Is there somewhere I can check vinyl sound quality?

Thank you all for your suggestions.

I am buying mostly new, it is hard to find old ones where I live and I like finding out new artists. Yes now I will try to avoid Back To Black, 4 Men With Beards, Plain Recordings and Legacy reissues, also Sub Pop, Jagjaguwar and Dead Oceans. But they do have some good ones, hence I think it would be a good idea if there is somewhere I can check the quality before I spend my money.

I will certainly check out Steve Hoffman. I have visited Analog Planet. But Michael Fremer’s taste of music and mine are too different. Most of the audiophile releases he reviewed are too expensive for me. However, I find it helpful when he reviews an album I listen to.

Here is a new website where listeners are invited to rate their records on sound quality:

http://hisonvinyl.com/

Being so new there is not a lot on the site yet, but you can register yourself and help it grow to become more and more useful.

From the site:

"How It Sounds On Vinyl is the first and only database website dedicated to document the sound quality (SQ) of vinyl records. A vinyl record buying/collecting guide for all vinyl lovers, vinyl nuts, or just an occasional vinyl record buyer.

How It Sounds On Vinyl is a one stop spot for all vinyl record buyers to quickly find out the SQ of a vinyl release. Although we do compare different releases of the same albums, our main objective is to provide informations to help vinyl buyers purchase good sounding records, and to avoid spending money on the dud ones. How It Sounds On Vinyl is NOT a music review website."

if you have an android or iPhone get Discogs app there is a huge amount of information there and it also lets you maintain a catalogue of your records and what pressing they are. its free as well

@ochremoon 

Thnx for the http://hisonvinyl.com/  info

I've had good luck with Japanese vinyl in terms of production quality. Also, through trail, error, and experimentation some good finds can be had by paying attention to the label and time period. For example, Crown Records put out some good stuff during the 60's. Same thing for Mercury.

The hunt is just part of the hobby. I've found some absolute great records in the "used" bin. My method for checking quality: examine jacket, record sleeves [many times old, well-preserved parchment-like is a good sign], check record for scratches/wear under good light. Does this always have great result? Well, no; but I have been satisfied more often than not. Example: Miles "Porgy & Bess",  Bill Evans "Solo Vol. 1" and Wynton Marsalis debut record of the same name. Total outlay for all - under $10!

If you go the used route, be prepared to invest in a some sort of cleaning/restoration regimen. I use the Spin Clean RCM, then finish up with Perfection hand-held steam cleaner. Looks like Perfection brand is discontinued, but another good pressurized spouted steamer should work. Just make sure you have a way to protect the label from steam. I use a small "finger bowl" that covers perfectly. Hope this helps. Good luck and ...

Happy Listening!