What should I look for when purchasing a quality album?

+1 for Warner Brothers LPs.

" I anally inspect records..."

Should have worded that differently. 🤔😆

Most of my collections are from Mofi, Impex, Acoustic sounds reissue, Esoteric LPs from Japan , I like Venus recording as well. I buy used as well carefully at Music direct.I also don’t buy from Amazon.i like Elusive disc and Acoustic sounds as well.

thecarp, Sorry I misconstrued your earlier post. I grew up in New Haven, and my wife is from Deep River. Although I live in MD near DC, we visit CT fairly often. Can you divulge the name of the record store in Mystic?  Not that I am much of a buyer these days.  With 3000 LPs, some of them inherited from the estate of a friend, I feel like I have "enough" LPs. I frequently find one that I did not know I had.  Digging through my collection is almost like shopping for a new LP.

First and foremost, like the music (or whatever) on that record. For many records, there is one version/pressing etc. particularly true for newer releases. 

A technically bad recording that engages you is more enjoyable than some UHQR record of music that you don't like. I don't have a single "audiophile" recording (Mofi, AP, Craft, etc.) as none of that music is for me. Dark Side bores me to tears; I heard it in the 80s, don't have it in my collection. So the first question is: What type of music do YOU like? Only then and if there are multiple versions available can you get into the quality game. 

I recently noted that The Outcast Single compilation 1978-1985 form 2023 sounds dreadful compared to my OG LP/EPs from 1982. A rare instance of noting sound quality differences in records in my collection. In other cases, say The Cure "Faith" OG vs. audiophile 180g repress: no difference.

So again, first identify the music YOU like.