Why aren't all modern vinyl releases 45s?

I think when it comes to reissues it has to do with the licensing agreement. When Music Matters was reissuing Blue Note jazz titles, some were done at 33 while others were at 45. 

I was incorrectly ascribing who is making these decisions. The artist would probably have to fight for anything beyond what the label offers. I have the same album on CD and vinyl, and there's hardly any difference in the layout and artistic details between mediums.

Yes, the labels are looking to make money, and that comes down to cost of production vs expected sales. The average consumer wants 33, so they're going to put their production dollars where the demand is. I guess my mind was processing the idea as an audiophile, and not as a businessman.

That's kind of the point of posting onto these forums, though.

Often, artists have little say in how their recordings are licensed. Audiophile releases are a tiny chunk of the market and 45s are more expensive to cut, press and manufacture, along with additional expenses in packaging and shipping.

Steve Hoffman has said that the only real difference is that 45 LPs are louder. 

A good 33 is fine by me-- since my baseline is standard issue stuff. And 45 LPs are a PITA. Maybe this is about sonic spectacularity, but I'm not gonna buy some warhorse I probably already own simply b/c it was reissued as a 45 or on some new vinyl formulation. Indeed the last batch of MM stuff that Kevin Gray did went back to 33. 

Buy what you like. I'm not trying to persuade you otherwise. Just my take as somebody who has been around the block a few times (too many). 

@whart , I tried something like 10 times to get through. Would you like to recode the situation?

As for 45 rpm LPs, they are as a rule better sounding. The dynamic range is a little wider as is the bandwidth. Distortion is a little lower particularly at the inside of the record. If they are not pressed to the highest standards the noise they produce can be more annoying as it is pitched higher. It seems that more care is taken in the production and manufacture of these discs as their consumer base tends to be more discriminating. They cost more and require more exercise. An auto lifter makes life a lot easier. The Little Fwend is handily the best, highly recommended. If it is a well recorded and mastered favorite work it is worth it. The only other discs that can compare are the D2D's. 

Bill, cut it out. You know you need the exercise:-)

Nah, 45 is barely any better than 33 1/3. Just wait a little bit. I'm working on producing high fidelity 78 RPM discs. Two and a half minutes or pure sonic bliss. They will sound so great that the rest of your system won't matter. Coming soon

Contact me if you're a qualified investor looking for the next big thing.