The Police – Ghost In The Machine

This Italian pressing of Ghost in the Machine sounds absolutely incredible. If you ever come across a copy—grab it without hesitation. I did a direct comparison with the digital version on Qobuz using my Bluesound Node, and the difference is undeniable. Played on my Technics SL-1210GR with an Ortofon 2M Black cartridge, this vinyl just blows the digital version away. Everything sounds fuller, warmer, and more alive. It’s truly a different experience—highly recommended for any serious fan of The Police or analog sound lovers.

This record is powerfull and rich in dinámics and bass. The mid range are well manage and the upper is top notch. I don't find in my copy the 2 seconds miss intro in "Spirit in the material world" to mention. Great recording and press.

Agree with others here. The background whooshing sound at the start of each side and between songs is annoying. But that's a common issue with most picture discs. If you can tolerate that and the sporadic ticks and pops, this is actually a well-mastered and nice sounding LP (especially in light of the amount of music on each side). During the music the background surface noise is not really audible, just lightly over headphones. But the fades certainly suffer.

Unfortunately I Burn for You is a bit of an ear bleeder and the other outtakes do not sound nearly as good as the songs from the main album. It would certainly benefit from a proper release on standard vinyl as others have noted. While I enjoyed the sequencing here, I think the album as released is better. But nice to have a "director's cut" version..

My copy is flat, quiet, and super quiet. Next level mastering to vinyl; soundstage is holographic making it easy to pick out location of the instruments and vocals in the mix. Whatever "audiophile" means to any listener this pressing will satisfy most definitions. It is a shame Nautilus is no longer in operation...we could always use quality like this in modern pressings.

Pro-Ject X1B + Sumiko Wellfleet / Musical Fidelity M5si / Schiit Mani 2 / Dali Oberon 7's

I have a "Made in Poland" sticker on mine, but it looks like this version otherwise.

Any official way to acquire the files for this release? Or is it exclusive to streaming and the picture disc?

While I do not have other versions to compare with, this nautilus is certainly a superb pressing. The dynamics here are impressive, especially Copeland’s drums. “Spirits in the Material World” sounds so real you could very well forget it’s a record. Very underrated and a steal considering the price. It’s a no brainer if you’re a Police fan.

Regarding the Chrome tape release...
Chrome tape is the best version I have heard so far; the NORMAL cassette version sounds good but not this good. Translucent LPs sound great too but the imaging is way wider on tape, maybe it's about it being originally recorded on tape....that snapping snare sound! Stu rules!

A fantastic pressing imho! I had the Half Speed boxset but was dismayed by the noisy non filled vinyl within and the Ghost copy was one of the worst. Yet it sounded excellent when it wasnt noisy! So i flogged the box and am trying the individual non Half Speeds. Im pretty sure this one sounds all but the same as the Half Speed but without the noise. My copy here is flat, clean and quiet even out of the printed inner. I wish i could say the same about Zenyatta cut that was made in Poland.... crappy pressing quality and weird, dull mastering. But yeah, the mastering here is spot on to my ears/tastes.

Now to try some more of em' 🤞

My disc is apparently a new variation?
STERLING & EDP stamped
SF1 Side 2 is stamped

Side A
M2 SF1 SM19 SPO 3730A EUR2 STERLING TJ EDP
Side B
M1 SF1 SM20 SPO 3730B EUR2 STERLING TJ EDP