$800 Cartridge Shootout and Upgrade Path

Hmmm, you're in Tracy? I'm in the South Bay. When/if Doug wanders out this way, don't forget to look me up, too!

Do you hear that Doug?

Welcome 4yanx!

Do you know that I tell everyone I know about your vinyl cleaning process? Why its the first topic I bring up at all the cocktail parties I attend! :> )

(I wonder why I never get invited back?)

I am always told, "Why on earth are you still listening to that old record stuff?"

My reply goes something like this, "Well, many CDs sound like high-pitched machinery in need of oil."

That usually gets me one big dirty look as my cocktail-party acquaintance beats a hasty retreat to the buffet line.

No, say, "you're right they really don't sound all that good. Load up all of your old junk in my car and I'll haul it away for you."

FWIW, I am humbled that you found anything I posted about record cleaning to be of value. One caveat. I have since learned a great deal about the leaching of plasticizers in vinyl and no longer recommend the use of dishwashing detergent (including the fragrence ingredients in Dawn) or various other household cleansers when doing the sink washing. Others still swear by their use, but I don't want to be responsible for someone using the "wrong" product. Some quite distressing reading regarding the use of enzyme-based fluids and their effect on certain plasticizers (including dioctyl phthalate, dibasic fatty acid, and the most common plasticizer in vinyl). Others will argue, too, that you shouldn't use tap water for an initial rinse before moving to the RCM and RRL fluids. Unless your water is extremely hard or in an area that has an abundance of chemicals, I don't think there is much of a risk unless you air dry. I've done the sink and tap water route and the distilled water route and don't tell a difference. Of course I always use the RRL regimen immediately afterwards.

OK, now this thread can move to a discussion of the best pressing of Beethoven’s

4yanx,

Oh no, the Beethoven wars!

Here's a few of my Beethoven favorites:

Beethoven: Symphony no 9, Furtwangler, Schwarzkopf, Angle Records

Beethoven: Piano Concerto Nos. 1-5 (Set), George Szell, Emil Gilels, Cleveland Orchestra

Beethoven: Symphony no 9 / Normandy, Tabernacle Choir, Philadelphia Orchestra, CBS Records