Poor Quality King Crimson ITCOTCK Vinyl

Posted by: Ron Brinsdon on 21 January 2013

Having recently had my LP12 upgraded and serviced, I have been re-discovering my collection and adding to it with both new and replacement albums. One of the "replacements" was "In The Court......."  which I ordered on 200g vinyl.

 

It arrived yesterday, looking wonderful after I removed it from the shrink-wrap etc, however, despite it's pristine appearance I was dissapointed from the first 10 seconds of the stylus landing. Throughout both sides there are many snap, crackles and pops in the quiet passages and dead areas.

 

Before anyone mentions the obvious, my stylus was cleaned the day before and the album wiped with a velvet pad prior to playing as I always do.

 

What I DO NOT do is wet-clean brand new albums prior to first play. Is it possible that it is suffering from mould-release agent on the surface or has anyone else had a poor copy?

 

Where the vinyl is crackle-free, the sound is wonderful and the seperation and imaging far better than my old pressing.

 

I may have to try a bit of wet cleaning just on the first bands and will report back.

 

Have a good day,

 

Ron

 

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by Quad 33
Originally Posted by Ron Brinsdon:

Having recently had my LP12 upgraded and serviced, I have been re-discovering my collection and adding to it with both new and replacement albums. One of the "replacements" was "In The Court......."  which I ordered on 200g vinyl.

 

It arrived yesterday, looking wonderful after I removed it from the shrink-wrap etc, however, despite it's pristine appearance I was dissapointed from the first 10 seconds of the stylus landing. Throughout both sides there are many snap, crackles and pops in the quiet passages and dead areas.

 

Before anyone mentions the obvious, my stylus was cleaned the day before and the album wiped with a velvet pad prior to playing as I always do.

 

What I DO NOT do is wet-clean brand new albums prior to first play. Is it possible that it is suffering from mould-release agent on the surface or has anyone else had a poor copy?

 

Where the vinyl is crackle-free, the sound is wonderful and the seperation and imaging far better than my old pressing.

 

I may have to try a bit of wet cleaning just on the first bands and will report back.

 

Have a good day,

 

Ron

 

Hi Ron.

Sorry to hear about your problem with ITCOTCK, however I have read similar comments re this album on the scotish site, which echo what you have just said regarding the poor SQ. Sounds like a problem at the pressing stage. Hope you find a good copy.

 

Regards Graham.

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by Ron Brinsdon

Thanks Graham, I had looked on that site but there is no "advanced" search facility (unless it is hidden on my menu) so I could not find comments

 

Ron

 

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by Steve J

Wet clean it with an RCM if you can Ron. My copy was a bit rice crispy until I cleaned it. Overall it's not a bad reissue. 

 

ATB

 

Steve

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by Quad 33

Hi Ron. 

 

Here is the review I read

 

'Received my copy on 200 gram vinyl also, and it does sound very good. Although some people say the original version still sounds better. I don't have an original release to compare. Now here is the bad points. Currently it has been through the Okki Nokki twice with still noticeable surface noise in the quiet bits and the pressing 200 grams and all that is not perfectly flat. Got from Burning Shed maybe it's a Friday afternoon pressing but at the moment I am slightly disappointed.


Not sure it helps.


Regards Graham.

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by john101

Hi Ron,  I hate to say it, but my copy of the 2012 vinyl is dead quiet and sounds fantastic - very dynamic. I wish all new vinyl were this good.

Sounds like you have a faulty copy.

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by Ron Brinsdon

Thanks for the comments guys, I guessed I had a Friday afternoon pressing after reading about the mixed quality.

 

Will Okki it at the weekend with some others. In the less crackly passages, it IS a  better recording than my early (very well loved) Island copy but the only other KC I would now replace after this experience is "Red" which may be out on 200g next year.

 

SteveJ - glass/cup/balls sounding good and looking good although still feel maybe Tramp2 plus glass = slight overkill. Will dig a wall shelf out of attic eventually.

 

 

Regards

 

Ron