LP Inner/outer Sleeves of your choice

[Paul Chang]

Hi,

I have been a big fan of Steve's works ever since when DCC Compact Classics was still called Dunhill Compact Classics and for most people DCC stood for Digital Compact Cassette:rolleyes: . I just registered for the SH Forums and would like to say thank you to Steve for the pleasure your magical (re)masterings have brought me over the years, and hello to everybody.

With the exception of Queen - A Night at the Opera, all the DCC records in my collection come with three pile rice paper sleeves (Nagaoka No. 102?). Then the poly-lined paper sleeve is used in the Queen "Opera" LP.

Steve,
What was the reason for the switch? Was it purely a decision based on availability?

I haven't had any luck trying to find Nagaoka No. 102 sleeves:( . The only rice paper sleeves available are Discwasher VRP, which are not as good as Nagaoka (similar/identical to what DCC used) IMHO.

Fellow Forum Members,
What is the best sleeve you have used?
What is the best sleeve still available out there?
Would you please also comment on outer sleeves?

Best regards,

Paul
;)

[PsychFan]

I use Discwasher VRP inners and have no probs with 'em.

For outer sleeves, I get resealable 3mil sleeves from sleevetown.com. They're fantastic! I used to use non-resealables, but now I won't go back ...

[Sckott]

I use "Seal King" resealable outer Japanese/Tiwanian Mylar sleeves and VRPs for anything worth more than $5 in my collection. Makes Lps keep like new for a VERY long time!! I'll never go to paper and polysleeves and such. New records continue to look like new past 3-4 years now.

The VRPs are essential. I'm glad they didn't go forever along with Discwasher.

[Andy]

Do you guys use a new sleeve after every cleaning?

[ultron9]

I concur with use of VRP iiner sleeves over poly-lined paper ones.

I replace most paper inners with The VRPs.

3 or 4 Mil. outer sleeves or Mylar Sleeves protect dust jackets adequately.

[Paul Chang]

Originally posted by Jeff Partyka
I use Discwasher VRP inners and have no probs with 'em.

For outer sleeves, I get resealable 3mil sleeves from sleevetown.com. They're fantastic! I used to use non-resealables, but now I won't go back ...

VRP inner sleeves were better when they were made in Japan. They had similar quality as the Nagaoka No. 102 and the rice paper inner sleeves used by DCC. Before MoFi went under, it used the same(?) kind as Nagaoka and even marketed them with its own brand.

Then VRP's production was moved to Taiwan and the quality went downhill. It lost the smooth surfaces and clean-cut edges. The thicker, stiffer and sometimes uneven sized sleeves make it harder to be inserted inside original inner sleeves. Some of them even came with corners of rice paper middle layer folded over.

Well, if VRP is the only three pile rice paper sleeves available, I guess I'll just have to compromise, unless somebody can bring back Nagaoka No. 102.


Best regards,

Paul

[Sckott]

Originally posted by Andy
Do you guys use a new sleeve after every cleaning?

Huh? Hey, a VRP lasts lots longer than any paper or polysleve as an inner bag, and if you store them inside the LP "flat", the sleeves last forever.

I still have one "original" VRP sleeve with the brown lettering.

I've said this before, but if you keep your LPs clean and neat, you don't need to clean them again, with the exception of loose dust that might happen. I've only had to super-clean an LP once. Once you make em all confy with a VRP and then use whatever outter bag you want (to combat ring wear and minor accidents) you may never have to clean the damn things again.

You can add that up to a great investment money and timewise. VRPs also make it hard to re-introduce static charges. Use em!

[Dave B]

I also use the VPR inner sleeves (just got a new shipment in today from Music Direct). They seem to hold up well and are not prone to static build up. I too keep the covers in resealable Japanese mylar. I used to use poly but it gets really grungy looking after awhile. The mylar makes your LPs look brand new and I kind dig the sound of unsealing them. My currrent source is Red Trumpet. I also use mylar sleeves for my DCC, Mofi and other audiophile discs. The rest I just replace the cases when they get scuffed. Has anyone ever seen sleeves for double disc boxes? I'd like to get Wheels Of Fire, Living In The Past and several others out of the environment.

[Paul Chang]

Originally posted by Andy
Do you guys use a new sleeve after every cleaning?

I deep clean every record, old and new, only once, following the same procedure - Last Power Cleaner -> VPI 15.6 Record Cleaning Machine w/ Record Research Lab Vinyl Wash fluid -> Last Record Preservative.

I only replace inner sleeves after the deep cleaning. I try to keep the records dust free and smoke (cigar, cooking, any kind) free, handle them only at the edge and on the label, and clean them with a Decca 2+2 carbon fiber brush before put them back into the inner sleeves. I also keep the mat of the turntable clean. So there is no need for more than one deep cleaning, hence one new inner sleeve (at most) per record.

I don't replace inner sleeves of brand new records if they are good/clean enough. Do you guys replace them no matter what?

[Sckott]

95% of the time, when I get a record, used or new, the inner packing is cheap, and will scuff a record up a bit. Not enough to make it sound different, but enough to lose the original glossy luster. Like the Dylan Sundazed stuff, I'm glad that they use paper other than cheaper plastic sleeves, like the lined-plastic w/paper. Even though they're clever for "OK" records, they too scuff over a period of time.

VRPs are like a fountain of youth for Lps, especially bare-*** new ones. The beauty is preserved, and the static charge is left at bay for just a few dimes and nickles a sleeve. More than worth it... I usually get 200 at a time, for economy. It takes me about 2-3 years to go through that wad. I go to record stores all the time, but I don't use VRP's on everything, just ones that "deserve" the red carpet treatment.

If I was 10% more anal about my vinyl, I'd use VRPs on everything, period. Even my comedy records and "weird" punk rock Lps.

MFSL insisited on using OEM versions of the VRPs with everything they pressed. God love em. Classic Records (and poor ol' DCC) used paper w/plastic lining on the inside. I can't tell you how static-crazy the records come out of those things with new records, and more than not, they scuff a bit. It looks like someone pushed a paintbrush over the record. Again, it doesn't affect play, but boy, for a new record, it totally makes me nutty in a bad way. I start swearing, oh, the horror.

I usually used the plastic lined/w/paper sleeves on "OK" records and I VRPd the DCCs and Classics immediately. Those 4-Disc 45RPM'ers aren't cheep!

[PsychFan]

Originally posted by Sckott
Classic Records (and poor ol' DCC) used paper w/plastic lining on the inside. I can't tell you how static-crazy the records come out of those things with new records, and more than not, they scuff a bit. It looks like someone pushed a paintbrush over the record. Again, it doesn't affect play, but boy, for a new record, it totally makes me nutty in a bad way. I start swearing, oh, the horror.

When I received my Classic (33 1/3 rpm) pressing of S&G's Bridge Over Troubled Water, the plastic-lined paper sleeve was VERY badly wrinkled and scrunched. The LP had exactly the kinds of marks Sckott describes, only more so. And, between cuts, you can hear a very slight and quiet (but audible) "swishy" sound that no other Classic LP I have has exhibited.

I wasn't thrilled, but the LP sounds just fine (fabulous, in fact!) while the songs are playing -- plus, like an idiot, I didn't open it until 3 months after I bought it, and in the meantime I moved and lost the receipt -- so I kept it. But I was appalled.

Anyway ... I also put all my Sundazed and Classic pressings -- and actually just about every LP I own -- into VRP sleeves. MoFi records stay in the sleeves that came with 'em.

But my well-meaning Dad just bought me 50 plastic-lined paper inner sleeves for Christmas. I just finished using them up on the more marginal LPs (condition-wise or music-wise) in my collection.