Re-issue vinyl vs. the original pressing

Hmmm..., OK, I'll be the contrarian here. I've found over the years that I'm often preferring top quality reissues to originals. No, the reissues don't sound like the originals. But to my ear they often sound more like live instruments and real performers. The Mercury classical reissues from Speakers Corner are superb, and their entry into the Harmonia Mundi catalogue is off to a similarly rewarding start (although the sonic quality of the HM original pressings are better than the original Mercuries overall). The Classic Records 45rpm reissues from the RCA catalogue are excellent, far better than their 33rpm reissues were. Analogue Productions 45rpm jazz reissue series is simply stunning across the board. Pure Pleasure's reissues have been extremely satisfying.

For me, while there certainly are attractive qualities to many of the orignals from the 50s and early 60s, the originals also reflect the limitations of the cutting technology of the period. I encourage folks to read with some consideration Arthur Salvatore's writings about why none of the pressings from the 'golden era' make it to his list of sonically best LPs while many of the later reissues do make his list. I've agreed with his observations for many years because they track closely to my own listening experience. More recent reissues from Speakers Corner, Analogue Productions, Pure Pleasure and a few others reinforce my perspective. As always, YMMV depending on your sonic priorities.

.bookmark.

Arthur Salvatore's Supreme LP Recordings list and commentary:
www.high-endaudio.com/supreme.html

Arthur Salvatore is only one person and certainly entitled to his opinions. Many will disagree with him on this and other issues particularly his love affair with a manufacturer/friend whose speakers and cables appear in disproportionate articles/reviews on Arthur's website.

However, his feud with Michael Fremer and the letter/email exchanges printed on the website, are worth the price of admission alone.

Thouigh I love to read the Salvatore web pages.He is not the last word in reference recordings.I think he,like me,tends to be a bit controversial.Which in his case,keeps his web-site very interesting.In my case,it does not work,so well.
As to the re-issue vs originals.....The re-issues are superb,mostly,and should be purchased when price is important.BUT....Salvatore is not correct in his impressions(maybe on his own system,actually)of quite a few of his reference discs.In MANY cases the "early" pressings(English)are considerably more lifelike(timbres/harmonics)to the re-issues,and later(Dutch....."you have to be kidding")pressings.Deccas in this case.Though the best Mercury(Really early,plum labels)KILL the re-issues.
I have many very well heeled "collector/former reviewer" friends,who actually laugh at some of Salvator's comments,regarding the superiority of the Dutch(Deccas),or some of the Re-issues!
I own the Dutch,and English pressings(First edition)of The Prince of the Pagodas,and the British pressings is clearly the superior.Salvatore "waxes poetic" over the Dutch,which is just not true.We have compared many of his choices to the originals,and re-issues he likes,and have come to the conclusion that his system surely must be in need of a second look/listen!I think many hobbyists should consider getting the record lists of guys like Jerry Cantor(A Classical Collector....the name of his list)instead of E-Bay stuff.You get quiet/clean originals from guys like him,and the "beauty" of good originals may become more obvious.
That being said,I LOVE Salvatore,and read his site regularly,as all should.