đź“Ł News Carpenters: "The Vinyl Collection"

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just one other thought/opinion from me, I`ve noticed a few mentions of record cleaners in a few posts. `lover of great music` points out that he put his new set through his, but I`m curious as to why you guys do that, because these are brand new vinyls received sealed, so they shouldn't need `cleaning` :)

All of the new vinyls I have had have debris from the pressing process whether that be a layer of material that needs cleaning off or muck from the pressing machine, this is just par for the course with new vinyl. Even MFSL vinyl has a sheen left over from the pressing process like a layer of lacquer that needs removing by wet machine cleaning. Apologies I don’t know the technical terms for this debris, but it is very common. When you buy new vinyl it will be very dirty in the most part as they don’t deep clean the vinyl after pressing it. I have read somewhere an in-depth discussion on this very subject and it is widely known that Records will need some level of cleaning and attention when you have removed them from the plastic of paper sleeves. New records can have debris in the grooves that can affect the stylus and therefore it is best to clean new pressings .

It mentions it here

Why You Should Clean New Vinyl Records - Sound Matters
 
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Can I ask what is the rationale for people keeping these records sealed?, I thought records were there to be enjoyed?. The Carpenters music is there to be heard at the end of the day, unless people are buying these records to put away hoping that in 25 years or so they will be worth 10 times the price they are now. I can understand people saving comic books and Dinky Cars but records that probably won’t increase in value such as our favourites always mystifies me. as Many on here I have these records a few times over but always look forward to listening to a new pressing of a favourite album.
My collecting double sets and such Is akin to having a warehouse to showcase my prizes. I always have one to play one to keep. To have and to hold as it were. Simply put that is my rationale....give or take. There's something so satisfying to hold an art piece while marveling its innate beauty. These are really the only excesses I've ever allowed myself. I've been anticipating the 50th anniversary for 50 years so I'm prepared to celebrate come what may. I can't say the holiday will catch me unprepared.
 
All of the new vinyls I have had have debris from the pressing process whether that be a layer of material that needs cleaning off or muck from the pressing machine, this is just par for the course with new vinyl. Even MFSL vinyl has a sheen left over from the pressing process like a layer of lacquer that needs removing by wet machine cleaning. Apologies I don’t know the technical terms for this debris, but it is very common. When you buy new vinyl it will be very dirty in the most part as they don’t deep clean the vinyl after pressing it. I have read somewhere an in-depth discussion on this very subject and it is widely known that Records will need some level of cleaning and attention when you have removed them from the plastic of paper sleeves. New records can have debris in the grooves that can affect the stylus and therefore it is best to clean new pressings .

It mentions it here

Why You Should Clean New Vinyl Records - Sound Matters


very interesting read, thank you :)
as a matter of course, I clean every vinyl I get anyway, but I did notice when I received `the singles 69-73`, that there was a thin `oily` film all over the vinyl ............. didn't know that's what it was though, because until these new re-releases, it`s been a while since I bought a brand new vinyl.
interesting link as well wayne, so thanks again :)
 
Finally I have received my Boxed sets from Amazon USA the first set was lost in the post!, and the second set of two has arrived today. Didn’t expect the individual albums to be shrink wrapped as well as the outer box.
 
how the hell do you lose something that size and weight in the post :laugh:
probably on Ebay now :)

That was exactly my thoughts!, the box wasn’t small by any stretch (as it had two box sets inside). The one I recieved this morning had the two cardboard boxes inside another cardboard box with no absorbing padding around it. Basically the boxes could move backwards and forward in the outer box. One of my corners is dinted as a consequence of this slack packaging but I cannot be bothered with requesting another!!. Someone will no doubt have two boxed sets now!.
 
That was exactly my thoughts!, the box wasn’t small by any stretch (as it had two box sets inside). The one I recieved this morning had the two cardboard boxes inside another cardboard box with no absorbing padding around it. Basically the boxes could move backwards and forward in the outer box. One of my corners is dinted as a consequence of this slack packaging but I cannot be bothered with requesting another!!. Someone will no doubt have two boxed sets now!.

it hadn't arrived when I left my post, but my DVD of perry como`s Christmas arrived today from the states, in a jiffy bag, in perfect condition, so to lose TWO boxes is amazing!
mind you, it`s taken a month to get here, so I`m guessing those guys who rowed the atlantic picked it up for me, rather than use a plane :laugh:
 
All of the new vinyls I have had have debris from the pressing process whether that be a layer of material that needs cleaning off or muck from the pressing machine, this is just par for the course with new vinyl.

That seems ridiculous, actually. I haven't bought a new LP in about 30 years or more, but "back in the day," the only debris you were likely to find on a new record was maybe some dust from the paper sleeve. I'm amazed that "standards" have sunk as far as they have, considering they're selling these things for about 4x what they used to sell for back when they were "too expensive."
 
That seems ridiculous, actually. I haven't bought a new LP in about 30 years or more, but "back in the day," the only debris you were likely to find on a new record was maybe some dust from the paper sleeve. I'm amazed that "standards" have sunk as far as they have, considering they're selling these things for about 4x what they used to sell for back when they were "too expensive."


I agree :)
I find it disgusting, that anyone spends upwards of $40-50 on a vinyl record and the first thing they have to do, it put it through a $200 record cleaner!
I wouldn't go and buy a brand new car and be expected to get it valeted before I drove it :)
 
That seems ridiculous, actually. I haven't bought a new LP in about 30 years or more, but "back in the day," the only debris you were likely to find on a new record was maybe some dust from the paper sleeve. I'm amazed that "standards" have sunk as far as they have, considering they're selling these things for about 4x what they used to sell for back when they were "too expensive."

My sentiments exactly. If you’re paying into the hundreds of dollars for a vinyl product, you should not have to deep clean it before playing.
 
My sentiments exactly. If you’re paying into the hundreds of dollars for a vinyl product, you should not have to deep clean it before playing.
I've been fortunate just minimal upkeep. I get such a kick outta the sheer weight of this vinyl collection. I love holding mounds and pounds of CarpenterS music. Guys, Well Rick especially, I'm sorry for your poor experience. Just know at replacement time you're bound to reap the joys of this fun release. Hang on to that and soon the tide and mood of this thread will swiftly turn into ecstatic reviews.
 
So what is the actual situation here?

If UMe recalled them, why does Amazon have stock and why are they willing to send a replacement?

Because life interefered I haven't even opened any of these yet, but if odds are it will be bad I would rather just return the set now and repurchase later this year.

However, if UMe hasn't recalled stock from Amazon, there is no guarantee you won't get a set from the first batch if you order later this year.

What's the best advice? Contact UMe instead? Just get the refund and be done with it?
 
So what is the actual situation here?

If UMe recalled them, why does Amazon have stock and why are they willing to send a replacement?

Because life interefered I haven't even opened any of these yet, but if odds are it will be bad I would rather just return the set now and repurchase later this year.

However, if UMe hasn't recalled stock from Amazon, there is no guarantee you won't get a set from the first batch if you order later this year.

What's the best advice? Contact UMe instead? Just get the refund and be done with it?

I think you are going to have to open the set and check each one individually, if you send back a sealed box how do you know you haven’t got a good set without checking?. Not all of these sets are bad and most recent ones are excellent, I haven’t had time to check mine as yet.

You never know until you have the problem staring you in the face. Recent purchases have been fine and indeed most who bought them on release date only have say 1/3 maximum which have issues. I’d say open it you may well be surprised?. If you send it back sealed then they will just sell it again as it could be perfect.

I’d say it would only take 10 minutes maximum to open the set and check the vinyls integrity and the central holes. Problems should be obvious. I’ll be doing exactly that tonight, I have a lot of experience with vinyl and don’t need to play a record to tell that it’s defective, visually usually Is enough to request a refund or replacement. Good luck with it and hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones.

To add most importantly site the individual LPs on your central spindle as some have said that the central holes on certain albums are to tight and they for sure will need replacing as it isn’t really feasible to make this hole larger unless you have specialists tools.
 
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Just opened my first out of the 12, which is the 1969 - 74 Compilation. Very clean copy on first observation, no marks or scratches- indeed flawless in my opinion. Decided to clean it anyways just to be sure.
Now on my Linn Sondek Turntable as I’m typing this post, very enjoyable listen You can definitely tell this has been remastered and all the better for it in my opinion, Karen’s voice sounds the best I’ve heard it on this particular album and I have 6 of it including the Japanese copy. This is now my reference copy as it’s superb sound quality. 11 more to go!. what really grabs me is the Bass on “Ticket To Ride” it really pops out at you and the vocal - wow!.
 
To add to above listened to the full 69-73 and in a word “Delicious”. Has blown this fan away I’m so glad I bought it now!, just wondering how to open the other sleeves and leave the wrap on them!, some of them very difficult to do!.
 
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Well I just tried TTR and it's really tight on the spindle, but workable.

What I found more disturbing is that 69-73, to me, has what I can only describe as a slight digital hash to it; some instruments have a bit of an edge to them that they clearly do not on my old A&M vinyl copy, and my old copy seems to throw a deeper soundstage as well, making my preference day and night for the older copy I own, even with all of its pops and ticks compared to the new version.

Defects aside, has anyone else noticed that, or am I the only wacko audiophile here?
 
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Also, "Close to You" has surface noise on side one that cleanings have not been able to address, including a fuzzy patch through the beginning of the title track and some visible surface issues on side two. :sad:

I've dropped an email to UMe and will see what they have to say.
 
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Even though I’ve only opened the one yet for the price I paid for this box set I’m more than happy with it!, over here in the U.K. it’s three times as expensive. I don’t think you can ask for more to be honest at this price basically 12 albums for the price of two double MFSL albums.
 
What I found more disturbing is that 69-73, to me, has what I can only describe as a slight digital hash to it; some instruments have a bit of an edge to them that they clearly do not on my old A&M vinyl copy, and my old copy seems to throw a deeper soundstage as well, making my preference day and night for the older copy I own, even with all of its pops and ticks compared to the new version.

Defects aside, has anyone else noticed that, or am I the only wacko audiophile here?

It’s amazing how people have different perspectives I have a mint Japan pressing of 69/73 and this new one for me blows it away. I am now reluctant to open the envelope sleeves as the shrink wrap won’t go back on if I do, and the box being so tight may lead to bent and crushed edges.
The only issue with 69/73 for me is that the edge of the new pressing is a bit rough they also seem to have used to much vinyl as it’s pretty thick but I can live with that!.

I guess I could get some of those resealable outer sleeves
 
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Well I just tried TTR and it's really tight on the spindle, but workable.

What I found more disturbing is that 69-73, to me, has what I can only describe as a slight digital hash to it; some instruments have a bit of an edge to them that they clearly do not on my old A&M vinyl copy, and my old copy seems to throw a deeper soundstage as well, making my preference day and night for the older copy I own, even with all of its pops and ticks compared to the new version.

Defects aside, has anyone else noticed that, or am I the only wacko audiophile here?

As I've stated earlier in this thread, my original Carpenters LPs are pristine, so there are virtually no "pops and ticks" to be heard. My original "Singles 1969-1973" plays especially well. I haven't even cleaned or played the box set LPs yet; I got them (as a Christmas gift) mostly for the novelty. Because my original vinyl is so well cared for, I may not live long enough to have to rely on the newly issued 180gm LPs! :wink:
 
I’d love to know where they got those sleeves printed as they are so true to the original issues, whoever did them deserves a lot of credit and surely it was quite difficult to replicate them as well as they have done. Not easy at all to do them I’m guessing. The texture and everything is an absolute pleasure. Obviously some things ain’t exactly as original but boy did they do a good job, especially with the Self Titled album and ASFY.
 
Just opened 2/12 “Close To You” pleased to report an other superbly clean record with no blemishes that I can comment upon. Vinyl really didn’t need any cleaning on this one!, so on the turntable it is now. Playing side 2 first and sounds very analogue to my ears - the mastering is lovely on this one as well only half a way through it but sounds if anything clearer than 69/73 that I played yesterday and for me definitely the best copy of this I have “ Cresent Noon “ sounds super and the voice is as if Karen is in my living room. Really special the mastering on these for me personally. Bass depth is astounding and tangible. I couldn’t be any happier with these thus far “Mr Guder” sounds exceptional also. Boy are these good to listen to!.

If Amazon drop the price of these again I’ll be buying another box to keep sealed as I can’t resist listening to these sonic marvels.
 
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Also, "Close to You" has surface noise on side one that cleanings have not been able to address, including a fuzzy patch through the beginning of the title track and some visible surface issues on side two. :sad:

I've dropped an email to UMe and will see what they have to say.

I decided to open Close to You second to compare your findings to mine, I have no issues with mine at all as mentioned in my post above it really is superb to my ears (which thankfully were syringed at my Doctors yesterday - an added bonus!), no issues at all with “We’ve Only”. I hope you get a replacement as it is a tremendous sound when you get a clean copy. All the best.
 
Glad to hear your boxset is ok so far Wayne.
It seems to be pot luck regarding who gets a good copy judging by other comments but I have to say everything about my set is brilliant and I am glad I bought when I did.
 
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