Noisier Outer Edges?

The stylus doesn't know about rpm: only about inches per second of vinyl passing by. Obviously the vinyl moves faster for the outer grooves, and this may aggrevate surface noise.

Ah, but you say...45 rps disks are quiet. I think that's because 45s are cut with a stronger groove. With an outer track of a LP you have the LP groove modulation with higher than average vinyl speed.

Usually the complaint is about audio quality of inner tracks. Here the vinyl is moving too slow.

Life is all about compromises.

I have this problem on some records. You start it out and it sounds like it's going to be a noisy record, and then it settles down a few groove layers in.

I had heard that it had to do with the stamping process, and if it's done a little too fast, the way the vinyl gets squished at the edges creates little fissures that cause this noise.

Thanks for the help, I will try the suggestions... Glad I am not the only one who noticed or having this problem.

I thought this could also be due to "non-fill" on the outer edge of the record, as Johnnyb53 alludes to...this phenomenon is really bad for me on the new Elvis Costello LP, despite trying 3 different copies.

Seems par for the course for vinyl. The old RCA Red Seals although touted as excellent in quality, had a reputation for warpage, non-fill and general surface noise even when new out of the jacket - remember the 'dynaflex'?. I've been impressed with Warner Brothers Labels, and of course audiophile pressings. When buying used vinyl online (especially ebay) its catch as catch can and try your luck. Many of them are lots of records bought at estate sales and the vinyl is stored in damp basements which is bad for the vinyl. Personally, the vinyl I've bought over the years have always been keep in an area where there is good air circulation - at least 1 floor above the basement.