The Color Of Vinyl

Someone else out there would know for sure since I'm not a vinyl buff; but doesn't the needle move up and down in the grove for one channel of sound and then left and right (back and forth) in the groove for the other channel? The needle follows the groove and moves in accordance--I don't see how color would effect that. Its possible that the durability of the vinyl isn't the same with different colors so that after 20 plays one vinyl might wear out quicker, but that's just hypothesizing.

Uh no!

It has been suggested by those with far greater knowledge than me that black vinyl contains carbon which may cause greater surface noise and higher noise floor than a color without, White for example. Perhaps someone with real knowledge, (note: Real) would be willing to share their knowledge and experience with us?

Right on Marty!

I can say that I have seen impurities inside clear vinyl records, and doubt the better quality theory. I have never owned the same record in two different colors, so I won't try to offer any observations about alsolute sound quality. Since a choice usually isn't available for any given record outside of collector's limited issues, which are presumably bought for reasons other than their sound, this probably won't matter much in the real world anyway. Two thing I can say though: it's only with black records that you can really *see* the surface conditions and whether or not you've cleaned the thing well, and the same goes for your ability to accurately cue the lead-in and between-track silent grooves (clear and translucent records being the worst for this). Given a choice, give me black.