2. analog
  3. 1000484332

hopeless LP's

Ok, now a question about maintaining one's collection.

4 day weekend this weekend, so the wife and I, as a diversion, are going to start to go through our large and varied collection of LP's (garage sale, thrift store, mostly) and pare it down to records actually worth keeping.

Assuming a clean record (we have a nitty gritty) and a properly set up TT, but NOT the "finest" stylus in the world (a Sumiko Black Pearl, which has an elliptical stylus), can it be safely assumed that if a well-cleaned, de-staticized, gruv-glided, etc. record is being played and still either distorts or crackles, or sounds like someone shaved off the high frequencies, that is is, alas, a goner and should be put out for trash?

I'd hate to throw away my found vinyl (some of it very nice performances, mostly the classical stuff) only to find out later that if I had a different TT or cart set-up, in fact the gross and obvious distortion I am hearing now would not be audible.

Thanks again, as always

pcanis
pcanis

Showing 2 responses by jimbo3

jimbo3
304 posts
 
You'll find that many of the better MC cartridges ($500+) will really minimize surface noise and, to a very limited degree, some of the ticks and pops. Some additional reduction of noise might be obtained by adjusting the VTA (or shimming the cartridge) so that the arm slopes slightly downward toward the bearing end. Results will vary.

I've been using a DBX-3BX expander and find that it helps quiet a record somewhat. The purists out there may object, but, if used in moderation, it does seem to help.

As far as all the clicks and pops, there are a couple of "transient noise" filters that seem to work OK, but they do introduce distortion- more pops equals more distortion. The better filters of this type are from SAE and Burwin. I have the Burwin piece, but haven't had it in the system for years.

I would caution you that analog "signal processing" creates alot more distortion and, on better systems, can tend to distract from sound quality rather than improve it. I remember a very reputable audio dealer telling me years ago that "as your system improves, you'll eventually notice that many switches and extra components have disappeared".

Getting back to the records, why not hang on to them for awhile and see what happens?

Regards
Jim

jimbo3
304 posts
 
Rdr4b is right on the mark in each sentence of his post. The signal processing mentioned in my previous post is a band-aid and not a cure for a couple of sonic ailments.
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