EvilChuck

I buy as often as possible, but there are always some case where the physical copy is seemingly impossible to find at which point I will download.

s_k

Ah. No.
Just brush them off before you play them and keep your filthy paws of the surface .
They don't start popping and hissing when you treat them right .

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Guybrush

They're old and have been listened to a lot, so they're not in mint condition. The ones I listen to the most are LPs from an old box set of Classical Music LPs dating back to the 60s .. And I think it would take more than brushing to make them sound great.

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s_k

I could clean them for you for 35 euro cents each, new sleeves included.
Should you ever pass the Netherlands...

Eitherway, crackle, pop and hiss are often cause by mistreatment and an improperly adjusted turntable.
It's not right to think thit is 'what vinyl sounds like'. Loads of people do .
It's also a misunderstanding that records wear from playing them a lot. They do, when you play them on cheap players.
But when your player has a proper arm is adjusted just right (it takes some time to do so, you can't do it without test records, bubble level and an oscilloscope),
records are pretty much infinitely playable.
I'm glad you still play records now and then, though .

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PurpleWolf

I am wanting to move towards physical copies but they cost money, so a lot of my music is digital.
I find that I can create a lossless copy of that CD then create a nice mp3 file from that.

s_k

Why would you make a lossless copy to turn it into an mp3 file?
You may aswell turn it into an mp3 file at once .

And for the money: If you don't mind not having the newest music, go for second hand. You can buy good second hand CD's here for 2, 3, 4 dollars

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Guybrush

Really? Not that I'm in any way an expert, but when it gets right down to it, playing an LP is scraping a metal needle over vinyl. Considering wind erodes mountains, I'm sure a metal needle will "erode" vinyl over time. Just seems like common sense to me.

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Howard the Duck

if something I want is in the stores, I'll buy it

if not, i'll download

i will also download artists with huge discographies, which I don feel like shelling out for

PurpleWolf

Hmmm, I just realised that. I was like 'ooh I'm so cool for making a lossless copy of my CD! "
Then its like ..... kinda pointless to have the physical CD, a lossless version and a mp3 version >_>
There is a reason why we go to school, to help people like me get an average IQ!! Which they failed at ;.;

I was on ebay not long ago and brought several second hand CD's for $6 each, including postage, and the seller put in an extra CD!!!!
They are now my favourite seller!!!! See, its not hard to please me

s_k

Nope.
You actually have to set up a record player very, very carefully.
You'll need what's called a protractor, which helps you align the cartridge depending on the length of your arm. Then you need a test record and a oscilloscope to adjust the 'anti skating'. You finetune this so much that the stylus doesn't apply pressure to either side of the groove.
Yes, if you play a record long enough it will in the end wear in a vertical direction. But we're talking 1 to 2 grams of pressure here. It will take hundred thousands of plays before any wear will be audible.
It is a delicate job doing it right, but if you do you won't be able to wear out a record in your lifetime.

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