Something fairly unique happened today in the audio realm that was fun. I was selected for a comparison test of a new clear vinyl LP formulation of Side A of Blue Train by Classic Records (45 rpm). The Clarity record was created to remove the magnetic properties of standard vinyl which gets magnetized via carbon addition.
Removing the magnetic carbon lowers the noise floor. Classic sent me two records, one standard pressing and one exactly the same but with the new Clarity vinyl.
Here are my listening notes:
I just heard the two 45 rpm pressings of the Blue Train cut on the Scoutmaster with Sonata cart feeding an Audio Research PH3SE.
First, the black 200 gram pressing sounded really fine with nice amount of detail and a nice deep soundstage. Very nice to have this in my collection.
Second, the almost clear but slight greyish Clarity vinyl. Looks cool, sounds even better. I'm hearing the following things which I imagine come from the non-magnetic vinyl:
>> More detail all around. Hear more of the strings on the walking bass, and a ton of detail on the sax including hall which I did not hear much of before.
>> Quieter background.
>> Better dynamics.
>> Better layering and isolation of the instrments.
>> More realistic piano tone, sort of a bigger image across the keyboard width.
This is a nice upgrade for Classic Records and the record is quite stylish. It will take some time to adjust to using a record brush on something other than jet black but it's really no biggie.
Removing the magnetic carbon lowers the noise floor. Classic sent me two records, one standard pressing and one exactly the same but with the new Clarity vinyl.
Here are my listening notes:
I just heard the two 45 rpm pressings of the Blue Train cut on the Scoutmaster with Sonata cart feeding an Audio Research PH3SE.
First, the black 200 gram pressing sounded really fine with nice amount of detail and a nice deep soundstage. Very nice to have this in my collection.
Second, the almost clear but slight greyish Clarity vinyl. Looks cool, sounds even better. I'm hearing the following things which I imagine come from the non-magnetic vinyl:
>> More detail all around. Hear more of the strings on the walking bass, and a ton of detail on the sax including hall which I did not hear much of before.
>> Quieter background.
>> Better dynamics.
>> Better layering and isolation of the instrments.
>> More realistic piano tone, sort of a bigger image across the keyboard width.
This is a nice upgrade for Classic Records and the record is quite stylish. It will take some time to adjust to using a record brush on something other than jet black but it's really no biggie.
