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Originally Posted by periurban
1) Having to get several copies of a record before finding one that didn't crackle or skip.
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New vinyl may crackle/skip because of the dust in the grooves, one wet wash will clear this up. If not, then I guess yeah, returning it is necessary. Not like scratched digital media never happens though...I can't say to what rate this happens compared with that of vinyl though. So far, I have not had to return any of my vinyl and I have predominantly bought new. (in fact my used vinyl has sounded better!)
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2) Remembering to turn the volume down on the amp so that the lead in/out procedure didn't blow your speakers and your ears. |
I have not had this problem, maybe because I only use headphones? In all honesty though, I habitually decrease the volume with any new disc (cd or lp). The only time I don't is with mp3's, but I do have to attenuate various tracks as they are often recorded at different volumes.
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I am just now beginning to experience this. Though there are folks who believe cd's build up static, I don't buy into it that much at all. LP's? Oh yeah, I need to buy a zerostat gun. Storing them in anti-static sleeves should help minimize this, and these sleeves are better for the records anyway (higher grade, plastic so no shedding or scratching etc).
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For sure, cleaning is the major downside to vinyl, but in my last post I addressed this. One wet wash and then a simple dry brushing before each play should be enough. Perhaps an annual wet wash? Not sure yet, I'll let you know in a year
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Clean vinyl = no surface noise. I know I have some clean vinyl here. Dead silent. Get a super quiet phono like a Samuels offering or the Dynavector P75 I am using and it is BLACK.
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6) Distortion that increased towards the end of each side of the record. |
I am not familiar with this, what do you mean by distortion?
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7) Having to clean the records and stylus without damaging either. |
Cleaning records is easy...the stylus, yeah care needs to be taken. Some like the wet brush, some like dry brushing with SAND PAPER!!!! I have a Zerodust blob of goop, a bit dangerous because of the downward force exherted. So far so good though, but yeah, if something goes wrong here, one neeeds a new stylus.
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8) Having to replace the stylus every so often. |
This is my single biggest beef. A well setup stylus should last at least 1000 hours. The problem is the investment. IF one really likes those 2k carts, and had to scrimp and save, is it worth 2k annually if one listens often enough? Tough call, I don't have that kind of cash, and perhaps I never will. However, there are certainly many fine carts that are under 300, so if one calculates it out...it isn't that expensive but still, I agree, a pain.
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9) Remembering not to fall asleep and let the run out groove wear the stylus to a nub. |
Yep this is not cool at all.
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10) Having to learn juggling to get the record out of its sleeve onto the deck without scratching it, fingering it or dropping it.
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I don't have that problem, maybe I have a high dexterity? Regardless, your points are all valid, some easily solved others never will be.
It ends up coming down to a decision, are the merits of hte sound benefits (a more natural and perhaps more resolving and dynamic experience) worth the efforts. For me yes, and I so love the convenience of 60 gigs on hand at all times, power up the iPod and just go for 10 straight hours of studying or programming or whatever. But at home, that 20 minute or less, cycle is really nice and involving and again, I love the sound.