Brand new vinyl - what’s acceptable to you?
I just ordered a dozen new albums - this time all 180 g variants. The Norah Jones had a scratch on it coming out of the paper sleeve the first time. (Separate gripe - why do they package ostensibly “audiophile” albums in crappy sleeves which might actually damage a record?). I’ll return the Norah Jones. But, the Miles Davis album has a noisy spot 1/4 the way through the first track. I’ll try cleaning the record but usually don’t have to for a new album. Or should I as a better practice? (This old dog can learn new habits).
Fortunately, the Pat Metheny is dead quiet - thank you ECM! All my ECM vinyl - even from decades ago are quiet. However, my experience is that ECM is very much an outlier: that most labels will come with some noise.
I’m working my way through all the albums but it made me want to poll the group: How much noise do you accept on a new pressing? Do you have a rule of thumb for what to reject?
Thanks,
@mgrif104 I recently got a Humminguru Nova ultrasonic cleaner and like it quiet a bit especially for new records. As to good quality vinyl…I recently bought several Craft Recordings records and every pressing is superb. |
@audphile1 thanks for the tip - I’ll look into Craft Recordings and the Hummingguru. @mattmiller - I too was surprised and disappointed at the lack of sparkle in the vinyl of Norah Jones. It’ll be going back, but they’ll want to send a replacement and I will be looking for something else. The Miles Davis sounds quite good - other than some of the noise previously mentioned. Hopefully it will clean up. Most of what vinyl I have is classical, but I am looking forward to giving the new Supertramp Crime of the Century a spin. Good music that brings back memories. Oh, and The Who - Who’s Next. Another guilty pleasure!
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Like most, I clean all new vinyl before playing. At today's prices, I will only accept perfection. No pops, no clicks, nada. Because of this, I only buy new vinyl from Amazon. Their no questions return policy can't be beat. I don't even have to put a return in a box. Just scan the QR code and drop it off at the closest outlet which in my case is a gas station 10 blocks from my house. If the first copy is not perfect, I'll order a second. Maybe even a third. Never have this problem with a CD. |
@mgrif104 -- Get a HummingGuru Nova and you will be amazed how your vinyl sounds. I don't think you will regret it one bit. |
