#1
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Experience buying new vinyl...
My question is to those folks who have been buying new vinyl (whether from the reissue labels such as Analogue Productions, Music Matters, ORG, etc...or from the main labels issuing new vinyl releases): what percent of your new vinyl purchases have been high quality and hence quiet (in terms of surface-level noise)? It seems like it is a hit or miss proposition . It seems like you can spend $20-$50 on a new LP and right out of the jacket (after cleaning it with a RCM), you can still get a piece of plastic that has groove modulation distortions exhibiting the familiar pops and clicks . Not very encouraging to those of us who are entertaining jumping into vinyl for the first time. If this is the experience with new vinyl, I dread to think what the results will be when buying used vinyl . Thanks for your thoughts in advance.
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#2
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MM vinyl has been flawless -- 30+ albums and not a one with a click, pop, nap or other abnomality - just dead quiet. I did receive one side of a MM release that had a bit of vinyl residue that got caught in the record sleeve and naturally, caused a dimple on the vinyl. MM replaced it w/no questions & no shipping charge.
The Neil Young 180g 4 album box set I received the other day, was also pristine w/no issues & dead quiet on all 8 sides. I have heard serveral reports from others who received this box set -- dirty records, skips, pops, etc. The individual 140g's are a hit n' miss on quality from what I read. I received a Sinatra "Live in Paris", MFSL set and it had a scratch on one of the sides. I played a side or so & contacted Acoustic Sounds & ended up sending it back w/credit. Since this was a live performance, the hand clapping after each soung sounded like "frying bacon" and decided against requesting a replacement. I ended up eating the shipping charges both ways as AS only credited back the album. A Miles Davis box set, 10 albums, Analog Productions, 45RPM, 180g, I received had two individual sides out of the 10 albums with scratches/vinyl residue within the sleeve that caused damage. Acoustic Sounds replaced the albums, no questions, & no shipping charges. To put it in more of a perspective to your question -- it is more of a hit and miss proposition. In the last year I have bought probably 80 albums & I have returned 5 -- those 5 have been because of vinyl damage somewhere in the pressing plant/packaging. None due to shipping issues with the major carriers & none due to excessive pops, tics, etc. Overall, I have been very satisfied - yet, annoyed when I open a new album and see a flaw that I immediately know will have to be returned, etc.
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Amps:VAC 450iQ Monos in Silver Flake on HRS M3X2-1921's, HRS G7 Footers/G-Links & Sound Anchor Conecoasters. Preamp:VAC Statement (on order) (Silver Flake) Digital Source: dCS Rossini CD/SACD Transport, Vivaldi APEX DAC, Upsampler Plus & matching Clock (Silver) Analogue Preamp:VAC Renaissance SE Phono stage in Silver Flake with XLR Output Option & with Nordost Valhalla XLR's. Analogue Sources:SME 20/2 w/SME V arm & Nordost Odin 2 Tone Arm Cable, Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge & Akai GX-400D Reel-to-Reel w/relapped heads by JRF Magnetic Sciences. Akai RC-17 cabled remote (original owner since 1974). Vibration Control:TT on HRS M3X2-1921 shelf. Speakers:Wilson Audio Alexia V (on order in Ferrari Argento Silver/Parchment grills sitting on Acoustic Diode Kit). Power Cables:4 Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on amps, preamp & DAC. Ansuz Acoustics C2 on Transport & Clock. Power Distribution:Ansuz Mainz D3 Distributor & Ansuz Mainz C2 1M Power Cable Power Outlets:Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) duplex outlet, GTX Wall Plate & Duplex Cover (x2) on dedicated, same panel phase, 20A breakers. Speaker Cables:2M Nordost Odin 2 Supreme Reference on Nordost Sort Lifts. Signal Cables:Nordost Odin XLR's on dCS DAC & Amps. Digital Cables: Nordost Odin 2's, 110-ohm AES/EBU on dCS Transport to DAC. Clock Cables:5 each 75 ohm 1.25M Nordost Valhalla BNC/BNC Digital Ethernet Cable: WireWorld Platinum 1M Starlight® 8 Twinax Headphones:Vintage Koss Pro IV AA. RCM: Audio Desk PRO Tube Test Gear:Mint late '60's/calibrated Heathkit TT-1A, MaxiMatcher Power Amp & Preamp & Space Tech Labs ATT-3.02 tube test sets. |
#3
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Thx Pete for the feedback. Returning 5/80 albums is not all that bad I guess. I was expecting worse. So it sounds like you had great experience with Music Matters and a few issues with Analogue Productions and MFSL. Any other labels that you thing do a good job with their pressings? Thx much.
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#4
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Quote:
I have Analog Productions, Classic Records, Audio Fidelity & quite a few of the MFSL's -- those are good & no issues except for something that may get delivered in a flawed state, now & then as I mentioned. The two most reputable pressing plants are Pallas (Germany) and Acoustech Mastering (California). Bob
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Amps:VAC 450iQ Monos in Silver Flake on HRS M3X2-1921's, HRS G7 Footers/G-Links & Sound Anchor Conecoasters. Preamp:VAC Statement (on order) (Silver Flake) Digital Source: dCS Rossini CD/SACD Transport, Vivaldi APEX DAC, Upsampler Plus & matching Clock (Silver) Analogue Preamp:VAC Renaissance SE Phono stage in Silver Flake with XLR Output Option & with Nordost Valhalla XLR's. Analogue Sources:SME 20/2 w/SME V arm & Nordost Odin 2 Tone Arm Cable, Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge & Akai GX-400D Reel-to-Reel w/relapped heads by JRF Magnetic Sciences. Akai RC-17 cabled remote (original owner since 1974). Vibration Control:TT on HRS M3X2-1921 shelf. Speakers:Wilson Audio Alexia V (on order in Ferrari Argento Silver/Parchment grills sitting on Acoustic Diode Kit). Power Cables:4 Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on amps, preamp & DAC. Ansuz Acoustics C2 on Transport & Clock. Power Distribution:Ansuz Mainz D3 Distributor & Ansuz Mainz C2 1M Power Cable Power Outlets:Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) duplex outlet, GTX Wall Plate & Duplex Cover (x2) on dedicated, same panel phase, 20A breakers. Speaker Cables:2M Nordost Odin 2 Supreme Reference on Nordost Sort Lifts. Signal Cables:Nordost Odin XLR's on dCS DAC & Amps. Digital Cables: Nordost Odin 2's, 110-ohm AES/EBU on dCS Transport to DAC. Clock Cables:5 each 75 ohm 1.25M Nordost Valhalla BNC/BNC Digital Ethernet Cable: WireWorld Platinum 1M Starlight® 8 Twinax Headphones:Vintage Koss Pro IV AA. RCM: Audio Desk PRO Tube Test Gear:Mint late '60's/calibrated Heathkit TT-1A, MaxiMatcher Power Amp & Preamp & Space Tech Labs ATT-3.02 tube test sets. |
#5
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I'd say my ratio of new vinyl that is flawless to imperfections is about the same as Bob's. I've also picked up used vinyl and some dating back a loooong time ago. Some were surprisingly good for their age and the amount of dust/pet hair they had on them. I can't complain for the few bucks the used vinyl cost me. I'd say anyone overly concerned about this is going to miss out on the great vinyl experience.
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#6
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sorry Bob...didn't mean to call you Pete. I guess I confused you with Vintage Pete and didn't pay attention to your Avatar...thx for the response very helpful.
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#7
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#8
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cmalak.......Don't feel bad. I traveled that same road, more than once. I'm a slow learner, I guess.
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Dan STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113 VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A |
#9
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#10
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Thx Dan. I was a bit and . But I got it now.
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