@drbond I reached out to AS a couple of days ago about getting an RMA number for my returns/exchanges. I haven’t heard back yet, but will follow up with a phone call soon. Hopefully it’s as easy as you say.
QC at QRP
Let me start this post by saying that I'm a long-time supporter of Acoustic Sounds/Analog Productions, and think Chad Kassem has done the analog community a huge service by reissuing so many great recordings of the past on high quality vinyl and with beautiful packaging. That said...
I recently placed a fairly substantial order from AS that included several jazz and classical reissues pressed by QRP. As the reviews all say, the packaging is beautiful and the recordings from that batch that I've listened to so far have sounded very good. However, I am a bit disappointed in the quality of some of the QRP pressings. At least half of the records in this batch are noticeably warped. I'm not expecting the utmost perfection in terms of record flatness, but some of these are warped to the point where the clamp on my Michell turntable isn't able to get them reasonably flat - and the Michell clamp is the most effective one I've ever used at tightly coupling an LP to the platter. Without the clamp the records are unacceptably wavy.
I keep asking myself if I'm being unreasonable in my expectations and maybe I am. But these are 'premium' $40+ records from a company with their own pressing plant and that touts the quality of their pressings at every turn - 'Quality' is in their name, after all! A couple of the records also have spindle holes that are drilled so small that the records can't be placed on the spindle without excessive force. And, once on, removing the record from the spindle is another adventure. Not acceptable IMHO.
I'm tempted to return close to half the records in this order, but I'll probably limit it to the most egregious cases. If the Michell clamp can reasonably flatten a record then I wont return it.
Are others experiencing similar QC problems with QRP pressings? YouTube channels like Scott Wilson's The Pressing Matters and others seem to universally praise the Analog Productions/QRP LPs - I don't think I've ever heard Scott complain about warped LPs from QRP or discuss other pressing anomalies like poorly drilled spindle holes.
Maybe I've just been unlucky, but I'd love to hear the experience of others.
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Reply to their shipping confirmation email that you got. You can also initiate a return via their website. I’ve bought lots from Anallog Sounds, and they are very reliable about returns. I would usually hear back in a day or two via email, with a return shipping label included. Just re-box the LP’s, and drop off at FedEx. A couple of weeks later you get your replacements. Don’t worry: they’ll take care of any problems you have (as long as you contact them within 30 days of receipt.) |
@donlp33 This is really disappointing to hear. I hope AP/QRP can resolve these QC issues soon. There are many more LPs on my Wish List that I had planned to buy from them, but I'm frankly hesitant now. |
Lpluvr, did you listen to “Relaxin’”? Because AP purchased Classic Records in 2010, and my pressing of that LP is the one of a 5 record set on Classic that was grossly distorted on at least one cut. If AP used whatever they bought from Classic to generate that LP, perhaps it’s sonically defective, not just warped. |
@drbond I did initiate the return process using the form on the web site. Unfortunately, there are a couple of LPs that are just outside the 30 day return window. I had to travel out of town for a family emergency and this delayed me in checking out some of the LPs. I guess I’m going to be testing their leniency there as well. |
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