I accidentally reposted my original post again in error…….Audiogon is a strange beast as old posts don’t vanish unless manually deleted once posted! Still a learning process for me…..well there are two sides to every record…………
With regard to hearing ‘things’ with the lid still up or even going down l wonder if the last poster ever had anyone do a blind test for him (or her) while music was playing?
The bigger question that is curious to me if lids have a negative effect, is how big is it versus the other numerous colourations in the room that can ‘affect playback’ like objects, furnishings and flooring. They all change the sound ultimately so nothing is perfect reproduction by the time it reaches your ears.
My original post was why ditch a lid when it actively has the benefit of reducing airborne dust and contaminates versus without a lid, increased contamination while actually playing records (and two sides of course). Records will always make a most attractive home for dust and airborne detritus.
Replacing records back into posh anti-static liners after being exposed for this time introduces contamination into the liner that is designed to keep dust out. This habit with most users can cause damage in storage until the next time played. So if you are of the constant cleaning club it seams more logical to me to clean records AFTER playing and not before! This surely is the only way of keeping records as clean as possible for those users who have record players without lids!