With vinyl records you have the same diminishing returns. Hyper capitalism has spoiled the record collectors market as well and first pressings are now trophies for the rich: $1000+ for ’original’ blue notes anyone?
But when you do a little homework you will discover that the sound quality on those records is determined by the metal work (lacquers and stampers), which was often the same with second and third pressings. This means you can get more or less the same sound quality for a fraction of the price of an ’original’. This applies to just about every record label worth collecting.
So in my opinion this is what the smart audiophile record collector with limited funds should do: buy a turntable in the ’sweet spot’ of the price range (around $10-12k for a complete record player is about right, considerably less if you dare to go used) and play 2nd or 3rd pressings from the analog age, manufactured a few years after the first pressing. Obviously these are always previously owned, so condition is everything and access to a good record vacuum cleaner is a necessity. And don’t waste your time and money on modern 'audiophile' reissues.....
But when you do a little homework you will discover that the sound quality on those records is determined by the metal work (lacquers and stampers), which was often the same with second and third pressings. This means you can get more or less the same sound quality for a fraction of the price of an ’original’. This applies to just about every record label worth collecting.
So in my opinion this is what the smart audiophile record collector with limited funds should do: buy a turntable in the ’sweet spot’ of the price range (around $10-12k for a complete record player is about right, considerably less if you dare to go used) and play 2nd or 3rd pressings from the analog age, manufactured a few years after the first pressing. Obviously these are always previously owned, so condition is everything and access to a good record vacuum cleaner is a necessity. And don’t waste your time and money on modern 'audiophile' reissues.....