Likely refers to "top-tier" quality or a specific high-ranking digital rip community. One of These Days A Pillow of Winds (includes "You'll Never Walk Alone") San Tropez Notable Album Context The Artwork: The cover is a close-up of an ear underwater
The track list is a journey of stylistic exploration, opening with the thundering instrumental "One of These Days," moving through the gentle acoustic "A Pillow of Winds," the folk-tinged "Fearless," the jazz-inflected "San Tropez," and the bluesy "Seamus".
These are both lossless audio codecs. Unlike MP3s, which discard audio data to shrink file sizes, FLAC and APE act like ZIP files for music. When decoded by a media player, they unpack into the exact, uncompressed PCM audio data that existed on the 1988 CD. APE offers slightly higher compression ratios, while FLAC enjoys universal hardware and software compatibility. The "TOP" Tag
If you own the 1988 Meddle CD—perhaps found in a charity shop or eBay auction for $50+—ripping it for your personal server using EAC to FLAC is your legal right (fair use / backup). Sharing the "OA TOP" version is where legality ends. pink floyd meddle 1971 1988 eac flacoa top
: A jazzy, lighthearted track written solely by Roger Waters, reflecting a more relaxed, pop-oriented side of the band.
Listening to the suite in a secure EAC-sourced FLAC format is a revelatory experience. You can hear the distinct placement of the speakers in the room; the "ping" of the piano travels from left to right, and the seagull-like guitar effects swirl around the listener.
| Release Version | Key Features | Audio Quality Notes | Considerations | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Early digital transfer; often considered the first widely available CD version. | Believed by many to be less compressed and more natural-sounding. | May be expensive and difficult to find in mint condition. | | 1992 "Shine On" Box Set | Digitally remastered as part of the comprehensive box set. | Widely considered a high-quality remaster; a benchmark for many fans. | Requires purchasing the entire box set. | | 2006 Toshiba-EMI Japan | Japanese mini-LP CD pressing, meticulously replicating the original artwork. | Sourced from a different master, often praised for its dynamic range. | A collectible import; can be costly. | | 2011 "Discovery" Remaster | Remastered by James Guthrie and Joel Plante as part of the "Why Pink Floyd..." campaign. | A modern, often louder remaster with a 'bigger' sound. Widely available. | Some audiophiles find it overly compressed compared to earlier versions. | | High-Resolution Downloads | Official 24-bit/96kHz or 192kHz downloads (e.g., 2016 24-bit/192kHz version ). | Offers the potential for the highest fidelity, with greater sonic detail. | Requires a high-quality DAC and playback system to hear the benefits. | Likely refers to "top-tier" quality or a specific
:Shared by the 1986 Japanese CP32-5032 , the 1987 UK Harvest, and the 1988 West German Harvest (CDP 7 46034 2). EAC Peaks : 54.3 / 38.2 / 68.8 / 62.5 / 28.2 / 53.3 .
The year 1988 is critical for Pink Floyd digital collectors. It signifies the release of specific UK/Europe and Japanese CD pressings manufactured by EMI/Harvest.
Audiophiles often perform "Secure Rips" using to ensure a bit-perfect copy of this specific Japanese mastering. Unlike MP3s, which discard audio data to shrink
This confirms the integrity of the rip. A clean log is the gold standard for collectors.
Occupying the entirety of Side Two, this 23-minute epic is the quintessential Pink Floyd track. Built from an improvised "ping" on Richard Wright’s piano fed through a Leslie speaker, it moves through oceanic soundscapes, funky grooves, and haunting avant-garde noise terror before resolving into a majestic, soaring climax.
📍 This specific rip is often preferred over newer versions because it retains the analog-like smoothness of the 1970s recording.