Kings boxed set of Argo recordings

[ardcarp]

The mutual Christmas present that Mrs A and I gave each other is giving us nostalgic pleasure; but we have found some faulty discs. Some slip and click and one or two do not find tracks. I have of course tried them on more than one player. I wonder if anyone else has had the same problem, or do we have a dodgy batch?

[Nevilevelis]

Sounds like a dodgy batch. You should return them after contacting customer services. Annoying. I had a faulty CD from Hyperion and they were not helpful at all - wouldn't offer me a refund or replacement, but did offer me the opportunity to choose another title. Very odd.

[MickyD]

I'm really amazed by that, Nevilevelis...in my experience, Hyperion have always been extremely helpful. They were also one of the few companies to honour replacing all 'bronzed' CDs, when that problem happened a few years ago.

[Nevilevelis]

I'm really amazed by that, Nevilevelis...in my experience, Hyperion have always been extremely helpful. They were also one of the few companies to honour replacing all 'bronzed' CDs, when that problem happened a few years ago.

Yes, I would have expected much better. The man to whom I spoke seemed not to believe me and begrudgingly offered that deal. I gave up!

[Petrushka]

The mutual Christmas present that Mrs A and I gave each other is giving us nostalgic pleasure; but we have found some faulty discs. Some slip and click and one or two do not find tracks. I have of course tried them on more than one player. I wonder if anyone else has had the same problem, or do we have a dodgy batch?

I've got this set (purchased from Presto Classical) and am concerned to read your comments. With 29 discs to play through it's going to be some time before any faults become apparent unless, of course, you find them in the first ones you play. I've not had time to play much from the set so far though have heard all the Christmas ones plus the first CD (Gibbons) and one or two bits of others.

Are you able to say which discs were faulty so I can check my copies?

[Vox Humana]

I know I am teaching Grandmother to suck eggs, but have you tried cleaning them?

[ardcarp]

Are you able to say which discs were faulty so I can check my copies?

So far, Nelson Mass and Coronation Anthems.

They are just in cardboard sleeves (no liners) so I wonder if that makes for poor surfaces?

[Petrushka]

I know I am teaching Grandmother to suck eggs, but have you tried cleaning them?

In my experience I've come across very, very few faulty discs usually finding that my player has got a bit of foreign matter (eg hair or dust) trapped inside.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

They are just in cardboard sleeves (no liners) so I wonder if that makes for poor surfaces?

This is quite usual these days, and hasn't caused problems in any of the boxed sets I have. Do check the surfaces as Voxy suggests (for dust, fingerprints etc - or any visible scratches/flaws from the manufacturers) and your CD player drawer for similar. (And, as with Voxy again, apologies if this is an announcement from the Ministry of the Bleedin' Obvious! )

[ardcarp]

I will of course try the bleedin' obvious! I've not had problems with CDs before, apart from one that a friend burned for me. One would have hoped that a brand new CD would be squeaky clean......

[Vox Humana]

If you've not cleaned CDs before, be gentle because you don't want to risk scratching the surface. Try blowing the surface first to remove any dust, grit etc. then wipe very lightly, preferably with a lint-free cloth from the centre outwards (not circularly).

[Petrushka]

So far, Nelson Mass and Coronation Anthems.

No problems with the Coronation Anthems disc which I've just played. Sounds magnificent!

[johnb]

Two ideas that might (or might not) help:

1) Try cleaning the CD player laser lens. There are inexpensive kits that do this automatically. (IMO It is unlikely that the CDs, being new, need to be cleaned - but who knows.)

2) It is very likely that the offending CDs will play fine in your computer CD/DVD drive as computer drives are build to a different specification. If that is the case - use your computer to copy the errant CDs to CD-R discs. (Not ideal, but this often works.)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Re-reading ardy's comment that he has "of course tried them on more than one player", the problem does appear to lie in the discs rather than the player. If there is no obvious muck on the discs, it does seem as if he's been unfortunate with the box he's been sent - and intended as a joint present, too.

[ardcarp]

...I'm working on it, guys. I'll report back when I've done a clean-up. Thanks for all the tips.