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New Re-Issue Vinyl: Surface Noise, Ticks, Pops....

It seems that paying an average of 30.00 to get new 180-200 gram pressings is a lot of money. And I don't mind paying it for a good clean pressing. But is seems as though I usually end up with surface noise , crackling, pops etc.. It is so frustrating to wait for records to come and when I play them I hear a record that sounds like I bought it in a used record store. Has anyone ever mentally kept track of what interent distributor seems to have the noisiest or cleanest vinyl? Or perhaps the pressing company/label? Do you clean them before you play to clean the releasing agent or play them right out of the jacket? I love the sound of the grooves and I believe the sound is better but, I just would like to have a good clean copy. Am I wrong to expect a tick and pop free copy?
Back in the early days I usually didn't get the surface noise till I played them a few times. That was cheaper vinyl and about 4-5 bucks.
128x128theo

Showing 2 responses by zargoz

zargoz
16 posts
 
Wow. as I read this thread, I am listening to Brian Wilson Smile. not a reissue but a new 180g pressing on rhino. Bought it "used" but looked mint to me. ran it through the vpi 16.5 before playing it the first time. terrible! pops and clicks throughout. ran it through the vpi again. better but not good. ran it through the vpi a third time, with a 15 minute soak per side on the enzyme step. better but still not great. don't get me wrong, this is a fantastic piece of music, recored extremely well. I bought the cd when it first came out and was floored by how it sounded. I thought the lp would really take it over the top, and it does . . . but . . .

seriously. I have bought records at salvation army that are 70s/80s vintage and not very clean. with a little effort many clean up and sound great. this album should be "audiophile" all the way but the pressing does not do it justice. I don't know what causes these pops but if 3 cleanings doesn't get it off, I think it ain't coming off. it's embedded in the vinyl somewhere, imho. not just one spot but throughout 3 sides. eh, for 20 bucks what can you expect these days I guess.
zargoz
16 posts
 
Audiofeil,
What do you mean:
"Perhaps the system, not the vinyl, is the problem for those who complain about poor quality.
In this particular case, it appears to be a real possibility."?

I didn't see anything in this thread about the posters' systems. I don't think one needs a multi kilobuck system to enjoy vinyl. I started out with a very humble front end and yet I found a number of nice records that sounded better than their counterpart on cd. If your comment is based on prior knowledge of the poster(s)' system(s) then disregard.

Stiltskin,
I completely agree with you on the quality of the recording. No question there. One of the best sounding things to come out in recent years. I also wonder what the previous owner may have done to it that would not come off with several cleanings. I couldn't think of anything. maybe their setup was so bad it actually damaged the vinyl, but I've never really seen that happen. I've been looking for an excuse to try steaming. . . so perhaps this is it.
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