Grading Room: Dispute Over 'Near Mint' Label Escalates After Single Hairline Scratch is Identified via High-Powered Microscope. The Vinyl Vanguard September 29, 2026
Sorry, one thing before handover: the hairline is visible at 200x, but we have no evidence that it knows it's on a record. Given the absence of noise, I'd be reluctant to downgrade until we've established whether it crosses a groove or is simply passing through the album. LM-4412-A2 should remain on the paperwork throughout; otherwise we risk grading a different scratch at the next fair.