Do you know why


the vast majority of today's records are warped regardless of where they are pressed? This has come to a boiling point with me in the recent months. I've bought numerous records, most of them heavy vinyl as is the trend these days, and the vast, vast majority of them are seriously warped, to the point that I would not play them without my periphery ring. Warped heavy vinyl records have to me now become the norm. I suppose my anger and frustration have been particularly fueled by warped records pressed at RTI or QRP, which are considered and hold themselves to be the best pressing plants in the business.

I recently returned a Norah Jones album pressed at Kassem's QRP as it was horribly warped (in addition to being pressed off center), which I find absolutely unacceptable at a price of almost $40. Then I put on a brand new Black Sabbath album (Heaven & Hell with the late Dio) pressed at RTI and the record has warps and bumps throughout so bad that I can't even stand the thought of subjecting my Delos' suspension to over an hour-long torture test. Julie London superb sound-wise 45 rpm $50 reissue by BoxStar? Warped. Most of my MoFi albums, which are pressed at RTI as well, are also warped to some degree, although easily tamed with the ring, thankfully. So seriously, WTF?!!!!

In contrast, the vast majority of my used records from the '60s, '70s, and '80s, all of them pressed on the thinnest vinyl, are perfectly flat with a rare exception here and there.

I simply do not understand this phenomenon. Do you?
actusreus
"In a modern day USA where we can't seem to make anything, much less make it right, why would anyone think we could press records well?"

We can and do still make some things well, but there are many other countries nowadays that can as well and often for lower cost.
I recently bought a new record that turned out to be warped. However, this has only happened to me once ever, with new vinyl anyway. And I was able to exchange it, so it was no big deal. Just about all of the new vinyl I have purchased in the last few years has been well pressed, though I only buy about 10% or less new - I listen almost entirely to classical, with some jazz thrown in. It was a jazz record that was warped.
"I wouldn't be surprised to find out those running the equipment are just not knowledgeable enough to generate a good product."

Csontos, new vinyl is being pressed by a new generation of workers. Look how long original vinyl records were being pressed; maybe about 50 years? Those were real craftsmen.
New vinyl will get better, especially when the owners of the cutting plants see all the Lps being returned due to defects. I've found too many defects in new vinyl purchases.
Dear Actusreus: Plain and simple: NO quality control or at leas a wrong one.

But the subjuect is that you, me and every single audiophile that is on analog buying new warped LPs are whom " has the culprit " becauswe we follow buying everything from everywhere at every price they marketed.

IMHO almost all who are manufacturing and marketin those LPs cares only about busine$$$$ as more the better.

If we the customerswant that that " universal ) LP problem be fixed we must show to those manufacturers/marketers that we are noy willing any more to buy warped LPs and if we customers work together I thing we all can everse that situation, how:

STARTNG TODAY STOP TO BUY ANY SINGLE LPs, AND I MEAN IT... STOP BUYING IT AND STOP BUYING FOR THREE MONTHS FROM NOW.

Gentlemans, the busine$$ of thse people exist because we customers because we are the people that pay for the warped or not LPs but is clear for me that for them WE DO NOT EXIST but for our MONEY $$$$$$.

IMHO we have to stop to follow be so complacent with the AHEE, we need that we all be heared by them.

I stopped to buy LPs two months ago when I bought it normally almost every week!!!

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

and don't forget the off center LP hole that's is even more critical that the warped problem.

R.