The Audio Guru: How Do I Properly Handle My Records?

Vinylmnky's latest service to our Tribe is partnering up with Barry Thornton, an Audio guru to answer all of your hardware, vinyl, and audio questions - further enlightening us on how your music listening experience works and can get even better!

Barry Thornton, owner of AustinAudioWorks.com, is an experienced audiophile who has designed over 70 hi-fi products, taught psycho-acoustics, designed recording studios and performance venues, recorded records, has 30+ patents, has always been in love with vinyl, and always searching for the eargasm - that moment when the music comes alive. Barry has a long list of credits that you can find on his website, but most importantly he has lived and helped define the hi-fi era.

The latest question answered by the Audio Guru is:

How do I properly handle my vinyl records?

First of all, you treat them very carefully. The record is inside a jacket, inside that jacket is a sleeve that holds the record. First thing to remember is the enemy of a record groove is dirt and grit. The stuff on your hands even after you wash them can cause an effect. The way we hold a record is by sticking your hand in (the sleeve) until you touch the middle paper part of the record and in the crook of our thumb we hold the other end. So, the tips of our fingers are touching the paper and the crook of our thumb holds the outer edge. When holding a record we hold them on their edges, edges are fine, we just do not want to hold the grooves. When we place the record back in the sleeve we have the slit side up to help keep the record clean. This will also help the record from sliding out of the jacket as well.

Thanks!

Barry is here to help the Tribe bolster their listening experience in small, simple, and fun bites. Go ahead, give him your best.