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LP - first needle drop or 2nd or 3rd??

Been recording my LP’s  to cd for quite a while,
  recently bought the Coven box set (which is simply beautiful, never bought such an amazing box set)
 felt box, flag, heavy pristine LP’s, signed numbered certificate by Jinx, one of the best box sets I’ve ever purchased.

Anyway, question is: would I get the best sound from the first play, or play them all once or twice, to get the proper groove cut, and get the LP’s accustomed to my stylus, and record at the 2nd play?

 P.s. the Coven band predated the first Black Sabbath album by 4 months.
first song is titled Black Sabbath,   Hhhhmmmmmmm.......

first occult album is by Coven, it’s a stellar release, if you haven’t heard of them, worth a listen.
 Parents had 2 Coven records, I remember as a kid, traded them being dumb?
 Box set is simply amazing!!
128x128arcticdeth
nevillekapadia
95 posts
 
I do needle drop transfers and find the first run to be quite the one to go with. 
Normally you will also need to set the recording levels so it does not clip. And hence may need a pass over the first side. Unless you know the music from before.
If the record is visibly dirty if bought from the used shop, then I do put it through the ultrasonic cleaners. 
It sure gives convenience for playback. And if you have a top converter and record in 4xDSD, it will be ultra hard to distinguish from the source.
 
terry9
2,341 posts
 
Agree with Cleeds and Slaw. I put all my new LP's through an US cleaning cycle, even new MOFI limited edition boxed sets. And change the record sleeves.

Following expert advice, I brush each record with Tiger Cloth before each play. That stuff really works!
kingsleuy's avatar
kingsleuy
180 posts
 
" My cart is 1.7 g on the vinyl, barely touching , how can it wear at all?"

That 1.7 grams is pressing on two tiny contact points in your record groove.   ~50 square micrometers comes to mind.  Then the grooves starts pushing the stylus about.  Plus heat of surface friction.

Think your 100 pound girlfriend walking on 1/4" stiletto heels.  For an instant she puts an equivalent 400 pounds per square inch on the floor.  Now have her balance on one heel and hop around.

It's a wonder to me that a record survives ONE playing.  As my wood flooring has not.  But I still love her.
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