Flatten It will help preserve those precious vinyl records

One of my (many) unfulfilled dreams is to own a vinyl player and to start collecting records of albums that I love. There are several reasons why that still hasn’t happened but one of them is that I’m worried on how to properly keep those vinyl records that I’ll be buying (and probably at not cheap prices). When I used to collect CDs back in the day, keeping them preserved and fully working for a long time was a worry and so I know this can be a problem for those records as well.

For the aspiring vinyl enthusiast, the thought of building a cherished record collection often comes with the practical consideration of preservation. Just like those beloved CDs of the past, vinyl records, despite their more robust nature, are susceptible to damage over time. Warping, in particular, is a common ailment that can significantly impact playback quality, leading to frustrating skips, annoying pops, and an overall distorted listening experience.

Designer: Pro-Ject

Fortunately, innovative tools like the Pro-Ject ‘Flatten it’ machine offer a dedicated solution for audiophiles and serious collectors looking to maintain and even restore their precious discs to their original, flat condition. As its straightforward name suggests, the ‘Flatten it’ is specifically engineered to gently coax warped records back into plane, all while aiming to preserve the delicate grooves that hold the music you love. By carefully addressing the physical imperfections of a warped record, this device promises to eliminate those unwelcome sonic artifacts, allowing you to fully appreciate the rich, unadulterated sound that vinyl is renowned for, even from older or less-than-perfectly-stored acquisitions.

The device actually looks like a record player itself but has premium heated aluminum plates so that the heat is evenly distributed and you get consistent results. You can also control the temperature being used and has a low temperature hysteresis of just 2 degrees celsius. The machine itself is made from solid aluminum construction so it can last for a long time. It’s also easy to use so even if you’re not much of a machine person, you can still operate it on your own.

So, while the dream of owning that vinyl player and a curated collection of beloved albums is still on your horizon, know that tools like Pro-Ject’s ‘Flatten it’ exist to ease your worries about long-term record preservation. It’s a reassuring thought for any budding collector: even if life (or less-than-ideal storage) throws a curveball at your cherished vinyl, there’s a way to bring them back to their original glory and keep the music playing. Perhaps this knowledge will nudge that vinyl dream a little closer to reality.

The post Flatten It will help preserve those precious vinyl records first appeared on Yanko Design.