Vinyl Quality 2020

The best current pressings I reckon are being done by Record Industry and Pallas, who turn out records that are generally consistently flat, centered and free of obvious flaws. RTI are also very good, and seem to have improved a bit after a bit of a shaky patch. Optimal I also find to be pretty good too - in most cases excellent. QRP I’ve had one or two shockers but can be excellent too. MPO can be good, but more of a gamble. GZ is inconsistent can be good, sometimes quite often not so good. Rainbo, I tend to avoid…

A problem can be when anti-static inners aren’t used. Often the static charge from the pressing ensures the LP sticks to the inner like a limpet so any rough edges or debris leave an indelible impression. It’s well worth just cutting off any plain white inner, and then giving the LP a wash in an RCM, not just to clean it of any debris, but also to neutralise any static charge. Then put in a new replacement anti-static inner.

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