MCA's Hendrix 8LP set


i'm trying to expand my vinyl library to better justify the $3k i'm likely to spend on a new analog front end this year.
can anyone tell me anything about this lp set?
are the recordings mastered well? from what sources? are they worth having? i'm considering this as a start to a hendrix section of my lp collection.

also, how are the recent pressings from columbia? i.e. Dylan's Love and Theft, self titled and Another Side of Dylan?

can anyone comment on the classic pressings of zeppelins catalog and muddy's folk singer? any classic recommendations for my tastes?

can anyone advise on really, really killer reissues or sources for the blues on vinyl. classsic, alto, analogue productions, dcc, tomato, etc. i'm new to this and don't want to waste my precious money on crap. on the other hand, i don't mind saving dough for gems.

if it helps, i tend to look for the following artists:
lightnin' hopkins, memphis slim, furry lewis, albert king, sonny terry, willie dixon, neil young, bob dylan, zeppelin, john mayall, johhny winter, muddy waters, john lee hooker, bb king, albert collins, tom waits, you get the picture...

thanks in advance
fujindemon
Haven't heard the Hendrix box set so I can't comment on it per se. The last two weekends I sat in on comparison trials concering Hendrix Band Of Gypys (original Track, Japanese Nippon pressing, Classic reissue and original Capitol) Original Track version hands down. In comparison the Classic Records sounded a tad slow.
Led Zepplin II original US pressing, original German MOFI VS Classic result: MOFI wins above all. The remaining three tied. Finding an original US pressing in clean shape might be tough.
DCC Doors Strange Days VS original Elektra. Tie. Both are fine None of the panel could agree. Referenced Tracking Angle article and we suspect DCC or Bruce Botnick turned over digital transfer. Article was vague concerning source material.
Allman Bros At The Fillmore. Original Capricorn WLP, Nautilus 1/2 speed, pink label Capricorn. All good execpt Nautilus was mastered at lower level. Crank it.
As for the Dylan titles, I have originals of Freewheelin, Bringing It All Back Home and Highway 61 mono and stereo's. The Sundazed are very respectable. Well worth the money.
As for the Blues (my specialty):ifyou already have the MOFI Folksinger,the Classic to my mind isn't worth another $30. If you don't have a copy of Folksinger go for it but you could be adding something different altogether to your collection lie Classic's Ann Arbor Blues Festival lp,an original you're not likely to find or like if you do. One thing Classic has going for it is clean pressings. Deal with a dealer as opposed to direct with Classic as quality control is spotty. But when they do it right it's right. Straghtening out any defects directly with Classic is likely to drive you to the nearest used CD store. A major frustrating experience. Let the dealers deal with them, keep your sanity and money.
Frankly, Blues is not represented well in audioland. And to make matters worse, the reissue companies lack of taste has historically been to their detriment. You might experiement with record care more than going after audiophile recordings. With the advent of cleaning machines and the Disc Doctor Record solutions ( I use a combination of the two) plus the flourishment of internet auction houses etc, this is the time to collect records. Originals are plentiful and cheap if you work at it. In thelast few months I have added to my most of Hendrix Track labels, two pink Island Tea Fr The Tillerman's (you'll toss all others after you hear this issue)Stones British Decca's Beggars Banquet(mono pressing) and many others. When truley clean,the original pressings are almost always better than any reissue. And collector shows are loosening the good stuff. I pride myself on getting cheap, I completed my Living Mercury Presence Classical collection. Three of the rarests for total of $10. I was the only one even looking at them But I go the other way unfortunately at times as well. Last weekend I found one of blues' holy grail: Muddy Waters Sings Big Bill (Broonzy),an original black label Chess (1444) mint and mono.$300, worth every cent. As I write it's Wednesday and I've played it daily since Sunday afternoon.
The audiophile reissue companies (Who's left?)are analogous to making SOTA buggy whips after the start of the automobile era. Market is constantly shrinking for various reasons. But the collector playing field is leveling. Play ball.
email tom port at better records, and get on his mailing list. he sells good original stock, along with new audiophile stuff. he produces good catalog flyers and is blunt in his reviews and very trustworthy. he is at tomport@earthlink.net
You can buy Dylans, "Love and Theft" lp with confidence. I own both the cd and lp and the lp sounds fantastic. Usually there is no comparison, the lp sounding way better than the cd but in this case the cd is closer than usual. However, I still prefer the lp. This is more a compliment to the cd than a pan on the album. Both are very fine recordings.