Some Conclusions with Simply Vinyl
Posted by: garyi on 30 May 2002
Mabye I have just been suckered in by the weight I don't know.
But looking on the records which have detriorated the quickest Simply comes out on top.
I have a practically new King Tubby, I mean only played mabye three times and it sounds knackered,
Burnt weeny sandwich sounds like complete bollocks now, unlistenable, if I get within a yard of it, it scratches, it sounds compressed and thin.
Thick as a Brick has been played around 15 times, no longer can I listen it is that bad.
People I look after my records. even 2 quid jobbies off the car booty come up better.
I think they may be 180grams, but the quality of the vinyl is suspect, IMO of course.
rant over
But looking on the records which have detriorated the quickest Simply comes out on top.
I have a practically new King Tubby, I mean only played mabye three times and it sounds knackered,
Burnt weeny sandwich sounds like complete bollocks now, unlistenable, if I get within a yard of it, it scratches, it sounds compressed and thin.
Thick as a Brick has been played around 15 times, no longer can I listen it is that bad.
People I look after my records. even 2 quid jobbies off the car booty come up better.
I think they may be 180grams, but the quality of the vinyl is suspect, IMO of course.
rant over
Posted on: 30 May 2002 by Tony L
quote:
People I look after my records. even 2 quid jobbies off the car booty come up better.
This really surprises me - I have three or four SV albums, and they are all as quiet as anything I own. I have some serious reservations about the mastering quality of these records, but the pressing really is excellent.
The only one I have cleaned is Blue by Joni Mitchell, and I only did that to try and take the edge off the sound, not to remove crackles and pops (didn't work!). It sounds like its probably just taken from a digital master - I also have a crackly original pressing, and it is so much warmer and nicer sounding, though is sadly stuffed condition wise.
My suspicion from what you have said elsewhere is that you cartridge is badly miss-aligned, and may unfortunately be damaging your records. I would strongly recommend getting it checked.
Tony.
Posted on: 31 May 2002 by garyi
Its possible you are right as I am cak at this sort of thing, luckily I will be getting the cart fitted to the new deck by someone who knows better.
However I only mention these pressing because its only them that seem to have suffered so badly.
The rest sound fine.
Nevermind.
However I only mention these pressing because its only them that seem to have suffered so badly.
The rest sound fine.
Nevermind.
Posted on: 31 May 2002 by steveb
quote
The only one I have cleaned is Blue by Joni Mitchell, and I only did that to try and take the edge off the sound, not to remove crackles and pops (didn't work!).
Funny, I thought all you vinyl fanatics raved about how superior the format was to Cd but cleaning to take off the edge suggests that all is not well, incidentally what did you use? an abrasive!!! and still the crackle and pop remains-
perhaps coarser grade needed.
Steve
The only one I have cleaned is Blue by Joni Mitchell, and I only did that to try and take the edge off the sound, not to remove crackles and pops (didn't work!).
Funny, I thought all you vinyl fanatics raved about how superior the format was to Cd but cleaning to take off the edge suggests that all is not well, incidentally what did you use? an abrasive!!! and still the crackle and pop remains-
perhaps coarser grade needed.
Steve
Posted on: 31 May 2002 by Tony L
quote:
Funny, I thought all you vinyl fanatics raved about how superior the format was to Cd but cleaning to take off the edge suggests that all is not well, incidentally what did you use? an abrasive!!!
Just my poor choice of words. Anyone familier with what a decent wet cleaner does will know what I meant! I have a VPI 17F which is arguably the best record cleaner known to man.
Tony.
Posted on: 31 May 2002 by steveb
Tony
Yes I do know what a record cleaner is, big deal you have a VPI 17F-doesn't get you off the key point why have to clean it at all to "take the edge off" does it
Steve
Yes I do know what a record cleaner is, big deal you have a VPI 17F-doesn't get you off the key point why have to clean it at all to "take the edge off" does it
Steve
Posted on: 31 May 2002 by Ed R
No, I think Tony's point is absolutely spot on. Vinyl is so superior to other formats that the high, pure treble can be almost as harsh as the dreaded silver disc. Cleaning, with a decent scourer or Brillo pad restores it to the good-old "flat earth" sound of a 78RPM disc.
I digress. Wet cleaning a new disc can remove a surprising amount of junk from the pressing process and can also cut down on static carcks and pops.
I have a small number of SV LPs but they are all pretty good, clean pressings. As said before, it's the mastering that can be a bit iffy.
Regards,
Ed.
I digress. Wet cleaning a new disc can remove a surprising amount of junk from the pressing process and can also cut down on static carcks and pops.
I have a small number of SV LPs but they are all pretty good, clean pressings. As said before, it's the mastering that can be a bit iffy.
Regards,
Ed.
Posted on: 31 May 2002 by Tony L
quote:
Yes I do know what a record cleaner is, big deal you have a VPI 17F-doesn't get you off the key point why have to clean it at all to "take the edge off" does it
Cleaning a new record removes traces of the mold release agent that may be left on the record - as a result the record often sounds cleaner, quieter and less edgy.
I wanted to clean the SV record as it sounded edgy compared to my original copy of this album (so I knew something was not right), in hindsite this had nothing to do with mold release and everything to do with the remastering of this particular album - which is almost certainly from a digital source (i.e. stuffed!). As I had both the record and a good cleaner, it would have been stupid not to at least try cleaning it to see if there was any improvement.
Is that now simple enough to understand?
Tony.
Posted on: 31 May 2002 by Mark Dunn
Hi Tony:
I have SV 'Blue' and I sympathise with where you're coming from. However, personally I found the album to be a really good indicator of how well my TT/arm/cartidge is set-up. I've used this pressing as one of my yardsticks since I got it and virtually all my other albums sounded better once I got 'Blue' correct. The main things that Joni showed me was that the anti-skating and VTA weren't as spot-on as they could've been. I was close, but no cigar.
If you don't cry at least once during the album, it's not right ;-)
Best Regards,
Mark Dunn
I have SV 'Blue' and I sympathise with where you're coming from. However, personally I found the album to be a really good indicator of how well my TT/arm/cartidge is set-up. I've used this pressing as one of my yardsticks since I got it and virtually all my other albums sounded better once I got 'Blue' correct. The main things that Joni showed me was that the anti-skating and VTA weren't as spot-on as they could've been. I was close, but no cigar.
If you don't cry at least once during the album, it's not right ;-)
Best Regards,
Mark Dunn
Posted on: 01 June 2002 by Not For Me
Tony,
I'll hold your coat while you sort Steveb out.
DS
I'll hold your coat while you sort Steveb out.
DS
Posted on: 11 June 2002 by steveb
Oh dear there seems to be a humour by-pass here, my original comments were tongue in cheek, seems that i needed to make it more simple/obvious that i was taking the "pith". However patronising replies don't help, and then threat of violence!!
Tony,
I'll hold your coat while you sort Steveb out.
DS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
surely it won't be his coat, apron perhaps from all the record cleaning
Yes, i do listen to vinyl, 400+ bought late 60's to early 80's, enjoy it but know it has limitations just like Cd has, to quote Robert Fripp
"for purists,nothing can replace the particular reconance of a debut play on new vinyl, but where the vinyl is recycled, the pressing is poor, and the Hi-Fi is'nt,I'll take Cd's for now"
sleeve notes-Concise Guide to King Crimson
seeing that all/most non-classical was pressed on recycled vinyl during heyday of vinyl and the masters were over used it helps explain the sceptism.
Still want brillo pads at dawn?
Steve
Tony,
I'll hold your coat while you sort Steveb out.
DS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
surely it won't be his coat, apron perhaps from all the record cleaning
Yes, i do listen to vinyl, 400+ bought late 60's to early 80's, enjoy it but know it has limitations just like Cd has, to quote Robert Fripp
"for purists,nothing can replace the particular reconance of a debut play on new vinyl, but where the vinyl is recycled, the pressing is poor, and the Hi-Fi is'nt,I'll take Cd's for now"
sleeve notes-Concise Guide to King Crimson
seeing that all/most non-classical was pressed on recycled vinyl during heyday of vinyl and the masters were over used it helps explain the sceptism.
Still want brillo pads at dawn?
Steve