Do Vinyl Records Degrade With Each Play?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Unfortunately

every time that you play a record you are slowly degrading the record itself

. The way a record is played means that over time the needle/stylus is slowly damaging the record as it digs into the grooves. This “damage” is part of design but it will prevent records for lasting forever if you listen to them.

How long does it take vinyl to decompose?

For record production, this comes in the form of pellets before they are heated in stamps and pressed into the record shape we all know and love. PVC comes from refined oil and scientifically speaking, this would take

around 1,000 years

to decompose.

Do vinyl records degrade over time?

While

there is no expiration date on a vinyl record

, the answer lies within how well you take care of your records over the years. In order to keep your vinyl records spinning and beautifully displayable for years to come, there are a few maintenance factors to keep in mind while listening to music at home.

Do vinyl records decompose?

Records are made of PVC, which comes from refined oil and can take

up to 1,000 years to decompose in a landfill

. … Once the record is encased in a beautiful jacket, it’s then shrink-wrapped in plastic wrap before boarding a gas-burning, carbon-emitting truck to ship.

Do old vinyl records still work?

At home, you can clean some of the dust and crud off used LPs in the kitchen sink. Yes,

LPs can wear out

, but I own many hundreds of pre-1970s albums that still sound great, so as a practical matter it’s not a real concern.

How many times can you listen to a vinyl record?

A well-cared for record can be played

more than 100 times

, with only minor audible sound degradation. If carefully maintained the same disc could be played many hundreds of times in its lifetime.

Does vinyl sound worse over time?

I still own and enjoy LPs I bought decades ago, and even ones I’ve played hundreds of times still sound perfectly fine. … Record noise — occasional clicks and pops – are part of the sound of vinyl, but with an LP played on an audiophile-grade turntable those noises recede into the background. They

really do

.

Why is vinyl bad for the environment?

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) is

the most toxic plastic for our health and the environment

. … During its lifecycle — from production to use to disposal — vinyl releases some of the most toxic chemicals on the planet that have been linked to cancer, birth defects and other serious chronic diseases.

What to do with old records?

  1. Sell old vinyl records on eBay. …
  2. Sell records at a garage sale or flea market. …
  3. Place a classified ad in your local paper or in your local area of Craigslist. …
  4. Call your local library and see if they accept donations of vinyl records.

Why vinyl records are better than digital?

Because of record grooves,

the sound of vinyl is more open

, allowing a greater quantity of features to be heard. … Depth can be recognized in records when comparing its sound to that of digital formats, which, because they are compressed files, preclude a certain depth from being heard.

Why is vinyl making a comeback?

While vinyl records have for some time been associated with middle-aged people with a nostalgic affection for LPs, research shows that the main driving force behind this vinyl revival is actually

millennial and Gen Z consumers

.

Are CDs making a comeback?

In this age of streaming and vinyl resurgence, the popularity of CDs has plummetted. It’s 2021 and streaming makes up about 85 percent of how all music is consumed. Vinyl is in a resurgence, of course, with records outselling CDs for the first time in almost three decades.

Are new vinyl records good as old?

So yes,

the new product can hold up or even surpass the old analog albums

. Sometimes it doesn’t hold up and sometimes it’s downright awful. Digital is most often a negative when the playback medium is analog, but done well it can be satisfactory.

Does playing a record clean it?

There is one common myth that playing a record cleans it up. … In fact, using dirty records is a bad idea. The bottom line is that

the needle does not press hard on the groove of the record

.

What happens if you stack vinyl records?

Stacking your record collection

could permanently damage your records

, whether they’re in their jackets or not. The weight will lead to warping of the vinyl and even possible cracking or scuff marks. You’re also putting the album jacket artwork at risk when you stack records in storage.

Is it bad to let a record spin?


Never place or pick up a

vinyl record as the turntable platter is spinning. This will quickly scratch the underside of a record. Always wait for the platter to come to a complete stop before doing anything with the record.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.