The Classic Vinyl Listening Experience

• History

  Intro To The Classic Vinyl Listening Experience

  Welcome to the Sound Exchange reference guide about vinyl records. On these pages we will explore any and all topics that are relevant to the enjoyment of vinyl records. Read more...

  The Emergence of Long Play (1948)

  The Classic Vinyl Listening Experience began with the emergence of the 10” and 12”, 33 1/3 rpm, Long Play, Micro-Groove, Vinyl Record in 1948, and its smaller sibling, the 7” 45 rpm record. Read more..

  Modern Long Play Records

  The modern long play, micro-groove record brought to the market had a tremendous impact on artistic creativity. Read more..

  The Modern Vinyl Record (1960s)

  It has a relatively long playing time and does so while reproducing sound in what is called high fidelity. Read more..

  The Classic Vinyl Listening Experience Timeline

  Let’s put all of this information in the form of a timeline. Read more..
• Analog Vs. Digital

  Which is better, CDs or Vinyl Records?

  This question can be reduced to studying their differences. Read more..

  How Sound is Created and Heard

  This discussion begins with the creation of sound itself. Everything in nature that creates a sound creates an analog sound, which also happens to be the only kind of sound that we can hear. Read more..

  Analog to Digital Conversion

  The digital process begins at the point where the electrical impulses generated by the microphone are encoded onto a recording device. Read more..

  Playback Pros and Cons

  An analog recording doesn’t attempt to describe the sound as it simply records its input continuously, so it doesn’t have the sample size and sampling rate issues that digital has. Read more..

  What about CDs?

  First you must remember that the specification for CDs was developed way back in 1979. Read more..

  My Thoughts on Digital Vs. Analog Sound

  The vinyl record is my preferred media for active listening to recordings made in the 1950s and into the 1980s. Read more..
• Stereo Recordings

  Stereo Recordings

  Any discussion about music and sound reproduction will eventually make reference to how it is presented to the listener. Read more..

  Stereophonic Recordings (1960s)

  Regarding stereo recordings, when stereo first came out it was a brand new world and exactly how to represent a recording in a stereo format was very subjective. Read more..

  Mono Vs. Stereo Recordings

  Beginning with the comparison of Mono and Stereo recordings, it was typical that both mono and stereo records were made from the late 1950s until around 1970 when they ceased production of mono records. Read more..

  Quadraphonic Recordings

  Finally let me touch upon quadraphonic recordings as they appeared on vinyl records. Read more..
• Turntables

  The Record Player

  “For the record,” a record player is generally thought of as a turntable with a built-in amplifier and speaker(s). Portable units are typically record players. Read more..

  Anatomy of a Turntable

  The turntable has several basic components including the plinth (base), the revolving platter, the tone arm, the cartridge and stylus, and the mechanical and electronic components to make it all work. Read more..

  Reducing Unwanted Noise

  Isolating the noise generated from the turntable’s motor from the platter is essential. Read more..

  Choosing a Quality Turntable

  So how do you know how good a turntable really is regardless of cost? Read more..

  Turntable Belt Replacement

  Occasionally, belt drive turntables require turntable belt replacement. Read more...

  All about Phono Cartridges

  At the heart of any turntable system is the phono cartridge. Read more...
• Other Stereo Equipment

  Classic Stereo Equipment

  Stereo equipment is one more significant variable that can greatly affect the Classic Vinyl Listening Experience. Read more..

  Phono Preamps: Amplification and Equalization

  When the discussion turns to the phono preamps (short for pre-amplifier) we are really getting down into minute details of the record groove in order to understand its role and its importance. Read more..

  Purchasing Quality Preamps

  Like all components of a stereo system there are significant variations in quality in the preamps, which has significant effects on the quality of the playback of your records. Read more..
• Records

  On First Pressings

  

  Typically, a first pressing is defined as what the actual record album looked like when it first came off the manufacturing line. Read more..

  Grading the Condition of Records

  

  At Sound Exchange we use visual grading (as opposed to play grading) for our records. We do not grade jackets, only the vinyl itself. Read more..

  About 78 rpm records

  

  The 78 rpm record was the primary format for music sold during the period from the early 1900s into the 1950s. Read more..
• Taking Care Of Your Records

  Record Storage

  Always store your records in a cool, dry, dark environment in an upright position (never flat) that is high off the ground, and that provides some airflow around them. Read more..

  Tips for Handling Records

  Always handle your records by the label and the outer edge and never ever touch the record grooves except when performing a deep cleaning. Read more..

  That’s Not a Scratch on Your Vinyl – It’s Dirt!

  Dirt and static electricity may cause good records to sound “scratchy”. A proper cleaning will remove dirt and static electricity from the vinyl. Read more..

  How Often Should Records Be Cleaned?

  Record cleaning, like most any other type of cleaning, is a matter of degree. Read more..

  Record Cleaning Solution

  Wet cleaning of vinyl records is the best way if not the only way to really get them clean and to get them free of static electricity. Read more..

  How to Clean a Record

  Use plenty of solution and really get the record wet while being very, very careful to keep the solution off of the record label, as it will cause the paper label to “rise” or stain the label, etc, and it will never look like new again. Read more..

  Salvaging Vinyl

  An old trick of “last resort” is to actually play a record while wet. Read more..