Most LP's nowadays are not necessarily any better...just on heavier vinyl and quieter. I've been very disappointed in most companies pressing LP's today, spending more than $20.00 a pop, and being very disappointed in the sound quality. Many people seem to think it's that the master tapes are no longer in good shape, but I believe it's poor quality in making the vinyl masters. Classic, Sundazed, Cisco and DCC seem to do the best job.
If you are selective and can find little-used copies, you will probably find a lot of bargains in older vinyl. RCA Living Stereo & Victrola from 1958-1962, Decca UK or London from late 50's to the early 70's or Lyrita for classical will give some incredible recordings. For popular music, Island, London, Decca, MCA, Warner Bros., A & M can provide some classic recordings. There are many more labels and a lot of exceptions, even on labels that are usually not that dependable.
UK and Holland pressings are pretty consistent in the quality of recording and most often better than US pressings. I have been purchasing Japanese pressing for over 20 years, and although I have run across a rare bad example, there is an incredibly high level of quality. I don't know how they do it, but I often think that the consistent methods used in the industry in Japan allowed them to make better LP's than other companies even when they had less than perfect master tapes.
If you are selective and can find little-used copies, you will probably find a lot of bargains in older vinyl. RCA Living Stereo & Victrola from 1958-1962, Decca UK or London from late 50's to the early 70's or Lyrita for classical will give some incredible recordings. For popular music, Island, London, Decca, MCA, Warner Bros., A & M can provide some classic recordings. There are many more labels and a lot of exceptions, even on labels that are usually not that dependable.
UK and Holland pressings are pretty consistent in the quality of recording and most often better than US pressings. I have been purchasing Japanese pressing for over 20 years, and although I have run across a rare bad example, there is an incredibly high level of quality. I don't know how they do it, but I often think that the consistent methods used in the industry in Japan allowed them to make better LP's than other companies even when they had less than perfect master tapes.