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Oh no, there's metal in your records!

IMO, this is completely out of left field. But, here’s the story. On Saturday, there was a "seminar" at the local stereo shop about why you should listen to high quality records. It turned out to be a 3 hour commercial for this dude who wants to market his services as a "HQ record shopper" of sorts. For a mere $240, you get an annual subscription to his services. You pick a title, and he will find the "best available" version of the record... so you can buy it. And, when he brings it to you, he’ll bring other similar records for you to buy. Most of these records are in the $50 to $100 range, so this "service" clearly not for me. Plus, I kind of like the hunt for a gem.

Anyway, the point of the post: One thing he said is that some older vinyl has metallic content embedded in the vinyl, and that it can interact with your cartridge’s magnet, causing distortion. Therefore, you should only buy the newest, most pristine (hence most expensive) vinyl records... from him, of course. I didn’t want to challenge him on the spot in front of others, but in my mind I’m thinking this is the most ridiculous claim I’ve ever heard. Even more ridiculous than gems you place on your speakers to change the way they sound... but, I digress. I understand he wants to show the true value of his "service"... but, seriously? Interesting business idea... but metal in the vinyl?

Just for fun, I did a little bit of google searching for metal in vinyl, and I found links to Metallica and Whitesnake records, but no stories about the metal embedded in the vinyl. So, can you prove me wrong, or just remind me that I’m not all that gullible. Please! Anyone have any information about such a wild claim?
128x128soundermn
jcarr
382 posts
 
http://kuzutetu.cside3.jp/dia100930.jpg

The linked photo is of the internals of a Victor MC-L1000 cartridge. As far as I know, the cartridge in the photo was not subjected to unusual neglect, nor was it operated in a uniquely iron-laden environment.

The gold-colored object in the upper part of the photo is the front yoke, the darker object running across the center of the photo is the magnet, the object in the lower part of the photo is the rear yoke, and the silver-white rod running down from the center of the photo is the cantilever.

The photo shows clearly that enough grime has been attracted to the yokes to completely fill up the gap (horizontal in the center of the photo). The shape of the grime bulging out of both sides of the gap implies significant magnetic content.

The clogged-up gap completely immobilized the cantilever - cleaning out the gap restored normal cantilever mobility.
soundermn's avatar
soundermn OP
344 posts
 
I see that it's a dirty cartridge, and agree with your comments that it's dirty, and that dirt could cause a problem.  But, otherwise what are you saying?  Are you suggesting that this is metallic material that was "scraped off and attracted magnetically" from the records by the magnet?  
lewm
13,160 posts
 
To add to soundermn's apt questions, do we know the hours of use on the cartridge that you described, Jcarr?  Thanks for chiming into this thread to enlighten us Philistines, by the way.  Your input is appreciated.

I have had the experience of using a magnet to attract a tiny washer, screw, or nut that I accidentally dropped on the floor under my basement workbench or in my garage.  Inevitably, the magnetic head of the probe comes back with "magnetic dirt" all over it, in addition to the retrieved washer/screw/nut, if I'm lucky.  This suggests to me that there is magnetic dirt or dust in the environment, generally.  (Of course, no one uses a phono cartridge to probe for a washer on the floor, but my observation suggests that what we see on the cartridge need not necessarily have come from an LP.)
soundermn's avatar
soundermn OP
344 posts
 
@lewm I think you are spot-on!  Great analogy.  I love analogies, and this is a great one!
moonglum
619 posts
 

Dear Jonathan,

Many thanks for rescuing me! :)

(Lyra were not the suppliers of my original information BTW but it was very kind of Jonathan to elaborate on this problem. Top man!)


Having given the earlier question (ie the source) some thought I realised the following (and thankfully nobody has mentioned it yet).

I said that no one would operate a vacuum cleaner near their turntable whilst music was being played but soon realised that the cartridge doesn’t need to be in use in order for the particulates to be absorbed by it, although uncovering the T/T is undoubtedly UNhelpful(!)

When I initially discussed this via email with a “World Renowned Cartridge Builder/Rebuilder”, one of their theories for the source of the problem was :

“Vacuum cleaner motor + super-strong magnet = cartridge full of metal filings” (a direct quote from their e-mail)

In retrospect that theory looks more probable by the minute. It’s difficult to say what percentage of the contaminants might be attributable to “non-virgin vinyl” but I would guess that it is extremely small e.g. an occasional chip for every 50x 1970s LPs.

So, in a way, “the truth is still out there” regarding “non-virgin vinyl”.

“Onwards & upwards….!” :)

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