A seemingly increasing proportion of vinyl since initial decline in production (1990’s) has QC issues. Much of the original production machinery is long gone, and much of what’s in use today is purportedly not new. Add to that what’s likely considerably higher cost for ingredients (PVC sourced from overseas) and perhaps integrity of said ingredients (no info available on the chemical or environmental standards of major producers of the precursor pellets), and “180g” isn’t a spec that will save performance of the final new product.
A strong stream of water into grooves is probably the second most effective way to remove noise from troubled vinyl (whether it’s been accrued through time via dust or is a result of poor QC from the get-go) that you can do in-house. There are sandwich-handled-discs that can be screwed onto the center of each LP (over the label) that allow water-blasting under a strong faucet (silicon inner discs protect the album labels from water).
The most effective solution I’ve seen is to apply WD40 to the troubled disc via microfiber cloth (preferably after washing said disc). However, white spirits x vinyl over the years… well, chemically, who knows. Also, a semi-liquid in the grooves x hollow cantilever for me was always a “no.” Amazing solution in performance, but not one I use on my equipment.
I had no idea there was a mail-in disc cleaning service. In a world advocating people consider food miles etc., the concept of re-shipping vinyl that’s already shipped at least twice got a chuckle from me.
