Frustrated with Vinly


Hey All,

Just coming here to let out out my frustration with Vinyl. I know that Vinyl takes patience but it's frustrating when playing some of my newer records and they have noises that I do not want to hear. Meaning, I try to clean them and they still have noise (pops, crackles, etc). When playing at low volumes of course you do not hear as much but when I turn up the volume is when it gets irritating. 

I can understand if older vinyl would sound like this but these are my newer records that I bought (amazon or barnes and nobles).

Now, I know the products that I am using are probably not great in the first place and I will probably need to upgrade to some more serious cleaner).

Currently trying to use a combo of: Kaiu Vinyl record cleaning set and I have also tried the Audio Technica AT6012 Record Care Kit.

So now I am considering either a Spin Clean type system or Pro-Ject  VC-S2 ALU Type cleaning system.

Any suggestions?

I almost want to give up on Vinyl sometimes and stick to digital (cd, hi res files, qobuz streaming).

Current equipment: denon dp-300f w/2m blue cart.

Thanks

Jay
128x128jay73

Needless to say, a record is a dirt magnet. The record can’t help it -- attracting dirt is part of its DNA. Dibasic lead stearate or cadmium or other esters of stearic acid make up as much as 2 percent of the vinyl compound. These additives provide thermal buffering for the vinyl during pressing, aid the platter’s release from the mold and prevent oxidation on the newly minted record. Function served, mold-release agents turn into foreign substances between stylus and groove, where they remain and attract dirt. Chemical analyses of 50-year-old used records reveals mold-release agent still in the groove.

Playing dirty records not only generates audible clicks and pops, it wreaks physical havoc. When a stylus exerting N tons of pressure per square inch smacks head on into a family of 5-micron-sized rocks sailing along at 60 knots, the impact can deform the groove wall or, thanks to heat generated by the forces in play, fuse those rocks to the vinyl itself.

I always clean new records before playing them.


The main problem with "common sense" is that it is the least common of all senses today.
audioguy,

I am in the process of researching some better turntables.

One that has piqued my interest right now is the Thorens TD 148a but not sure what the quality of the catridge is.

Seems like a good solid table and I like the automatic features (the denon has spoiled me in this sense).

But I can't seem to find any really good reviews on it.

The others that I am researching right now are: rega, project, music hall, mobile fidelity and even goldenote.

Don’t assume that because you’re satisfied with less than the best or too lazy to try to improve playback qualities that others are the same as you. Nobody is telling someone new to the hobby that they have to clean their records or take other steps to improve playback but they may choose to do so and it will have positive effects.

I generally don’t clean brand new records before I play them and I buy used records at a store that uses a record cleaner before they put them out for sale. If I buy them somewhere else then I do get out my record cleaner and make sure there is not a bunch of crap on them before I put them on my turntable.

You made a lot of incorrect assumptions.


You guys are free to clean everyday, but if i do not hear any problem i do not clean with special devices, it’s been pointed out before that professional sellers clean their vintage record with vacuum cleaners prior to sell them, i do not buy on flea markets. To my eyes my records are clean visually and does not sound dirty when i play them.

I improve the sound quality with different cartridges and phonostages. Since i do not have a digital background in music at all (i don’t care about digital) i am fine with vinyl, i’m not sure what you are trying to achieve when you’re cleaning them (sound like a CD or what?) or maybe they are so dirty, but i tried vacuum cleaning at the local shop, it was a good point to make sure my record were clean before i cleaned them, because i did not find huge improvement. I am more concerned about the condition of the vinyl, because even if you will clean VG record it will never be a VG+, you can’t wipe away scratches on surface.

A Near Mint condition record without any cleaning is better than cleaned VG.
Condition is far more important, because scratches on surface is annoying, this is what makes huge pops and cracks in the system.

I have no idea why do you want to clean a MINT condition or NEW record if the sound is just great ?
This is audiophilia at their best.

If you will look under microscope on everything around you will see it’s not clean, not sterile, so what ? Shall we turn on the ultra violet light to kill the microbes ? 

P.S. I do clean my styli and trying to keep my record clean without overestimating the problem.