slipcraig Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 This week, I received two picture discs: one from a small, independent label and one from a major label. Not important which albums they are for this discussion. The picture disc from the small label sounds HORRIBLE. Pops, cracks, hum, etc. Yes, I cleaned it, took the static gun to it, and so on. I contacted the label, and they told me that my equipment is at fault. Apparently, it's time for me to get a new stylus because this couldn't be the fault of the disc itself. LOL. The picture disc from the major label isn't perfect, but it sounds way better than the other one. AND I DIDN"T EVEN HAVE TO BUY NEW EQUIPMENT. Imagine that. Yes, I do know picture discs generally sound worse than "regular" vinyl. Is the solution to never buy picture discs? Despite their attempt to "blame the customer" in this case, this is not the fault of my turntable, stylus, or any other equipment. The album itself was poorly reproduced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelby Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 3 minutes ago, slipcraig said: This week, I received two picture discs: one from a small, independent label and one from a major label. Not important which albums they are for this discussion. The picture disc from the small label sounds HORRIBLE. Pops, cracks, hum, etc. Yes, I cleaned it, took the static gun to it, and so on. I contacted the label, and they told me that my equipment is at fault. Apparently, it's time for me to get a new stylus because this couldn't be the fault of the disc itself. LOL. The picture disc from the major label isn't perfect, but it sounds way better than the other one. AND I DIDN"T EVEN HAVE TO BUY NEW EQUIPMENT. Imagine that. Yes, I do know picture discs generally sound worse than "regular" vinyl. Is the solution to never buy picture discs? Despite their attempt to "blame the customer" in this case, this is not the fault of my turntable, stylus, or any other equipment. The album itself was poorly reproduced. Pressing plants widely vary in quality too. There are many factors but picture discs always sound at least slightly worse because of the way they're made. Avoid them if possible, but some can potentially sound alright to good. slipcraig and OneThreeOneTwo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slipcraig Posted May 5, 2018 Author Share Posted May 5, 2018 9 minutes ago, Sunshine said: Pressing plants widely vary in quality too. There are many factors but picture discs always sound at least slightly worse because of the way they're made. Avoid them if possible, but some can potentially sound alright to good. What I'll do going forward is buy picture discs to look at and not listen to. When the sound quality of a new record is comparable to Goodwill purchases, it's time to change buying behavior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelby Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 2 minutes ago, slipcraig said: What I'll do going forward is buy picture discs to look at and not listen to. When the sound quality of a new record is comparable to Goodwill purchases, it's time to change buying behavior. Good call. I only buy them when it's the only format. slipcraig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pizza face Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 I think it's a hit or miss. I own The Trilogy by Melvins and all 3 picture discs sound fantastic. I also have lust in space by gwar and its really not that great, at least from what I remember. slipcraig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slipcraig Posted May 5, 2018 Author Share Posted May 5, 2018 6 minutes ago, Sunshine said: Good call. I only buy them when it's the only format. I also have to say that it's dumb for a business to blame a customer for selling a low-quality product. I've spent $500 on the small label's records, and they have ensured I will never give them another dime. If you are a business reading this, take this as an object lesson. Even if you suspect a customer has faulty equipment, just offer to take back the album and listen to it yourself. If it does sound like a bad pressing, admit it. If it doesn't sound bad, tell them you can't reproduce the experience on your end. Customers respect integrity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oblivions Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 It sounds like they're hoping you'll believe them and leave them alone. I imagine that customer service tactic works sometimes, otherwise they're wasting both parties' time stalling before issuing the refund/replacement. slipcraig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unknown pleasures Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 Expect every picture disc to sound awful. If it doesn’t, that’s a nice little bonus. Metal Mike, no use for a username, faaip de oiad and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slipcraig Posted May 5, 2018 Author Share Posted May 5, 2018 6 minutes ago, swb said: It sounds like they're hoping you'll believe them and leave them alone. I imagine that customer service tactic works sometimes, otherwise they're wasting both parties' time stalling before issuing the refund/replacement. They've lost my business in the process. They don't need customers' money anyway, right? *wink* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGhostOfRandySavage Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 1 hour ago, slipcraig said: What I'll do going forward is buy picture discs to look at and not listen to. When the sound quality of a new record is comparable to Goodwill purchases, it's time to change buying behavior. Why are you even buying Goodwill records that aren't in good playing condition? slipcraig and erasedtapes 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dethrock Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 Just for fun, what's your setup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexicondevil Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 I'm wondering if the picture disc from the small label is a lathe? Those almost always sound like shit. I only buy picture discs for the novelty, not for sound quality, so I maybe have about 10 in my collection. It would be great if someone could figure out how to make one with decent fidelity. slipcraig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal Mike Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 Picture discs are very much like glow in the dark vinyl and lathes. Assume it will sound like shit. Every now and again you're surprised because it doesn't. But it usually sounds like shit. pizza face, slipcraig and no use for a username 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hierophant1991 Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 I still think my Hottopic Marilyn Manson Antichrist Superstar picture disk sounds better than the Hottopic Red repress now that one sounds like shit, and i continue to listen to the picture disk vs the red variant but thats just me. slipcraig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slipcraig Posted May 5, 2018 Author Share Posted May 5, 2018 5 hours ago, The Ghost of Randy Savage said: Why are you even buying Goodwill records that aren't in good playing condition? I never do intentionally. Even DG LPs that appear to be in top condition can sound sketchy at times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slipcraig Posted May 5, 2018 Author Share Posted May 5, 2018 3 hours ago, dethrock said: Just for fun, what's your setup? Denon DP300F with an Ortofon red. As I say, It sounds great for most new LPs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aphasias Posted May 6, 2018 Share Posted May 6, 2018 8 hours ago, slipcraig said: Is the solution to never buy picture discs? This is what I decided on 15 years ago. I only buy picture discs when they are the only option available. slipcraig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slipcraig Posted May 6, 2018 Author Share Posted May 6, 2018 1 minute ago, aphasias said: This is what I decided on 15 years ago. I only buy picture discs when they are the only option available. Yep, that's what I'll be doing from now on. And really, it's what I've done 99.9% of the time up to now anyway. You just occasionally see that one picture disc that calls your name and can't stop yourself from buying a shitty piece of vinyl. lexicondevil 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faaip de oiad Posted May 6, 2018 Share Posted May 6, 2018 I generally don't buy pic discs cuz of the inherently bad sound reproduction, but occasionally you have no choice as is the case of Tool Lateralus. Which actually doesn't sound so bad. I also own the Beavis and Butthead pic discs. They're both pressed by the same manufacturer but they don't sound the same. One is decent and the other sounds like shit. You really can't bet on them... slipcraig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plarocks Posted May 6, 2018 Share Posted May 6, 2018 7 hours ago, VinylMario said: I generally don't buy pic discs cuz of the inherently bad sound reproduction, but occasionally you have no choice as is the case of Tool Lateralus. Which actually doesn't sound so bad. I also own the Beavis and Butthead pic discs. They're both pressed by the same manufacturer but they don't sound the same. One is decent and the other sounds like shit. You really can't bet on them... Which B&B sounds “decent?” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted May 6, 2018 Share Posted May 6, 2018 I am definitely not as discerning as the majority here but I feel lucky the three I have sound great. It does take a lot to get me to buy one though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throughbeingcruel Posted May 6, 2018 Share Posted May 6, 2018 Rhymesayers puts out probably the most consistently good picture discs. I don’t think twice about buying theirs. slipcraig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shitty Rambo Posted May 6, 2018 Share Posted May 6, 2018 Plarocks, faaip de oiad, thesewoodenideas and 6 others 1 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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