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?
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xsufentanil
El, the cartridges I mentioned (sorry about the Ortofons) related only to channel separation -- not sound. Regarding sonics, I like Allaerts, the bigger (&expensive) Clearaudio & the two common Shelters. I used to use a VdHul MC2 and a Grasshopper back in the old days. I'm now using a Clearaudio Insider. Not very indicative -- I get along with most cartridges ever since I acquired a good TT+arm combo.

Practically I've found that much of the cartridge's performance is directly related to the arm (obvious, but it took me a long time to realise) rather than its specs.
Sorry I can't be more informative (or opinionated?). Cheers
Albertporter...I think we are coming to an agreement! I should not have implied that ALL vinyl playback is noisy and inferior to digital. You should not have implied that ALL vinyl playback is quiet and superior to digital.

We agree that to achieve satisfactory results the user must spend a good deal of money and effort, not only on the playback equipment, but on the LPs and the equipment used for their care. Also, I recognize that extreme measures which few can justify, can achieve superb results.

The original poster, Sufentanil, has a problem with LP background noise, and his experience is more common than you would like to believe. I agree with his thought that perhaps CDs would be the practical solution. You also have a solution to Sufentanil's problem, but is it practical? That's up to him, and his bank account.
Dear Gregm: *** " , I'm not sure that certain specs are misleading or that they should be waived altogether... " ***

I think you are right. There are some specs that are critical in the sound reproduction of any audio system, example: RIAA equalization deviation or amplifier output impedance.

*** " Specifications have almost no value in determining whether a product sounds good or not " ***

Albert you are right. The specs can't tell us how it will be the sound, but some specs like those on my examples are specs that any one that take care about music and about music reproduction have to take in count seriously before buying an amplifier or a phono preamp. Those specs can tell us which will be the " behavior " of the amp/phonopreamp that we choose.
The specs subject is a very complicated issue. The important point is to know which specs really count in the quality of the sound reproduction of an audio item, like in my spec examples.

BTW, the problem with Eldart is that he don't know about and Eldart this is one of the reasons why I know for sure that you are an inexperience audio people.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
I don't want to get into any animosity related feelings here,as this is becoming a hot topic.Just my 2 cents worth.I have and love both formats,for the music!Always first,as Albert has put it.I can't get artists like John Zorn on vinyl.His stuff released on the TZADIK label (which he owns) sounds great and the music is incredible.

There are other fabulous releases that are just too much money,on vinyl,if you are a collector,as I am.Case in point,artists like William Kappel(sp?)who's piano style is amazing and the entire repertoire of his short life was put out on 10 CD's,which I just bought for about 1/500 of what the originals would cost.

There are other incredible releases of "NEW" music that I must have.Madeiline Peyroux's new album,some sound tracks,the music to the Ken Burns film "Unbearable Blackness" with music by Wynton Marsalis.I just LOVE being able to keep up with what I like.

That being said--You really have to be a "YUTZ" to sit there constantly listening for differences in formats.Sometimes I do,when I hear an aberration in the particular medium.Then I wonder how it might have sounded in a different format.Only then do I do this.However, it is exactly the same as wondering what an early pressing of an lp would sound like,if you have a later pressing."YOU can dig this ALBERT",am I right?I've seen your rig,and you have to have PLENTY of early pressings!!

I have been a "MUSIC" lover all my life,and I'm old (according to my 21 year old).I have obtained,with alot of hard work,a really fine lp collection.I pride myself with coming up with many unique and offbeat lp's of fabulous and interesting music.Remember,the lp era lasted a really long time,so there are some amazing and varied types of albums out there.What am I supposed to do?Dump them all,because some of you are "RATIONALIZING" off the vinyl format partly because you are IMO spoiled by the simplicity of CD.Easy to "plug and play" and get music.Hey,there is nothing wrong with that.

My son is 24 yrs old and will not listen through many of my lp's.He was brought up on Computer games and digital.What could I expect?However he "REALLY" changed his tune one night,when some of his more musically sophisticated pals were over and wanted to hear my VINYL,yes, lp's.They were curious because they had "Heard about LP playback from their ANCESTORS".

Now I had my time to have the new generation experience BOTH/BOTH/BOTH formats.These were "HIP" kids and I had to literally kick them out of my listening room!!They loved the digital(a mere Levinson 390s),but were BLOWN AWAY by the lp's I played.They were shocked by the,YES,superior sound!!In their words.I did not have to even ask.BOY was that satisfying.Now I'm cool to my son.What a laugh.

Vinyl has some really rich rewards.I,also don't blame anyone for goofing on the stuff.It leaves more stuff in circulation for me to acquire.Thanks for staying exclusively with your digital gear.I truly hope you guys(who are trying to get a rise out of well intentioned "Gentlemen" like Alber Porter)keep loving your digital gear.I love mine.I just like vinyl better.My Generation "Y" friends did to,once they heard it correctly.

Oh,yea--I just got a new transfiguration temper cartridge for a retip charge of 1000.The list is about 4,000.00.My previous model was 8 1/2 years old.Not too pricey IMO!!
Rauliruegas..."I know for sure that you are an inexperience audio people". Stupid remark. I go back to about 1953 with my own systems, and used others before that. I remember when high end meant that you used triangular wooden "needles" that you sharpened before play with a special clipper. If you have a valid point to make it is not necessary to use personal abuse.