B
Barry
Audiophyte
Hey friends, out buying records and found several marketing positioning pieces boasting differing plastics. Any opinions on best record material, or what to look for besides "digitally remastered ".
I think you could perform your own A-B benchmark test. Find an album you like that just happens to be available on old school vinyl, and has been re-issued on the new 180g vinyl. Give them a home audio test in your own space and see what you think. Give us a report.Hey friends, out buying records and found several marketing positioning pieces boasting differing plastics. Any opinions on best record material, or what to look for besides "digitally remastered ".
I agree that buying vinyl is a bit of crap shoot. I've been lucky as most of my purchases have been good. A lot of the pops are caused by static buildup on the album. I bought a zerostat gun and it made a noticeable difference in my room/setup.Here's how vinyl makes me feel in one word, "betrayed". All I expect is that the record will lay flat on the turntable's platter; and, it will play all the way through without producing a pop. But, apparently, what I expect is too much to ask for, as less than 2 percent of my records are defect free. The worst of my most recent LP purchases are 2 Diana Krall albums. No more of Diana Krall on LP for me. At any rate, even my MoFi records are not free of defect, so what can one do? Send the record back and demand your money back is the only remedy that I see, or just take it in the ass I suppose.
describe this zero stat gun you speak of. I am intrigued.I agree that buying vinyl is a bit of crap shoot. I've been lucky as most of my purchases have been good. A lot of the pops are caused by static buildup on the album. I bought a zerostat gun and it made a noticeable difference in my room/setup.
your experience is simply the living proof that many of us learned growing up with records on plastic. mostly, they provide good music. but, if you are listening in critical listening mode, they are imperfect and they piss you off eventually. the new crowd of folks who simply adore "vinyl" manage to overlook that somehow. after a while, it just bugs me too much to put up with it. I'll spin a record on the TT because its fun, then I'll get pissed about a skip or a pop, and I'm done for another couple of months.Here's how vinyl makes me feel in one word, "betrayed". All I expect is that the record will lay flat on the turntable's platter; and, it will play all the way through without producing a pop. But, apparently, what I expect is too much to ask for, as less than 2 percent of my records are defect free. The worst of my most recent LP purchases are 2 Diana Krall albums. No more of Diana Krall on LP for me. At any rate, even my MoFi records are not free of defect, so what can one do? Send the record back and demand your money back is the only remedy that I see, or just take it in the ass I suppose.
While most came with the various paper sleeves, some with label cutout, some not....some came with plastic sleeves. Over the years I've converted most of the paper sleeves to the Mo-Fi plastic anti-static sleeves...did use a Zero Stat gun way back when but it died....How do you guys care for your records ? How do you store them ? Do you use the standard paper sleeves ?
I'm using the MoFi sleeves; but, I have not had a zerostat gun for years. I'll make it a priority to get another one.I agree that buying vinyl is a bit of crap shoot. I've been lucky as most of my purchases have been good. A lot of the pops are caused by static buildup on the album. I bought a zerostat gun and it made a noticeable difference in my room/setup.
One bit of good news, I bought a Sonny Rollins album the other day and so far no poping. It is remastered from original analog tape mix from 1958. That was when stereo was new; and, this album seems to want to demonstrate stereo by positioning drums on the left and sax on the right. It sounds like dueling banjos. There's nothing mixed to the middle of this album; but, I still have enjoyed it.your experience is simply the living proof that many of us learned growing up with records on plastic. mostly, they provide good music. but, if you are listening in critical listening mode, they are imperfect and they piss you off eventually. the new crowd of folks who simply adore "vinyl" manage to overlook that somehow. after a while, it just bugs me too much to put up with it. I'll spin a record on the TT because its fun, then I'll get pissed about a skip or a pop, and I'm done for another couple of months.![]()
I'll take that wager and raise it by $500.I think you could perform your own A-B benchmark test. Find an album you like that just happens to be available on old school vinyl, and has been re-issued on the new 180g vinyl. Give them a home audio test in your own space and see what you think. Give us a report.
I'm going to wager that if both surfaces are in good repair, and come from similar masters, they will sound pretty much the same. I haven't read anything that says the new 180g vinyl is "better sounding" although it may be a touch more durable. The old school and the 180g pressings are still made of the same stuff: the newer ones just are a bit heavier and have a touch more durability.
Try it out........return and report![]()
https://www.amazon.com/Milty-5036694022153-Zerostat-Anti-Static-Blue/dp/B0033SHDSSdescribe this zero stat gun you speak of. I am intrigued.
Yep, its expensive but it lasts a long time and it does work.https://www.amazon.com/Milty-5036694022153-Zerostat-Anti-Static-Blue/dp/B0033SHDSS
Holy crap! $72? I don't think they were more than $20 and the patent is done, or it was bought from Discwasher.
I never play a new record without first cleaning. Along with dust, mold release agents can still be present on the record. Presently using a VPI 16.5 RCM. Wet brush my cleaning solution followed by a distilled water rinse and then vacuum. I then treat all my LP's with LAST and date the record sleeve. My pre-play routine is one with my 2+2 brush which is comprised of a carbon fibre brush and a chamois type material.Here's the link on the zerotat gun.. I want to add that I use the zerostat first and then a dry disc washer brush afterwards. I figure loosen the dust held by static cling before trying to pick it up with the disc washer brush. It still surprises me how much dust there is on a brand new album coming right out of the sleeve.
https://www.needledoctor.com/Milty-Zerostat-Gun
Neither do I. I never play an album without cleaning it period, new or used.I never play a new record without first cleaning. Along with dust, mold release agents can still be present on the record. Presently using a VPI 16.5 RCM. Wet brush my cleaning solution followed by a distilled water rinse and then vacuum. I then treat all my LP's with LAST and date the record sleeve. My pre-play routine is one with my 2+2 brush which is comprised of a carbon fibre brush and a chamois type material.
Pops and such are minimal if at all with this procedure
That's actually the last offering of that kit so I'm guessing mid to late eighties perhaps ? The original Zerostat gun had a much different muzzle. Regardless, it was pretty good marketing genius since their brush offering was basically junk. A wooden handle brush only helped in the build up static making you more impressed with the Zerostat gun. But it still was far superior to the 'record cloths' we used back in the sixties !Anyone remember what the original detail on one of these sets was? I'm thinking somewhere around $40? Still have mine. I tried to fix my gun at one point, almost got it, but couldn't keep it adjusted correctly.
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