Skeptoid: Digital vs Vinyl, Podcast casts its skeptical eye on digital audio Options

[rick.hughes]

Skeptoid: Digital vs Vinyl

[kraut]

I play with a mixture with distilled water and 99% isopropyl alcohol (30% down mixed), and remove the liquid from the record surfaces immediately after playback is ended, removing any dirt, and eliminating static buildup.
Unfortunately the cited study was done by a company definitely not unbiased, with a stake in selling their particular product. So I have a problem trusting a study that runs contrary to my own experience over many many years, with the practices I employ.

This study reminds me too much of similar ones by various cable companies when citing skin effect (existing in any cable but completely irrelevant to audio) or capacitance to push their products publishing "white papers" (like white vans?)

Dr. Bruce Maier (Discwasher principal), who put most of the blame onto stabilisers that are put into the record for anti-static and other reasons. One of these compounds is a co-polymer resin, vinyl acetate.

The question is: as a copolymer it is not a freely available chemical, but bound in the polymer matrix. How reactive is it in this form at all? Again - another claim/blame without evidence?

Lo and behold, the pH had increased 20 to 30 times. Once that acid is formed, it starts an automatic hydrolysis of the record surface. Now the record dries and spectral analysis reveals that these interfacial changes on the surface of the record cause a permanent puckering.'"

That shows how "scientific" this so called Dr. is. An increase in pH does not means in increase in acidity, just the opposite. What an asshat....
This statement clinches this article for me: shilling for a company without even getting basic chemistry correct. Sounds like homeopathy....

but I do think you'd better save your offenses for more serious matters

What, you think audio is not a serious matter...where are your priorities, you question my life's purpose....who could you??

This post has been edited by kraut: Apr 6 2012, 08:15