Dvorak Symphony No. 2 Classic records excellent

It is actually set for 200 gram vinyl.

I have the Birds back on, raised the VTA slightly, it sounds much better! I am starting to like it!

What do you mean by "heavy sounding"? Can you elaborate?

I'm in agreement with Chashas1 - this is a delightful recording. And I am also wondering if maybe something is wrong with your setup (and maybe your friend's too).

The other thing it could be is personal preference. Each of us favor different things. That's why I asked you to elaborate on "heavy".

I've already expressed how highly I regard the Speakers Corners Mercury reissues. They get tone right in my opinion, while the Classics don't even come close. I just threw on The Birds. My gosh is this wonderful. I guess I could see how the opening section might be said to be "heavy". I'd call it "full" though, and I'd mean that in a positive way.

Try not to allow your past experience with other Speakers Corner reissues to bias you. I didn't care much for their Deccas. But their Mercs are a different beast. The Mercury sound comes through fully with these. And these are among the finest recordings ever made.

I raised the VTA and it did make a difference.

When I say heavy, squashed sounding I guess, no air around the instruments. I wonder what the cutting angle is on the Speakers corners reissues.

When I raised the VTA, it sounded much better, but now my other records do not sound right to me.

These do sound better than the Clemencic Consort reissue. That was dreadful.

The original mercs had lots of air, at least the one that I have that is in good condition. Bartok Suite. That is a great recording. Sounds very similar to a live. orchestra.

sorry to laugh, but what's the cutting angle have to do with it, and would you even know it if you were told?
as I said, you have something wrong, and possibly your friends as well...it is a great recording, and pressing, and I've heard it on many systems that were properly setup.
I think it's such a shame that when one reads things like this, you can't just buzz over and listen and help someone out. I guess it shows the limits of forums.
I will say you are at least playing great music. Yes, the Bartok suite is great as well.