Grading standard

CODEDVINYLS assesses records on the basis of the international Goldmine Grading standard, also using the Excellent (EX) grade from the European Record Collector grading standard. This page explains the standards by which we assess records and assign grades.

This page is an English translation to help you read the Korean original. For any contract, the Korean original is binding and prevails where the two differ. Korean original →

Translation errors can be reported to gm@codedvinyls.com.

SS NM NM- EX VG+ · VG G+ G P

· Every grade is assigned by combining appearance (visual) and playback quality.

· Under its own standard, CODEDVINYLS uses EX as the Excellent grade between NM- and VG+.

· Mint (M) is not assigned. Unopened records are listed as Still Sealed (SS).

Assessment standards and methods

Every disc is lightly cleaned with a DIY cleaning solution (95% 3x-purified water, 5% isopropyl alcohol) sprayed onto a seamless microfiber cloth. It then goes through a visual inspection by default, and a sound check when needed.

※ This cleaning method is used only for our own inspection and is not provided as a guide for customers' cleaning.

1-1. Visual assessment (eye-grading)

We identify a record's physical defects to predict their effect on sound quality.

A. Identifying scratches and breakage

Surface marks — shallow marks on the surface. Fingernail scratches fall into this group, and they do not greatly affect playback.
Hairlines — very thin fine lines. They can occur from sliding the record in and out, and their effect on playback is minimal.
Scratch — viewed at an angle under natural white light (approx. 3500–4000K), it does not reflect light properly, and it can usually be felt with a fingertip. It causes a 'tick' sound or, in severe cases, a skip.
Cartridge scratch — a scratch formed along the groove when anti-skating control has gone wrong. It is more serious than an ordinary scratch across the tracks and causes skips 100% of the time.
Groove deformation from gouges or breakage — when gouges or breakage deform the groove, the stylus cannot get past it and the record cannot be played.

Inspection lighting — natural white (approx. 3500–4000K) works better than daylight (5000–6500K). Light that is too blue glares off the surface and hides fine scratches, while natural white gives enough contrast to show the depth of a scratch and its 'white line' more clearly.

B. Distinguishing pressing defects

Warping — the record is bent out of flat. The tonearm moves up and down heavily, and in severe cases it causes skips.
Off-center — the spindle hole is out of line with the center, causing pitch instability such as wow and flutter.
Non-fill / stitch — a defect in which the groove is not completely filled. It shows as silver dots or lines and produces a hissing noise.
Bubbles / pimples — small bumps and bubbles on the surface. They cause pop and click noises as the stylus passes over them.

1-2. Sound check standards and setup

A sound check is always carried out on discs in poor visual condition, discs that have lost their gloss, and discs with visible surface migration (stains, ripple marks).

Hoehyeon storeTurntable · Pro-Ject Debut Evo Carbon
Cartridge · Ortofon 2M Black (tracking force 1.5g)
Amplifier & speakers · Pro-Ject MaiA S3 / Speaker Box 3E

Online studioTurntable · Technics SL-1200G
Cartridge · Nagaoka MP-500
Amplifier & speakers · Rega Elicit MK5 / KEF Q15.2

※ These are reference setups. Listening results can vary even with the same setup, depending on cartridge condition, tonearm adjustment and variation between individual pressings.

Ultrasonic cleaning — limited use

Given the physical properties of PVC, ultrasonic cleaning is carried out only in very limited cases. It is limited to cases where, after long storage, antistatic agents and contaminants from the inner sleeve have become fixed to the surface and we judge that ordinary dry and wet cleaning alone cannot make the record playable. This is because excessive ultrasonic vibration can cause microplastics to come away from the surface, with the risk of damaging the record's distinctive tone and texture.

※ Important

Vinyl grading assesses appearance + playback quality together. A record can receive a low grade for pressing defects or groove wear even if its appearance looks clean; conversely, a record whose appearance shows signs of use can be assessed at a higher grade if its playback quality is excellent.

Detailed guide by grade

Still Sealed

Factory sealed and in unopened condition. Because the record is unopened, no listening or playback assessment is carried out; it is described on the basis of its appearance (seal and cover) only.

Near Mint

The disc may have only very fine hairlines from sliding the record in and out, and inner sleeve marks. With almost no play history, it is at the level of an unplayed runout, and the background is very quiet on playback. The cover is in condition comparable to new, with no ring wear, cut-out, edge damage or discoloration.

NM-

Near Mint Minus

Compared with NM, the disc may have slightly more inner sleeve stains, but it holds to a level where no real play history can be felt. The cover may have only one of ring wear, edge damage or discoloration, and only slightly.

Excellent

The disc's appearance shows hairlines, fingernail scratches, fine friction traces from cleaning (handling marks) and the like, but with no groove damage it keeps great sound quality against a quiet background. The cover is comparable to the NM to NM- grades, but if there is a cover cut-out, it is classified as EX.

VG+

Very Good Plus

Playback is mostly clean. Light surface noise may be noticeable in quiet passages, but it does not interfere with listening and comes across instead as a warm vintage texture (what collectors commonly call 'Strong VG'). Light, localized noise may occur only on tracks with shallow scuffs. The cover has discoloration, wear and damage within an identifiable range.

Very Good

Surface noise is clearly audible, and there may be occasional ticks and pops in quiet passages. With no deep groove damage, though, it plays without skips and is fully listenable. Shallow scuffs and light scratches are visible in parts of the surface, and the disc may have lost its gloss or show traces of long storage. The cover has clearly more seam and spine damage and tears, discoloration and wear than VG+ (light damage from everyday use).

G+

Good Plus

The disc has scuffs that can clearly be felt, and passages of repeated tick noise. The cover has combined damage such as seam and spine damage, discoloration and ring wear, but it keeps its shape and is still in a condition to hold the record.

Good

Noticeable scratches and breakage are present, and the record is in a condition where background noise, ticks and clunking noises intrude on listening. Groove deformation and scratches cause background noise, and occasional jumps may occur at typical tracking force (1.5–4.0g). The cover has discoloration, wear and damage occurring together in many places.

Poor

The disc has severe skips and jumps from heavy scratching, and severe noise from deep groove damage. The cover is in very poor condition and is badly damaged in function as well.