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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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eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Rauliruegas...Then your remark about "inexperience audio people" means nothing. Why did you say it?
cello
645 posts
 
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Oh the joy of watching Eldartford and Raul go at it. Which level of Dante's Inferno do you all think these two should be on (chained together for eternity).
.
Rgds,
Larry
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psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
Raoul needs to go to Mama Rumba in Mexico City and gain some *experience*. There was an article about this Cuban joint in my local newspaper!

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cmk
397 posts
 
Guys I think part of the answer is in the current Feb/Mar 2005 TAS issue on page 92 RE "Dynamic Compression and the Loudness Race".

With CDs being mixed louder and louder to out match the competition on the radio, dynamic compression is applied - chopping musical peaks and raising the average loudness.

LPs doesn't have this issue, cannot be mixed too loud or the stylus will jump out of the groove. And with classical, we all know that the dynamic range required to capture a full orchestra is certainly very wide, so I surmise that engineers have had to lower the recording levels for classical music. Unfortunately, with such low levels, its just above the level of record surface noise, which does get in the way.

As to whether CDs sound superior to LPs, except for the occassional tic and pop, how can CDs ever sound better than an LP of the same recording with all this dynamic compression (unless the LP record engineers made a mess of the mix) is simply beyond me. Though I would concede that CDs have improved and are bridging the gap.

I also agree with TLH, a good phono makes a world of a difference.
styx
37 posts
 
Cmk,

A comparission between CD and LP from the same recording is a problem. I have Moussorgsky's 'Pictures At An Exhibition' on 45rpm, 33rpm 1S and SACD from Classic Records. All the same recordings. And the SACD sounds rather blanketed. A lot of blankets. But when I listen to the new recordings, like the Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto from Anne-Sophie Mutter then this is totally different. This sounds pretty close to my vinyl rig. And I don't have my 'good' SACD player yet. It seams to me that they improved a lot in the new recordings. Unfortunately there is no way to know because I have not found a new recording on SACD and LP yet. I am talking about classical music. Perhaps someone can enlighten me.
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