Vinylists: lid on or off?

Archaic Torso of Apollo · July 17, 2015, 01:00:34 PM

This question is for you folks who spin vinyl.

What sounds best to you: listening with the lid (AKA dust cover) on, off, or up? Or does it make no difference to you?

Why I ask. Earlier today I had some trouble opening the lid on my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon. I decided to just take the whole thing off, and listen that way. Previously, I had always listened with the lid firmly closed, and the record thus trapped in a sealed micro-environment.

Also, a bit of Internet research revealed that a lot of people like it off, and it's what Pro-Ject's FAQ recommends.

Spinning right now is the Quartetto Italiano, WAM K. 421. It sounds downright yummy, and did I miss some of those nuances on previous plays when the lid was on? Or is there a placebo effect going on here?

aligreto · July 17, 2015, 01:12:50 PM

The recommended way is lid off; all to do with resonance apparently.Think of any high end TT - no lid supplied. I do not know of the technicalities of these things but apparently from what I have read the designers felt that a lid impaired the disolution of the inherent resonance. I would be interested in what other folk think of this.
From a personal point of view I use my TT with both lid on and off. I have a dog who tends to leave a lot of his hair about the place so I often close the lid for cleanliness sake but I do feel that the TT sounds better with the lid open.

Archaic Torso of Apollo · July 17, 2015, 02:04:16 PM

Quote from: aligreto on July 17, 2015, 01:12:50 PM
The recommended way is lid off; all to do with resonance apparently.

Well then if my ears are not lying, I've just made a technical upgrade without spending any money at all

Nice to know.

XB-70 Valkyrie · July 17, 2015, 04:19:39 PM

the lid on my Oracle Delphi Mk. III is permanently attached (unless I wanted to take a screwdriver to it), but I leave it up while a record is playing. Down when there is nothing playing. I haven't investigated the difference (if any) in sound quality.

aligreto · July 18, 2015, 01:42:39 AM

Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 17, 2015, 02:04:16 PM
Well then if my ears are not lying, I've just made a technical upgrade without spending any money at all

Nice to know.

Perhaps quite a fortuitous problem when opening your lid then

Archaic Torso of Apollo · July 18, 2015, 07:28:29 AM

Quote from: aligreto on July 18, 2015, 01:42:39 AM
Perhaps quite a fortuitous problem when opening your lid then

Yeah...sort of like the discovery of penicillin, but with fewer benefits to mankind.

XB-70 Valkyrie · July 18, 2015, 03:59:24 PM

I wonder whether the position of the toilet seat has an effect on sound quality. Maybe someone should offer an audiophile-approved, acoustically-treated toilet seat that would enhance the listening experience.

On the (ahem) lower end of the market, how about an audio system for the bathroom?? Maybe Apple/Beats by "Dr. Dre" could offer a toilet seat with a built-in subwoofer!!!

Bogey · July 18, 2015, 04:02:13 PM

Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 18, 2015, 07:28:29 AM
Yeah...sort of like the discovery of penicillin, but with fewer benefits to mankind.

Post of the day!

Bogey · July 18, 2015, 04:03:20 PM

Quote from: XB-70 Valkyrie on July 18, 2015, 03:59:24 PM
I wonder whether the position of the toilet seat has an effect on sound quality. Maybe someone should offer an audiophile-approved, acoustically-treated toilet seat that would enhance the listening experience. Better yet, what about an audio system for the bathroom?? Maybe Apple/Beats by "Dr. Dre" could offer a toilet seat with a built-in subwoofer!!!

Might be an improvement in their acoustics.

Dancing Divertimentian · July 18, 2015, 04:59:35 PM

Quote from: XB-70 Valkyrie on July 18, 2015, 03:59:24 PM
I wonder whether the position of the toilet seat has an effect on sound quality.