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Would you return this disc? (flaw near lead-in)

A

aeberbach

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
I just received this new disc, "Automatic for the People", 180gm vinyl. The flaw is right near the edge and is some kind of crack right near the rim. The rest of it looks fine and I am sure it will play, I would be mostly concerned about the the stylus falling into that deep pit and being damaged. There was no damage to the sleeve so it looks more like a manufacturing flaw than a handling impact. What do you think?

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Wow! Best not to take chances with something like that......but hey, stuff happens and I would think the retailer will be accommodating with an exchange. One of the last steps before the record comes off the press is a sharp knife/tool that trims the edge. I have to think this was somehow involved in that cut we see there, but really can't say for sure. Let us know how it goes!
 
Play it first. If it's silent, are you certain the next copy you will get will be as good? If it's noisy, sent it back on the premise of that flaw you mention.
 
I'd send it back. I still dont own a copy of Gilmour's newest album 'Luck and Strange' due to the poor pressing quality. I sent back three copies due to excessive surface noise and just gave up. All had had visible surface marks brand new out of the wrapper. I'd rather stream it on my phone via BT at that point.
 
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leesonic said:
Play it first. If it's silent, are you certain the next copy you will get will be as good? If it's noisy, sent it back on the premise of that flaw you mention.
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That is really good advice EXCEPT that the flaw you have is not only likely, but guaranteed to ruin a stylus should it get caught in there. It only takes one wrong move, oftentimes someone else doing it that doesn't know about that flaw, and you've lost your stylus and maybe even the whole cartridge if it's a MC and you don't want to pay for a re-tip. Aside from that, I've had a good number of LPs come my way that were otherwise flawed but were dead quiet and sounded way above par......that is when I'd take @Uncle Fester advice and just live with the flaws in favor of having gotten an otherwise really good pressing! You've said you're sending it back so good move amigo.

......about the Gilmour albums, man, what can you say? I think I'd get on his website and write him a note about this stuff......who knows, he might just read it or at least have someone who goes through his messages and tells him about the ones he might be interested in reads it. I trust the man cares about how his music sounds, just look at all the great stuff he's sent our way!!! It might resonate with him enough to look into it......"wouldn't it be nice?" (RIP Brian Wilson)
 
My concern here is less that the crack has some audible effect or will get worse, but that I'm highly likely to drop the stylus into it by accident and suddenly I've got no rock stuck to the end.

Unless its a really cheap cartridge, fair bet the record costs less than dealing with that, so were it me I'd exchange it.
 
It's a manufacturing flaw. Most likely something like cooled and hardened PVC got stuck to one of the stampers before pressing and caused the crevice. Or, it could have been a pilot short shot during setup and accidently got packaged. It should have never gotten past visual quality checks.
 
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I would return it if that is still an option.

Unfortunately, I rarely open records until long after the return period ends.
I have records I bought over 10 years ago that I haven't opened yet. (fingers crossed)
 
gadget73 said:
My concern here is less that the crack has some audible effect or will get worse, but that I'm highly likely to drop the stylus into it by accident and suddenly I've got no rock stuck to the end.

Unless its a really cheap cartridge, fair bet the record costs less than dealing with that, so were it me I'd exchange it.
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I think this is common sense good advice. In my opinion also, this record is one wrong cueing up away from a knackered stylus, or in the case of an expensive MM, MI, or MC cartridge, financial pain and emotional pain. Exchange this, and heed wise advice here on the forum.
 
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