How to treat properly Records
 

well so i thought i was doing a good job taking care of my records but I realize many of them have scratches/hair lines and is afecting the audio.

So i guess i am missing something:

- no touching with fingers
- storing not putting pressure on them
- i change the original paper sleeeve for a antistatic one (MOFI)
- i have a leather mat from Pro-ject. Should i change it after some time? Is this somehow damaging the records?
- Antistatic brush from AudioQuest
- now i am using proper cleaning (ultrasonic and vacuum) but before i was using the inexpensive Vinyl style record washer and brush (like my profile picture).

After many cleanings with ultrasonic and Pro-ject VCS vacuum machine, they are still noisy so they must be damaged.

I just dont understand how are they being scratched. Newer records seem to be more fragile than 70's pressings or japanese.

At the risk of asking obvious questions: Is your stylus in good condition? Cartridge properly aligned?

'Antistatic brush from AudioQuest'

I have found that ALL antistatic brushes leave hairline scratches on records.

I use a goat hair version from Recordsleeves and its the best I've used but still, it leaves scratches.

I restrict the use as much as possible and find that if I store cleaned records properly, static isn't a problem.

Hope this helps.

ok this is a possibility.... thanks

ok that was my guess... thanks.

I have found a good brush, used correctly, is invaluable to remove dust before play, and shouldn't cause audible damage. However, I wonder about the leather mat - if you're using a brush before play while the record is rotating, the record could be slipping a bit on the mat. Any contaminants on the mat or the underside of the album could be getting ground into the record.

Thanks. I do not put too much pressure with the brush so not sure this is the problem.

The thing is that i have been almost 10 years playing records and suddenly few months ago (in a matter of 2 months) all my records started to sound bad. I purchased then ultrasonic cleaner and Vaccuum machine. Did not fix it. I am thinking maybe the cartrige was not properly aligned.

I already tried other cartridges. The problem is already coming from the records.

When trying new records, they sound ok.

I somehow have damaged this year many records.


What a hobby... my most beloved thing in the world is the one giving me more nigthmares.

I am about to move to digital if i dont fix this soon :(

Something is amiss. I've been buying records since 1976 and many are still in the original paper sleeves. None of them have scratches from storing them, etc.

Improper handling can lead to damage. Even so, the sound lies within the grooves and not on the surface. So minor surface scuffs and scratches should be inaudible.

What table, arm and cartridge are you using?

Think back a 2-3 months ago. Did anything change with your vinyl setup? If, as you say, this happened suddently, there is a cause.

Cartridges and stylus shapes make a significant difference in how well a record plays.
- How old is your cartridge? Styli and cantilevers do wear out.
- Do you check the stylus tip with a 10X loupe for dust, build-up and damage?
- When was the last time you cleaned your stylus?

What do you do to align your cartridge? Setup can have a real impact. Poor alignment will damage the groove.

Check all your cable connections. Improperly set, loose or dirty cable connectors can sometimes sound like a scratchy record.

Take some records to a friends house or audio dealer and play them on a different table with a different cartridge. Do you hear anything different?

Hello Tima, thanks for your message. This saturday the specialist will come to check the stylus. I have Ortofon cadenza red in a VPI prime. Cartridge is not that old (less than 2 years).

This saturday i will post my findings. Thanks.