Does Vinyl Melt While Playing?

[kach22i]

I found a thread with many links to papers on the topic, thought you all might enjoy if bored one day.

https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=27421

I first found the link above in yet another forum that is proving to be quite interesting all on it's own.

https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php?PHPSESSID=0etfdj2ev20qodrfnejms9j062&topic=118553.0

After reading some of it, I'm in the camp of deformation and memory return to original shape.

Maybe one day science can get to the molecular or electron state at flash point/moment of contact and come up with a new term for what happens.

 

[sombunya]

Years ago I read somewhere that Audio Technica (I believe) conducted tests on the temperatures generated at the surface where th the sylus and vinyl met and some incredibly high temperatures were noted. I'm nowhere near smart enough to calculate the forces involved when converted to pounds per sq. inch but I think they're big.

 

[Mikem53]

I remember reading that vinyl needs to “rest” after being played as the grooves distort after play.. whether that’s because of heat, stretching or both... I always used to follow that guideline and waited a day or so before playing same..

 

[Vienna]

If this is accurate then what about the test records? During cartridge adjustments each track is being played several times (e.g. the azimuth )

 

[bonzo75]

Hi, if you get dust onto your LP, and then hold it with your fingers, the heat can cause slight melting and dust to be embedded below the surface. This is why start tracks of many old LPs can sound bright or distorted. One of the things I learned from the general that I am trying to paraphrase. This is also why some LPs that look near mint don't sound NM

 

[Mikem53]

If this is accurate then what about the test records? During cartridge adjustments each track is being played several times (e.g. the azimuth )

The fact that vinyl damage can occur by playing records repeatedly without a resting period has been reported in magazines like Stereophile (Michael Fremer, Don't ask me what issue).
Don’t shoot the messenger, just mentioning what I read in the past and my own actions based on what the so called experts claimed.. Can’t say I personally noticed any differences, was just trying to keep my vinyl collection at the time as perfect as I could.. I figured the article might be valid as it wasn’t trying to sell me anything for a change,

 

[sombunya]

Hi, if you get dust onto your LP, and then hold it with your fingers, the heat can cause slight melting and dust to be embedded below the surface. This is why start tracks of many old LPs can sound bright or distorted. One of the things I learned from the general that I am trying to paraphrase. This is also why some LPs that look near mint don't sound NM

I think a lot of the time a new record doesn't sound good is because someone isn't careful about listening to test pressings. I know at least 4 people in the Los Angeles area who have records pressed for their small labels. They are very careful about evaluating TP's.

In a moment of weakness I bought a new, sealed album by a world famous rock band pressed by a major label. It looked mint, of course, when I slipped it out. I played one side and it was so loaded with artifacts, ticks and pops that I took it and sold it back to the small, indie record store i bought it from for 1/3 what I paid.

I played another new record after I bought a peripheral ring clamp and was amazed at the clean, quiet sound.

 

[Solypsa]

...This is also why some LPs that look near mint don't sound NM

Interesting. I largely gave up on 'visual grading' of vinyl years ago. So many mint looking records sound like crap. When buying online you don't have much choice but hearing a record is the only true way to evaluate. The General seems to be quite a rarity amongst used record dealers as he grades by listening ( from what I gather )

 

[mtemur]

If this is accurate then what about the test records? During cartridge adjustments each track is being played several times (e.g. the azimuth )

good point. I still get the same measurements from those tracks.