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Snap, Crackle, Pop - What is the cause?

First, I love vinyl. I would never say it is superior to digital but it truly sounds different. I am able to make an emotional connection to the music from an LP far more than from a CD.

That being said, I buy a lot of used vinyl at records shows, shops, etc because there really is so much available and for the most part, cheap too. The only thing that always intrigues me is the snap, crackle, pop on some records and not on others. Even they are the same title, label and pressing. Some of it is so bad,, it make an otherwise well recorded album unlistenable especially on soft passages in classical music.

So where does it come from? Is it static? Is it worn, damaged vinyl from being played on cheap and less than desirable cartridges from back in the day or is deeply ground in dust and dirt embedded in the grooves?

I clean all my recently purchased used vinyl with a Spin Clean system first and bag them in anti-static MoFi sleeves. I still get the Rice Crispies on some receords but not all. I buy and enjoy enough of it to consider investing in a better record cleaning machine like a VPI or Okki Nokki, but before I do I really want to know where the Rice Crispies on some records come from. If it is damage from being played on cheap equipment, no expensive machine will help. But if its dust and dirt, then maybe I should get an vacuum cleaning system and will take care of it? Your guidance is greatly appreciated.
128x128paraneer

Showing 3 responses by paraneer

paraneer's avatar
paraneer OP
818 posts
 
Thanks everyone.

I have now had three replies and each one is different. One says worn vinyl from being played on crappy equipment. Another says dirts and grease. A thord leans towards static.

I would think this is an issue that matters to all of us who love vinyl so we should all be interested. So please keep the replies ciming - whats the cause of the Snap, Crackle and Pop on some records but not others. Thanks again!
paraneer's avatar
paraneer OP
818 posts
 
Thanks everyone for the addituonal responses. Sounds like it may be a combination of all three factors I sited plus several more.

Chayro, while you may not lean toward "static", your answer did. You did not mention worn vinyl or embedded dirt like the other posters. Thats OK though, you may be right. I don't know - that why I am asking the question in an attempt to understand what causes it. Then I can more effectively combat it.

Can't say it bothers that me much - At a buck apiece, I can buy many copies of the same title in hopes of getting a clean one. And throw or give away the rest. I also buy new wherever possible if its a title I like in hopes of getting a real good one. Even new pressings are no guarantee.

As mentioned earlier, I visually inspect the used record before buying, run it through a Spin Clean machine and then bag them in MoFi sleeves. I am wondering if I should invest in better vaccuum machine and if this will help removes the noise? If not, might as well keep buying multiple used copies and hope for the best.

paraneer's avatar
paraneer OP
818 posts
 
Thanks again to everyone for your thoughful and intelligent responses. I posted the same question on vinylengine and the replies are similar - a good vaccuum record cleaning machine will help the situation along with careful selection of cartridge/stylus and preamp.

For the record I running a Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 along with a Pro-ject Phono Box S that allows for precise loading. I really like this combo, especially the preamp vs. others I have tried, and feel I have the cartridge dialed in pretty good. So it seems there will be a RCM in my future. Looking at the VPI 16.5 or Okki Nokki as both are in my budget. Anything else I should be checking out?
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