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Why are records still warped?

This is more of a grouse than anything because I know the molding process won't ever be perfect. Still, here we are in the 21st century in the midst of a vinyl revival. Artists get it and are trying to satisfy us geeks with tasty pressings.

Cases in point are Bennett & Gaga's "Cheek to Cheek" and Lennox' "Nostalgia." Ordered both of them in (live in the sticks so no local source) and one dished, the other warped. Neither are unplayable, but both conditions are audible. Disappointing to say the least on such outstanding efforts.

The same week they arrived, I got copies of Hampton's "Silver Vibes" (mono) and Mendes' "Look Around" used at a swap meet. Perfectly flat with outstanding fidelity, especially considering their age.

Many of my "not" Golden-era pressings from the mid-70s through late-80s also lived up to expectations when I got them home. Many more did not, and that's why I ended up jumping on the CD bandwagon with a Sony CDP-101 in 1983.

In 2015, my digital playback deck is about 1000% better, CDs are better, SACDs are even better still, HD downloads can be superb, but still none of them best vinyl at its best. Unless it's warped.

We have the technology, know better and can better control the process. So, what is up with the warp thing? Is it laziness, budget or what?!?
effischer
raymonda
855 posts
 
Just bought two new vinyl albums yesterday. Nora Jones and Diana Krall. Nora's album is an 180 gram album and slightly warped with some pressing, surface noise but not too bad. The other is my second try at Diana Krall's Wall Flower, which sounds fantastic......very quiet.....but terribly dished and some surface noise on side 4. I can make them playable with my center and ring clamp but not completely flat and it requires extra work from my cartridge. This was the same issue as my first copy, however, side 4 of the first copy was unlistenable.

So, 2 albums and both were not at the standard they should be. Back in the 70's and 80's I never had this type of consistent problems with albums. I'll keep these albums instead of returning them, since I bought them while visiting a city 75 miles away. If they were purchased locally they would be returned....yet again.

Because of this posting I think I might actually start making a spread sheet indicating where the albums were pressed, problems with the vinyl and return rate. To say the least, I find all this a very sad commentary on the state of affairs of new vinyl.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,172 posts
 
NEw vinyl is a big cash grab IMHO. I don't understand why people would subject themselves to it, especially those who remember the golden days of vinyl.
actusreus
733 posts
 
04-01-15: Mapman
NEw vinyl is a big cash grab IMHO. I don't understand why people would subject themselves to it, especially those who remember the golden days of vinyl.

There are many re-releases that are very desirable for analog audiophiles, especially the younger ones like myself. I see many re-issues done by Kevin Gray or Steve Hoffman using the analog tapes as the source, which are hard to resist. For example, Kevin Gray's remastering of Kate Bush "The Sensual World" is simply superb, much better than the already great-sounding original. It's a must-have for any Kate Bush fan. Too bad that such tremendous efforts are wasted by the shoddy pressing jobs.
analogluvr
859 posts
 
Downunder, I too think that 180 g is the culprit. The thinner stuff would be flexible and spring back and the heavy stuff assumes a warp
raymonda
855 posts
 
I have plenty of 180's and 200's that are flat. That is not to say that there is an advantage of heavy over thin but the real issue is poor QC.
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