Worst sounding LP - Wind on the Water by Crosby & Nash

[pumps100]

I wondered if anyone had any ideas about this. I started collecting again last year and I still had some of my original albums from the 1970's.

I have thoroughly cleaned all my old albums and continue to clean any 'new' purchases. I only buy albums that are in near mint or mint and won't buy any that are really trashed/well used.

Out of about 200 albums my worst is my own original copy of 'Wind and the Water' by Dave Crosby and Graham Nash. It looks absolutely mint with no visible scratches but plays really badly. Tinny sounding and distorted in some singing parts - lacks warmth. I've re-cleaned it but no difference.

The album dates from 1975 and I bought it new. Question I have is maybe it was always like the way it is - just a bad pressing? In the 1970's I would play it on a JVC QL-A5 turntable with a JVC JA S22 amp - I cannot recall any issues with the album then - but maybe I am more fussy now! I still use the exact same amp but I have a Technics SL-Q3 which I am generally happy with.

Appreciate if anyone has any views or comments.

Regards

Ian

[Billnot]

Unless you were using a very worn stylus I wouldn't blame your old equiment. I have many of the albums I bought new in the 60s and 70s, which have been played on a variety of equipment, some very basic, but always with a decent (for the equipment) stylus, and most, but not all, some of which have been played literally hundreds of times, sound as clean as they did the day I bought them.

The experts may be able to explain why, but it seems to be those I have returned to after not having been played for a long time that have attracted extra noise, even after cleaning.

[megatrends]

I wondered if anyone had any ideas about this. I started collecting again last year and I still had some of my original albums from the 1970's.

I have thoroughly cleaned all my old albums and continue to clean any 'new' purchases. I only buy albums that are in near mint or mint and won't buy any that are really trashed/well used.

Out of about 200 albums my worst is my own original copy of 'Wind and the Water' by Dave Crosby and Graham Nash. It looks absolutely mint with no visible scratches but plays really badly. Tinny sounding and distorted in some singing parts - lacks warmth. I've re-cleaned it but no difference.

The album dates from 1975 and I bought it new. Question I have is maybe it was always like the way it is - just a bad pressing? In the 1970's I would play it on a JVC QL-A5 turntable with a JVC JA S22 amp - I cannot recall any issues with the album then - but maybe I am more fussy now! I still use the exact same amp but I have a Technics SL-Q3 which I am generally happy with.

Appreciate if anyone has any views or comments.

Regards

Ian

I have some of those records. Some I buy here and there sometimes look great but are ruined when you play them. They sound as you have described. A worn stylus will do this and ruin records.

I replace my stylus every 1000 hours of use and they even have classic expensive turntables that have a play clock installed on it for this purpose.

"better to replace your needle than to replace your record collection" It says.

[pumps100]

I think you are right about the damage being caused by a damaged stylus.

You've made me think about getting a replacement for the stylus on my Technics SL-Q3. I bought it second hand last November and I have no idea of the life left in the stylus as fitted (EPS-207ED). Then if I change it I'll be starting fresh.

Coincidentally, I managed to pick up a copy of 'Wind on the Water' on CD on Wednesday of this week. Plays fine but there is an element of harshness on the vocal harmonies in certain parts.

Thanks for your input which is much appreciated.

Regards

Ian

[MonkeyBoy]

On the other hand, you may simply be experiencing something I experienced a few years ago. I finally bought my dream amps and speakers and they showed me just how good a lot of my records are. they also showed me how bad a couple of records are, one of which I never even noticed with any of my previous three stereos. It was closed up and sounded like I was listening to it from another room in the house. The only reason i notice it now is because the quality of my system is a huge leap up from what it replaced.

Do you think this may have happened to you with this Crosby and Nash record?

[pumps100]

On the other hand, you may simply be experiencing something I experienced a few years ago. I finally bought my dream amps and speakers and they showed me just how good a lot of my records are. they also showed me how bad a couple of records are, one of which I never even noticed with any of my previous three stereos. It was closed up and sounded like I was listening to it from another room in the house. The only reason i notice it now is because the quality of my system is a huge leap up from what it replaced.

Do you think this may have happened to you with this Crosby and Nash record?

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. No I don't think that is the case with this album. I've got maybe 200 albums and 'Wind on the Water' is my own original from the 1970's. It looks fine but does not play well. Its the worst sounding album by far. I still use my own JVC amp which I bought in 1979 and my TT is a Technics SL-Q3 which is good enough for me.

I'd accept that I had a crappy stereo (music centre) in the mid 70's and I probably did not notice how bad it was back then. I ditched almost all my albums in 1979 when I 'upgraded' to separates (except a handful including Wind on the Water').

For example I'm playing just now Abraxas by Santana - 1973 reissue. Absolutely fantastic quality and lovely velvety warm sound.

All the best

Ian

[gvasale]

There were an awful lot of albums produced in years gone by that are not top notch in terms of sonics. That's the way the cookie crumbled.