Why are people obsessed with 180g - Merged Thread

[1200y3]

Attempts to deal into the "audiophile only" market have been going on since the beginning of time, and there are alot. It is no different than London Phase 4 or RCA Red Seal concepts, but instead of focusing on the "new stereo sound" and "high fidelity" concepts of the 50's and 60's, the new guys are simply trying to say "we are a bit better" than the rest. They also have little choice, because records are no longer being pumped out as the main medium.

[MonkeyBoy]

We had a discussion about this some time ago and there were a number of people asserting that heavier weights tended to dampen vibrations and contribute to a quieter noise floor. Some of the arguments sounded like they were valid, but I have no way of backing up such a claim myself. I can only say it sounds plausible.

[jake]

Now there's a man with integrity.

[vinny]

yea, what is the reason why a thicker vinyl would wear better ?

[Alec124c41]

It takes longer to wear through to the other side.

Cheers,
Alec

[bauzace50]

Alec,
but that's analogous to the beliefs prior to modern discovery: we though if one dug a really long tunnel into the Earth, one could come out in China at the other end. It now turns out the innards of the planet have a fiery radioactive core making this impossible. I wonder what one would find inside those thick records? Well, one could send Lewis and Clark to find out in an expedition.

Regards,
bauzace50

[pivot]

yea, what is the reason why a thicker vinyl would wear better ?

They cost more so the user is more likely to take care of them.

[fanofthefloyd]

I think I am going to have to go with you guys on this one. I have a copy of Prince's Purple Rain that sounds outstanding and its on very thin, floppy vinyl. Now, whether or not people are "obsessed" with 180g is another thing. It probably is a ploy/gimmick but I do like to know that when I order a record today, I have a nice, thick slab of vinyl being thrown in the back of trucks by the delivery guys. Some of my best sounding records are on the thin stuff. Either way, if it costs the same, I am getting the thick pressing just because it feels nicer. If I had an the option, however, and the thick one is significantly more, thin record all day...unless the record makers compromise record quality because they know they have a 180g premium pressing coming out. Other than that, I have witnessed no benefits to 180g vinyl.


PS I wonder how much a thicker vinyl slows down the rotating platter? Do you think its measurable? Just a thought.

[satanfriendly]

It was nice to see vinyl getting a mention and a push this morning from the BBC on the Sunday morning show, but for the editor of 'Q-Magazine' to quote 'the sound quality on heavier vinyl is much superior because the grooves are deeper' just goes to show what misconceptions people have with 180g.

Tut tut tut

[tassiemouse]

People like to pay more in shipping costs?

[jake]

Yes they invented UHQR records so they could charge more for shipping.

[pivot]

Yes they invented UHQR records so they could charge more for shipping.

I own no UQHR pressings but the ones I have heard were very good sounding. They were quiet and flat. A glance at what UQHR LPs bring on the used market certainly confirms they were "investment grade" collectables.

One does note that MoFi, the folks who promoted UQHR no longer use that vinyl formula AND they no longer release discs in 200+ gram super heavy vinyl.

Current issues promoted as "GAIN 2™ Ultra Analog LPs" are pressed in 180 gram vinyl. If heavier vinyl is inherantly better why the lighter 180 gram weight?

[soundsliketom]

My understanding was always that the grooves were cut deeper in a 180gm record. But physically that never totally made sense to me. It's not like if you cut a 'deeper' groove in a dynaflex record the groove would pop out the other side or something. (also groove depth is determined at the lacquer cutting stage and not the pressing vinyl of the vinyl itself). I just did a little research and found NO evidence that this often relayed "fact" about deeper grooves in 180gm vinyl is true. Different pressing plant websites I visited only tout the durability (I'm thinking they are referring to the record as a whole and not the grooves individually) and the resistance to warping as reasons for pressing heavier vinyl. And we've all come across warped thick vinyl. Now, I would still prefer heavier vinyl and heavier stock on the covers for that matter because it looks and feels nicer IMO.

[jake]

Pivot
MoFi went out of business. The company that bought the name and uses it now is not Mo Fi. So the guys that invented UHQR are not working at current Mo Fi.
Sometimes the superior form loses - like beta.