Rare discrete quadraphonic reel of Deep Purple’s Machine Head, issued by Warner Bros. and duplicated by Stereotape/Magtec at 7½ IPS with Dolby noise reduction. This is the full 4-channel mix prepared in the mid-’70s, opening up the band’s heavy arrangements with wide guitar placement, punchy drums, and vivid separation. A sought-after hard-rock quad title, offering an immersive take on classics like “Highway Star,” “Smoke on the Water,” and “Space Truckin’.”

Playback Note:
This is a discrete 4-channel quadraphonic reel. To hear the full quad mix, you’ll need a quad-capable 4-channel deck and system. It will still run on a standard 2-channel machine, but the mix simply folds down to stereo.

Why Collectors Care:
Discrete quad reels were always niche and produced in very limited numbers, which is why they’ve become sought after today. The real magic is in how the mix behaves in quad: acoustic textures separate, guitars and keys slip into their own space, and layered vocals wrap naturally around the listener. It turns the album into a small, immersive environment rather than a flat front-facing mix.