NickofWimbledon
pfm Member
This is another vote for taking it off when playing records and putting it back when you are not - on LP12 and RP3 anyway.
Lid up or down when playing vinyl ?
- Thread starter Johnny72
- Start date
Mozart
pfm Member
Half-way of course. Lid is also made of special audiophile orientated unobtanium and been frozen in cryogenic fluid like the best audiophile power cables and fuses.
Some p**s-taking know-it-all-objectivist will be round in a minute to tell me it doesn’t make a difference, which I won’t take to too kindly too and bring out the Victor Meldrew in me.
Seriously, try it half way. Best compromise.
Some p**s-taking know-it-all-objectivist will be round in a minute to tell me it doesn’t make a difference, which I won’t take to too kindly too and bring out the Victor Meldrew in me.
Seriously, try it half way. Best compromise.
cj66
pfm Member
With all the chat about an open lid acting as an aerial for sound waves and vibrations, which seemed plausible.
I tried both up and off, in my home, my kit etc. I could not discern any audible difference so remained a lid up kind of guy.
It does make a big difference when using the toilet though, I urge you all to use the lid up approach. However, removal may evoke unholy wrath from the lady of the house!
I tried both up and off, in my home, my kit etc. I could not discern any audible difference so remained a lid up kind of guy.
It does make a big difference when using the toilet though, I urge you all to use the lid up approach. However, removal may evoke unholy wrath from the lady of the house!
Mike Reed
pfm Member
This may prevent one becoming unhinged.
My 5mm oversized bespoke lid has to come off, despite its weight. When I had smaller turntables I found taking the lid off resulted in a much more open sound.
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Helen Bach
if it ain't Baroque ...
there is some science behind whether 'up or down'.
One of the big problems with record reproduction is that the vinyl record is prone to picking up vibrations from the loudspeaker, so proximity to a loudspeaker is important. This source of vibration is often overlooked as evidenced by the myriad of pics of people's systems with the record player right next to one (or both) loudspeakers. Even if bass feedback frequencies don't 'seem' to be a problem, the record will vibrate to some extent, lessening the fidelity of reproduction.
This points to lid down. BUT, the flimsy acrylic lids on many record players can/will vibrate, and as acrylic has very little damping, those vibrations will be transferred to the rest of the record player, causing smearing of the sound.
The answer is not simple. Move the record player/s to another room (not possible in most situations). Use a lid fit for purpose, again not possible in most situations. Take remedial action by damping the record, obviously from underneath, but with weight/puck/clamp on top. The platter mat must have significant damping ability, of similar mechanical impedance to the record, but of dis-similar MI to the platter. HTH
One of the big problems with record reproduction is that the vinyl record is prone to picking up vibrations from the loudspeaker, so proximity to a loudspeaker is important. This source of vibration is often overlooked as evidenced by the myriad of pics of people's systems with the record player right next to one (or both) loudspeakers. Even if bass feedback frequencies don't 'seem' to be a problem, the record will vibrate to some extent, lessening the fidelity of reproduction.
This points to lid down. BUT, the flimsy acrylic lids on many record players can/will vibrate, and as acrylic has very little damping, those vibrations will be transferred to the rest of the record player, causing smearing of the sound.
The answer is not simple. Move the record player/s to another room (not possible in most situations). Use a lid fit for purpose, again not possible in most situations. Take remedial action by damping the record, obviously from underneath, but with weight/puck/clamp on top. The platter mat must have significant damping ability, of similar mechanical impedance to the record, but of dis-similar MI to the platter. HTH
Mike Reed
pfm Member
Usually only when playing certain records like 'Waterloo' or 'Loo Seat in the Sky with Diamonds' or by songs sung by Looloo. However, others may poo-poo that scenario as clean round the bend.
Helen Bach
if it ain't Baroque ...
Tim Jones
pfm Member
Christ, this is basically what I said four pages ago.
The answer is perfectly simple. Take the lid off.
Mike Reed
pfm Member
A couple of pretty obvious points re. playing with the lid down. Within that enclosed space and due to the rotation of the platter, there is the potential for air current interference and possibly concentrating dust onto the record.
However, on a practical point, if you have to lower the lid after cueing and lifting at the end, there's far more potential for accidents/dropping etc. This did happen when I had my hinged LP12 back in the 80s, but because I couldn't use the hinges on the Target wall stand I adopted, I simply removed the lid and replaced at end of session. The same procedure was followed for the Xerxes and Orbe which followed.
However, on a practical point, if you have to lower the lid after cueing and lifting at the end, there's far more potential for accidents/dropping etc. This did happen when I had my hinged LP12 back in the 80s, but because I couldn't use the hinges on the Target wall stand I adopted, I simply removed the lid and replaced at end of session. The same procedure was followed for the Xerxes and Orbe which followed.
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Helen Bach
if it ain't Baroque ...
actually two pages ago, but that is not what you said. You said: " Down is probably better because it will damp some of the vibration."
That is not what I was saying. How does a vibrating acrylic lid damp vibrations? And there is no need to swear...