The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds

After cleaning it and listening to it closely I don't find any distortion of any kind, even in the last tracks, perhaps the pressing could have been better because it is somewhat noisy in some passages, but everything sounds magnificent here.

My copy is pressed a bit off center, but it honestly doesn't sound bad. It's the original mono mix so it's obviously going to be a bit muddy, kinda adds to the charm of the album.

Not horrible, but a bit muddy overall. Great sound, plenty loud, but just a bit too muffled.

The stereo version of Pet Sounds always resembled a kind of "Columbus effect" (not the one related to the continental change of goods) to me when it comes to aural perception.
Let me explain what I mean: Brian Wilson is deaf on one ear, therefore he preferred mono, as a person being deaf on one ear cannot properly experience stereo. Moreover, he was going after a "wall of sound" feeling which was introduced by Phil Spector some years prior to Pet Sounds.
Hence, a lot of people claim that this album (as most other Beach Boys releases up top 1967/68) is best enjoyed in mono as it resembles the artist's intentions.
The "Columbus effect" describes an unintentional discovery while aiming for a completely different one. Just as Columbus originally wanted to find a sea route to India but discovered another continent instead. This also applies when hearing the two mixes of Pet Sounds.
The stereo version spreads the music out, gives the instruments room and clarity and adds an airy feeling. It works completely opposed to what was intended. It is an different perspective aurally.
Because of this, I can only encourage you not to be overly dogmatic and listen to both the stereo and the mono version yourself. As a listener you will discover an unintentional aspect of an album that the composer himself naturally misses out on (as explained above). And to some people (including me btw) the stereo version will be the overall better experience for these reasons. So listen for yourself!

This MFSL CD manages to deliver this aspect perfectly.

I bought a copy of this but mine was not flat and did not sound great. Took it back to the record shop and tried a couple of others but they were the same. Swapped for a black vinyl version which is much better.

What version do I have?

I can't find it on here. Mine sounds good and everything matches with this listing, except...

after the stamper T2 458-1 on each side it has on side 1 'AR' to the right and '1' on the left, and side 2 has 'RH' on the right and '1' on the left.

I can't find this version anywhere.

Can anyone help?

The final word on Mono Pet Sounds, and probably the first. The world didn't know the beautiful, and mellow, recording they had on their hands until this unplugged our ears.

pretty dynamic pressing for this amazing album, plenty of clairty and bass. interesting stereo mix with a few tracks being duophonic stereo.

Just don’t get this. There’s so many better mono pressings of this album you can find out there, some of them for much cheaper. My copy in particular was littered with pops and clicks. Sounds flat. Wait and grab the twofer with Carl and the passions from ‘72 or the AP release

great sounding pressing, nice colour and very affordable too! would recommend