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are all used LPs dusty?

Hi.

I recently bought an turntable and listened to a record. I loved it and wanted to get more records. However, records that I bought off ebay or at record shops have a lot of dust on them. If the record doesn't have a scratch on it
they mark it as perfect although it might have a lot of dust on it.
1- Is this normal or should I be searching for records without dust on them?
2- What is the best way to deal with dust? Today, I just wiped a used LP with a towel. It made a lot of noise while I was playing but I still enjoyed it a lot.
3- Sometimes some records are shiny even if they have dust on them. Does this mean they are cleaner?

I have a technics TT , Cambridge Audio 840 A integrated amp and Audio Physic Evolution speakers.

Thanks
joecapar
jwong
56 posts
 
Anyone know how to assess if a record is going to be noisy due to groove damage by previously bad needles? I've been disappointed a few times buying a used lp after judging it "very clean/near mint" in the store's light but discover at home bad static like background noise rendering the disc unlistenable. Now I recognize it's one of the risks in used lps hunting. One clue I look for is the amount of impressions around the center hole of the label. If there's a lot of tracks around it, it tells me its been played a lot so I might downgrade it among my decision factors (price, pressing, rarity, etc...) in purchasing it or not. Finally, if anyone has any tips to spot "noisy" records that look clean-good, let us know.
tpreaves's avatar
tpreaves
2,682 posts
 
Anyone know how to assess if a record is going to be noisy due to groove damage by previously bad needles?

IMHO,the only way to know for sure is listen to it.I have LPs that look totally trashed and sound excellent and brand new ones that look,well,brand new but sound like crap.I'm sure there are some folks that claim they can tell just by a visual inspection but I don't believe it.Just call me Doubting Thomas.
gabbro
88 posts
 
I recall a product in the late 70's/early 80's that you were supposed to spray on vinyl to 'protect' it. It left them very shiny, as if ArmorAll'd, but made them noisy due to trapping existing dust, as well as leaving behind microbubbles. So much for shine vs. functionality.
steveaudio
331 posts
 
You'll thank yourself if you get a VPI HW 16.5 record cleaning machine. You can buy them used for @$350. And sell them used for around $350. It's like buying basic tools if you're going to rebuild the brakes on your car.

PS-pls. don't "wipe a used LP with a towel"......
ebm
9,311 posts
 
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