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- #1
having read a thread on this topic at another venue i though it would be informative to get thoughts on this from the AS community.
there are few things more disappointing in the world of audio than unsealing a new LP that turns out to be defective or damaged. pressing defects include warp, off-center spindle hole, non-fill, stitching, etc. there is also damage from handling at the factory such as scratches as well as shipping damage such as jacket split seams and bent corners.
as a theoretical benchmark, i think a reasonable expectation is that immediately after opening a new, sealed LP one should be able to grade it as NM and then be able sell it as such. in other words, buyers have the right to expect a defect free product. any defect or damage makes a NM sale not possible and significantly reduces the value of the record and may even render it unsalable (worthless) -- not to mention the infuriating playback issues of defective LPs which is the real issue i have here.
my question is what is your tolerance for LPs that arrive defective and/or damaged? …how much of a degraded listening experience from this benchmark should one be willing to tolerate before returning an LP for a new copy?
fwiw: my current view is that anything beyond a few ticks or pops is cause for a return. i also think that warps, off-center spindle holes, etc. that do not noticeably impact playback but do impact value are also cause for return. the question for me then becomes whether it is worth the hassle of doing so.
there are few things more disappointing in the world of audio than unsealing a new LP that turns out to be defective or damaged. pressing defects include warp, off-center spindle hole, non-fill, stitching, etc. there is also damage from handling at the factory such as scratches as well as shipping damage such as jacket split seams and bent corners.
as a theoretical benchmark, i think a reasonable expectation is that immediately after opening a new, sealed LP one should be able to grade it as NM and then be able sell it as such. in other words, buyers have the right to expect a defect free product. any defect or damage makes a NM sale not possible and significantly reduces the value of the record and may even render it unsalable (worthless) -- not to mention the infuriating playback issues of defective LPs which is the real issue i have here.
my question is what is your tolerance for LPs that arrive defective and/or damaged? …how much of a degraded listening experience from this benchmark should one be willing to tolerate before returning an LP for a new copy?
fwiw: my current view is that anything beyond a few ticks or pops is cause for a return. i also think that warps, off-center spindle holes, etc. that do not noticeably impact playback but do impact value are also cause for return. the question for me then becomes whether it is worth the hassle of doing so.