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Vinyl Lovers

After a marathon session of ultrasonically cleaning some of my vinyl treasures, I discovered that a few of them had what I'll call "skip-scratches" on various cuts. I have many more to clean (i.e.  somewhere around 5 to 6 hundred, mostly original 60s & 70s LPs) and fully expect to encounter more bruised babies along the way, not all of which I'll probably replace with vinyl re-issues or re-pressings. Some of my all-time favorites, however, I definitely will want to replace, providing I can find good quality re-issues/re-pressings. I know there is much to learn about this, and I am just beginning to scratch the surface (no pun intended). For example, there are issues of so called "virgin vinyl", quality of the vinyl mix, thickness of vinyl, recording from original master tapes, if still in existence and in good condition, quality of the actual pressing process, etc., etc., etc.

So, I guess my question for you all who know much more about this than I, is where the best places are to buy the best quality vinyl re-issues or re-pressings. Local record shops are few and far between and most of them don't have much in the way of variety or stock in anything other than used records. I'm familiar with Discogs but, frankly, am reluctant to buy used records on-line because I don't entirely trust the purveyors' ratings and the endemic hassles of possible returns. Most of the re-issues/re-pressings I've purchased, thus far, have been from or through Music Direct. I've noticed that some of their offerings actually come from companies like:  Island Records; Impex; RHINO and other sources.

So, what are some of your go-to, solid, reputable standbys?

Thanks Much!

oldaudiophile
ghdprentice
7,186 posts
 

Congratulations on where you are.

What is your system? There is a place to put photos. Very helpful. What turntable?

 

I started collecting in the 60’s as well and continued through present. I was shocked that when cleaned and with an audiophile turntable most of my early albums sounded spectacular… maybe one in a hundred with a skip on them. I attribute their spectacular sound to my stylist going much deeper into the grooves than my Sears portable and cheap junk Garrard at college.

I buy from a local used record store where I can carefully examine the record and typically after clearing they are flawless. Also, for classics I was shocked over the last twenty years how audiophile pressings have come out on my very favorite albums of the time. Music Direct is my normal place to buy those. But read reviews… not all audiophile pressing sound great. Some are terrible… 10% - 15% maybe.

I have not had great luck with Amazon and misc used through the mail suppliers.

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 

Acoustic Sounds and Analog Productions are two of the best. I also use Elusive Disc. There are many online record stores and they all sell the same records. Acoustic Sounds and Analog Productions are one and the same. Music Direct and MoFi are one and the same.

mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,995 posts
 

Another thumbs WAY up 🤗 for Katanga!  What a spectacular recording!!

I too miss the days of used mint-  LPs for $5-$6...😥

terry9
2,353 posts
 

What @whart said.

bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,230 posts
 

I always take the path of least resistance and go first to Amazon.  If something I am interested in is available on LP or CD, I scan down and look at the production information.  You can always see who is doing the issue.  It is remastered?  Is it produced by the original issuer or under license to a known entity like Rhino.  Amazon has so much to offer both in new and used.  I have been buying more used than new lately and have never had an issue.  Plus, I have the power of Amazon's no question return policy should an issue ever arise. Free delivery in most cases.  As I said, path of least resistance.  

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