Any advice on buying quality vinyl

Dynaquest, I recorded all my vinyl to R2R tape; consequently, I no longer do all the cool stuff that you mentioned, I only enjoy a higher quality audio.

When CD's came out, everyone except audiophiles in HEA, thought the same as you; including me.

While it costs a few extra Pesos, Yen, Drachma, or whatever currency you have handy, Analog, meaning vinyl and high end rig will handily exceed CD. Scrape up some funds and join the party.

dynaquest writes "Scientists and audio engineers way smarter than you and I have trumped that notion."

Not scientists. Marketing types may say that, but it's not true. Some scientists can read a theorem and understand it.

udog, the last time I got Audio Intelligent fluids from Elusive Disc. I like those people. Soak with each fluid except water for 3-5 minutes before vacuuming off, regardless of how records look. When spreading the fluids with brushes for each fluid before leaving it to soak, I do 5 revolutions clockwise then 5 counter-clockwise and then again 5 clockwise. The same with water - final step, two times with water. I suggest Archivist for Step 2, it contains no alcohol. Good results, not the best but very good.
I soak for longer and multiple times if I feel that the record is very dirty, but this rarely happens in my case.

I seek out best pressings, in my experience they are all first release pressings either in the country of origin of master tapes or Japanese from 70s, and the best condition. Within reason, I always choose better sound quality over better condition. There are exceptions when sound quality is very close and slightly worse record is in much better condition and the music recorded requires that silence be silent. In other words, I don't want any clicks or pops or even soft crackles where they have absolutely no place to be. Example is Cielo e Terra by Al Di Meola. Japanese is best, I accumulated ten copies of this album just to have one almost perfect and another a small step below it. So, I ended up with four Japanese, one Dutch and five American. It was recorded in the US, and US copy sounds pretty good but no match for Japanese, Dutch is close to US, as I remember. I would sell eight copies that I don't need if it was worth it but as things are I keep them all.

Discogs is the database for sure, but ruined by careless/dishonest/ignorant users IME. I have hardly got a satisfactory deal from them, only 5 % at most have been exactly as described, unfortunately. The biggest problem is lack of photos of actual albums in question, and that is the main source for confusion and abuse, just take a look at feedbacks ..... incredibly lots of confusion there. And no buyer protection whatsoever when ripped off.
For me personally eBay is more safe place to buy used vinyls, nevertheless. Like it has always been. Of course, you should be very very careful before you hit the button. It´s your decision, your money.