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What's wrong with classical music on vinyl?

As I go through my collection of classical music on vinyl, and get new ones from record stores and eBay, I notice that I am not impressed with the sound quality. Most of my pop music albums sound fine. The classical (even sealed), on the other hand, sounds full of static, noise, and pops that completely drown out the music. The rubber surrounds on my woofers ripple visibly, and the more intense passages become distorted (particulary the brass instruments). (And yes, I've tried it with minimal volume, to test the feedback theory, and with the same results.) I've tried extensive record cleaning with some of the most recommended products. On the other hand, my non-classical music sounds fine. Madonna, Yes, and Simon and Garfunkel play fine. So do Crosby Stills + Nash, REM, and Nickelback.

The only thing I can think of is that the classical music tends to be recorded at a much lower volume, thereby causing a low signal to noise ratio, whereas the pop music is inherently recorded at a higher volume, and this helps to drown out the noise.

I'm beginning to think that I should stick to CD's or brand-new 200g LP's for classical music from here on.

Any comments/suggestions?
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lousyreeds1's avatar
lousyreeds1
286 posts
 
The problem with listening to classical music only on digital is that soooo many of the greatest interpretations/performances in history are only available on vinyl.
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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
Vinyl may have some good characteristics, but to be completely truthful, low background noise, dynamic range, and separation (all things that can be precisely measured)are not among them. Of these deficiencies, surface noise, including clicks and rumble, are most obvious. However, some people have developed an ability to "listen through" the noise, and some have gone so far as to convince themselves, and try to convince others, that surface noise doesn't exist

Eldartford, I have been sitting quietly reading this thread, wondering when you would make your properly timed jab.

You are so wrong it frustrates me. You have no experience with a quality LP playback system and no right to make such comments.

The signal to noise of my analog playback systems, including my (very inexpensive) Lenco is often as quiet as my CD playback system (on very good LP's).

The Walker is absolutely as quiet as CD on 90% of my software, which includes thousands of LP's, some dating back to the 1950's.

I have had hundreds of visitors who can testify to that statement as truth. For those who have poor playback machinery due to mismatched components and not willing to make the physical (and financial effort), CD may be the best option. However it is wrong to make such statements based on your inexperience and hold it up as truth.
styx
37 posts
 
Jphii, oh that notorius process of upgrading stopped with my Zyx.;)

Sufentanil, I have quite a number of Reissues. And they sound great. Since I have the Classical Records Box sets I know how good my system can sound. And how mediocre the originals can sound. I just listened to Beethoven 9th on MFSL 2-516. Small sound stage, mediocre focus and detail. And the subway effect. Which I have a lot with the London/Decca recordings. I most of the time prefer the classical reissues from Classic Records. Try them.
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rushton
2,445 posts
 
Eldartford and Psychicanimal, please let us not hijack this thread into a CD versus LP debate; there is no constructive benefit. Sufentanil is enjoying both media. His experience with pop vinyl is very satisfying. His experience with used classical vinyl is not matching up to the experience of some others. If you can contribute something as to why his system may not be playing classical vinyl as well as many others with moderately priced vinyl playback systems, then please chime in.

Psychicanimal, I appreciate your comment that you too find more surface noise in classical music vinyl on your system than you're willing to listen through. That's somewhat consistent with comments Raquel shared, and this may ultimately mark the direction Sufentail needs to pursue to meet his needs. It is not my experience.
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newbee
4,752 posts
 
This will not resolve the (again) growing format dispute on this thread, however FWIW, IMHO, there are great silient LP's out there, new and old, and a lot of noisy LP's, of revered musical performances and audiophile junk. Ditto on CD's. The only truly significant difference, other than musical content, is in the warts that each system brings to the table.

What counts, to me at least, is being able to listen thru the "warts" and hear the music in any format. For example, if you can't hear Carlos Kleiber's performance of B5 because its on DG, or its on vinyl, or its on digital, my heart goes out to you!

I appoligize for the rant, but this type of endless format abuse kinda gets my goat a bit. :-)
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