70’s rock pressings. Witch equipment deserve?

I have never seen a Grace, Stanton, Pickering, Audio-Technica, Pioneer, Garrott ... with softened or stiff rubber damper in my life.

I have seen this multiple times with Shure, Pickering, Stanton, AudioTechnica, Empire, Grado but some of the others you've mentioned I've no experience. However the operating principle is the same so unless the manufacturer developed a very special suspension material my guess is that you have been very lucky or (more likely IMO) the cartridges might seem to be performing well but would sound smoother and more detailed with a stylus replacement.

Going back to the vinyl pressings, I am in the process of getting some records, mostly rock records and also some jazz, swing, blues etc.
Options are to get older pressings from Discog listed as Mint by sellers with positive reviews, budget is limited, however I see modern pressings, remasters at half speed 45 rpm of certain music I'm interested in.
1. Would it be best to get the newer pressings at double the cost of older used records? I get older records might have surface noise etc. but possibly the recording quality could be best as well?2. Labels like Mobile fidelity, Chasing the Dragon, Analogue Productions should I assume everything they do assuming using the original tape masters is better than in the old days? or should I still go with older pressings? Newer content obviously better to be purchased new
Thank you all

 I go for the original if I can find it- original press from the country where the recording was made. But if the title isn't that important to me I often pick up a reissue.

the cartridges might seem to be performing well but would sound smoother and more detailed with a stylus replacement.

Replacing a NOS stylus make no sense, vintage cartridges can be found with NOS or unused styli, sometimes a NOS can be purchased separately. 

If someone has been using a cartridge with advanced stylus profile even for 300 hours it is not a problem at all because the life span is over 1000 hrs anyway. 

Stylus replacement is necessary if the stylus is worn and exceeded it's life span stated by the manufacturer in the manual. Or if it was damaged. 

Also any stylus can be inspected by professionals for very little fee under $30.  

I go for the original if I can find it- original press from the country where the recording was made. But if the title isn't that important to me I often pick up a reissue.

Thank you