One of the greatest things about vinyl is that you do not simply press play: you become part of the whole listening experience by taking the record off the shelf, holding it in your hands, placing it on the turntable and lowering the stylus. At the same time, vinyl is a more sensitive format, which means you may occasionally encounter something that initially looks or sounds like a manufacturing defect. In our store, records are regularly brought back because a customer has experienced skipping, crackling or another playback issue, even though the same record may play perfectly well when tested on a good-quality turntable. This does not mean that a defective vinyl record can never reach the shelves, but rather that the record itself, the turntable setup, cleanliness and the quality of the original recording all contribute to the final listening experience. Before assuming that a record is faulty, it is therefore worth checking a few simple things, as they can often reveal that the problem is not actually caused by the vinyl itself. If you are currently putting together your first vinyl setup, paying attention to a few details when choosing your turntable can also save you plenty of frustration later.
When the vinyl record may not actually be the problem
In many of these cases, the record is being played on an entry-level turntable, often with a tonearm that uses a fixed tracking force. This can be perfectly adequate for many records, but there will always be exceptions where a more precisely adjustable tonearm can make the difference between problematic and trouble-free playback. When choosing a turntable, it can therefore be an advantage to select a model with adjustable tracking force instead of relying exclusively on a fixed factory setting. Our recommended adjustment range is 1.8–2.1 g when the turntable allows this setting to be changed. If a record repeatedly causes a problem at the same point, it can be especially useful to listen to it on another properly adjusted turntable as well. In many cases, this simple test is enough to show whether you are dealing with an actual record defect or whether the playback setup itself needs some attention.
Light crackling, popping or occasional background noise does not necessarily mean that you have received a defective record either. Fine dust and other particles on the surface of a vinyl record can become audible during playback, so regular cleaning can make a noticeable difference. For everyday use, a carbon fibre record cleaning brush designed specifically for vinyl is a simple way to remove small particles from the surface before listening. More stubborn dirt may require a more thorough cleaning with a dedicated record cleaning machine. Keeping the record clean matters for another reason as well, because particles on its surface can cause inconvenience not only during playback but also while handling and storing the vinyl. Taking proper care of your records is therefore just as much a part of a good vinyl experience as choosing the turntable itself.
Another common question is whether a record should be considered defective if it appears slightly wavy while spinning. A completely symmetrical disc is relatively uncommon, and in our experience a variation of around 1–3 mm can be seen on many records without causing an audible playback problem. The situation is different when the deformation becomes large enough to visibly affect the movement of the tonearm or stylus, for example as it enters the lead-in groove. Surface marks can be misleading as well, although a genuinely scratched record straight from the factory is fortunately quite rare. Some issues may also develop because certain manufacturers place the record inside a tight cardboard inner sleeve, where particles of dust can leave marks while the vinyl is being removed or inserted. A practical alternative is an antistatic inner record sleeve, which provides gentler storage and helps protect the surface of the vinyl during everyday use.
Not every record that sounds weaker or less impressive than expected is suffering from a pressing defect either. An old live recording may, for example, have been recovered from an archive, and the quality of the original audio can be very different from that of a studio album recorded under controlled conditions. Even careful audio post-production cannot always create the same listening experience that you may be used to from a cleaner or higher-quality source recording. In rare cases, the outer edge of the vinyl may also feel slightly rough or have a small burr, which can be visually distracting even though this part of the record does not contain the grooves carrying the music. The condition of the cover is a separate issue, as small dents or damage to its corners and edges can occur primarily during transport even when the vinyl record itself remains in perfect condition. At MG Records, we therefore provide additional protective wrapping for our records so that browsing through them in the store remains enjoyable while the covers receive some extra protection as well.
Ordering vinyl in summer: parcel lockers are not always the best option
When ordering vinyl records during the summer, it is worth paying extra attention to the delivery method, especially during periods of extreme heat. The compartments of outdoor parcel lockers can become extremely hot in these conditions, while your package may remain inside for an extended period before collection. For this reason, we do not recommend outdoor parcel locker delivery for vinyl orders during very hot weather when another delivery option is available. If a parcel locker is still the only practical choice for you, keep an eye on the arrival notification and try to collect your order as soon as possible. We recommend picking up the package within a few hours of its arrival whenever possible, so the record does not remain unnecessarily long inside a heated compartment. With a little extra care from purchasing and transport to storage and playback, you can do a lot to make sure your new vinyl delivers exactly the kind of experience that makes this format so enjoyable in the first place.