From: mawd@ozemail.com.au   
      
   "Stephen Worth"  wrote   
      
   That answered my question. It seems to be designed for what you call   
   "one off" transfers... last ditch efforts to transfer severely worn   
   records. It sounds similar to "wet playing".   
      
   I have decided not to wet play my records, because I have read test   
   results that point out that reducing the friction during play, also   
   reduces heat, causing the groove walls to be harder and less flexible.   
   ---------   
   * Hi....fair enough....like all debates, there is always the other side. I   
   have also read various test results that pretty well describe the exact   
   opposite of what you've described here.   
   -------------   
   The reason many audiophiles only play a record once in 12 hours is   
   because the plastic has a "memory". When the stylus passes through the   
   groove, the friction warms it up a bit, making the groove walls become   
   softer and pliant, allowing the diamond tip to pass through cleanly.   
   After 12 hours or so, the memory of the vinyl causes the groove walls   
   to snap back to their original shape, undamaged.   
   --------   
   * The key words here are "many audiophiles." It would seem these   
   tests you speak of have not accepted by ALL audiophiles, because   
   if they were, there be an overwhelming agreement on this subject.   
   I guess it's a bit like the Vinyl vs Cd debate......it may never be   
   resolved.   
   ---------   
   When you add a lubricant like water, there is less friction and less   
   heat. The groove walls remain rigid, and the stylus forces its way   
   through the delicate undulations, chipping off microscopic details in   
   the modulation of the groove walls.   
   --------   
   * I fail to see how this an be a scientific fact. Less friction in fact   
   would mean that the stylus navigates it's way   
   "less forcefully"....simply because there   
   is less friction. Hey....I don't make this stuff up....it's simply a   
   scientific fact. In fact....products such as   
   Groove Glide......designed to reduce friction....is   
   one of the most popular products amongst Hi-End audiophiles.   
   -----------   
   This is fine for a "one off" playing to make a single transfer, but it is   
   very bad for the record.   
   ---------   
   * I also doubt this.......over the passage of time.....years in fact, I have   
   not noticed any degradation in sound quality to any of my records.   
   -------   
   People who play records wet find that after just a few wet plays, they   
   are unable to play the record dry any more. The damage to the groove   
   walls creates a strong hiss that can only be masked by wet playing.   
   --------   
   * From my expereince Steve....I would have to say this is definitely   
   untrue...I think we're getting into "Old Wive's Tales" here.   
   --------   
   There are also reports of the glue holding the diamond tip in the   
   cantilever being loosened by wet playing.  Since 99% of the records I   
   transfer are in relatively good shape, or clean copies can be easily   
   located, the risks of wet playing just aren't worth it to me.   
   --------   
   * Fair enough....but for the record... I have been using an   
   Ortofon Cartridge/stylus assembly for years using the "wet-playing"   
   process......not a problem! Absolutely none whatsover.   
   -----------   
   In your article, you say that your product is only for vinyl records.   
   -------   
   * Yes it is Steve......everyone has them.   
   --------   
   You might want to experiment with lemon oil for shellac records. If you   
   can find pure lemon oil, without petrolium additives, it can be used in   
   the same way on worn shellac for one-off transfers, with the similar   
   associated risks. You also mention that you use a toothbrush to clean   
   the grooves. You might want to try cleaning with white vinegar first,   
   and then rinsing in distilled water. I have found that the acedic acid   
   dissolves most every kind of oil based grunge you can find on old   
   records, without having to resort to mechanical scrubbing. All you need   
   is a couple of sponges and a clean, soft terrycloth towel to dry off   
   with.   
   See ya......... Steve   
   -----------   
   * Thanks for that........I really appreciate your suggestion but shellacs   
   etc., are a kind of specialised area which I'll probably stay away from   
   for the time being.This has been interesting Steve, and perhaps we've   
   both learnt a little something from it.   
   I have taken your advice and suggestions into consideration.   
   Regards.........Graham   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)