Tiny Vinyl, a new miniature vinyl single format, has been released with mixed results. Developed by Tiny Vinyl and pressed in collaboration with the world's largest vinyl record manufacturer, these 4-inch singles are nearly identical to standard 12-inch LPs or 7-inch singles, except they're smaller. They have a standard-size spindle hole and play at 33⅓ RPM.
Testing these tiny records revealed both positives and negatives. On one hand, playing them on manual turntables like the Audio Technica LP-120 with a nude elliptical stylus worked well, allowing for good tracking of the grooves. The sound quality was not comparable to a quality 12-inch pressing, but it still sounded good.
On the other hand, automatic-only turntables will struggle to play these records due to their small size and the fact that the auto-return mechanism kicks in before the stylus reaches the groove where the music starts. This is because most automatic turntables are not equipped to set the stylus at anything other than 12 inches or 7 inches.
The format's benefits for casual listeners include the reduced weight and cost, making it a great option for those with limited space. However, serious collectors will gravitate towards larger formats like 12-inch albums and 7-inch singles.
Overall, Tiny Vinyl offers an enjoyable listening experience, especially for fans of pop music, but its mass-market appeal is limited due to the need for manual turntables and the compromise in sound quality compared to standard vinyl records.
Testing these tiny records revealed both positives and negatives. On one hand, playing them on manual turntables like the Audio Technica LP-120 with a nude elliptical stylus worked well, allowing for good tracking of the grooves. The sound quality was not comparable to a quality 12-inch pressing, but it still sounded good.
On the other hand, automatic-only turntables will struggle to play these records due to their small size and the fact that the auto-return mechanism kicks in before the stylus reaches the groove where the music starts. This is because most automatic turntables are not equipped to set the stylus at anything other than 12 inches or 7 inches.
The format's benefits for casual listeners include the reduced weight and cost, making it a great option for those with limited space. However, serious collectors will gravitate towards larger formats like 12-inch albums and 7-inch singles.
Overall, Tiny Vinyl offers an enjoyable listening experience, especially for fans of pop music, but its mass-market appeal is limited due to the need for manual turntables and the compromise in sound quality compared to standard vinyl records.