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Black vs. Colored Vinyl

I've picked up pieces of various threads about the different quality of vinyl used to make LPs.  What I've heard said is that the best vinyl to use is black, and that colored vinyl doesn't have the sonic quality of the traditional black vinyl.  Given that colored vinyl is all the rage these days and countless reissues of LPs we likely have multiple copies of anyway are hitting the market trying to encourage us to purchase yet another limited release, I thought I would reinvestigate the topic.  Anybody know of a quality resource that defines the different types of vinyl?  I heard about some vinyl back in the 70's used to make LPs that could be folded over like wonder bread being poor quality, and other LPs from the era that are solid and unbendable being good quality.  But today's market with all the groovy colors is a whole new world.  What y'all say?
pgaulke60

Showing 5 responses by big_greg

big_greg
6,715 posts
 
I do have multiple copies of a lot of records, but I don't think I've ever done a back to back comparison of one on colored and black vinyl.  To my ears, the color of the vinyl doesn't seem to affect sound quality.  I kind of like colored vinyl.  

One thing to consider is that a lot of new vinyl is warped.  According to one of the owners of the local record store I frequent (at least until recently), if you use a flattener like the Orb, it will melt colored vinyl, but works fine on black vinyl.

There's also stuff like Quiex vinyl, which is purported to be harder and play better than standard vinyl.  Apparently a lot of radio station promos were pressed on Quiex II vinyl.  I have a few Quiex II pressings and they do sound good.  It looks black, but if you hold it up to the light you can see through it.
big_greg
6,715 posts
 
Vinyl is vinyl and will soften and melt at the same temperature, so flattening a black vs. colored LP should not show a difference.
Are you speaking from your own personal experience, or speculating?

big_greg
6,715 posts
 
Thanks for chiming in slaw about the flattening.  What flattener do you have?  The guys at the record store swear that with their Orb unit they have problems with colored vinyl.
big_greg
6,715 posts
 
@slaw Thanks!  I know you're one of the resident experts on vinyl flattening.
big_greg
6,715 posts
 
I tried playing a couple of picture discs and agree that a turntable's stylus should not be placed on them.
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