Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures

Bought mine from a local record store for €25ish in VG Condition. It sounds superb and really punchy! Probably the best sounding record currently in my collection!

Scored my copy on a market for 50 euro in pretty much descent condition. My variant is not listed so far, it has K on A-side and G with some additional marking on a flip side.

The slight nuances are an interesting comparison to the original UK press. Prior to switching my primary stylus to a Nagaoka MP-300, the subtleties were difficult for me (keyword: me) to notice. I’ve done A/B comparisons, and whichever I play first, I end up preferring. I’ve done 2 blind A/B comparisons that came out 50/50 preferentially. I’m partial to German pressings (all my keeper Cure albums I prefer on German pressings, Rush I prefer German / Scandinavian - to name a couple artists). The Nagaoka enhances the low end which is probably why the UK is splitting 50/50. If the reproduction were brighter, I’d prefer the German press. Overall, I’d grade the UK one maybe a 1/4 grade lower. Can’t go wrong with either in my opinion. German sounds cleaner and that might be why I like the UK sometimes - after all, I was first drawn to punk played in basements and mildewy underground rooms. US translucent brown pressings are solid, but not the same stratosphere - so much so I actually sold mine and settled for a reissued EU player copy.

Yep these first German JD pressings (Closer too) are phenomenal. The musician, studio and production subtleties are all crystal clear. Soundstage is huge. Everything is well balanced.

Project Debut III / OM10 / Mani / Musical Fidelity A3.5 / Dynaudio 1.3SE

Can only agree with all the positive comments. A/B comparison on two turntables simultaneously with a late 80s Italian repress makes it absolutely clear how much more bass, depth and punch this pressing has. 10/10

Yep, I agree with all previous comments on the sound quality of this pressing, by comparison my 2007 pressing sounds dull, lifeless and lacking in dynamics. This pressing is clear, detailed and punchy. 1S/1K matrices on mine.

For collectors and enthusiasts, this is the one to get. Everything sounds so small in comparison -- the space in the recording is insane. StaticWednesday points to the "clarity and attack of the band" -- accurate assessment. Amazing rendition of this recording.

I've got a VG+ copy with the variant 2 stamped runouts with no inlay, it has a mint glosy sleeve with the missprint in the spine, not the textured one wich led to think this was a counterfeit or bootleg. After reading some comments I've come to the conclusion that this is an original copy. It has a lot of surface noise caused by years of storage, but I'm happy I've got it.

"NOTHING compares to the sound of this vinyl". Right! I heard many versions of this LP over the years. None has the "clarity and attack of the band" as this one. The pure essence of JD. Sounds quite normal, a little dull, like being a guest in their studio.

Ok....so I have been a Joy Division fan since the 80s ... I have the remastered vinyl the cds etc. NOTHING compares to the sound of this vinyl. Maybe I'm wrong..but the clarity and attack of the band is so evident on this release. The new versions are a remaster disaster or the tapes have worn out. Just saying you can have this copy when I am DOA. Mine has the textured sleeve.