The Alan Parsons Project – Pyramid

Absolutely stunning release containing Miles Showell’s stereo remaster and Alan’s own surround remix in Dolby Atmos and 5.1.

Fantastic pressing, ultra quiet background and excellent dynamic remaster!
Absolutely kills my respectable Japanese pressing, well worth adding to your collection.

As a longtime collector of Pyramid, I was excited to receive this 45 RPM special edition. Having owned multiple pressings, from '70s originals to recent reissues, I had high hopes. While the pressing is exceptional, the mastering leaves much to be desired.

The Pressing: Absolutely Top-Tier. Pressed by Optimal Media, this 180g vinyl is flawless, perfectly flat, dead silent, and free of any surface noise. The build quality is as good as it gets.

The Mastering: Lacks Energy and Depth. Here’s where things get disappointing. The sound isn’t bad, but it’s surprisingly lifeless for a 45 RPM release. Compared to earlier versions, this one feels too restrained:

✔ Mids are recessed, losing warmth and clarity.
✔ Lacks dynamics, missing the punch and excitement expected at 45 RPM.
✔ Older pressings -yes, even standard '70s versions- sound richer and more engaging.

If you're after a pristine pressing, this delivers. But if you’re looking for the ultimate sonic experience, this isn’t it. A missed opportunity for what could have been the definitive version.

⭐⭐⭐ 3/5 – Great pressing, underwhelming sound.

Absolutely perfect pressing
Vinyl is also rigid and flat in a high quality inner sleeve
No clicks no pops. Sounds like a digital file : clinical and no particular emotion, from a musical standpoint I prefer Eye in the Sky

This version by far sounds the best. I've compared US, UK, Swedish and this German pressed version easily wins. Very dynamic. The UK isn't bad at all and does come with a gatefold jacket, the Swedish is nice but too polite and the US is dull and uninvolving. I'll take the German press any day of the week.

Yip - this is the best pressing you’ll get. It’s got more punch and clarity than any UK or Japanese original (which I have). There’s tons of base and a full soundstage. MOV are probably the most under-rated vinyl pressing firms around. I have so many unexpectedly good pressings from these guys.

Cost me A$50 and it’s as good as any MFSL version of other albums (excl the 2x 45rpm which are in another league).

Buy it and be happy.

Agree with others, MOV did great on this one. I bought a signed copy at his concert in Reno, NV.

A remarkable sound, an audiophile experience from start to finish.

I can't speak for all of the digital discs because I haven't played them yet. I bought this set for the double 45 vinyl. I know that is a ridiculously amount of coin to spend on one album but the audio quality of the lps are fantastic. Some say they can't tell the difference between 45 and 33 1/3 but my ears can. And if buying this set is the only way to acquire it then I'm in. I've got the Tales, Eye In The Sky and Ammonia Avenue box sets too and have been very happy with those also. Besides all the discs you do get a beautiful hardcover book with lots of interesting facts and photos along with a full size poster. The Alan Parsons Project has been a #1 band for me since at least the mid eighties, have seen them live going on 5 times now and that's why I don't hesitate buying these glorified box sets.

I wonder what is done with a half speed process by Miles Showell in the Abbey Road Studios so that it doesn't sound better than a 46 year old Japanese pressing? Not to mention the German pressing. I keep saying it: Alan Parsons Project records don't need to be remastered. The gain is marginal, if anything. But in of transparency, dynamics, stage and everything else you can name, the half speed can't compete. If it were the other way around, I would be delighted. But that's not the case. (Verified purchase)