RX Bandits - Mandala - (2009) 1st pressing 2xLP black vinyl gatefold Playtested

$

99

• *From my personal collection and has been well cared for but is ready to find a new home to be appreciated, not a random reseller.
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• This has the high audio quality of what other sellers would regularly list as a 'NM' vinyl grade, especially on Discogs. These lazy sellers think "looks okay, sounds good, NM". In my experience most sellers don't know how to follow the Goldmine grading rules correctly or accurately at all. It's physically impossible for that many records listed to be truly NM by strict Goldmine grading standards. I regularly open brand new sealed modern records that come with hairline marks or scuffs on them from manufacturing and shipping, immediately disqualifying them from ever being graded as high as NM, unplayed right out the shrink wrap. All of the existing vinyl plants are now constantly overbooked and their process has been hastened, quality control is not what it used to be at all. If you've been collecting records for a while then you've probably already observed exactly what I'm referring to. The reason this is not listed as NM is because it has a few visible cosmetic surface marks that technically visually disqualify it from being graded NM on the Goldmine scale, but they don't affect audio meaningfully. This is an overall clear, dynamic, high-quality audio experience from start to finish. You can rest assured and buy with confidence from an honest conservative grader valuing accuracy and transparency.

This is the 2009 1st pressing of Mandala by RX Bandits on 2xLP black vinyl in a gatefold jacket.
Vinyl (EX): Vinyl almost 100% flat, playback sound unaffected, barely any vertical variance around the circumference and audio is fine. All sides have a few scattered light surface marks, harlines, or scuffs. Any surface marks are cosmetic and superficial with no meaningful impact on playback. A few moderate audible pops/ticks during playback. Very minimal to no noise floor on lead-in and intros/quiet passages. Basically no audible noise floor in mix when the music is playing fully. Audio mix has great dynamics and seperation, overall very clean and solid. Lack of scuffs/marks visually says EX audio says NM. Very clean playback, excellent audio presentation and great volume. Great seperation and mix overall with essentially no noise floor/crackle. Great mastering and seperation of instruments and frequencies, bass is very full body. 
Jacket (VG+): Jacket is in great condition overall. Corners and edges are still relatively sharp with mild or minor wear. Some slight rounding or softening of corner tips with whitening but mild overall. Very top of spine there is a small split to the top edge with whitening visible.
Inner Sleeves: Great color printed double sided stock inner sleeves. Stock inner sleeves have minor wear visible, light ring outlines/impressions. Corners of stock inners have mild softening and whitening but no major creases. Corners and edges relatively sharp still with only minor wear visible.
Stock inner sleeve will be included for completeness but the vinyl will be shipped in upgraded replacement sleeve for continued protection. One owner and vinyl has been swapped into a Boundless Audio 3-ply poly inner sleeve which will be included and help protect the vinyl during shipment.

Please note that while graded conservatively, modern vinyl grading remains inherently subjective; audio playback can vary depending on individual turntable setup quality, stylus, cartridge alignment, and tracking force.
Please also note that due to the static nature of vinyl records, minor dust, fibers, or paper particles may be present upon arrival despite careful handling. Records will be carefully handled and visually inspected prior to shipment; however, vinyl naturally attracts dust/static and it is not possible to guarantee a completely particle-free surface during storage and transit. A light carbon fiber brush cleaning on each side is recommended before first play, and additional wet-cleaning methods may be used depending on equipment and preference. A quality record clamp is always recommended (in the majority of setups that accomodate one) for optimal playback of all vinyl records, but especially important with records that are not 100% flat and have any level of edge or dish warp.
Shipped in a cardboard LP mailer with vinyl record placed outside of the jacket to prevent seam splits. Jacket and contents will be protected using cardboard stiffeners, outer sleeves, and bubble wrap as necessary to minimize movement during transit. Shipment service by default is USPS Ground Advantage, I used to use Media Mail by default but after having multiple packages severely damaged upon delivery, I honestly don't think it's a very reliable method for safely delivering valuable or rare vinyl records anymore. Ground Advantage is higher priority handling than Media Mail, typically gives better tracking updates overall and also includes a default insurance coverage. Most importantly, I haven't had any 'Ground Advantage' packages be delivered heavily compromised yet, so I have a lot more faith in it to deliver your item in a timely manner and undamaged. 
*I made Media Mail available as an option for this listing but I still strongly recommend selecting Ground Advantage. Not only is Media Mail generally slower, it can be handled very poorly by comparison. Sometimes Media Mail sits in sorting facilities for extended periods with varying temperatures or with heavy loads placed on top of your package, which can potentially cause your record to become warped or damaged in transit. Ground Advantage is superior in every sense of the handling and coverage, please take note.

Feel free to make an offer to see if we can reach an agreement on a fair purchase price.

If you have any questions or wish to see additional or specific pictures please go ahead and send me a message.

If there are any issues that arise with the transaction please reach out to me first so we can reach a resolution, thank you!