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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
6,394 posts
 

Just a different perspective on Zerostat. I have owned several over the decades… especially when I used to live in Tucson and static was a really big problem. They have never done a bit of good. I desperately wanted them to, I bought the newest… patiently took my time squeezing the stupid lever… and they never did a thing… zippo. I asked my dealer friend who has been a dealer for over 20 years… he has had the same experience. 

orthomead
113 posts
 

I prefer discogs to eBay for the simple reason that you can select the exact pressing you desire.  Santa Monica pressings apparently bypassed the inferior vinyl issue of the 70's.  I did use eBay for several years, but no longer.  Another caveat is to select a seller with a stellar track record and only choose NM or higher. On the rare occasion where the vinyl isn't to standard, most sellers are eager to please and are incentivized to make the transaction a positive one. 

Regarding static on records, as per Neil Antin, I've been using a Ronxs lighter held above the rotating vinyl and tiger cloth instead of a brush-a huge improvement.

 

 

r27y8u92
40 posts
 

To vinyl record lovers:

I think most of the vinyl lovers tend to like original music sound WITH a little distorted sound by record playing and some noise also by record playing. CD playing is much better in terms of high fidelity of original music sound.

Both theoretically and practically, any vinyl playing can not be better than that of CD playing unless mediocre CD system is used.

I do play many vinyl records but, only because I do not have CD versions of the vinyl records. I just like to listen music itself from best formats (CD is much better format than vinyl). If you like to enjoy turntable's turning look while listening, then I don't have any argument. But, I would like to say you are not genuine music lover!

chowkwan
152 posts
 

In theory there's no difference between theory and practice, in practice there is. 

-- The Philosopher Berra.

Until you hear the Nagra turntable, you do not know what vinyl playback is capable of. What I used to think was the sound of residual dirt in the groove after record cleaning turns out to be residual noise from vinyl playback which the Nagra turntable eliminates. 

 

chowkwan
152 posts
 

Irvington Music in Portland Oregon has a vast collection of used classical records. All graded.

Better Records sells vy expensive rock records. He listens to many copies of the same record to find the few that sound really great. It's enormously time consuming because he has to listen in real time and that's what you're paying for: his time so you don't waste your time. A few jazz and classical but mainly rock.

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