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Large Classical Record Dealers

Hi all! I am beginning to get into vinyl and am looking for places to purchase classical vinyl material and had a few questions:

I'm a bit leary about Ebay, but they have a good selection on things I'm looking for. Any recommendations on how to decide between vendors? How can I trust their vinyl grading? Is it worth even trying to go this route? Any prefered vendors that you guys use?

Another option would be going through a dealer. I know of one, namely Sikora (http://www.sikorasclassical.com/inventory.htm) and was wondering if there are any other large classical vinyl vendors that you guys might recommend? Is this a good route to go, compared to Ebay? I like the fact I would be establishing a relationship with a vendor, but I'm not sure how cost effective this might be...

Finally, I'm not very knowledgeable on all the various gradings and terminology... For example, all I can really offer is the artist and composer that I'm looking for, for example Gyorgy Cziffra's Hugarian Rhapsodies by Listz... I'm not really sure how to get from this information to a recommended label, pressing, etc. Any ideas? This was my motivation for going with a large record vendor, but maybe I could sort this out for myself?

Thanks everyone!
mre2007
opalchip
355 posts
 
Agree with Rushton - the DGG lp's are all over the place in quality. The farther back you go, the more consistent they are, but some of the later issues are the best. They often remastered subsequent pressings of the same recording very differently. I have 3 versions of the Carlos Klieber Beethoven's 5th which are all excellent, but have different attributes - the latest pressing is the one I find to be the superior master.

Being that the DGG's on Ebay though, without being able to preview or easily return it, I think I'd go with the Speaker's Corner version.

A couple of other related vinyl suggestions:

Another Schneiderhan on DGG I can heartily recommend is the Tulips issue of Mozart Concertos #4 and #5, (especially the "Red Stereo" pressing if you can find it). #5 is awesome.

Also if you don't already have it - don't neglect the Francescatti/Walter version of the Beeth on Columbia lp. It's a very nice recording, and all the 2 eye pressings I've heard sound good.
mre2007 OP
90 posts
 
Thank you everyone for your responses. Any recommendations on Brendel playing Mozart? I've seen a couple of Philips' pressings on Ebay, but I noticed in the upper left corner of the LP, often the word "digital" can be found... so I've steered clear of these. Any recommendations?
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Gerald Canter lists two non-digital Philips recordings tonight on his web site. Look up Music Categories on LP/Keyboard, then scroll down to Brendel:

Philips 6500 140 Brendel Mozart- Piano Con 12, 17

Philips 6500 283 Brendel Mozart- Piano Con 19, 23

And then there is a third Philips LP of the Concerto No. 15 that is designated as digital (dig). I think all of the Philips 6500 series is analog. Not sure when the catalog switches to digital, but most dealers like Canter will specify.
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mre2007 OP
90 posts
 
So, I'm right in assuming the digital recordings are inferior?
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
I would not say that across the board. I have a few digital LPs in my collection that I think sound very good indeed. There are simply too many variables to make an absolute statement. Overall, though, when given a choice I tend to stay all-analog.
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