Vinyl Quality

[admin_exported]

I'm very new to vinyl so what I would like to ask is very few related simple questions regarding vinyl quality.

Albums that have 12-13 minutes of music at most (double vinyl albums) on each side are generally better quality than those that have 20+ minutes (single vinyl) ??

Does the quality of the turntable matter with respect to the above differentiation (if any) ?? Should I refrain from bying single vinyl albums ??

How about those that are 45 rpm's ? Even better ??

For the time being I can find a big difference in my project genie between single and double vinyl albums.

Thanks 🙂

 

[chebby]

12" Singles generally have excellent dynamics compared to an album version of the same track (or a 7" single) but they are usually dance re-mixes and that may not be a good idea unless you enjoy extended/re-mixed versions.

I have never come across an album with only 12 - 13 minutes on it so I cannot comment on those and I don't come across 45rpm LPs much either.

Just buy for the music you most enjoy (whatever size or speed) and do your best to get disks that are in great condition.

 

[GeoffreyW]

LPs with less music recorded on each side usually have a greater amplitude - the size of the bumps in the grooves - which means that the music is usaually better, more dynamic/louder. If the try to squeeze more music into the same physical space, 20-25 minutes or more, the groove are finer, with less amplitude, thus are usually quieter, less dynamic. These differences are apparent on any player, but will obviously sound better on a better player, which can recover more information from the grooves. 45 rpm discs also mean that although less music is recorded onto them, they can accommodate more information in the grooves, as each bit of information is recorded onto a longer space, thus being effectively larger, rather than being compressed or cramped up.

A better quality player will always recover more information from the grooves, resulting in greater music enjoyment, and this applies to both record quality and players. You should buy whatever appeals to your musical tastes, and seek out specialist shops and dealers - I bought 45 rpm discs by Art Garfunkel, and Gary Moore, leaving a Def Leppard disc, only this afternoon-so all sorts of music is available.

 

[Anonymous]

Many thanks for the replies 🙂 Really appreciated chebby and geoffrey

 

[floyd droid]

Thought i would chuck this little banger on the grill. Her music may not be your cup of tea noble but..........Try to ponce Bjorks 'debut' (one little indian reissue) half speed direct metal mastering, 45rpm. Totaly stunning sound quality, it blows the original 33rpm into the weeds. In this instance,in answer to your 'are 45rpm better'. Yup by a country mile.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks floyd, I really like bjork. Will check it out! Hope it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to buy it.

 

[floyd droid]

Start saving,sorry mate,but its worth it trust me.

 

[Anonymous]

Will do! Lots of stuff there from other artists too, using this technique. And was wondering why some albums on amazon are quite overpriced. It doesn't mention anything regarding vinyl quality or cutting technology. Thanks again 🙂

 

[plastic penguin]

noble:

I'm very new to vinyl so what I would like to ask is very few related simple questions regarding vinyl quality.

Albums that have 12-13 minutes of music at most (double vinyl albums) on each side are generally better quality than those that have 20+ minutes (single vinyl) ??

Does the quality of the turntable matter with respect to the above differentiation (if any) ?? Should I refrain from bying single vinyl albums ??

How about those that are 45 rpm's ? Even better ??

For the time being I can find a big difference in my project genie between single and double vinyl albums.

Thanks 🙂

I concur with Chebby - however, many years ago, some friends of mine used to say that LP's generally had a better sound quality due to the fact that the grooves are closer together, and apparantly, it equates to the arm tracking better and thus resulting in a crisper overall sound quality. Even though I have a substantial vinyl collection, I only have limited amounts here due to lack of space. I'll try dig out some 7" singles and try to compare the 12" version and see whether my ears can detect a difference.

 

[Al ears]

Hi, Enjoying your post, a good question and well answered as usual by the likes of Chebby et al.

Pricing of vinyl might be down to the quantity as opposed to quality as many albums these days are pressed onto 180 or even 200gram vinyl. These are often limited number pressings and cost accordingly. The quality increased likewise.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your replies!

What the hell!! I got this . I hope its a Direct Metal Master one!

 

[plastic penguin]

noble:Thank you all for your replies!

What the hell!! I got this . I hope its a Direct Metal Master one!

The most important thing is to enjoy the music.....enjoy your hi-fi.

 

[floyd droid]

noble:Thank you all for your replies!

What the hell!! I got this . I hope its a Direct Metal Master one!

Nope cancel it now if you are after a DMM 45rpm. Its a cracking pressing but sorry bud its 33rpm. It is DMM though.

 

[Anonymous]

Can't anymore, actually on the label's website under the description it says that depending on what sounds best, it is recorded on either 33 or 45. For an example you can see here. If it's dmm it's good enough I guess, at least for an evaluation. Thanks again!

 

[floyd droid]

Ive got that album, on the one little indian label, and mines 33rpm, as i said its still a good un.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh, so you are saying it good, but not quite as good as debut then... Well, there's always the next purchase...

 

[floyd droid]

noble:Oh, so you are saying it good, but not quite as good as debut then... Well, there's always the next purchase...

No ,not at all, its a cracking album. If you refer to my original post you will see that i said that the 45rpm version of debut blows the 33rpm debut into the weeds.

.

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

A random selection of great sounding vinyl*

1) Pink Moon - Nick Drake (re-issue of recent vintage)
2) Time Fades Away - Neil Young (original 70's copy)
3) The Nightfly - Donald Fagen (bit obvious perhaps, but stunning nonetheless)
4) Technique - New Order
5) The Year Of The Cat - Al Stewart
6) Sue - Frazier Chorus (I've wittered on here before about this lost gem of English dreamscape pop. It's magical).

* all easily trump the CD versions I also own, bar Time Fades Away which hasn't had a proper CD issue as far as I know.

Oh, and my standard version of Bjork's Debut sounds great, so would love to hear the DMM on 45rpm. The recent Pet Shop Boys special edition of their Yes album, spread out over eleven 12inch vinyl discs playing at 45rpm is also a wonder to behold and to listen to. Each track gets it's own 12inch disc with an instrumental on the flipside for good measure. Stylishly packaged ala PSB. Priced accordingly!