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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
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.
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
A lot of classical music sucks. It was composed by poor people who were on the royalty's payroll and needed to deliver weirder and more complex music. That's how they could justify their salaries...

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newbee
4,093 posts
 
Psychicanimal, And that difers from pop music, how. Is pop music in all its various forms (including smooth jazz!) being composed and recording by rich philantropists? 95% crap with a few gems thrown in just to keep you interested and coming back, I say! :-)
easy_e
95 posts
 
I tend to have the same problem with Deutsche Grammaphone reissues. I notice Rushton diddn't mention DG as a label that he doesn't have trouble with.

I'm also surprised that more people don't complain about classical strings on vinyl. Often when a string quartet, for instance, begins playing fortissimo the music starts to sound very, very "fuzzy".
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