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Author Topic: The Vinyl Thread  (Read 11264 times)

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Questhate

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The Vinyl Thread
« on: May 01, 2013, 09:10:24 PM »
It seems like quite a few members around here keep a vinyl rig to experience music the good old fashioned analog way. It'd be nice to have this thread where we could discuss latest vinyl purchases, give each other heads up on limited edition runs, well-mastered reissues, vinyl record cleaning/maintenance, or even why vinyl sucks.

Anyway, I finally dug out an old turntable and got my rig set up about a month ago. I'm finding that I've been spending all of my music listening through my turntable, but that's probably just that the new (old) toy feeling hasn't worn off yet.

I picked up a few of those Miles Davis Mono Reissues from Record Store Day (Round About Midnight, Milestones, Miles Ahead), mastered by Kevin Gray, and they sound fantastic. Very warm and natural -- Miles's muted trumpet on Round Midnight doesn't stab my ears the same way my old CD copy did (I want to be clear I'm chalking this up to the mastering and not the format).

Also having lots of fun going through Wilco's (everyone knows they're one of my favorite bands) catalog since I just got most of their vinyl reissues. The vinyls sound great with lots of dynamic range. The packages are a good deal too at $25 you get 180g 2xLP pressed at RTI, thick gatefold and an included CD.

I'm looking through the reissues that Analogue Productions, ORG and Music Matters put out. Pricey as hell @ $50-$60 a pop, but it'd be nice to have some no-holds-barred copies of some of my favorite jazz albums. Any in particular you guys recommend (based on sound quality)?
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Questhate

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Re: The Vinyl Thread
« Reply #1 on: May 01, 2013, 09:16:16 PM »
Shoot, I totally forgot about my ulterior motive for starting this thread.

Anyone have experience with the Spin Clean Record Washer? I'm trying to find a way to clean these old dusty records without having to drop VPI type money (plus I don't have the space for it).


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MuppetFace

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Re: The Vinyl Thread
« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2013, 09:36:07 PM »
I was majorly into vinyl throughout college. My dorm room looked like a record store. For whatever reason (I can think of a few), my heart just hasn't been into it since I moved into my current place. Part of it has to do with storage and boxes and the sheer unwieldiness of my room-sized collection. Funny thing is, I still continue to collect vinyl releases. I'm hopeless.

Anyway, I want to upgrade my turntable setup. When I move again this summer, after I finish the DAC-search nonsense, I'm going to devote myself to getting back into vinyl. I'll probably go with a Basis Audio Signature 1400 or 2200 with their Vector tone arm. Get a cart from ZYX. Not a bad setup.

I also plan on cramming some big Magnepans in my room, but that's neither here nor there...
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shipsupt

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Re: The Vinyl Thread
« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2013, 09:45:19 PM »
I just have to say that my VPI was the best money I've spent on any part of my vinyl rig.  The results of really clean vinyl is nothing short of amazing, and getting the noise reduced to minimum when listening to vinyl on headphones is so critical to really enjoy it.  I cannot recommend a good cleaning machine enough.

I've not tried the spin clean, but I've read some pretty positive impressions of it.  I think with good anal cleaning practices you can get pretty good results.

Thanks for starting this thread!  I'm looking forward to getting some great recommendations.

Lately I've been spinning a clear vinyl copy of Rodriguez's Cold Fact.  Loving it! 

I also grabbed some used vinyl when I was walking the Portabello Road Markets.  I grabbed a very clean copy of Never Mind the Bollocks here's the Sex Pistols which is is recorded far better than I anticipated.  The dynamic range is quite good for punk album.  I also grabbed 10000 Maniacs Blind Man's Zoo. 
 

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Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

timjthomas

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Re: The Vinyl Thread
« Reply #4 on: May 01, 2013, 10:17:39 PM »
Quote from: Questhate on May 01, 2013, 09:16:16 PM


Anyone have experience with the Spin Clean Record Washer? I'm trying to find a way to clean these old dusty records without having to drop VPI type money (plus I don't have the space for it).

I have a PHK Record Cleaning Machine.  It works well.  Take a look at the videos at his website: http://www.maquinaphk.xpg.com.br/home.html
« Last Edit: May 03, 2013, 09:04:08 AM by timjthomas »
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MorbidToaster

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Re: The Vinyl Thread
« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2013, 11:11:56 PM »
Of all the stupid decisions I've made in this hobby...getting into vinyl has definitely been the dumbest.

That being said...it's also without a doubt the most rewarding. I feel that since I got into it about a year ago (first time since I was a kid) I've become much more connected with the music I love. It's definitely something special.

One of my more recent poor decisions was my TT of choice, but I'm fixing that soon (if i can stop buying vinyl first). I'll soon be rolling with a Kuzma Stabi/9" Stogi combo and will be upgrading the rest later in the year. After my first taste in the form of a VPI Scout I knew it was something I had to dive head first into.

When it comes to cleaning I can say that while a Spin Clean is better than nothing a proper vacuum cleaning is notcirably better. I'm holing to add a Nitty Gritty to my arsenal down the line.

Another fun big I didn't expect was my girlfriend actually liking the collection aspect of it. I figured she'd just complain about space like she did with CDs, but she really loves the vinyl. :)

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struggles

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Re: The Vinyl Thread
« Reply #6 on: May 01, 2013, 11:33:42 PM »
A lot of people like the Spin Clean, if you are not cleaning all at once fluid will last a week I believe, though brushes need to be removed each time.

I am currently using an Okki Nokki, I used to clean manually and used disc doctor supplies. In the end a dedicated machine has been a great investment for me. Very accessible and there to be used at any time.

On record store day I picked up a ton of random used stuff, have been cleaning and sleeving here and there as time permits, very convenient.

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burnspbesq

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Re: The Vinyl Thread
« Reply #7 on: May 02, 2013, 03:37:04 AM »
Quote from: Questhate on May 01, 2013, 09:16:16 PM
Shoot, I totally forgot about my ulterior motive for starting this thread.

Anyone have experience with the Spin Clean Record Washer? I'm trying to find a way to clean these old dusty records without having to drop VPI type money (plus I don't have the space for it).



I have one and like it. If you're careful, it does a good job.

If $4,000 suddenly fell from the sky, I would probably get an Audio Desk Systeme cleaner, but IMO it's hard to beat the Spin-Clean at anywhere near the price.
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DaveBSC

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Re: The Vinyl Thread
« Reply #8 on: May 02, 2013, 04:15:15 AM »
I'm not much of a VPI fan, but the 16.5 RCM definitely delivers for what it costs. I don't know what happened to Benz Micro, but it's too bad that you can't get them anymore. I was hoping to one day be able to have my own LP S-class which was just an awesome heavy metal cart. Miyajima is now definitely on my list, however. I know someone who went from a seriously good Koetsu Rosewood to a Miyajima and was blown away by it. I don't know how they stack up against the insanely good Azule, but at more mortal price levels, I suspect Miyajima will be tough to beat.
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Questhate

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Re: The Vinyl Thread
« Reply #9 on: May 02, 2013, 10:00:21 PM »
Strange things you stumble across on the internet. Being convinced I need a record cleaning machine, I started researching the VPI vs. Okki Nokki vs. Nitty Gritty and came across this: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=99837

Apparently, folks are having some good success using wood glue to remove all the dirt from their vinyl. It seems like many of them are doing both wood glue + some sort of wash since many of them have dedicated RCM's already. Could be worth a shot to save these 50 cent bargain bin LP's that are basically unlistenable. Anyone ever tried it?

I know what MT means about this being dumb. It's certainly a money pit and these companies know how to appeal to the collector in us by releasing all these limited editions and whatnot.

Case in point, $45 for the new deluxe The National album:


As absurd as it is, I ordered anyway. I mean, how could I resist anything with "deluxe" in the title.

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