180g new vs. NM used

Classic Records reissued the Led Zeppelin albums in the first decade of this century (all analogue of course, on 200g "flat-profile"---no raised outer "lip"---discs I believe), and in a couple of different configurations, including single-sided 45 RPM discs. There was a boxset offered that contained all the single-sided discs, and that boxset now sells for over $20,000!

I have all the original LZ albums and 96/24 files of all of them. With LZ 1 the digital file is so much better than the original it is hard to even make fun of it. With LZ 2 the situation mysteriously reverses and the original album is marginally better than the file. It all comes down to the mastering and the system the version was mastered and not on analog vs digital. None of us would be able to reliably identify an original vs a 192/24 copy of same. I have the Pure Vinyl program Michael Fremer uses nobody has been able to reliably identify the original. I certainly can not. When comparing different versions of the same album it comes down to which mastering job you prefer. I personally do not understand this digital phobia so many of us have. I have thousands of wonderful digital files many of them superior to their original analog versions. But, for some odd reason I still also buy records. Go figure. 

I’ve heard Chad demo his before and after records in New York on Robin Wyatt’s system. I preferred the originals. Yeah, they were quieter and there was good work done. But, to my ears, the remastered ones had a grey smoothed over coloration and the soul was gone.

Chad Kassem bought all the rights to the Classic Records catalog when Hobson shut down the label, and his Analogue Productions LP’s are the highest quality records I own.

I have all the albums on CD, 1st and early pressings from W. Germany. This is before CD plants were up and running in US. These have incredible sound quality; low noise, dynamic, spacious soundstaging some have a 3D image. I’m sure the mastering played a major role in these releases.

Edit...

CDs mastered by Barry Diament (has a CD credit). LZ 4 by Joe Sidore.

I agree with @rdk777 and have gotten burned on "NM" or other ratings on both discogs and Amazon used records. So for the last year have only purchased new. 

That said, it kills me what they charge these days... I don't need the $200 boxed set of all the out takes, just gimme the original songs on 1 record for $25. Sorry for the rant in the last part, but does that annoy anyone else too? It drives me nuts.