The Game A-5U / B-2U (Very early pressing)

This mega early pressing is an archive, final upgrade copy without doubt.  It is difficult to determine what is a first press and what isn't, many would say the A3/B2 is the first and I would tend to agree.  You do get the odd A1 matrix out there but you never see a B1 or 2 or 3 with it.  I believe the A5/B2 to be a second pressing and the audio is of an immaculate standard, Mint in my opinion, and visually it is stunning.  The cover and lyric inner are also in superb condition.

EMA 795 // A-5U  1 5 1 / B-2U 3 2 2 // Mastered at Allen Zentz L.A., Calif stamped on both sides

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The silver foil cover is Ex+

The lyric inner is Mint-

The labels are Mint

 Visual grading

  This vinyl is absolutely stunning and looks as new.  It is just pristine and has obviously only been played two, three times at most as there is barely any spindle wear, only a couple of very small wispy lines on each label.  The vinyl is jet black with an immaculate mirror like, glossy sheen and I haven't seen one as good as this in a long, long time.  There are no hairlines or scratches and I can't get over the amazing visual quality.  Yes it looks BRAND NEW!!  The run out grooves on both sides are just beautifully clean and it is plain to see this vinyl has been hardly handled.

Play grading

S1 has barely any lead in static and 'Play The Game' then impresses with audio of an immaculate standard.  There is no 'background' of any kind at all.  Simply stunning.  'Dragon Attack' plays in exactly the same way and as you would expect with this album the bass is so strong and powerful, it sounds fantastic!  Again 'Another One Bites The Dust' does not disappoint and plays in superb style with Mint quality once more.  'Need Your Loving Tonight' and 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' keep up this spectacular standard with stunning clarity and depth again.  There are just a couple of dust ticks on the fade out of the latter.  I honestly cannot stress enough just how good the audio is on this side, there is no intrusive interference and 99% plays as Mint it is that good.  I do not over-grade as my feedback testifies and there are no negatives here at all.  For such an early pressing approaching 40 years of age it would be impossible to find audio better than this.  Superb!

The quiet intro to 'Rock It' is just stunning.  Rarely have I heard such breathtaking clarity here, there is no 'background' whatsoever.  The rest of the track plays in sublime style with no interference.  The remaining tracks again are just incredible in their warmth and depth.  The richness of the sound is such that you believe this vinyl was only pressed yesterday.  Even the quiet fade out on 'Sail Away Sweet Sister' plays as new.  How often can it be said that an early pressing from 1980 plays with such spellbinding quality?  I mean even new vinyl can play with some static/dust ticks but they are not in evidence here!  I often find the closing track 'Save Me' has some static/distortion but this version is just Mint all the way!  The quiet intro has no 'background' and the remainder plays in stunning style also.

In summary it is so rare to find this LP playing with such high end sonic quality.  This is a Mint sounding final upgrade, archive copy without doubt.  So rare on an A5/B2 pressing.

Cover

This is one of the cleanest 'silver foil' covers I have ever seen.  So often they are heavily marked due just due to its very nature but this one has only a small number of indentations.  The edges and thin spine are in superb shape with no shelf wear and even the corners are very clean with only a minimal amount of pinching on the bottom two.  The opening edge has no handling wear at all which is a mega rarity with this album.  There is a little ringwear but you always find that with this 'mirror' cover but as I say I am not exaggerating in saying it is one of the best I have seen in many a year.

Lyric inner

The heavy duty card lyric inner with the rounded corners is in near perfect condition with no splits and only one tiny crease near the top on the picture side.

The labels

They have no marking or writing and only mega small amount of spindle wear.

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

EMA 795 // A-5U  1 5 1 / B-2U 3 2 2 // Mastered at Allen Zentz L.A., Calif stamped on both sides

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

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