End of life for an LP? Maybe those I owned as a child. At 12, I started seriously taking care of my records. Even those I’ve played 100-200 times since 12.
How many plays can you get out of a good record?
I haven't seen this question posed in the Audiogon forums, but I have seen many answers on generic audio sites, that say a record can be expected to last for "hundreds" of plays before any sonic degradation is noted, if well cared for.
I'm wondering if they might last even longer with modern audiophile styli / styluses, which track at around 1.8 grams. Does anyone have any real experience or knowledge about the longevity of records in such a scenario? (If records only last 100-200 plays before some degradation, then this means that playing a record once a week could be at least partially deteriorated in two to four years, which is a real shame.)
Showing 3 responses by fleschler
I have 28,500 LPs. Those purchased new and of good quality vinyl over 50+ years should sound as good as when new, I've used good (now great) quality equipment (Dynavectors, Lyra and Benz cartridges for 45 years, VPI turntables for 40 years, SME IV arm for over 33 years). @Inna is correct, LPs/vinyl require 24 hours to 100% recover from playing. I've played some records 100-200 times and they sound pristine (and wonderful). |
I can agree with you on most statements; however, 33 1/3 LP can sound superb, the equal of the best digital. Probably (not probably, certainly) 1/3 of my collection will never see digital format (loss of tapes and lack of interest, especially ethnic music). That's over almost 10,000 LPs. Then there's the 78s which will never be digitized. I must keep all physical formats. Sure, I have some 1950s RR which are fantastically dynamic and colorful. I tend to listen to CDs of former LPs first if they were correctly remastered. Many pop CDs were not and sound much worse than LPs. Then there are high value jazz LPs. I don't own many and I have friends that do. We listen a lot to those. I own many jazz CDs and enjoy them just as much (it helps to have a high end system with a superior listening room). You are like my friends who still have 10,000 LPs but for 20 years only listen to their 3,000+ CDs either directly or through EAC thumbdrives for reasons of convenience. |