Kap, are those German EMI's from the same source?
Used vinyl can have a myriad of problemsI Some are near impossible to detect until you play them.
Repeatedly playing the same LP side will cause more friction, thereby making it noisier with each pass. That friction can potentially slightly remelt the grooves, and impact high harmonics, etc. Resting the vinyl recommended. Eye test for grading won't reveal this.
What, if any cleaning system was used? Is there residue from too much fluid? Often, you may even see droplets that dried.
IMHO, too many people keep their tracking force at the minimum recommended. Going a bit heavier can yield better tracking, effectively providing less record wear in the middle of recommended tracking range.
I disagree with some of your generalizations regarding pressings. My experience with German LP's has been very good. Nice low end, relatively noise free and much better than Japanese LP's for bass. Have dozens of German electronica LP's, rock and jazz. Bought many DG classical German pressings.
Beatles' MMT German LP is the only LP completely 2ch and mastered directly from analog. All CD's have these corrections. Bass on true 2ch Baby, You're a Rich Man on German LP pressing is stunning, tight. Ortofon MC fineline makes it come alive, analog mavens. I'd expect later German MMT LP issues are corrected and true 2ch, though I'd surmise mastered from digitized version.
I've also had good experiences with UK LP's. Beatles' Blue (2ch) and Red (mono) LP collection boxes, again from analog. Have many UK pressings: Herb Alpert. Sergio Mendes, Beatles & solo, Soft Machine, Paul Simon, Matching Mole, Bacharach, Procol Harum, Devo, Joe Cocker, BS&T and so many more.
There are a variety of things that can affect record wear and how LP's sound. IMHO, cartridge is the biggest determinant. Proper mastering, PVC quality, recording are not far behind.
Used vinyl can have a myriad of problemsI Some are near impossible to detect until you play them.
Repeatedly playing the same LP side will cause more friction, thereby making it noisier with each pass. That friction can potentially slightly remelt the grooves, and impact high harmonics, etc. Resting the vinyl recommended. Eye test for grading won't reveal this.
What, if any cleaning system was used? Is there residue from too much fluid? Often, you may even see droplets that dried.
IMHO, too many people keep their tracking force at the minimum recommended. Going a bit heavier can yield better tracking, effectively providing less record wear in the middle of recommended tracking range.
I disagree with some of your generalizations regarding pressings. My experience with German LP's has been very good. Nice low end, relatively noise free and much better than Japanese LP's for bass. Have dozens of German electronica LP's, rock and jazz. Bought many DG classical German pressings.
Beatles' MMT German LP is the only LP completely 2ch and mastered directly from analog. All CD's have these corrections. Bass on true 2ch Baby, You're a Rich Man on German LP pressing is stunning, tight. Ortofon MC fineline makes it come alive, analog mavens. I'd expect later German MMT LP issues are corrected and true 2ch, though I'd surmise mastered from digitized version.
I've also had good experiences with UK LP's. Beatles' Blue (2ch) and Red (mono) LP collection boxes, again from analog. Have many UK pressings: Herb Alpert. Sergio Mendes, Beatles & solo, Soft Machine, Paul Simon, Matching Mole, Bacharach, Procol Harum, Devo, Joe Cocker, BS&T and so many more.
There are a variety of things that can affect record wear and how LP's sound. IMHO, cartridge is the biggest determinant. Proper mastering, PVC quality, recording are not far behind.
