What's wrong with classical music on vinyl?


As I go through my collection of classical music on vinyl, and get new ones from record stores and eBay, I notice that I am not impressed with the sound quality. Most of my pop music albums sound fine. The classical (even sealed), on the other hand, sounds full of static, noise, and pops that completely drown out the music. The rubber surrounds on my woofers ripple visibly, and the more intense passages become distorted (particulary the brass instruments). (And yes, I've tried it with minimal volume, to test the feedback theory, and with the same results.) I've tried extensive record cleaning with some of the most recommended products. On the other hand, my non-classical music sounds fine. Madonna, Yes, and Simon and Garfunkel play fine. So do Crosby Stills + Nash, REM, and Nickelback.

The only thing I can think of is that the classical music tends to be recorded at a much lower volume, thereby causing a low signal to noise ratio, whereas the pop music is inherently recorded at a higher volume, and this helps to drown out the noise.

I'm beginning to think that I should stick to CD's or brand-new 200g LP's for classical music from here on.

Any comments/suggestions?
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Showing 8 responses by psychicanimal

A lot of classical music sucks. It was composed by poor people who were on the royalty's payroll and needed to deliver weirder and more complex music. That's how they could justify their salaries...

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Classical music belongs in the digital domain. Eldartford is correct. Even new Deutsche Gramophon LPs which I've just opened have distracting surface noise. My analog rig is pretty quiet to start with, running on excellent noise control measures and the Creature floating on a Dennensen air suspension. Now, listening to classical on my modded belt drive transport is an undistracting, artifact free musical expecrience...

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Eldartford forgot a critical disadvantage of vinyl: wear. The cheaper the pressing, the more wear and tear, with vinyl pieces being chiseled out and 'welded' somewhere else. Last record preservative proved to be helpful but not with already used albums. That, the cheaper quality of pressings and the exhorbitant prices going on in eBay for most good salsa LPS forced me to push the digital envelope: a Dan Wright modded belt drive transport.

Noise floor wise (continous), my vinyl rig is real low. The Creature is quiet and neutral--especially with the floating aluminum 'pistons' of the Dennensen air suspension supporting a granite slab. The impulse noises are what drive me nuts. One can only listen "through" so much.

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Mr. Hifi, given your setup it's impossible you'll like digital but will love 'analog' sound. That's a subject all of its very own covered in the archives. On the other hand, I have a friend witha Nottingham Anna Log deck, Shelter cartridge and a CEC TL-1 w/ Audio Logic DAC and calls analog & digital "different flavors". It's all in the archives...

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Raoul needs to go to Mama Rumba in Mexico City and gain some *experience*. There was an article about this Cuban joint in my local newspaper!

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