- Basis Synchro-Wave Power Supply
- Basis Vector Model 4 Tonearm
- Dynavector DRT XV-1s cartridge
Note: Basis Turntable Setup is exactly the same as reviewed by Robert Harley.
http://www.basisaudio.com/docs/TAS_2800_review.pdf
• Phono Stage
- Dynavector P-75 mk1
- Audiomagnus Battery Power Supply
• Analog/Digital Convertion
- Tascam DV-RA1000HD
• Associated Equipment
- Stillpoints ESS equipment rack
- Star Sound Sistrum Stand
- Star Sound brass audio points
- Audio Magic Oracle power conditioner
- Basis RCA Cables (turntable to phono stage)
- Jena Labs RCA Symphony interconnects (phono stage to Tascam)
- Virtual Dynamics Genesis 1.0 power cables
• Post Processing
- Sony Sound Forge Pro 10 and Audacity 1.3 used for splitting tracks, dampening silent
transition, testing for clipping and manual removal of significant clicks/anomalies.

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Ripping Philosophy
There seems to be two general approaches for vinyl to digital transfers . . . to make the results sound like the commercially available digital, or to make the results sound like you are listening to direct vinyl playback. My preference is the later. You will hear the needle on the record with this rip. This is essential to retain all of the vinyl’s original transients, decay and sparkle. Since noise reduction was not applied, some minor background light noise will be heard.

Led Zeppelin IV (ZoSo) is the outstanding offering from the only band that the legendary Bill Graham would not deal with. A series of “issues” culminated with one major incident by the group.

This particular pressing is the rarest ZoSo. First British 1971 plum/red pressing, first stamper (A/3, B/3 - Porky/Pecko) and one of the first A/3, B/3 pressed. How can this be determined? As usually is the case, by early labeling changes.

The label also omitted the 'Superhype' publishing credit.

How rare is this pressing? Read the link below:

http://www.popsike.com/LED-ZEPPELIN-Led-Zeppelin-IV-1971-EARLIEST-1st-Press/330311590312.html

As you may know, the releases for the USA market were mastered differently than the British version. The British pressing is the original sound.

Caveat Emptor: This pressing is scintillating, but there are some issues. Along with all of the glorious sound comes age. Light ticks have been removed, but no noise reduction has been applied. The Dynavector DRT XV-1s cartridge reveals everything and brutally hides nothing. You will hear it work inside the grooves.