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What's wrong with classical music on vinyl?

As I go through my collection of classical music on vinyl, and get new ones from record stores and eBay, I notice that I am not impressed with the sound quality. Most of my pop music albums sound fine. The classical (even sealed), on the other hand, sounds full of static, noise, and pops that completely drown out the music. The rubber surrounds on my woofers ripple visibly, and the more intense passages become distorted (particulary the brass instruments). (And yes, I've tried it with minimal volume, to test the feedback theory, and with the same results.) I've tried extensive record cleaning with some of the most recommended products. On the other hand, my non-classical music sounds fine. Madonna, Yes, and Simon and Garfunkel play fine. So do Crosby Stills + Nash, REM, and Nickelback.

The only thing I can think of is that the classical music tends to be recorded at a much lower volume, thereby causing a low signal to noise ratio, whereas the pop music is inherently recorded at a higher volume, and this helps to drown out the noise.

I'm beginning to think that I should stick to CD's or brand-new 200g LP's for classical music from here on.

Any comments/suggestions?
sufentanil
rauliruegas
9,123 posts
 
Dear Michael:*** " has very little dynamic range. All of the non-classical music you list is very limited in dynamic range and as a result can ... " ***
*** " The rubber surrounds on my woofers ripple visibly .. " ***, *** " And yes, I've tried it with minimal volume, to test the feedback theory, and with the same results.. " ***

The problem that you are experienced is a typical resonance frecuency mismacht between tonearm/cartridge combo. That's all. With that kind of tonearm that you have you have to be sure that the resonance frecuency between the tonearm and cartridge it be in the 8 to 12 Hz, better: 10 to 12Hz. Maybe you have to change your tonearm, your cartridge or both.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
cello
645 posts
 
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Michael,
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I buy mostly Classical, but have a good amount of Rock and Jazz and try to buy new and NM from the better labels. On the rare occasion, I get a very noisy LP and it goes into the trashcan. Your experience does not match up with mine. A good percentage of what I have is dead quiet with some LP's giving a few pops and tics and some tape hiss.
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I would suggest that you take 10 or so Classical LP's ( a few of the Pop LP's as well so that you have a control and a frame of reference) that you are quite familiar with to listen on the system of another Audiophile who claims not to have your problem and see how they sound on his system. I think that would be a best first step in identifying whether it's your Vinyl or System related.
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In what city do you live ?
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Rgds,
Larry
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
Classical music belongs in the digital domain. Eldartford is correct. Even new Deutsche Gramophon LPs which I've just opened have distracting surface noise. My analog rig is pretty quiet to start with, running on excellent noise control measures and the Creature floating on a Dennensen air suspension. Now, listening to classical on my modded belt drive transport is an undistracting, artifact free musical expecrience...

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rushton's avatar
rushton
2,430 posts
 
Michael, these are all great comments above. Help us with one thing: you mention buying some "audiophile" reissues on 180/200 gram vinyl, but I only see mention of Alison Krauss. Have you purchased any of the "audiophile" reissues of classical music, and do these LPs play well on your system?

If you have not purchased new vinyl reissues of classical music, but are making assumptions based on the popular music new vinly, you may want to check this out. If the new vinyl of classical music presents similar problems, then mistracking or cartridge/tonearm resonance mismatch may still be a problem in your system even though it doesn't show up on popular music: the greater demands of the classical music may be revealing these issues.

Overall, I really like Larry's (Cello) suggestion of playing some of your classical LPs on another audiophile's system as a benchmark. You're certainly welcome here any time you're back in the Philadelphia area.
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jphii
485 posts
 
Could it be that classical music just sucks to begin with? Now that I have your attention, I have to agree with Raul & Jean. It really sounds like the cartridge. I noticed this before I went a little higher up the TT chain. I had a tendency to use cheaper cartridges, and their inability to track well drove me nuts. Almost any cartridge can be made to work for rock, but the dynamics of classical present unique problems. The Electra is not up to the task.

I think I'd try the Shure Jean recommended, becuse on a good day the Electra is um, average. Even though the Shure is a less expensive cartridge, it is know for it's ability to track well. For the cost of a few good albums, you may be surprised. Of course, then you will be starting that notorius process of upgrading, which never ends.
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