- 10/10 Mint - Essentially never used, factory fresh appearance! Mint can be used to describe an item if it meets the following criteria without exception: The item must have been removed from its' original packing and used for less than one year. Units must have no visible scratches, nicks, or blemishes anywhere on the piece. For speakers, grilles should have absolutely no pulls or discoloration. The bottoms of speakers should not show signs of stand mounting or floor scrapes. Very few units qualify for this rating, so we strongly recommend a thorough inspection of the item before rating it a 10/10.
- 9/10 Excellent - Perfect physical condition, light use
The item should be a one-owner or store-demo piece to qualify for a 9/10. The item should appear as new until a very close inspection is performed. Electronics should look factory fresh except. The plating on i/o connectors may show some use, but no discoloration or oxidation. Chrome should have no pitting and no discoloration. Speakers should be perfect except for the back or bottom, which may show slight indentations from stand mounting, but the indentations do not show through the veneer. Wood finishes should not show any change in color from sunlight. Grill cloth should not have pulls.
- 8/10 Very Good - Perfect front face, 1 minor flaw on top or side is acceptable. This item has seen some use, but still appears perfect from the front. On speakers, all four front edges should be inspected. Electronics may have 1 or 2 minor scratches (max 1/2" long, very thin) on the top plate or the sides of electronics, but again, the front must be perfect. There should be no signs of rack mounting. Chrome should have no pitting, but may have some discoloration in spots. Silk-screening has no separations, and the lettering shows no wear. Speakers may have minor discoloration along edges, but no scratches that show through the veneer, except for the bottom, which may show signs of stand mounting or floor scraping.
- 7/10 Good - 1 or 2 minor scratches, looks used but well maintained. Electronics should have no dents or bulges, but a few minor scratches. Perhaps a little wear on the knobs and switches, like slightly darker or shiny coloration. Chrome may show slight pitting, but not enough to be visible without close inspection. Silk-screening on the glass is separating in at most one area, and some parts of some letters may have worn off. Speakers may have loose fitting covers, or the cloth may have 3-5 minor pulls or 1 small hole less than 1/2" long. The cabinet may have one minor scratch that shows through the veneer, but no bigger than 1" long. The bottoms of speakers may show many small scratches or scrapes.
- 6/10 Fair - 3 to 4 minor scratches, or 1 major scratch, appears used. Electronics may have one major scratch (over 2" long, deep enough to show metal) or a slight dent on one of the surfaces. The item must NOT have any major scratches on the front facia, but may have some nicks along the top front edge. Chrome may show obvious pitting, but should not have any flakes. Transformer covers may have some scratches, but cannot show any rust. Silk-screening is separating from the glass in more than one area, and some lettering is worn off, but the glass must have no cracks or chips. Speakers may have one major scratch that shows through the veneer, but no longer than two inches. Grill covers may have to be replaced.
- 5/10 Average - multiple scratches, including some on the front facia. This piece is visibly scratched and noticeably used, any major scratches on the front face qualify for a 5/10. Electronics may have several minor nicks or one major scratch on the front. Chrome is showing some pitting. Transformer covers show some rust, as do their mounting screws. Silkscreening is separating from the glass in two or more areas, or the glass has one minor crack less than 1/2" long. Speakers may have 2 major scratches, or more than 5 minor scratches, grill covers may not stay on the speaker any more.
- 4/10 Mediocre - rough physical condition, but all functions work perfectly. This piece would not go in your "big rig", but is not worn out. Electronics may have many small scratches, or have a broken display face. Chrome shows severe pitting, transformer covers are very rusty, glass has one or more cracks in it. Speakers may have a dented corner or bent binding posts, but drivers are not physically disfigured. Turntables may have missing covers, or show much discoloration on the platter, or scratches on the plinth from the platter rubbing against it.
- 3/10 Poor - rather beat up, but all functions work, maybe a knob is missing. Electronics have chrome that is pitted to the point of looking like a speckle finish, transformer covers are dented and rusty, and binding posts are very oxidized. Speakers have major scratches or chunks gouged out, but all drivers are unmolested. Turntables work, but you wouldn't think so by looking at it.
- 2/10 Very Poor - beat up, bent knobs or switch levers, some functional problems. Electronics have major dents, knobs are missing, but they sort of work. Speakers have torn drivers or crinkled tweeters, or more than 3 major scratches, and grill covers have disintegrated.
- 1/10 Scrap - for parts use only
