A Kind Of Magic

This early pressing is in near pristine condition and rarely have I heard such stunning audio.  The vast majority plays 'as new' and that is no exaggeration.  The previous owner assured me that it had only ever been played the once and there is no spindle wear at all.  There was some vinyl 'flecking' around the spindle hole which you only see on unplayed or one/two play vinyls.

The gatefold and lyric inner are the 'cleanest' I have ever seen and look 'shop fresh'.  Not bad for a 33 year old record!

EU 3509 // A - 4U  / B - 4U

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 1 intro Ex for 10 seconds)

The gatefold is Mint-

The lyric inner is Mint

The labels are Near Mint

Visual grading

This is a visually stunning vinyl as you would expect.  With no spindle wear there are only a couple of faint hairlines on each side and it still has such a strong glossy sheen.  It goes without saying there are no scratches or marks, this is such a super clean looking vinyl!  The labels and in superb shape and as mentioned there is some vinyl 'flecking' around the spindle hole.  The run out grooves are also super clean.

Play grading  

The intro on 'One Vision' is incredibly 'clean' and has only a small number of mega light dust ticks right at the start.  As the volume increases the audio is stunning and quite simply plays 'as new'.  In fact this is true of the remainder as there is no interference whatsoever.  It is so obvious that this vinyl has only ever been played once as the clarity and depth is just awesome!  The audio is so powerful and the definition could not be any clearer.  A Mint- start to S1 without doubt.

'A Kind Of Magic' continues in the same immaculate and again has no interference from start to finish.  This deserves a Mint grading really as there was not even a dust tick to be heard!  Every note plays with perfect precision, you could not wish for great clarity.

'One Year Of Love' again plays with a depth that is so rarely heard today on these early pressings.  It will often play with some 'background' because it is a relatively quiet track but there is nothing that intrudes on the quality of the audio.  There is the odd light dust tick but these are so much in the background as to be negligible.  Remember I am listening out for any imperfection however minor and will always 'list' what I hear.  It could be said I can only hear them because I sit so close to the speakers!  There is a minimal touch of static on the fade but the playback is stunning throughout and as I say for this track to play as wonderfully as this is a rarity for a vinyl that is over 30 years of age.  It pays testament to how superbly well it has been preserved.

'Pain Is So Close To Pleasure' is the most impressive version I have heard on such an early pressing in many a year.  The sonic quality is of the highest standard possible and I do not wish to sound repetitive but the depth of the audio just could not be improved upon.  This is pure Mint audio from beginning to end and it goes without saying there are no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either.  100% stunning!

'Friends Will Be Friends' ends the side with sublime audio once more.  It plays with great power and clarity and only a little distortion.  This is unavoidable as this track always has some distortion I find (a common feature on final tracks) and it is just a matter of how much.  I am delighted to say it is so minor it is so minor here as to be inconsequential.  As you would expect on a barely played vinyl I guess!  I hope I am not under-selling it as the playback is still so impressive and as an example of the clarity the fade out has no 'background' of any kind.  Quite rare for a final track!

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The intro on 'Who Wants To Live Forever' is so often beset with problems.  It's frustrating when such a long quiet opening is the first track on the side as it's these first few grooves that can be affected by crackle or worse!  And especially on this track!  This has to be one of the cleanest intros I have heard in a long time.  It begins with 'crystal clear' audio but about 20 seconds in there is a brief amount of static per rotation.  It is quiet but it can be heard.  As soon as Freddie's vocal comes in the audio is 'high end' again and this continues with only a couple of static sounds.  The vast majority of this classic plays to an immaculate standard and on the top end there is no distortion - the vocals play so powerfully, 'as new' in fact.  Freddie's soaring vocals play as Mint the audio is that good, absolutely stunning!  The orchestral section provides a stunning end and has only a couple of light static ticks.  Again this section is often affected by crackle etc but this is sublime, I cannot emphasise enough just how beautifully it plays.  This track will not disappoint, not quite perfect but not far from it!  I would 10 seconds or so of the intro is Ex but the remainder of the track is Mint- in my opinion.

With complete silence in the dead wax the intro on 'Gimme The Prize' plays with tremendous power and no interference.  This quality is prevalent throughout and what is noticeable is that there is no distortion whatsoever, a rarity on this 'high octane' track and provides further evidence of a vinyl hardly played.  I've had to play it twice and wow the playback is just incredible!  I know Mint when I hear it and this is most definitely it!

'Don't Lose Your Head' plays to the same immaculate standard with not one iota of interference.  On such a 'clean' vinyl this track plays with such depth and the rhythm section is so powerful of course.  The is Mint from the first note to the last as there is nothing that detracts from the superb sonic quality on offer.  Even the fade out plays perfectly!

The classic 'Princes Of The Universe' provides a spectacular finish to the album and if there is any distortion it is so minimal as to be barely audible.  There is no interference whatsoever and this is as 'clean' a version as you could wish to hope for.  The power and depth is stunning and rarely have I heard this track play so well.  Wow!

In summary this early pressing plays to a standard that is so rarely heard.  The real test of this record is always 'Who Wants To Live Forever' and whilst there is a little static on the intro for a few seconds it is still one of the most impressive versions I have heard in a long time.  As for the rest of the album?  It is as close to audio perfection that you will find!  I repeat it is obviously a vinyl that has hardly ever seen a turntable and with near complete silence between every track this is 'high end' audio without question.  The gatefold is also in fantastic condition as is the lyric inner.

The Gatefold

This cover is notoriously difficult to keep in good order and this is without doubt one of the most impressive I have ever seen.  It is practically Mint!  The edges and wide spine are in perfect order with no rubbing and the corners have no wear either - so rare for 30+ year old gatefold!  The opening edge is 'as new' with no handling wear and the glossy front and back covers are also in pristine condition with no marking.  There are just 3/4 barely visible mega small creases around the edges that are barely worth mentioning really!  The inside of the gatefold is also visually stunning.  I never say this normally but it would be impossible to find a better early press cover!  The colours remains strong and vibrant and have lost none of their original sheen.  A fantastic example.

The Lyric Inner

This inner (with squared off corners) is in sublime condition and has no marking or creasing and no side splits either.  Again you could wish to see a better copy.

The labels

They are in near perfect condition and of course there is no spindle wear.  As stated I could see some vinyl 'flecks' when I put the record on the turntable.  The S1 label has one minor 'tear' around the spindle hole but this is caused during manufacture.

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

EU 3509 // A - 4U  / B - 4U

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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