The Lifespan of an LP?

Thanks, millercarbon. It's all a lot more complicated than it looks, isn't it? With each incremental improvement in my system over the last few years, the quality of the source has become increasingly important. And as you have observed quality really begins with the quality of the original recording itself and then continues in a chain through mastering and pressing and finally, in the case of vintage records, the last link is how much care previous owners have exercised in handling the record. If there is a single weak link in that chain, the result can be a disappointment. When each link is strong the result is magical -- the listening experience that for me more than justify all the time and money I've been investing. But I have also discovered that as my system has improved, it also seems to draw my attention to any flaws in that chain. I've become a much more critical listener -- for better and for worse.

Many good responses. Take them all and you have an answer.

Except for the most of the not-so-subtle advertisement placed two posts above.

I have vinyl that is 40 years old that i have played many times and my father has vinyl from the early 60s that still sounds like the day he bought it so i would say if you take care of it it will outlast you.

Was it advertising, or was it genuine enthusiasm for an excellent service and products?

Frank

I started collecting records from the early 50s to date. I have a lot of records. 

I'll bet that I've played my promo copy of Brubeck's "Jazz Impressions of The U.S.A." several hundred times. It is one of my MONO demo records that I use, not only for my own enjoyment but to initiate the uninitiated on just how good MONO records sound. I found the promo version in a used record store back in the late 70s, It was still sealed. Paid six bucks for it, an astronomical amount at the time for a used record. 

It still sounds great today. Paul Desmond was such a great alto player. That's music right there. 

Frank