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Grading Used Lps: What to look for?

Hey folks...my used options in my area include stores that use a fair,good, and fine grading system for Lps...however... since grading is highly subjective...there seems to be grave inconsistencies...I often find LPs with minor hair-line scratches cleaner sounding than mint Lps with some surface particles(even after cleaning)...any suggestions? For high demand used artists...stones,floyd,etc...the grading system is pretty forgiving and the price not surprisingly inflated...sometimes you really dont know how an Lp will sound still you bring it home...is this just par for the course for going used? ALso have Santana Abraxas which is warped and nicked...but is quiet as a church mouse...
phasecorrect
tvad
9,467 posts
 
What you describe is precsely why my LP buying has dropped off significantly in favor of CDs.

I haven't found a reliable solution other than to buy from sellers whose gradings I trust (based on good past experience), and personally inspecting LPs before I buy.

I have found most audiophile CDs (JVC variants, XRCD, etc) of older LPs sound as good if not better than the vinyl when all things are considered. I'm listening to an outstanding 20bit JVC X2 version of Gene Ammons' "Boss Tenor". The CD cost slightly less than a near mint (maybe...maybe not...) LP version found on E-Bay.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,606 posts
 
Other than the used vinyl I have purchased here on audiogon (they rate very good and, to me, it's mint), all I have purchased (used) has been a disapointment. My (new) rule is only audiophiles know how to grade vinyl.
grimace
624 posts
 
Best you can hope to do is visually grade them, clean the heck out of them before you play them and hope for the best. If you've got a good seller, he/she might let you play them in the store before you buy.
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