You have to turn the box upsidedown to remove the outer case. Ask me how I know.

Big day today; I'm waiting for UPS to arrive. I'm grateful to be forewarned about less than optimal packaging. Shaffer, if you have more commentary to add, please feel free to advise.

Michael, I'm of course very much looking forward to your review. When you get around to writing it up, could you also describe some of your methods? For example, besides the sources being compared (presumably UK issues, but possibly Japanese, German, etc?), do you tend to listen to whole sides, whole lps, or focus in on specific tracks when you compare. Thanks - and thanks for such a great web site!

I only picked up a couple of these being there digital remasters and not willing to jump right in on them. Not sure if I just got unlucky or if it's with all of them buy my copy of Abbey Road is filled with noise. So much to the point that it's just annoying and takes away from the music. After a couple listens it's not getting any better either. Used all the stuff, mofi cleaner, zerostat, gruv glide, even some dish soap nothing has helped. I also noticed the deadwax was filled with scratches fresh out the sleeve. I'm guessing they used URP for the pressing of these, just stinks of them all over it. Of course that's just my assumption. I have US versions, not sure if the Euro versions are better pressed, but I wouldn't get all too excited over at least the Abbey Road. Just a let down.

Yeah starting to think I got a defective copy. Sgt Peppers is like a whole other world of records compared to the Abbey Road I have. Nice and silent, no scratches. The soundstage seems to be a bit fuller also. Maybe that's just the mastering though? Be taking back this copy of Abbey Road in hopes that I just got a bad copy.

I followed Shaffer's advice about turning the box upside down, but think the orientation is not important. The slip case is EXTREMELY tight, and sort of vacuums on to the box set. I very gently pulled the cover, working it side to side, and it eventually came off.

HOWEVER, if you are doing it UPSIDE DOWN, the lid top will open up after the slip case comes off, SO USE CAUTION, or try it right side up. I would recommend right side up UNLESS you're getting no movement with the slip cover, then try upside down but slow down as you approach the last third of the box (where the lid will begin).

Of course, since I'm NEVER going to put the slip cover back over the box, I have to figure out a way to store it so it doesn't get creased. God I hate being a collector....

While we await Michael's review I thought folks might be interested in this piece if you haven't already seen it regarding the White Album.  

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/buying-beatles-white-album-0

So Micheal, do we know where the Euro box was pressed?

I picked up mine today straight from musicdirect. No issues on the cover on mine. The cover is tight but it slipped out rather easily. Just do it slowly......relax

Working from home gave me a chance to start spinning some of the albums. I honestly have never heard the Beatles sound so good. Well worth the wait! So far, I've listened to the following:

Rubber Soul (by the way, I think it's the George Martin remix here)
Revolver
Past Master (the second LP only)
Abbey Road

I'm about to audition the White Album. I have an old Italian pressing of it so am curious to do a comparison.

I had some concerns when I heard that the records were not being pressed at a tried and true plant such as Pallas, especially for 180g vinyl. I have to say, the pressing sounds fantastic. Whoever was in charge really put a lot of TLC behind this (and probaby double QA duty). Okay, now back (to the U.S.S.R) for some more listening!

Working from home gave me a chance to start spinning some of the albums. I honestly have never heard the Beatles sound so good. Well worth the wait! So far, I've listened to the following:

Rubber Soul (by the way, I think it's the George Martin remix here)
Revolver
Past Master (the second LP only)
Abbey Road

I'm about to audition the White Album. I have an old Italian pressing of it so am curious to do a comparison.

I had some concerns when I heard that the records were not being pressed at a tried and true plant such as Pallas, especially for 180g vinyl. I have to say, the pressing sounds fantastic. Whoever was in charge really put a lot of TLC behind this (and probaby double QA duty). Okay, now back (to the U.S.S.R) for some more listening!

Pre-orded from Amazon for $309.99 and now remember why I don't like ordering box sets from Amazon. They simply don't package well. It was placed in a box with no padding on the bottom and sides. Corners were bent and paper was worn off.

Now waiting for a replacement.

Can't wait for MF to render his verdict?

If you care to Google Beatles Vinyl Box Set you will see a hot link entitled Beatles Vinyl Box Set news (or close to it) about 1/4 down the screen.

There is one review by the Examiner which is OK, but the review by the Chicago Tribune had the most interesting wrinkles to me in what appears to have been at least a sincere attempt by the non audio press to provide some useful insight into the sound of the new releases.

Not definitive, but interesting.

I have listened to Past Masters backwards to half of The White Album. So far the pressings are very quiet and have good dynamics. Levels are right at unity gain according to my mixers meter levels. Wish they used the faster bit rate but I have the reissued CD set and the 24bit transfers used for the vinyl reissues shows the improvement in fidelity like night and day . i do not have any other pressings to compare these to. I am very happy overall.