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Frustrated with Vinly

Hey All,

Just coming here to let out out my frustration with Vinyl. I know that Vinyl takes patience but it's frustrating when playing some of my newer records and they have noises that I do not want to hear. Meaning, I try to clean them and they still have noise (pops, crackles, etc). When playing at low volumes of course you do not hear as much but when I turn up the volume is when it gets irritating. 

I can understand if older vinyl would sound like this but these are my newer records that I bought (amazon or barnes and nobles).

Now, I know the products that I am using are probably not great in the first place and I will probably need to upgrade to some more serious cleaner).

Currently trying to use a combo of: Kaiu Vinyl record cleaning set and I have also tried the Audio Technica AT6012 Record Care Kit.

So now I am considering either a Spin Clean type system or Pro-Ject  VC-S2 ALU Type cleaning system.

Any suggestions?

I almost want to give up on Vinyl sometimes and stick to digital (cd, hi res files, qobuz streaming).

Current equipment: denon dp-300f w/2m blue cart.

Thanks

Jay
128x128jay73

Showing 9 responses by noromance

noromance's avatar
noromance
10,026 posts
 
@averyclark
My TT setup is probably Mid-FI -(1200gr/ATvm540ML/Elac PPA-2 Phono) at best.
I have that cartridge. It's pretty good. I bought it as a reference point to judge my three $800-$1750 (used) Deccas. Suffice to say, and I was pleasantly surprised, the Deccas were far better. My point is that you can't (respectively) judge the medium from your perspective.
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,026 posts
 
I think I hear a slight positive difference in the sound but not sure yet
Be careful with "upgrades" for the sake of it. And beware of fooling yourself with confirmation bias.
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,026 posts
 
The 1500 looks less DJ!


noromance's avatar
noromance
10,026 posts
 
Each to their own. But what Uberwaltz says is true. At a certain level of system synergy, vinyl has a magic all its own. If you've never been there, you can never know.
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,026 posts
 
@jay73 I haven’t heard the Thorens. Current models are not great like the old TD125, 160, 124 etc. 
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,026 posts
 
You can buy after-market end of record lifting devices so don’t let manual only tables turn you off. That said, I already recommended a semi-auto Technics 1500c if you can't stretch to a 1200GR. Forget the Thorens. A used VPI Classic might also suit. 
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,026 posts
 
1. Get a Spin Clean and clean all your records.
2. Buy Mobile Fidelity inner sleeves.
3. Buy a box of Mr. Muscle pads.
3a. Drop stylus with cue lever onto pad. Lift. Repeat. (Do not drag over stylus.) After every side.
4. Sell table and buy a Pioneer PLX1000, Technics SL1500c, or a Technics 1200GR.
5. Find a solid record store with used original pressings and explore other new music.
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,026 posts
 
@jay73 Since you asked earlier, the Spin Clean is very effective for the price.
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,026 posts
 
@saburo +1
@jay73 The better the noise floor and dynamic range of the turntable/arm/cartridge/phono combo, the greater the ratio between intrusive vinyl noise and the quality of the sound (music).
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