Cleaning new/sealed records?

Yes.

In addition to dust, many LPs have residues from the pressing process left in the grooves. Playing LPs before cleaning them risks (a) not hearing all the music and (b) premature vinyl or stylus wear that could have been avoided.

Fact is even new records sounds better, especially in the highs, when cleaned.

Always clean records before playing. Always. And for all the reasons everyone else has noted. You wouldn't want to look at the world through smudged glass, so why would you listen to to debris on a surface?

I've used LAST Power Cleaner (mold release remover) solution on all my new records before the first play since it was introduced with outstanding results. I use their standard cleaning solution and an old-school Discwasher brush for general cleaning, also with great success. Simple, inexpensive and effective.

i don't. been using records since i was a kid. new one's are new. old ones are dirty in unknown ways so all used records get cleaned. but new records are new. i gotta get a break somehow.

To DOUGDEACON you should listen.

Mould release compound is often present on sealed records. Add a little dust, and the result is a very fine grinding tool to reshape your stylus for you.

I use 80 KHz ultrasound, which represents a huge improvement on my 16.5.