I just did a Google to see if my decrepit memory was correct. This pressing was known for defects. I’m surprised the history hasn’t been mentioned previously, other than a mention of this copy possibly being defective. There’s a history here:
Yes, reports from the initial runs of the Analogue Productions (AP)
45 RPM UHQRof Kind of Blue indicated that some copies had surface noise, pops, clicks, and minor warping. This led some consumers to exchange multiple copies before finding a satisfactory one.
Details on the Issues
- Pressing Imperfections: Despite the high-end "Clarity Vinyl" and quality control promises associated with the UHQR series, a portion of the first pressings suffered from noticeable surface noise and other physical defects.
- Customer Experience: Discussions on audiophile forums mention that some users went through as many as three copies to find one without significant defects. One user reported that even after a replacement, minor surface noise persisted.
- Manufacturer Response: Analogue Productions (Acoustic Sounds) generally offered replacements for defective discs, though some users mentioned the process required proof of the issue. Reports suggest that subsequent batches and the later 33 1/3 RPM version had fewer issues, indicating quality control improvements over time.
- Original Recording Anomaly: A separate, historical "defect" in the original Kind of Blue master tape—where the first three tracks were recorded a quarter-tone sharp due to a slow-running tape machine—was actually corrected in this UHQR edition, but this is a mastering choice, not a pressing defect.
The consensus among many audiophiles is that while a good copy of the AP UHQR offers a definitive listening experience with unparalleled sound quality, obtaining a flawless copy from the initial run could be a challenge due to these production issues.