What do I need to know about vinyl quality?

[klimto]

Hi there..

I'm just back to buy vinyl, and noticed how prices fluctuate depending on the edition of the Lp. I was wondering, apart from collectors items, what's important to look for-quality wise- when buying new vinyls?

The pressing? year? weight (grams)? Just luck? Is there a vinyl guide to check?

 

[Mr. Lin]

Hello -
I recommend doing some internet research when you're considering a specific pressing, for one thing. One resource is the Steve Hoffman forums, where people report on the quality of new vinyl, and of course the same such information can be found here on AK as well. Unfortunately there have been serious quality control issues with new vinyl pressings in recent years, so in order to avoid disappointment, educate yourself as much as possible.

Along those same lines, you'll discover that certain modern labels reissuing vinyl are much more reputable than others. For example, Speaker's Corner tends to be very nice, as does Analogue Productions, but others have spotty track records, like Four Men With Beards (I single them out because I have personal experience with some of their offerings, and the results were very mixed).

I wouldn't be too concerned with record weight, although a higher weight is allegedly more resistant to warping - I don't know if that's a fact. So-called "virgin vinyl," on the other hand, is more than a marketing gimmick. It means the vinyl was pressed with new vinyl pellets, not recycled ones, which results in a quieter lp in the end.

Hope this helps.

 

[klimto]

Thanks a lot for the info! I'll check it. Although seems like a hunters job to find not only the record you want but also one from an specific label/year.

 

[Greyson]

Thanks a lot for the info! I'll check it. Although seems like a hunters job to find not only the record you want but also one from an specific label/year.

If you want the good stuff you've got to do the legwork.