Heaver grade vinyl vs Standard

Heavier weight means the record should be more durable and be less susceptible to warping over time. Heavier weight is probably a general indicator of a higher quality product, but assuming no warping otherwise, sound quality will be determined more by other factors on a case by case basis.

In general, I think heavier weight vinyl in new issues is designed to appeal to the target market of vinyl affectionados that will appreciate a more heavy weight product and be willing to pay for it. But there is probably a good chance that on a case by case basis, standard issue vinyl recordings from yesteryear that were made in the time when records ruled for most may sound as good or better.

"The software actualy on the market is much inferior than on golden era of vinyl, even with the best mastering facilities."

Well, you said it...the golden age of vinyl is past and gone.

If you don't have a lot of records already, buy a half decent CD player and spend your money on some good music to listen to. Or buy a decent tt and hit some flea markets and enjoy all the great OLD recordings that are still out there in decent condition that can be had for a pittance.

Two issues being slightly confused here -- heavy vinyl vs. regular weight and reissue vs. original issue.

On heavy vs. regular, I am solidly in the regular weight category. Heavy vinyl just screws up my VTA which is set for the vast majority of my collection (regular thickness). Many of these heavy weight albums come pre-warped (dish warp), the product of an incomplete pressing cycle (thick records need to be pressed much longer and cooled slowly). I have a few that also have crackly distortion, primarily in one channel, that is the product of an incomplete pressing cycle (the vinyl did not fully form around the stamper).

As for reissue vs. original. I generally find the originals to be better, but, that may be the product of deteriorating master tapes rather than the manufacturing process. As far as the manufacturing of new records go, it varies by source. A lot of Japanese records (thick or thin) are done on really good vinyl that is free of ticks and pops and remains so. Same with some German records (e.g., Speakers Corner reissues). The vinyl used on some premium U.S. labels, like Classic Records, is total crap. Not only is it noisy, it gets progressively worse with playing. I hope the Music Matters Bluenote releases don't suffer the same fate (also pressed at RTI).

I am firmly convinced that the reason for heavier vinyl is primarily economic. Buyers are willing to pay a higher price for the same software if it is distributed over additional discs. Although I cannot speak knowledgeably about the cost per vinyl disc, I suspect that it is a fraction of the $10 or so dollars added to the price. The primary cost is still the licensing fee. This may sound cynical, nonetheless I suspect it to be true.

I used to think the heavier vinyl sounded better. But now, I'm not so sure it makes any difference. A couple of my best sounding LP's are from Michael Hedges on Windham Hill. I do agree that the thicker ones mess with your VTA and VTF