Yes – Close To The Edge

Pre ordered mine 3 months ago. Just got it. It is going on the shelf until I can get my D-60's 45 speed repaired. It just went out on me. Serial # 000645. Keep these reviews coming.

Absolutely stunning. More detail than I’ve ever heard in this recording. Fantastic separation. Great balance, especially in the lower frequencies. The soundstage is MINDBLOWING. The split in the title track is acceptable considering the trade-off in increased fidelity. This is another winner in the Atlantic 75 series.

This sounds outstanding in 45 RPM! The tape copy they used for the master was definitely a good one. The low end has so much presence on this pressing that where others lack the amount of depth you get here. The soundstage and separation are excellent as well. I think this is as good as it gets sonically with this albums original mix.

I know the title track is split and you have to flip the disc in the middle, but they put the flip in the perfect place in the song and it’s worth the added fidelity for me.

The packaging is top quality and the textured jacket is very nice. This is my favorite album of all time and, after tracking multiple presses of it to try and find the best sounding copies, I can’t imagine much else sounding better. I still need an original UK and might get the MOFI as well eventually if I can find one at a decent price, but I’m incredibly happy with this purchase and will probably grab a second copy to keep sealed.

I will purchase this to site in my collection as I have with the other Yes titles and Genesis titles in this fantastic series. The quality all round is superb.
The issue I have with this and will have with Genesis Foxtrot by extension is CTTE split of two sides and by extension Supper’s Ready.
I won’t play the discs and they will remain sealed and untouched for my daughter along with my other items in my collection and therefore won’t play them.
Please will someone let me know how the split affects the listening experience.
Just wish that all of Genesis and Yes (up to Drama) including GFTO would be treated the same way; I appreciate that tapes for GFTO are missing / lost.

The only pressing i ever heard of this album, is wild, loud (and even with that doesn't feel saturated or without dynamics) and it feels like they're playing right there in your room, beautiful pressing

According to a post on the Hoffman Forums — “ The vinyl in this box set is AAA and cut by Bernie Grundman.”

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/close-to-the-edge-super-deluxe-edition-due-7-mar-2025.1217348/page-3#post-35991987

I also have Yes - Close To The Edge, the 1982 MoFi pressing. I bought this just as a fan, with the Dean-signed print, not expecting the vinyl to be as good, let alone better. Since there's no indication of what source they used to cut the LP, I'm guessing it's the same remaster as used for the digital sources, i.e., they mastered the LP from something like a 96/24 digital master. And it sounds like it. I listened to the first few seconds of "And You and I", having just listened to the MoFi, and turned it off. No comparison.

So, yes, the booklet is nice, and I'm happy to have the Roger Dean print. But don't buy it for the vinyl.

This edition of the YES classic is nicely presented in a mini-LP slipcase with an informative booklet. I don't have the equipment to properly explore the blu-ray disc so my review is confined to the audio CD disc: To be honest I don't find this remix to be that different to the original mix (it was always a well recorded album anyway). Some of the instruments like the keyboards are placed more forward and the drumming is really crisp. The overall sound is more rounded and polished than the original which has a punch some might still prefer. However noone should be disappointed with this release; I'm certainly pleased to have it.

It sounds like tape and DSD highlight the limitations of the tape. When you're playing the sound, you shouldn't go any higher than 96000Hz because you'll hear the hiss at 192000Hz.

There is no sound of mud because that is tape sound.

Close to the Edge is both a challenge and a reward. The title track (18+ minutes) is a multi-part suite that transitions through meditative calm, chaotic crescendos, and soaring melodies—like a symphonic rock opera. Jon Anderson's ethereal vocals, Steve Howe's intricate guitar work, Chris Squire's growling bass, Rick Wakeman’s majestic keyboards, and Bill Bruford's inventive drumming form an unmatched synergy.