The Imperfect Copy Test

Dave's Side One · Sep 4, 2026 · 5m

Can an imperfect copy still be a great listening copy? In this episode of Dave’s Side One, Dave uses Dave Mason’s It’s Like You Never Left to separate grading a record from listening to one. Collectors naturally see condition first: ring wear, split seams, writing, scuffs and surface marks. Those details matter when a record is being bought, sold or graded. But once the needle drops, the question changes. Does the condition prevent the music from communicating — or are we still thinking about flaws we can no longer hear? Dave introduces The Imperfect Copy Test: Find the roughest-looking…