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Brand New Warped albums!

First, let me say I LOVE Music Direct.  They have always provided me with good service, very quick shipping and very high quality products.  I will be a forever customer.  I received 4 albums for Christmas that I ordered.  I received Pink Floyd "Obscured By Clouds & "Meddle" and also Led Zeppelin 2 and 4.  All but one of the albums were warped.  I contacted MD and they arranged 3 new albums to be sent to me and I returned the old ones at no charge to me.  All 3 of the new ones were warped but I decided to live with it.

Last weekend I ordered 4 more albums from MD, Yes "Fragile" & "The Yes Album Box set recorded at 45rpm.  I also received Stand Up by Jethro Tull & DSOTM by Pink Floyd.  The packaging was more than perfect.  Excitedly, I opened and played the first record from The Yes Album box set and the record is severely warped.  It is so warped that the tonearm looks like it's going to fly off the record!.  I haven't played the other records yet and will probably play them on Saturday.  I did not write this to bash MD as I know they will do right by me but I am concerned about receiving so many warped records.  What I would like to know is this the new normal?  I can't believe I just have bad luck.  All of the records were 180gram vinyl.

I would like to hear from others who have ordered from MD and if your records arrived warped.  Again, let me be perfectly clear....I am not blaming MD as they just ship out the records which they receive from their distributor and have no way of knowing if the records are warped or not and they always make good on anything the customer finds unsatisfactory.  Am I being too picky?
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cleeds
5,944 posts
 
stereo5

I received 4 albums ... All but one of the albums were warped ... they arranged 3 new albums to be sent to me ... All 3 of the new ones were warped ...

I ordered 4 more albums ... I opened and played the first record from The Yes Album box set and the record is severely warped. It is so warped that the tonearm looks like it’s going to fly off the record! ... is this the new normal? ... Am I being too picky?
That’s difficult to say. Certainly, no LP should be so warped that the pickup arm nearly flies off the record. (Presuming, obviously, that the arm and cartridge are set up properly in the first place.)

How warped were the other LPs? I’ve not had any issue at all with Music Direct and like you, I’ve found their packaging to be excellent. Perhaps I’ve been extra lucky, or you’ve been extra unlucky.

I do get a mildly warped LP from time to time. My turntable has a reflex clamping system, and that is usually sufficient to keep the disc tight against the platter.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Only had one badly warped new record of late.
It was Mumford and Sons, bought from our local Target.
It was pretty bad and I decided not to even try playing it once I watched it on the platter.
Returned it for full refund same day.
So they are out there for sure, that was mid December 2018.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5 OP
6,384 posts
 
I think I am going to send the box set back for exchange or refund.  It was $59.00 and not chump change.   After I play the other 3 records, I’ll call them.  I hope it is only this 1 record and not all of them.  
tooblue
1,927 posts
 
@slaw , just googled the Vinyl Flat and that is interesting. Do you use it with the Groovy Pouch they offer for the heating or do you use the oven. Don't get many albums where this would be needed since I use a record clamp with a peripheral ring clamp with my VPI but when I do it looks like a cheap way to fix that problem.
vegasears
1,173 posts
 
Back in the late 70's early 80's when buying LP's, I had them open them up and put them on a TT and verify it was good.   The most disappointing warped LP was Clapton & Winwood "Live From Madison Square Garden" 3 LP Box Set.  I bought it while visiting California (I live in Nevada) and opened it weeks later.  Of the 3 albums, two were warped so bad they were unplayable.  I called them and the Manager said, "Didn't you see the sign, All Sales are Final on box sets".  It pisses me off every time I cross the border which ain't often.
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