Disappointed with sound of new vinyl

[Stiffy]

Are recent vinyl recordings sub-standard to what they were when vinyl was in its prime or do I need to change something?

I've Just bought a brand new copy of the Stereophonics latest album 'Graffiti On The Train' on vinyl.
Imagine my disappointment when I played it to hear muffled sounding vocals. :(

I thought there must be something up with my kit so I tried an old 80's album which sounded much better.

I was planning on buying any albums I really like on vinyl but this has made me wonder if it's worth the extra cost over a CD

My TT is an AR the turntable with an AT AT91.

[Oldpinkman]

I have recently bought new pressings of selling england by the pound, nursery crime, rumours by fleetwood mac and they were superb. Adele 21 and katie melua secret symphony are both significantly better than the cd - well they were till I left them on a table in the sun...:doh:

[Stratmangler]

I have a number of recent albums on vinyl, and they sound excellent.
It could well be just that one album you have that's not so good - a lot depends on the mastering, and if the engineer isn't up to snuff ....

The albums I have are the latest by Daft Punk, Black Sabbath, Donald Fagen & Jimi Hendrix.

[Clive197]

I have recently bought new pressings of selling england by the pound, nursery crime, rumours by fleetwood mac and they were superb. Adele 21 and katie melua secret symphony are both significantly better than the cd - well they were till I left them on a table in the sun...:doh:

Oops!

[synsei]

I have recently bought new pressings of selling england by the pound, nursery crime, rumours by fleetwood mac and they were superb. Adele 21 and katie melua secret symphony are both significantly better than the cd - well they were till I left them on a table in the sun...:doh:

Looking on the bright side, at least now you can utilise them as stylish fruit bowls ;)

[Oldpinkman]

I wedged them tight upright for weeks. Fortunately both my cartridges track warps with ease - but there is a lot of surface noise . How stupid can I get :steam:

[Clive197]

I wedged them tight upright for weeks. Fortunately both my cartridges track warps with ease - but there is a lot of surface noise . How stupid can I get :steam:

Oh Richard, as fond of you as I am that really is a silly question. It opens you up to some incredible Micky taking.:doh:

[nickbaba]

The problem you are describing (muffled vocals) is unlikely to be due to reproduction from vinyl. Have you compared it to a digital version (file or CD)?
I suppose it could be a mastering or pressing fault but there's no reason vinyl should sound 'worse' (subjectively) than digital, as long as your audio signal chain is good.
On the other hand, thinking about new vinyls sounding 'worse' than old ones (pre-mid 80s) its worth considering that old vinyls were all cut from a completely analog signal path (recorded and mastered from tape), whereas 99% of modern vinyl will have been recorded and mastered digitally before being transferred to (analog) vinyl. Does this affect the sound, indeed, make it worse? Many would say so. Personally I feel vinyl from an all-analog path is the best (most musical) sound to my ears, followed by digitally produced vinyl, then high quality digital and finally the lowly compressed file!

[Audioman]

John.

It's likely the Stereophonics used a brickwalled file intended for CD mastering as a source. Sometimes the case with pop albums. If you want ideas for quality new vinyl titles try the Steve Hoffman forum which discusses most significant releases in fine detail. I've recently bought some superb sounding new releases and generally I feel vinyl quality is on the rise again after a dodgy period a few years ago.

Paul.

[Gordon Steadman]

I have recently bought new pressings of selling england by the pound, nursery crime, rumours by fleetwood mac and they were superb. Adele 21 and katie melua secret symphony are both significantly better than the cd - well they were till I left them on a table in the sun...:doh:

Then use the sun to unwarp them!! Between two sheets of glass, records in their sleeves and leave out in the sun. Once thoroughly warm, put a weight on top.:)

[Ali Tait]

I have a digital copy of that album and the SQ is frankly dire. A shame, as there are some good tracks on there.

[Audioman]

I wedged them tight upright for weeks. Fortunately both my cartridges track warps with ease - but there is a lot of surface noise . How stupid can I get :steam:

If they are noisy it's hardly worth bothering. I found Secret Symphony pressings were noisy anyway and I've heard too much Adele played to last a lifetime. If you intend warping your records regularly I suggest a 'Vinyl Flat' + 'Groovy Pouch'- two pieces of glass don't work.
http://vinylflat.com/vinylflatproducts.html

[bob4333]

I've Just bought a brand new copy of the Stereophonics latest album 'Graffiti On The Train' on vinyl.
Imagine my disappointment when I played it to hear muffled sounding vocals. :(

I thought there must be something up with my kit so I tried an old 80's album which sounded much better.



John, it doesn't sound as though your kit's playing up then.

I think we all have doubts at some time or another and it helps to have a couple of "reference recordings" that are of a known quality.

Every time a new bit of vinyl comes in that sounds a bit iffy and has you reaching for the worry beads, just put one of your known quality discs on and then relax.

My experience is that new vinyl is generally pretty good, although there are a few dogs that get through - and must be SENT BACK or the b*ggers will think they can foist any old rubbish on us like they did in the '70's.

[The Barbarian]

Not so much dissapointed but i have a new issue of Jimi Hendrix Experience 'Are You Experienced' on the Music On Vinyl label, jolly good quality but something irritates me.. Just to make clear this is the MONO version, has any got this & can they tell me if their track one sound dull compared to the rest of the album..Ive never owned this in MONO so have no reference to think back onto..