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Why is some vinyl noisy?

I'm listening to a copy of "This Is The Moody Blues", a very fine record store find, and I'm amazed at how noisy the vinyl sounds compared to it's physical condition.

The record is nice and flat, looks great in bright light, heavyweight. It's very clean as it's just been through my VPI 16.5 cleaner with two fluid baths. The rig it's playing on is plenty good enough to get the best from this record: VPI Scoutmaster, Sumiko Blackbird, McCormack & Krell downstream.

Yet, this is a noisy, clicky, poppy ride. I don't get it. Is some vinyl just plain noisy, or is some surface damage too hard to detect? By the same token, an ancient, clearly scuffed RCA Living Stereo recording of Van Cliburn just sounds terrific.
forddonald

Showing 1 response by forddonald

forddonald OP
2 posts
 
Very illuminating, thanks! Maybe this explains why my Cat Stevens albums sounds so remarkably good when they arguably shouldn't (not a major artist) and why CCR records are hit and miss.

At least I know it's not me or my cartridge! Now it's back to the dark majiks of setting tonearm alignment and other fiddly things I'm learning how to do for the first time.
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