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

So is my refusal to wash newly acquired used LPs before first audition indicate that I have been taking my meds as prescribed or what? I also don’t believe in “mold release” that must therefore be washed off brand new LPs.

To “lewm” it may concern.

You sound quite normal to me. Are you sure you need those meds?

 

l only feel l have to wash as a “LAST” resort. 🛁

I have an absolutely flawless minty JJ Cale OP I bin dived out of a Goodwill…. The small victories of the vinyl Camino Real

I clean all my new records on my Degritter before I ever play them. I also have a Keith Monks DiscOveryOne that I use before each play.

I had a HumminGuru and it worked well, but I just yearned for the Degritter...

I also have a Record Doctor X that I use when I hand clean used records.

How much noise will I accept on a new record. None!

I have also noticed a lot of new releases are arriving warped. I use my Orb DF-01iA on those. If they flatten properly and sound fine, I keep them.