Having recently returned to vinyl after some 20 years, I too was apprehensive about my ability to hear beyond the inherent noise that does exist on lp's. I'm using a Rega P 25 with Super Elyse through the new Black Cube with upgraded power supply. The problem is software. I listen to classical and have purchased a goodly amount of brand new, never played, factory sealed lp's. Without exception, every RCA, Columbia, Angel (read pressed in US) has surface imperfections; high degree of surface noise,clicks and pops on the FIRST PLAY after a thouough VPI cleaning and rinse followed by a zerostat! On the other hand, virtually every new or used Decca, London, Richmond, Argo, earaly Mercury (all the same company except Merc) pressed in England or Holland has had wonderfully quiet surfaces with very little backround noise. Furthermore, many of the US discs mentioned above seem to have the same distortion and high frequency glare that led me away from cd's in the first place. Unfortunately for those who favor rock or popular music as opposed to classical, they cannot avail themselves to what may be the ultimate analogue sound
I have also had a good degree of sucess with Telarcs, which if I'm not mistaken, are Japanese pressings, as were Mobile Fidelity.
No one can convince me that a better table/arm/cartridge combination could cure the inherent problems of the above mentioned labels. It's all in the quality of the software.
I have also had a good degree of sucess with Telarcs, which if I'm not mistaken, are Japanese pressings, as were Mobile Fidelity.
No one can convince me that a better table/arm/cartridge combination could cure the inherent problems of the above mentioned labels. It's all in the quality of the software.