Hot Space A3/B3 (1st Pressing)

I think this album along with 'The Game' is the hardest to determine what a first pressing is.  They neither have an A1/B1 matrix or an A2/B2 for that matter so I am happy to classify this album as a first pressing.  I believe an A3/B2 may have been pressed but if my memory serves me correctly it was produced at the same time anyway.

The audio here is of a fantastic 'high end' standard and the cover is also in superb condition and the lyric inner is practically 'as new'.

EMA 797 // A3 / B3

The audio on S1 is Mint

The audio on S2 is Mint (track 5 is Near Mint-)

The cover is Near Mint

The lyric inner is Mint-

The labels are Mint

Visual grading

This vinyl is absolutely stunning and looks to have never been played.  There is no spindle wear and it has an amazing glossy sheen the likes of which is rarely seen.  There are some very faint sleeve removal hairlines only (I guess the previous owner just wanted to look at the record!) and there are no scratches or marks of any kind.   With stunning run out grooves and labels also this record has been remarkably well preserved.  A fantastic example.  

Play grading  

'Staying Power' plays with Mint quality audio from the very first groove.  The definition here is stunning and the depth of the recording equally so.  There is near perfect audio and there is then Mint audio and this is definitely the latter!  A truly breathtaking start to S1 it could not play with greater clarity and sonic quality.  'Dancer' is of the same standard and has no distortion at all which you sometimes find.  Intros and fade outs provide a good indication of how good the clarity is and here they could not sound any clearer.  100% Mint with not even a solitary dust tick.  'Back Chat' continues this fine form with sublime quality, no clicks or pops, static or crackle the audio is 'high end'.  When I am impressed by a vinyl I can often over eulogise but quite frankly it is worth it here!  This side just plays 'as new' I cannot put into words just how superbly it plays!  'Body Language' plays to the same exacting standard with no 'background' whatsoever and is Mint once again.  As any Queen fan knows 'Action This Day' always has some distortion but I am pleased to say this is the cleanest version I have heard in many a year.  There is nothing intrusive here and the audio plays with very impressive clarity from start to finish.  Again the fade out plays with perfect precision.  A fantastic rendition.

'Put Out The Fire' on S2 plays with stunning power and definition from the start.  Again it plays 'as new' with no distortion at all.  'Life Is Real' begins superbly and apart from a couple of barely audible dust ticks plays with the same immaculate quality as that gone before.  Both 'Calling All Girls' and 'Las Palabras De Amor' play faultlessly with Mint quality.  I played every second so as to provide no doubt in my grading.  The audio could not be any clearer and plays 'as new' once more.  The very quiet 'Cool Cat' plays with wonderful clarity but there are a couple of faint clicks near the start but this is the only interference.  I thought there may be a speck of dust causing it but I could not locate anything.  The remainder plays with impeccable quality, the long fade out in particular is stunning.  The classic 'Under Pressure' closes the album with Mint- audio.  Again there is no 'background' and for a change no distortion.  The fingers click perfectly at the end!

In summary this vinyl is so so close to a final upgrade archive first pressing.  Apart from the two light clicks on S2 it would be.  I have cleaned the album once on my Pro-Ject VC-S so perhaps another clean would eradicate them.  Aside from that the clarity on the remainder is just astonishing and you would be mistaken for thinking this was a new vinyl.  The sonic quality is first class.  The cover and lyric inner are also in superb condition so this A3/B3 press will certainly please the most avid collector.

The Cover

This cover is in fantastic condition and has been remarkably well preserved.  The top edge has only mega faint rubbing - very minimal to say the least and the bottom edge has only one small rub mark.  The spine could not be any cleaner and is 'as new'.  The corners are also in superb order with no obvious creasing which is a rarity.  The front cover is in great condition with just one very small 'white line' on Roger and the back cover is as clean as when first released.  The opening edge has no handling wear at all.  This is a very strong robust cover that has no edge creasing so has obviously been hardly handled down the years.  Further evidence that the vinyl has been hardly played if at all!

The Lyric inner

This is in near pristine condition.  There are no side splits and it has lost none of its original glossy look.  There is no creasing either.  There is just one tiny white mark on the lyric side but apart from that it is perfect.

The labels

They are immaculate with no spindle wear or marking.  They don't come cleaner than this!  100% Mint condition!

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

EMA 797 // A3 / B3

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

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Postage & Packaging

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