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Thin record and thin sound?

Earlier this evening, I listened to Donald Fagen's "Morph the Cat," a record that I really enjoy, not only for the music, but also for the fabulous sound that comes off the vinyl and ultimately through my speakers. As I was filing it away, I happened across Dan Fogelberg's "Souvenirs" ," a record that I also really liked way back in the day. What struck me on removing the Fogelberg record from its sleeve, especially after just having put the Fagen vinyl away, was how thin the old record was. Since I was standing there with the record in my hot little hands, I slapped it on my turntable and had a listen to the first few tracks. And what do you know: The sound was as thin as the vinyl. The very lovely song "Illinois" is in my head as I write this, but I'm filling in a bit of much-needed depth to what I heard 10 minutes ago. Is this a coincidence, or does thicker vinyl sound, um, less shallow than whimpy vinyl?
hodu
downunder
1,329 posts
 
I have thousand's of 120gm and less vinyl and they sound great. It has more to do with the pressing and what copy of te master they used to press the vinyl that the thikcness.
If you don't or cannot adjust VTA and most of your LP's are setup for 180gm vinyl, you will get less bass and more treble emphasis than when the tonearm is level.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
No relation between thick and thin.

Some cartridges are more sensitive to VTA than others.

Additionally, "Morph the Cat" is a terrible recording. The bass is totally unnatural and out of balance. I'm surprised Fagan, who is extremely particular, approved the release as such.

"Everything Must Go" is much better.
maineiac
649 posts
 
My guess is also that it is VTA related.

On the advice of Pete Riggle, who makes on-the-fly VTA adjustment retrofits, I use a thin felt mat with thin LPs so that the VTA with thick and thin is nearly equivalent.

Someday I will have a tonearm that has easy VTA adjustment.
sc53
720 posts
 
How would I even adjust VTA on my Linn LP12 (Ekos tonearma and Akiva cartridge)? I don't mean to hijack thread but I also have many thin records, along with lots of newer thick ones. Do I have a way to figure out and adjust VTA on my 'table?
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 

06-30-08: Sc53
How would I even adjust VTA on my Linn LP12 (Ekos tonearma and Akiva cartridge)? I don't mean to hijack thread but I also have many thin records, along with lots of newer thick ones. Do I have a way to figure out and adjust VTA on my 'table?
I think it would be a lot easier to keep a thick mat and a thin one on hand, and use them accordingly.
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