The HFC Grading Scale
NEW: 🎁 Factory-sealed and unopened.
10/10: (MINT) 🙌 It resembles a brand-new item with no sign of use. The box may have been opened briefly and the item inspected. It comes with all original packing materials, just as it came from the factory.
9/10: (EXCELLENT) 😆 The item has no notable flaws and only on close inspection can you see some gentle signs of use. These items have been owned by someone who has taken exceptional care of their equipment.
- For electronics, control knobs, buttons, and switches will still feel new, possibly showing very minimal signs of use.
- Speakers should be flawless, except for minor markings on the back or bottom resulting from spikes, stands, or feet.
- Turntables may exhibit slight wear where the dust cover is lifted, but there should be no visible wear on the top cover or the plinth.
- Electronics may have one or two minor scratches on the top or side of the chassis or some light scuffing on the front plate, only noticeable on close inspection.
- Speakers may exhibit some minor scuffs along the edges but no major scratches. The bottom may show signs of spikes, stands, or feet or scrape marks from contact with the floor.
- Turntable dust covers might appear slightly hazy. The headshell may have some scratches from cartridge mounting.
7/10: (GOOD) 😃 Well maintained and fully functional with signs of use, visible marks and scratches purely cosmetic.
- Electronics have no dents or bulges but may exhibit a few minor scratches. Some wear might be visible on first inspection on control knobs, switches, and buttons.
- Speakers may have loosely fitting grills, and the grill cloth may have three to five minor pulls. The cabinet might feature a few minor scratch. The bottoms of the speakers may display several small scratches or scrapes.
- Turntable dust covers might appear hazy, and the tonearm may have heavier scratches compared to an 8/10 rating due to multiple cartridge replacements or upgrades over its lifetime.
6/10: (FAIR) 😀 Appears used with several minor scratches or one major scratch, fully functional and relatively well maintained.
Electronics may exhibit one or two major scratch that exposes the metal or a slight dent on one of the surfaces. No major scratches on the front faceplate but may have some nicks along the top front edge.
Speakers may have several minor scratches or a couple of major scratch that shows through to an inner layer, if applicable. The grill covers might require recovering or replacement.
Turntables may have scratched (but not cracked) dust covers and/or some visible wear on the platter surface.
5/10: (AVERAGE) 🙂 Multiple scratches on most sides of the item, some major scratches but purely aesthetic. This rating indicates that the item is visibly scratched and noticeably used.
- Electronics may show several minor nicks or a few major scratches on the front. Chrome or glass may display some damage and perhaps a couple of flakes have come off.
- Speakers may have two major scratches or more than several minor scratches. The grills may no longer stay connected to the front of the speaker due to broken or missing binding posts.
- Turntables may have cracked dust covers, the headshell may feature multiple scratches and marks.
4/10: (MEDIOCRE) 🙁 Visibly poor physical condition but fully functional. This rating is typically applied to some of our classic pieces which are showing the signs of old age on the outside. Fully test and fully functional.
3/10: (POOR) 😟 Considerably worn, but all functions work. Control knobs, levers, or switches may have been lost.
2/10: (VERY POOR) 😣 Severely worn, with bent control knobs, missing switches, functionality issues, sold as seen.
1/10: (DECEASED) 💀 For parts only.