Heavy Vinyl

Several 180 gm lps arrived with warps, a few I had to return, I'm not buying them anymore. 

You are correct, I don't hear audible improvement.

One trend I have seen is selling double lps, and having content only on 3 sides. I really dislike that. Other, older content could have been included, OR, 4 sides at 45 rpm could have been provided.

I haven’t found heavy vinyl to be more susceptible to warps at all. In fact, the most warped records that I can recall were the old RCA Dynaflex LPs, and they were incredibly thin.

By itself, a thicker LP is no guarantee of quality.

@elliottbnewcombjr

Did you ever hear the 3 sided album on one LP? One side has 2 tracks

Monty Python's Matching Tie and Handkerchief

Most audiophile pressings are done in heavy vinyl. Then there are old pressings, some of which are heavy vinyl.

I have found most, but definitely not all to be superior to the other pressings. I assumed for the reason of the mastering and extra care in the cutting. I assume the extra vinyl for staying extra flat. That has been my experience. Most every 180gm and 200gm record is very flat. There are a very few I have received that were warped. I probably own a couple hundred audiophile pressings.

I also own quite a few heavy vinyl records that were produced in the ‘60 and 70’s. I don’t think they sound better. But are a hold over from the 40’s and 50’s when most albums were thicker… I suspect from less flexible compounds. Over the decades standard pressings became thinner and more flexible. Some now you can bend to great angles without breaking or warping. Try that to an early 40’s album and it will snap.

@grinnell

"Did you ever hear the 3 sided album on one LP? One side has 2 tracks

Monty Python’s Matching Tie and Handkerchief"

Being the early 1970’s, certain smokable substances were consumed and the stunned confusion that ensued when a completely different album side appeared was comical to watch.