higher end jazz vinyl: where to turn?

I have had the best luck buying jazz LPs from used record stores and on Ebay. In my experience, early releases of jazz LPs (not limited to the original pressings) almost always sound better than recent reissues, and I am including the "audiophile" pressings that are the rage these days. The new reissues certainly sound cleaner and there isn't the inner groove distortion that you often find with used records, but they just aren't as much fun to listen to. For whatever reason. Other folks have strong feelings on the opposite side so ultimately you have to make up your own mind. Just buy a few reissues and a few older copies, and decide for yourself.

Thanks for responses, folks! Lots of good food for thought here. And I can afford to do research.

I am really struck by the general enthusiasm for record vacuum cleaners like the vpi 16.5, but I'm curious if there's a useful mid-point between those big machines and my non-mechanical method with the disc doctor cleaner and brushes, very soft towels, and tlc. And, of course, there's nowhere to 'test-drive' these units near me (in Ann Arbor Michigan: home of great Encore Records), so far as I know.

On the issue of identifying the better (even the best) pressings of ECM: are there easy markers for this on the jacket or LP? I find myself buying these on ebay and all I have to go on are distant pictures of cover (for condition) and a claim about vg, nm, and m.

On the issue of 180g reissues: I feel kind of burned, as I bought an Impulse 180g Coltrane BALLADS last week and it was, um, not a truly flat record. It plays fine, but there is an up and down wave to the motion. (Hypnotic in the right state, perhaps.) I contacted the seller and they haven't written back (perhaps because I didn't demand a refund, which they probably would have given). Moreover, there were a few crackles and pops on this brand new album! Right out of the gate you must color me cautious about guaranteed quality of 180g or 200g reissues. Then I find the $40-50 versions from some sellers (twice the price of general 180g vinyl) and wonder what that mark-up signifies regarding quality.

To answer your question (from someone who has cleaned thousands of records) "We could all wish it wasn't so, but there is no substitute for a good RCM".

Paanders,
I have six different 180 grams Impulse reissues of Coltrane's stuff, including "Ballads" and they are ALL are warped. I personally think it's disgusting. If I didn't have a ring, I wouldn't even dare play them with my Delos it's so bad. I keep buying them because they are relatively cheap under $20 and the music is out of this world. However, if you're looking for quality, look elsewhere. Speakers Corner's and Analogue Productions' releases are superb in my experience. MoFi stuff is not bad either, but not as good as the two mentioned, and their jazz catalog is rather limited. If you like Art Pepper, "The Way It Was" is more than worth the $30 sticker price.

Paanders,

There's a world of difference between manual cleaning and a vacuum system. The problem about a manual clean is that you loosen up all the crud in the grooves, wipe it round and then just leave it to dry out again into the grooves! If you're serious about vinyl, a RCM is THE best investment AND upgrade you can ever make.

Charlie