LP imperfections
TSWisla
Posts: 446
I may have brought this up before, but when purchasing brand new vinyl, where do you draw the line and send the records back for replacements? I recently received 4 brand new LPs and all of them are imperfect in one way or the other. I really don't want to rub the retailer the wrong way, but these were expensive LPs and I would really, really like them to be at the very least "acceptable" to my eyes and ears. One of them has scratches and scuffs and for the most part it sounds fantastic, but during one of the quiet tracks, it clicks almost all the way through. On another title, it is not perfectly flat, with the clamp, it gets pretty close, but you can still see the cartridge moving up and down as it tracks, it is also not centered. There is also some popping on some of the quiet tracks (of course!). On the third title, it is not flat and not centered, but no audible problems. Won't this cause premature record and stylus wear with constant up and down and side to side motion? I should not have to settle on a $50 record, right?
Now, here is my greatest fear which has occurred many times in the past. I send back the originals only to get replacements that are even more warped and bad sounding! ANYWAY, going back to the original question, what imperfections do you find acceptable? Thank you!
Now, here is my greatest fear which has occurred many times in the past. I send back the originals only to get replacements that are even more warped and bad sounding! ANYWAY, going back to the original question, what imperfections do you find acceptable? Thank you!
Zu Soul Supreme
Coincident Frankenstein mkIII
Esoteric K-07
Coincident Frankenstein mkIII
Esoteric K-07
Post edited by TSWisla on
Comments
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I grapple with this one myself. But I just returned a copy of U2 Unforgetable Fire 180g double LP to elusive disc for essentially the same issues. I'm not expecting perfection from a record. It's not a cd, it's a record. But this was a high-end version of this album at a high end price, and there were visible scratches on the record and a lot of background noise. Elusive disc took it back no problem. I've also returned vinyl that's arrived with considerable warping, and in fact I returned the entire new Beatles vinyl box set to Amazon because of issues with background noise. If I were you, I would call the company you bought them from (assuming they have a customer service number) and talk to them about the problem. Vinyl is a medium where you can't expect or demand perfection, that's not what it's about. But you do have to draw the line somewhere.Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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I purchased the records from Elusive Disc and Elusive Disc has never given me any hassle when trying to return records (other places have and I no longer do business with them), but I fear that they are going to tell me "no" one day. Again, I feel that for $50, I should get something that I am happy with. I certainly do not expect every LP to be perfect (thought I do have a few), but I have trouble drawing the line sometimes and was looking for some advice. I almost always don't return something unless I can hear an audible flaw, but this time, I fear that because the records are not flat and not centered and being 45 rpm, that they will cause me trouble down the line, what do you think?Zu Soul Supreme
Coincident Frankenstein mkIII
Esoteric K-07 -
I think that for $50 you have a right to be happy with your purchase, and if you're not you should talk to elusive disc. I've dealt with them on the phone, they're very reasonable. I don't think they would give you a hard time. Call them and talk to them about this.Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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I recieved a copy of Muddy Waters "Electric Mud" for Christmas and all the tracks on side one skipped and/or hungup except the first. Side two played perfectly, go figure. I returned it to Booksamillion with no questions asked. I've sent two high dollar LPs back to Elusive Disc with no problems either. I'm a firm believer in customer satisfaction so if I encounter a business that doesn't accomodate me, I shop elsewhere.If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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Hello, TSWisla and sorry to hear of your LP woes. I personally agree with everything said so far. I'd also like to add that if there are production/shipping/packaging/press/centering issues, they aren't going to improve or correct an issue they are unaware of. Returns take away from profits and makes them aware of any issues and this goes from store level to factory press level. One would think that it would be in the retailers and factories best interests to correct any issues they may have in order to improve profits.
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
Brand new LPs with both visible and audible imperfections? Warping too? Don't settle for it unless its used stuff and then be picky! Warping is a heat issue and if the LP has been exposed to heat,warping and groove damage is a sure thing...avoid em!
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The LPs are on their way back, keep your fingers crossed for me that the new ones are at least as good as the ones I sent back!Zu Soul Supreme
Coincident Frankenstein mkIII
Esoteric K-07 -
This seems to becoming more and more common. I just paid $72.00 for Neil Young’s new lp and there is a ton of grove noise. I was thinking about returning it but based on the crap that’s being pressed lately I like TSWisla fear getting something worse in return.
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I think nspindel sums it up, with this:
Vinyl is a medium where you can't expect or demand perfection, that's not what it's about. But you do have to draw the line somewhere.
No "truer" words have been spoken!
And I couldn't agree more!
cnhCurrently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash] -
I think that you would be better off sending it back, that LP was pressed in probably the best pressing plant in the world.Zu Soul Supreme
Coincident Frankenstein mkIII
Esoteric K-07 -
I would send those back...
I have a copy of Coldplay's "A Rush of Blood to the Head" that sounds like crap...
It's a "limited edition" 180gr album and it has a lot of background noise. I never sent the damn thing back, wanted to send it through my now new Spin Clean to see if it would help. It did help a bit, but it's still noisy.
I should get off my lazy rear end and get a box out to Neal so he can show me what his fancy cleaning system can do... -
Chances are if you have a brand new 180g album and it sounds like crap, cleaning it won't do all that much. I've found the quality control around the new heavyweight vinyl to be less than stellar. I've sent a lot of stuff back. The cleaning machine works wonders on old, filthy vinyl.Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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Chances are if you have a brand new 180g album and it sounds like crap, cleaning it won't do all that much. I've found the quality control around the new heavyweight vinyl to be less than stellar. I've sent a lot of stuff back. The cleaning machine works wonders on old, filthy vinyl.
I know...
But I just wanted to hold on to foolish faith that the album can be saved. -
I've also had some bad luck with new vinyl, a good cleaning helped, but I still had issues that I was not happy with. The thing that really strikes me is how much quiter some of the old (in great shape) vinyl I have is, this stuff was probably pressed over 25 years ago. Have we lost the art of pressing a good LP?2-Channel System
Analog: VPI Traveler TT, Audio Technica 150MLX, Pro-Ject Tube Box DS
CD Player: Jolida JD-100 Preamp: Cambridge 840E Amp: Odyssey Kismet Stereo
Spkrs: Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature Systems -
A lot depends on the source material and the cutting system they are using. A third gen pressing used as a source will never work.
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I have several LPs that should have gone back, but for one reason or another didn't. Every time I play them now, it upsets me immensely, I can barely enjoy them. I can't believe how much new vinyl is not centered. It is incredible that almost every one of my old LPs is centered, but almost every new one is not. How can this be?Zu Soul Supreme
Coincident Frankenstein mkIII
Esoteric K-07 -
Do you guys know which plant your poor quality vinyl is coming from? I just got a new table and placed an order today for cartridge and a Spin Clean. I haven't ordered any "new" vinyl yet. I was going to try some of this companys work http://www.qualityrecordpressings.com/index.cfm?go=projects but, I don't want to throw my money away, if it can be helped.
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Good grief, how do you guys tolerate this nonsence? Talk about drawing a line in the sand & moving on."2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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$50 & $72 for vinyl? And it has obvious manufacturing flaws?
Holy cats!! There world sure has changed in the 20 or so years I stopped paying attention.
Going to rethink my original idea of moving back to LPs.
FWIW, I'd return them in a heartbeat. Premium price = premium quality regardless of product. -
I would be sending them back for sure.
As long as they are new then you should return them if for any other reason to expose their shipping provider flaws..
I just picked up 4 LP's and my Norah Jones has a wicked little scratch that is very annoying to say the least.
I will be bringing it back next weekend in my travels..
On the other hand my AC/DC Highway to Hell 180G pressing sounds fantastic..ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables -
Not sure why they think that these thick 180 gram records are better than the older standard thickness records or back in the 70's RCA made their records so that you could practically bend them in half and not break them, Dynaflex I think they called it . If they want to charge premium prices like $25 for a new record they better come up with a way to make them reasonably scratch and warp free.
