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New Re-Issue Vinyl: Surface Noise, Ticks, Pops....

It seems that paying an average of 30.00 to get new 180-200 gram pressings is a lot of money. And I don't mind paying it for a good clean pressing. But is seems as though I usually end up with surface noise , crackling, pops etc.. It is so frustrating to wait for records to come and when I play them I hear a record that sounds like I bought it in a used record store. Has anyone ever mentally kept track of what interent distributor seems to have the noisiest or cleanest vinyl? Or perhaps the pressing company/label? Do you clean them before you play to clean the releasing agent or play them right out of the jacket? I love the sound of the grooves and I believe the sound is better but, I just would like to have a good clean copy. Am I wrong to expect a tick and pop free copy?
Back in the early days I usually didn't get the surface noise till I played them a few times. That was cheaper vinyl and about 4-5 bucks.
128x128theo
downunder
1,329 posts
 
I buy a lot of New Release vinyl and frankly the pressing quality from the US sucks. The new Portishead double LP is a prime example. Dishing or warps in the vinyl seem to my biggest problem and the US copy of portishead is no different.

I have now swapped it for a UK pressing and that is a lot flatter.

Generally I find that the Euro or UK pressings are a LOT better than their US couterparts, thou the US pressings are cheaper.

I am a bit like Tim, the better your system the less I hear a lot of these pops and click's.

Still you need to have a RCM and clean your LP's before playing and that gets rid of all or most of any annoying pops or clicks. One will never get the same quiet back grounds like CD.

With vinyl you either get it or you don't, and once you have enjoyed the great musical results you can get, it is hard to go back to CD.

Anyway, I am now buying a LP flattener direct from Japan which should fix any issues I have with dished or warped LP's from the USA.

cheers
viper_z
95 posts
 
I'm glad that someone started this thread. Apparently I'm not the only one that has problems with new vinyl. I am a complete newbie to the analog world. I spent about $5.5k buying my first analog rig just over a month ago, and spent between $30 to $50 buying new records, so far, I am not impressed with the noise levels of these new records. I cleaned all my new records with LAST Factory Power cleaner and Preservative. One of the worst records I have found is Diana Krall's "The Best of Diana Krall" - I think I paid $35 for it, and the poppings are unbearable.

Very disappointing for a starter.
downunder
1,329 posts
 
Sorry Viper but I can't resist.

" best of Diana Krall" is an oxymoron if there ever was one :-))

emailists
923 posts
 
I just bought the Analog Productions 45RPM Bill Evans How MY Heart Sings, and although it is a fantastic mastering and sound quality, there are some terribly loud ticks happening on the first play. Perhaps it will get a bit better, but i never heard these kinds of hits on any other LP.

Viper- be careful of last on LP's - I have heard of people very unhappy years later with LP's that were treated.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Last record treatment and stylus treatment is a major NO NO.

Simply keep your vinyl and stylus clean.

Nothing more is needed.
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