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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
 
I am not making up anything and speak the truth from my experience. Also, if you read my post....I do return them but then I get another with issues. This is a problem I've noticed 5 hat has increased with frequency over the past 16 months, or so.

BTW.....I use a Michell clamp and a TTW ring.
ttweights
50 posts
 
Cool Raymonda, The ring will work with any center clamp and please note that you cannot flatten a record (on both sides) with a reflex clamp, it will do one side that the warp raises in the center but flip the record and it cannot work so well.

Get an outer ring one time and every record will sound better new or old a great investment, especially with the price of high end vinyl.
Cheers
lewm
13,030 posts
 
Apologies to Raymonda, I certainly did not mean to imply that you were making things up. Sorry you've had a problem with warps. My only point is that I have not had such problems. I purchase about 10 "new" LPs per year; maybe you buy many more than I do. Last year I bought the Beatles set. That's 14 LPs, I think, in one purchase. I have some beefs around sound quality, but no warps.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Is it laziness, budget or what?!?

-> Empty Brain Manufacturing
raymonda
855 posts
 
I bought the "White album" and it had the most extreme dish of any album I have ever purchased. Out side of that, however, it played well.
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