Hi guys,

Another novice vinyl question :-P

I have seen many *new press* LPs come in 120g as well as 180g versions
(later being dearer) of the same recording.

I was wondering if the 180g version was any better sounding than the
'lighter' one.

Any inputs will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Max

On 10 Jan 2007 20:31:07 -0800, "max graff" wrote:

Hi guys,

Another novice vinyl question :-P

I have seen many *new press* LPs come in 120g as well as 180g versions
(later being dearer) of the same recording.

I was wondering if the 180g version was any better sounding than the
'lighter' one.

Any inputs will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Max

The recorded sound won't be different, but there is a better chance
they will be flat, and your cartridge won't be going up and down like
a carousel horse while it is playing.

d

--
Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com

"Don Pearce" wrote in message
...
On 10 Jan 2007 20:31:07 -0800, "max graff" wrote:

Hi guys,

Another novice vinyl question :-P

I have seen many *new press* LPs come in 120g as well as 180g versions
(later being dearer) of the same recording.

I was wondering if the 180g version was any better sounding than the
'lighter' one.

Any inputs will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Max

The recorded sound won't be different, but there is a better chance
they will be flat, and your cartridge won't be going up and down like
a carousel horse while it is playing.

d

--
Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com

....plus a bit more rotational mass and and touch more weight bearing down on
your finely tuned suspension but god knows if that would make any difference
to the sound ;-)
I'm more inclined to look for the virgin vinyl because records are melted
down again (label included) for reuse and bits of label are not conducive to
quieter vinyl.

Mike

"Mike Gilmour" wrote in message
...

"Don Pearce" wrote in message
...
On 10 Jan 2007 20:31:07 -0800, "max graff" wrote:

Hi guys,

Another novice vinyl question :-P

I have seen many *new press* LPs come in 120g as well as 180g versions
(later being dearer) of the same recording.

I was wondering if the 180g version was any better sounding than the
'lighter' one.

Any inputs will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Max

The recorded sound won't be different, but there is a better chance
they will be flat, and your cartridge won't be going up and down like
a carousel horse while it is playing.

d

--
Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com

...plus a bit more rotational mass and and touch more weight bearing down
on your finely tuned suspension but god knows if that would make any
difference to the sound ;-)
I'm more inclined to look for the virgin vinyl because records are melted
down again (label included) for reuse and bits of label are not conducive
to quieter vinyl.

Mike



Hi Mike.

I have never heard of labels being included in the vinyl mix:-)
The pressing factories with which I am familiar all had a stamping
machine set up to punch out the label for vinyl rejects before the
vinyl it self was shredded and returned to the vat. The amount of
re-cycled vinyl needs to be carefully controlled as it detrimental
to the appearance of the pressing (though as far as I know there
is not audible difference)

Recycled vinyl was never used for top price labels, so I think
it most unlikely that it would be used for the 180g pressings to
which the OP was referring earlier in this thread.

Regards to all
Iain

"Iain Churches" wrote in message
i...

"Mike Gilmour" wrote in message
...
[clipadee dooda)

Hi Mike.

I have never heard of labels being included in the vinyl mix:-)
The pressing factories with which I am familiar all had a stamping
machine set up to punch out the label for vinyl rejects before the
vinyl it self was shredded and returned to the vat. The amount of
re-cycled vinyl needs to be carefully controlled as it detrimental
to the appearance of the pressing (though as far as I know there
is not audible difference)

Recycled vinyl was never used for top price labels, so I think
it most unlikely that it would be used for the 180g pressings to
which the OP was referring earlier in this thread.

Regards to all
Iain


Hi Iain,

Thanx for the postcard, must have been an excellent trip. I know Wiki is not
gospel but here's a quote "
Since most vinyl records are from recycled plastic, it can lead to
impurities in the record, causing a brand new album to have audio artifacts
like clicks and pops. Virgin vinyl means that the album is not from recycled
plastic, and will be devoid of the possible impurities of recycled plastic."

Not good news for us who care about quiet vinyl, but yes though I'm very
glad to know the label in not part of the shredding process.

Hope things are well,

Best regards

Mike

Mike Gilmour wrote:
"Iain Churches" wrote in message
i...

"Mike Gilmour" wrote in message
...
[clipadee dooda)

I have never heard of labels being included in the vinyl mix:-)
The pressing factories with which I am familiar all had a stamping
machine set up to punch out the label for vinyl rejects before the
vinyl it self was shredded and returned to the vat. The amount of
re-cycled vinyl needs to be carefully controlled as it detrimental
to the appearance of the pressing (though as far as I know there
is not audible difference)

Recycled vinyl was never used for top price labels, so I think
it most unlikely that it would be used for the 180g pressings to
which the OP was referring earlier in this thread.

I know Wiki
is not gospel but here's a quote "
Since most vinyl records are from recycled plastic, it can lead to
impurities in the record, causing a brand new album to have audio
artifacts like clicks and pops. Virgin vinyl means that the album is
not from recycled plastic, and will be devoid of the possible
impurities of recycled plastic."
Not good news for us who care about quiet vinyl, but yes though I'm
very glad to know the label in not part of the shredding process.

This is quite an interesting thread: I had no idea there was such a thing as
recycled vinyl, though I used to live near a pressing plant in New Malden
and once went to see it (about 35 years ago?)

What about original vinyl now? Hast the vinyl of 30-40 years ago inevitably
detoriorated in other ways? Was recycled vinyl used then?

"Mike Gilmour" wrote


Thanx for the postcard, must have been an excellent trip. I know Wiki is
not gospel but here's a quote "
Since most vinyl records are from recycled plastic, it can lead to
impurities in the record, causing a brand new album to have audio
artifacts like clicks and pops. Virgin vinyl means that the album is not
from recycled plastic, and will be devoid of the possible impurities of
recycled plastic."



If you hold one of the Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs' half-speed mastered
'Original Master Recordings' black LPs up to a strong light you can see the
light through it!!

"Iain Churches" wrote


Hi Mike.

I have never heard of labels being included in the vinyl mix:-)
The pressing factories with which I am familiar all had a stamping
machine set up to punch out the label for vinyl rejects before the
vinyl it self was shredded and returned to the vat. The amount of
re-cycled vinyl needs to be carefully controlled as it detrimental
to the appearance of the pressing (though as far as I know there
is not audible difference)

Recycled vinyl was never used for top price labels, so I think
it most unlikely that it would be used for the 180g pressings to
which the OP was referring earlier in this thread.

Regards to all
Iain



Hi Iain, nice to see you back! (Thanks for the card - first one from there!!
;-)

I have never subscribed to the 'labels and all' school of thought - I
suspect it would play havoc with the ducting and pipework on the machinery,
if nothing else....??

On 10 Jan 2007 20:31:07 -0800, "max graff" wrote:

I have seen many *new press* LPs come in 120g as well as 180g versions
(later being dearer) of the same recording.

I was wondering if the 180g version was any better sounding than the
'lighter' one.

They are less likely to warp.

In article . com, max
graff wrote:
Hi guys,

Another novice vinyl question :-P

I have seen many *new press* LPs come in 120g as well as 180g versions
(later being dearer) of the same recording.

I was wondering if the 180g version was any better sounding than the
'lighter' one.

I would suspect that the 'sound' will be deterimed by how well the LP was
manufactured. This includes many factors which have nothing to do with the
choice of 120/180g of material for the final product.

So, for example, if the stampers were not in good condition, and carefully
made, then they'd press the same imperfections into a 180g blank as into a
120g one.

Provided the material is of good quality, and the press is operated with
due care, then I'd expect the results to have little to do with the choice
of 120/180g. IIUC The main problem with 'thin' LPs is probably that they
can warp or deform - if pressed poorly or quickly. This was one of the
problems of LPs back in the days when it was the main 'mass market'
carrier. However it was a sign of the accountants running the presses as
quickly as they could to make more items to flog, and to hell with quality
control.

Thus you could argue that if a maker needs to use 180g blanks, this implies
they aren't being as careful as they could be and are using this to
disguise the problem or distract your attention.

I suspect, though, that this is largely a marketing ploy to get people to
spend more money.

Others may have different 'thoughts' though... :-)

Slainte

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html