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are all used LPs dusty?

Hi.

I recently bought an turntable and listened to a record. I loved it and wanted to get more records. However, records that I bought off ebay or at record shops have a lot of dust on them. If the record doesn't have a scratch on it
they mark it as perfect although it might have a lot of dust on it.
1- Is this normal or should I be searching for records without dust on them?
2- What is the best way to deal with dust? Today, I just wiped a used LP with a towel. It made a lot of noise while I was playing but I still enjoyed it a lot.
3- Sometimes some records are shiny even if they have dust on them. Does this mean they are cleaner?

I have a technics TT , Cambridge Audio 840 A integrated amp and Audio Physic Evolution speakers.

Thanks
joecapar

Showing 1 response by dougdeacon

dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
1) Yes and no. New or used, all records benefit from proper cleaning. Cleaning not only improves the sound, it reduces the chance of permanent groove damage which can result from dragging a diamond chisel through a plastic groove filled with (microscopic) bits of junk. Much safer to drag the chisel through a clean groove.

2) Wet cleaning and vacuuming. Other methods provide some improvement, but you asked about the "best" method. Cleaning without wetting is an oxymoron. Wetting without vacuuming away the sludge just rearranges the sludge.

3) Cleaner? Probably. Clean? No. The dirt that matters is deep in the grooves. It cannot be seen without a strong microscope.

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