I don't want any noise on a new record but true perfection is not easy to find. Cleaning is important, that's for sure but flaws in a new record are something that I despise. I have found more flaws in modern 180 and 200g re-masters than I have in originals from the 50's on through modern times. I will seek out original pressings whenever possible. Clear and colored vinyl often tends to be cleaner in SQ than black vinyl but I also have a lot of excellent black vinyl records as well. It's not a perfect media but it sure can come close at times.
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,
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@slaw I have as well. Often too late for me to return, as I would just put them in my collection still sealed and not play them for a year or more. I mostly avoid the re-masters now, having had so much trouble with them. Many of them I have found to be inferior in SQ as well, compared to originals. Disappointing when you spend $40 or more for something that is supposed to be high quality or "Audiophile". Some are great buy many just are not. |
Just recently I bought Patricia Barber “Clique” by IMPEX. Noisy vinyl. No scratches just terrible noise floor. It was on final sale at Acoustic Sounds so I guess I’m kind if screwed but I’ll try to reach out. Best new vinyl so far: Rhino catalog mastered by Kevin Gray AAA, quiet and amazing sound MoFi stuff pretty much all solid. Newvelle Records - great quality vinyl, very limited catalog. |
- 82 posts total