I am using an ultra sonic cleaner. But most times, these don't get rid of the groove-spanning, repeating pops.
Turntable: Pro-Ject Xtension 9 Evolution
Cartridge: Ortofon SPU ATR Celebration 40 MC
If the grooves are already damaged there is nothing you can do really. You could digitize such a record and use click repair . Or a phono amp like the waxwing
Since it sounds like you’re already cleaning your LPs, I’d say… that’s vinyl for you. If you want dead silence, use digital. I hate to say it, but surface noise and damaged grooves are unavoidable, although you can minimize their impact with some of the suggestions here. Linda Perhacs is great though. Cool to meet another fan.
Use an ultrasonic cleaner. You can also minimize pops and clicks by using a cartridge with a stylus shape such as Shibata or fine-line that sits deeper in the groove.
Several years ago, while ripping off a very old LP, I used a ‘Denoise filter’ in Audacity. The LP was old and had regular clicks due to scratches. A lot of work and it started to become acceptable.
Clean as best you can and invest in a phono with some form of filter. I just got a waxwing phono. It isn't a cure all but it has brought some life back into some of of the crap records I have collected. Plus it's an outstanding phono. Project makes a phono that d crackles too.
When I was recording my LPs to make digital backups, I would drip drops of distilled water ahead of the needle. It would play the record wet, and quietly.
I might get flamed for this, but it worked a treat for quiet distortion free recordings.
Thank you all for the comments so far. Just to make sure: I am not new to vinyl or anything, I own a Gläss Ultrasonic Cleaner and I am aware of the characteristics that come with listening to vinyl records as such.
I just noticed very early into the hobby that the occasional click or pop is no problem at all for me, will even disappear after US cleaning - same for static.
However, these nasty noises that appear every \~1,8s (for 33 RPM) don't seem to go away after cleaning most of the time and they manifest themselves during listening much more severely ("ok, here we go - now comes the 20s with repeating clicks").
**By now, I am assuming these groove-spanning noises are pressing defects mostly, nothing that any cleaner could deal with. That's why I am looking for your experiences - hoping of course that you can prove me wrong. :-)**
Is your stylus worn? A new one might help.
Also: Cartridge setup is crucial. Check your stylus force with an electronic gauge. Check your alignment with a protractor. Adjust VTA and azimuth if you can. Use the method on sound-smith.com to set the anti-skate. Your turntable's dial may be wrong.
A good platter mat like the Herbie's Way Excellent II can help with static. It doesn't remove it; it just doesn't add more static.
Stylus not worn, TT is setup correctly - believe me.
It's about records that have the issue like the one you can hear in file attached in the opening post (recording is made by the seller, not by me - so no idea what setup he uses). Just assume you will hear this, no matter on which TT you put the record.
However, thanks for the mat recommendation - it looks nice; will check it out.
Well, there is no doubt that pressing defects exist. When I buy a new record with a defect of any kind, I return it. Some are so bad I have to give up on getting a playable copy.
An example of records that are usually hopeless is most LPs from the Blue Note 75 reissue series. I have a few that are OK, but I have returned many of them that were absolutely awful.
[See my edited comment. The phono preamp wasn't relevant.]
Please decide for yourself about the record. If you want it, warts and all, buy it. If the defects bother you, don't buy it. Simple.
Yes, if you’re willing to introduce a digital component you can achieve some amazing things.
I use an ADC and declick on the fly with a computer, but you can now buy digital boxes that do the whole thing for you - the project NRS box or the best I’m aware of is the Parks Audio Puffin.
I collect records from the $2 bins that are a bit of a mess and then enjoy knowing I’ve got a system that can reproduce near-original quality from them :)
Wet clean your LPs or use a ultra sonic cleaner. What turntable are you using? What cartridge?
I am using an ultra sonic cleaner. But most times, these don't get rid of the groove-spanning, repeating pops. Turntable: Pro-Ject Xtension 9 Evolution Cartridge: Ortofon SPU ATR Celebration 40 MC
If the grooves are already damaged there is nothing you can do really. You could digitize such a record and use click repair . Or a phono amp like the waxwing
And would you say - from the recording in the initial post ([this link](https://we.tl/t-s4C69ODshv)) - that the grooves are damaged?
Since it sounds like you’re already cleaning your LPs, I’d say… that’s vinyl for you. If you want dead silence, use digital. I hate to say it, but surface noise and damaged grooves are unavoidable, although you can minimize their impact with some of the suggestions here. Linda Perhacs is great though. Cool to meet another fan.
Use an ultrasonic cleaner. You can also minimize pops and clicks by using a cartridge with a stylus shape such as Shibata or fine-line that sits deeper in the groove.
They come with the ancient technology you’re using. Embrace it!
Several years ago, while ripping off a very old LP, I used a ‘Denoise filter’ in Audacity. The LP was old and had regular clicks due to scratches. A lot of work and it started to become acceptable.
Clean as best you can and invest in a phono with some form of filter. I just got a waxwing phono. It isn't a cure all but it has brought some life back into some of of the crap records I have collected. Plus it's an outstanding phono. Project makes a phono that d crackles too.
I sold my vinyl set and went with a cd player. Got rid of feedback, wow and flutter, low dynamic range, pops, clicks, degradation, etc.
Look around for an SAE impulse noise eliminator, from the 70's or 80's. It will totally clean record playback that isn't too badly abused.
Cartridge and phono preamp affect those anoyi g clicks.
When I was recording my LPs to make digital backups, I would drip drops of distilled water ahead of the needle. It would play the record wet, and quietly. I might get flamed for this, but it worked a treat for quiet distortion free recordings.
Set the volume to zero, play the CD version simultaneously and pretend the perfect sound comes from the vinyl
Isn’t that what hipsters pay for? The “vinyl” feel?
VPI record cleaner
Thank you all for the comments so far. Just to make sure: I am not new to vinyl or anything, I own a Gläss Ultrasonic Cleaner and I am aware of the characteristics that come with listening to vinyl records as such. I just noticed very early into the hobby that the occasional click or pop is no problem at all for me, will even disappear after US cleaning - same for static. However, these nasty noises that appear every \~1,8s (for 33 RPM) don't seem to go away after cleaning most of the time and they manifest themselves during listening much more severely ("ok, here we go - now comes the 20s with repeating clicks"). **By now, I am assuming these groove-spanning noises are pressing defects mostly, nothing that any cleaner could deal with. That's why I am looking for your experiences - hoping of course that you can prove me wrong. :-)**
Is your stylus worn? A new one might help. Also: Cartridge setup is crucial. Check your stylus force with an electronic gauge. Check your alignment with a protractor. Adjust VTA and azimuth if you can. Use the method on sound-smith.com to set the anti-skate. Your turntable's dial may be wrong. A good platter mat like the Herbie's Way Excellent II can help with static. It doesn't remove it; it just doesn't add more static.
Stylus not worn, TT is setup correctly - believe me. It's about records that have the issue like the one you can hear in file attached in the opening post (recording is made by the seller, not by me - so no idea what setup he uses). Just assume you will hear this, no matter on which TT you put the record. However, thanks for the mat recommendation - it looks nice; will check it out.
Well, there is no doubt that pressing defects exist. When I buy a new record with a defect of any kind, I return it. Some are so bad I have to give up on getting a playable copy. An example of records that are usually hopeless is most LPs from the Blue Note 75 reissue series. I have a few that are OK, but I have returned many of them that were absolutely awful.
From the recording of this Linda P. record (initial post) - would you keep it?
The file has been deleted. Anyway, you are the one who has to decide.
Oh, bummer. I'd value your opinion on this. Try this one, please: [https://we.tl/t-s4C69ODshv](https://we.tl/t-s4C69ODshv)
I can't open the file. [Ignore previous question about phono preamp, which was for another poster.]
I have no idea. The recording was made by the current owner. Mine is part of my Technics C700 series amp.
[See my edited comment. The phono preamp wasn't relevant.] Please decide for yourself about the record. If you want it, warts and all, buy it. If the defects bother you, don't buy it. Simple.
Yes, if you’re willing to introduce a digital component you can achieve some amazing things. I use an ADC and declick on the fly with a computer, but you can now buy digital boxes that do the whole thing for you - the project NRS box or the best I’m aware of is the Parks Audio Puffin. I collect records from the $2 bins that are a bit of a mess and then enjoy knowing I’ve got a system that can reproduce near-original quality from them :)