Acoustic Sounds-Disappointed in Quality of Vinyl

[1KW]

I'm not being unfair just posting what happened. Since both these premium labels are under the control of acoustic sounds they should not have been sold the way they are. I did give credit for the packaging they were shipped in. I am happy that most who posted here have had a positive experience but this is obviously not always the case. I have left a phone message and sent a email and will report back

[Josquin des Prez]

Originally Posted by 1KW

I'm not being unfair just posting what happened. Since both these premium labels are under the control of acoustic sounds they should not have been sold the way they are. I did give credit for the packaging they were shipped in. I am happy that most who posted here have had a positive experience but this is obviously not always the case. I have left a phone message and sent a email and will report back

No, you posted what happened, and then warned people off Acoustic Sounds, comparing them negatively to "other places." That I think is unfair to AS on your part.

You should have given AS a chance to resolve your issues before telling people AS is worth a warning and less good than other places. The fact of the matter is, AS is one of the best in the business. The people working there are devoted and passionate. I know that because I spent a half-day visiting them in Salina. Just call Nate at AS and he will get your problem resolved.

Personally, I think if that kind of stuff bothers you, you are in the wrong game with analog, and should stick to digital where you won't have those frustrations. Otherwise, it won't end with your Muddy Waters and Cat Stevens albums. You are guaranteed to get more defects in the future, whether you buy from AS one of the other places. Figure on about 8%.

[sanji]

There was a tiny defect in my Muddy Waters album and AS took care of it without issue. Although we should expect perfection for $50 a pop, it's unrealistic to think that every single LP coming out of the plant will be examined with a microscope. Anyway, I'm still quite happy with AS and will continue to buy from them.

[jdandy]

Either way it is still a pain in the butt to repackage the offending album(s), pay return postage, and wait while hoping the replacement copy is better. I returned a copy of a Houston Person's album to Music Direct only to get a second copy full of big pops and ticks on both sides, and the same with Shelby Lynne's - Just A Little Lovin. It irritates the heck of out of me and drives the overall price of the album up, like they aren't already rediculously high priced.

[Josquin des Prez]

Vinyl is a big PITA and a fragile thing, but worth it if you are willing to deal with the frustrations. This is nothing new. It has been this way for as long as I've been collecting vinyl which is about 40 years.

But I'd rather deal with this frustration than with digital, where I am constantly fighting flakey streaming software, broken tagging systems, and software that assumes I'm playing single track pop music and has abysmal support for classical music.

[jdandy]

Dean.......I have been buying vinyl for over 40 years myself. Back when vinyl was the primary source I usually purchased three to five albums every week, and sometimes more. My return rate has been closer to 20% than your stated 8%. Things may have improved, although the past four "audiophile" albums I purchased saw two returned, and one of those returned twice. I'm not happy with the second replacement, either, but they wore me down.

You are correct, vinyl is a royal pain in the ass when it comes to pressing defects. The heavier vinyl pressings have all but eliminated the old warp issues, but the actual quality of the pressings is still in question. When a new album arrives and is cleaned and then played I expect it to be free of snaps, crackles and pops. I'm not talking about lead in or lead out grooves because they are typically noisy to some degree, but I expect the recorded grooves to be clean. When paying anywhere from $29.00 to $49.00 plus shipping for a single album, I have every right to expect high quality the first shipment. I don't want the disappointment, nor do I wish to be burdened with repacking, driving to the post office and paying return shipping. One in 12 albums would be a blessing as far as I'm concerned, but that has not been my experience.

[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by 1KW

I'm not being unfair just posting what happened. Since both these premium labels are under the control of acoustic sounds they should not have been sold the way they are. I did give credit for the packaging they were shipped in. I am happy that most who posted here have had a positive experience but this is obviously not always the case. I have left a phone message and sent a email and will report back

How is Classic Records under the control of Acoustic Sounds? That album was pressed long before AS bought Classic Records.

[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by RaceTripper

I visited Acoustic Sounds and saw their huge stacks of defective returns. It's the nature of the game. About 8% of pressed albums have defects.

I think you are being very unfair to Acoustic Sounds. They do their best to provide a quality product and in most cases they do. They also have first rate service and know defects are a fact of life. Ditto for Music Direct. They will on occasion sell you a defect and they will take care of getting you an exchange.

Give AS a call today, and I think you will be set with an RMA, so you can get your defects exchanged.

I have the Muddy Waters and it is perfect. Also, be sure to clean your records before you play them the first time. That will help prevent pops and clicks in future plays.

The other thing to bear in mind is that AS and many of the leading high-end vinyl companies don't dehorn their stampers . So the LP may have some pops and tics that go away with two or three plays. Which would you rather have, polished off highs or waiting for two or three plays for the LP to sound quiet? I know what my choice is.

Another factor is ones cartridge. Different stylus profiles may or may--not to mention set up-- not be quieter than others.

[vintage_tube]

You darn tootin' it's a PITA & unexcuseable; but, it happens.

The number of albums I have returned to the 3 major outlets can be counted on one hand & that number is based on at least 200+ from those outlets.

Now, having said that, my future experience will probably change (like washing the car on a beautiful day with a great forecast -- it'll rain hours later). I sure hope not though.

Happy Holidasy Folks,

Bob

[Josquin des Prez]

I completely understand your frustration. I deal with it to. I think my return rate is more like 8%, and I have been buying a lot of records the last two years. I think with Speakers Corner Records I have been the luckiest. I've only had to return one album that I recall, out of 25-30 titles purchased. They seem to be about the most reliable. However, I have had to return ORG, Music Matters, AP, and other audiophile pressings. I doubt there is little that can be done about it and still keep costs down where they are. If QRP, et al could improve the defect rate they would because it's costly and a big PITA for them too.

I don't like it any more than others here, but I also understand it's the reality of it, which is why I tell people to stick with digital if they are going to be unhappy about it. I was a buyer for a record store back in the 80s and remember it from then too, even with the fancy, high quality imports from Germany and Japan.

In the past week I have returned a Hi-Q pressing of Previn/LSO Holst Planets twice. It's a nuisance, but a simple call to Nate at AS and the rest of it is handled for me. Yes, I have to pay $3 and time for a stop at USPS on the way home from work, but in the end I think the pleasure I get from spinning LPs is worth it.

Originally Posted by jdandy

Dean.......I have been buying vinyl for over 40 years myself. Back when vinyl was the primary source I usually purchased three to five albums every week, and sometimes more. My return rate has been closer to 20% than your stated 8%. Things may have improved, although the past four "audiophile" albums I purchased saw two returned, and one of those returned twice. I'm not happy with the second replacement, either, but they wore me down.

You are correct, vinyl is a royal pain in the ass when it comes to pressing defects. The heavier vinyl pressings have all but eliminated the old warp issues, but the actual quality of the pressings is still in question. When a new album arrives and is cleaned and then played I expect it to be free of snaps, crackles and pops. I'm not talking about lead in or lead out grooves because they are typically noisy to some degree, but I expect the recorded grooves to be clean. When paying anywhere from $29.00 to $49.00 plus shipping for a single album, I have every right to expect high quality the first shipment. I don't want the disappointment, nor do I wish to be burdened with repacking, driving to the post office and paying return shipping. One in 12 albums would be a blessing as far as I'm concerned, but that has not been my experience.