Acoustic Sounds-Disappointed in Quality of Vinyl

[1KW]

I just received two new "audiophile" LPs: Cat Stevens-Tea For the Tillerman and Muddy Waters-Folk Singers. Both have scratches, loud surface noise, crackles and pops. I was hoping these were going to be great , what a disappointment. Just a warning to those considering buying vinyl from them. I have several superb sounding new vinyl LP's form other places. In fact this is very surprising to me since Acoustic Sounds advertises that they pride themselves on "quality". I have sent a email and I will report back how the problem is handled. On a positive note, the packaging they mailed the LP's in was very solid and protective . Also the SACD Midnight Sugar is superb sounding. I may only buy digitial music from them in the future.

[Myles B. Astor]

Sorry to hear. I've had no issues--and I have pretty much all of them--with the QRP pressings from AS.

Sonically--well, that's another topic.

[MyPal]

If you indicate the type of manufacturing defects present, I don't believe you will have any problem with obtaining an RMA & credit.

I have had 2 duds so far. No problem with exchange. Given that I'm in Australia, I have to bulk buy & space my shipments to get the freight economies without being slugged further at this end. This means that I have a large unplayed collection which may mean being stuck with a production defect pressing.

[audioguy3107]

Their customer service has always been excellent, I'm sure they would take care of you if you let them know what's going on. Good luck!

[djwhog]

I have had a few with pops too a new David Crosby 200 g send it back.

[vintage_tube]

Sorry to hear David but that is sometimes the case and is definitely cannot be attributed directly at any one outlet. I have both those pressings and they are pristine.

I have returned an LP or two from the three major outlets over the years -- sort of hit and miss; but their customer service in my cases, especially AS, has very positive and top notch.

Send 'em back and ask for replacements is all I can offer.

Happy Holidays Folks,

Bob

[Mikado463]

first off, welcome to the world of analog.....second, as others have said, Chad's customer service is excellent, you'll be taken care of.

[Wasatch]

Sorry to hear that. See what they say. I just got 5 LPs from them and all have been flawless.

[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by djwhog

I have had a few with pops too a new David Crosby 200 g send it back.

But the Crosby wasn't pressed by Chad was it? That was if IIRC a Classic Records issue and were notorious for Q/C issues. You could have bought that disc from Chad, ED or MD and had the same issues. One should be blaming the company manufacturing the disc, not the supplier. I'm sure AS will make you whole!

[Josquin des Prez]

Originally Posted by 1KW

I just received two new "audiophile" LPs: Cat Stevens-Tea For the Tillerman and Muddy Waters-Folk Singers. Both have scratches, loud surface noise, crackles and pops. I was hoping these were going to be great , what a disappointment. Just a warning to those considering buying vinyl from them. I have several superb sounding new vinyl LP's form other places. In fact this is very surprising to me since Acoustic Sounds advertises that they pride themselves on "quality". I have sent a email and I will report back how the problem is handled. On a positive note, the packaging they mailed the LP's in was very solid and protective . Also the SACD Midnight Sugar is superb sounding. I may only buy digitial music from them in the future.

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.