I’ve just started my vinyl journey this year. But as much as I am enjoying the sound quality, and the physical ritual of taking records out of their sleeves and putting them down on to the TT.
There is also a lot of frustration I’m starting to discover, especially with acquiring new records.
I’ve quickly realised that buying used vinyl online is a big gamble. Some of the albums I bought were suppose to be mint, but have a lot of noise, and small scratches. Older albums I picked up from friends also have a lot of hairline scratches, which at first glance you can’t see, but which make the records sometimes unlistenable.
Then there are new pressings. Sure they are way more expensive, but you are getting a pristine copy right? well not really, yes most are great, but I’ve also found some of my new albums are also quite noisy with pops all over.
Then we get into different pressings, re-issues and even labels. I just discovered that some labels like Waxtime or DOL are grey market low quality pressings which use CDs as source. This is starting to really feel like a minefield, And It has taken the high out of my new found hobby.
And even when an albums is from a reputable label, in the case of say Blue Note. I read that some pressing have way too much sibilance because too many tracks were squeezed onto the disc. While Analog Productions pressings are crazy expensive.
When you spend so much hard-earned money on albums these days, you want to be sure they sound their best, but it seems this is such a gamble. What do others think? Am I panicking?
Have I made the right decision getting into vinyl playback? I’m starting to get buyers remorse.
I started listening to vinyl a year ago, from scratch… it’s true that buying used records is a bit of a gamble, but overall I’ve been lucky. I have 80 records, 50 of which are used, from the 60s to the 90s, and after cleaning them, they’re perfectly listenable, some even almost like new. I listen to a lot of jazz, so I have a lot of new Blue Note, Tone Poet, and Craft records… and apart from a few warped ones that I returned, they’re perfect. The sound is excellent, and I haven’t had any compression problems due to too many tracks on the record. They’re all under 40 minutes long. Getting into vinyl definitely has an investment, but for me, the listening pleasure and the physical aspect of handling them make that cost worthwhile.
Maybe I’m just overwhelmed a bit with it all, as I usually do a lot of research before purchasing anything. And with Vinyl especially, it can be very daunting when you looking into which copies are worth the huge investment.
I purchased my TT from a good friend, so no dealer involved. - Although he is a professional hi-fi reviewer, has many exotic turntables and helped me set-up this one. So I believe that’s not the issues. But happy to look into it.
@DomTomLondon I think you have summarised it pretty well. Even the analogue production issues are not perfect, I’ve had to return a number of their pressing for various reasons and yet they bang on about quality assurance.
I think it’s just the way things are with vinyl and some people enjoy tracking down great copies or particular releases but as you say its a minefield and you need a pretty good setup to get the best out of it.
If I didn’t have a vinyl collection to start with I would probably avoid and plough any funds into the digital side
Analog and digital are complementary, I have both (vinyl records, streaming and CDs) and I listen to one or the other with pleasure, but more vinyl is true…
I think this is the issue - if you regard it mainly as a hobby, finding the best pressing is part of the hobby; if you just want to listen to music, vinyl might not be the best option.
There are - of course - many different opinions on what is acceptable. Pick your compromise…
I’ve got thousands of LPs bought over the years I don’t do second hand and if I buy something that’s not right it goes back.
I was lucky perhaps buying mostly in the time when my local shop had a great selection and they had decks in the shop I could ask to see the record on the platter to see how flat it was before buying.
The latest resurgence of LPs are a bit of a gamble but the rules apply don’t buy ropy labels and if something isn’t right be a PITA until they get it right or you move on to another choice.
Some are exceptional these days Blue Note and the Tone Poet ranges are super with minimal if any moans.
If people don’t accept rubbish they will have to up their game.
I think that’s a good strategy. I may need to just go for the records I want and return them if they don’t sound right. A bit of a PITA, but if that’s the way things are these days. Hey ho.
I gave up worrying about LP quality years ago. I generally don’t purchase records any more. We have about 2500 and we are nearing 80. If we never purchased another record, we have enough to listen to. I also gave up cleaning records years ago. Many RCM models are quite noisy and our neighbors complained. When I returned to vinyl I decided to make make my vinyl life as hassle free as possible given my age and disabilities. If I were starting out today, I might not pursue vinyl, but it has always been a part of our audio experience.
Blimey - you’ve just described me five years ago. Been through the same journey, even down to purchasing the duff Waxtime LPs - but my reintroduction to vinyl has, on the whole, been a wonderful journey. Some immediate thoughts:
Agree with @registlse and @Skeptikal that the Classic / Tone Poet reissues are excellent - no SQ issues in my experience. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Recent vinyl inflation means less cash to be adventurous, sadly.
I rarely purchase second-hand these days - even with the Degritter record cleaner you can’t rid yourself of misuse that isn’t always apparent via a cursory record shop inspection. But sometimes you get lucky - and rifling through a record shop if one of life’s great pleasures.
Analogue Productions: a rare treat - and 100% superb when taking the plunge, for example the remastered ‘Night and Day’ by Joe Jackson or ‘Morrison Hotel’ by The Doors. No regrets from any purchase via Salina, Kansas.
Greatest irritation is the variable quality of reissues - some vinyl appears to deteriorate to a state of crispiness after a couple of plays, others are crystal clear after multiple spins (e.g. recent Beatles ‘Anthology’ box set).
Nothing beats the amazement and enjoyment of putting on a newly purchased LP and being blown away by the SQ - most recently for me, Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Concert in Central Park’.
Classic LP collection! I’ve just played ‘Misplaced Childhood’ by Marillion (remastered) an hour ago - now that is one album that sounds superb on vinyl on my system.
There are no perfect pressings imo. Even the bank breaking audiophile releases. Once you accept that you’ll feel less stressed. Amazon returns policy is first class so new albums can be bought safe in the knowledge you won’t get stung. Second hand records are great, crate digging is a lovely way to spend time imo & records can be examined before shelling out. There is still plenty of cheap(ish) vinyl around second hand. Cheap enough to take a hit if the pressing doesn’t cut the mustard. Crackle, spits & pops are all part of the fun. If that’s not fun for you CD and streaming are great. I tend to restrict myself to special records if I buy new and I love to receive vinyl birthday/Christmas gifts - just seems more special. I don’t have problems with warped records funnily enough.
When I started this journey I promised myself I wouldn’t chase the best recordings and pressings. But didn’t really understand how varied the quality can be. And even spending £25 or so on an album, makes me thing I should be getting an amazing experience. Maybe that’s just wishful thinking
