Tips on Buying Quiet Quality sounding LP's

Its not what you should look for, its what you should listen for.

Bob

i agree with bob. when buying used vinyl at stores in my area, i can listen to the record with head phones. then i can at least gauge whether there is surface noise.

Speaking of potential groove wear, this is often a result of how many times the LP was played. Look at the amount of wear and small indentations around the center hole, also sleeve and dust jacket condition.

"i agree with bob. when buying used vinyl at stores in my area, i can listen to the record with head phones. then i can at least gauge whether there is surface noise."
I concur. I bring decent Shure Earbuds with me, which helps
a little over the ones in the store. Of course, no way to avoid the old rickety TT, and outdated Ratshack phono amp.
Tanglewood, is your moniker influenced by the famous Amphitheatre in the Berkshires.

I have found that some of the new 180 gram repressings are a jump ball. I have had some that are very good and some not. Case in point I am on my third 180 gram cat stevens tea for the tillerman album and they all sound poor even relative to some of my albums that i had in college 40 years ago. Definitely hit and miss but worth the effort.