As an advanced stage among vinyl record lovers, becoming a vinyl record appraiser is a desirable goal. Here are some steps to help you become a great vinyl record appraiser.

Research Vinyl Records:

Understanding the history of vinyl records, the process of making them, the different record types and their characteristics is the first step to becoming a connoisseur. Learn more about vinyl records by reading books, researching sources, visiting exhibits, and meeting other connoisseurs. Gain knowledge on record labels, jacket design, record weights and dimensions, and more.

Build a personal collection:

A good vinyl record connoisseur needs to build his own record collection. Collection of recordings of all types, including works by different musical styles, periods and publishers. By owning and listening to a large number of recordings yourself, you will be able to develop a greater understanding of the differences and characteristics of the different recordings.

Develop Listening Skills:

Becoming an appraiser requires keen listening skills. Learn to identify the sonic characteristics of different recordings, such as pitch, timbre, noise, and mixing effects. Train your ear to tell the difference between original and reissue recordings, and the sound quality between recordings.

Research the market:

It is important to understand the trends and value changes in the vinyl record market. Keep an eye on record prices at auctions, second-hand markets, and online marketplaces. Learn about the value of rare, limited and special editions, and what factors affect the value of a record. This will help you more accurately assess the record's value when authenticating it.

Get involved in the community and network:

Connect with other vinyl enthusiasts and connoisseurs, and get involved in relevant communities and forums. Share your own experiences and opinions, and seek advice from more experienced appraisers. Attend music exhibitions, concerts and seminars to interact with professionals in the industry.

This issue introduces the description of the second-hand record in detail, hoping to help you get the right second-hand vinyl:（refer to the sheet）

——MUST KNOW——

（Combining these explanations to see the table will be clearer）

1. Collection level VS listening level: both can be played perfectly, only the degree of damage to the appearance is different, and the collection level is often very subtle.
2. Listening level VS others: the beginning of the core playback experience is affected, and the lower the level, the more serious it is.
3. Matching and level dislocation of disc body and cover: In the actual market, the disc body and cover are often misaligned by 1-2 levels, such as the cover of NM disc VG+.
4. The price depreciation rate combines personal experience and American Standard's description, does not consider cross-version and album release prices, and is only for the second-hand market.
5. The application level, grading description, and use of scoring are all for the convenience of understanding, and only represent personal opinions.
6. Regarding the grading of records: There are at least 3 sets of grading and valuation standards that are widely used in the world, initiated or established by the United States, Britain, and Japan.