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
Post removed 

@mijostyn  I fully agree with your comment re returns to Amazon.  I would say 25% of the vinyl purchased has gone back.  However, that speaks to the problems with LP's and to the beauty of Amazon's return policy.  I recently bought a Lee Morgan LP issued by Blue Note under their Tone Poet Series.  The first copy had a couple of bad pops that Ultrasonic cleaning would not remove.  It went back.  The second copy was just as bad.  It went back.  The third copy was a keeper.  Again, this speaks to the problems inherent with vinyl, and why Amazon remains my first option as I know there are going to be returns.  Cheers. 

@ghdprentice True enough!  Technology does improve and march onward, at least most of the time.

Take a look at this:

photos of Grundig stereo console - Bing images

I can't honestly say this was MY first TT because my parents bought it in the 50s when I was just a little shaver.  Outside of one of those portable record players one of my aunt's had, this Grundig is what I started listening to records on (mostly 45s).  I think its vertical tracking force was somewhere around half a pound.

@mijostyn 

Yes, Amazons packaging can be really bad. My return rate is probably over 25%… with Music Direct I returned one about five years ago… so, like 1 or 2 percent. Their packaging is made for vinyl and they will slit the plastic to prevent warping in hot weather if you want.