@billstevenson I appreciate your thoughts but I have no issues with the gear. And most LPs I own play perfectly. That includes my pieces of vinyl I've owned from the 70's and onward. The OP asked "Brand new vinyl - what’s acceptable to you?" and my comments pertain to this question. I recently purchased a Tone Poets reissue of Hank Mobley - Poppin' LP (Tone Poet Vinyl Series). As they describe these pressings "Definitive Audiophile Vinyl Reissues" The sound was pristine right up until it wasn't. With a very noticeable snap, snap, snap that lasted for about 5 seconds in the middle of one track. Tried a couple extra ultrasonic cleanings in the hope it was something that would disappear, but no luck. So, should I keep it and just not play one side, or send it back. This is what I'm talking about and, to the OP's question, is not acceptable to me. Cheers.
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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@bigtwin Interesting. I am a subscriber to the Tone Poet series, but will not get to listen to my copy of Poppin until we return to our home in Florida in a few weeks. I'll listen for that and report back one way or the other. |
@davetherave11 ”l have two words for you people: “Compact discs”” I have five for you. How long will they work? |
@dogberry ”l am too polite” I agree 👍 You obviously have the patience of a saint. You should be in politics. Whether your “two words” reply would have been a comment on sound grounds, or profound profanity, we will never know. |
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