An LP is like anything else. It’s worth whatever a willing seller agrees to accept from a willing buyer.
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Truth is the only way to know is to buy one and listen to it. There are plenty of original run vintage records that will never be bettered. The vast majority of expensive reissues are new and quiet- and sound nowhere near as good as a really good vintage copy. If you can get your hands on a really good vintage copy. That is the question. Because every record ever made, then or now, they just do not come off the stamper absolutely perfect copies that all sound the same. Some have problems, some are okay, and a rare few sound so much better than the rest you can hardly believe it. The fundamental problem is we are trying to press into vinyl a record that contains so much incredibly fine detail its down to the size of a large organic molecule. Sometimes lightning strikes and we get it right. But you can't tell by looking. You can't tell by label. You can't tell by the MoFi Half Speed Original Master Tape Quiex super thick 200g yada yada story. You can only tell by listening. If you do have the money and if you really do want the best sound you can always pay Tom Port to do your listening for you. https://better-records.com/pages/about-better-records Expensive, yes. But worth every penny. |
Yes, a fair price is what people will pay, but do the new $1500-2500 LP's definately sound better? Also, I have been thinking about selling my LP's, but only after I listen and rate each. The link shows me it is possible and I really took care of them. As far as the pressing quality, I can definitely appreciate the difference with my numbered, early Sheffield D to D LP's and later pressings. |
It's a crap shoot as far as quality of new pressings. I just received a brand new Paul Simon album that had a "whoosh" sound every revolution. Looking at it up close, there were dimples/pits all over one section of the record. I just played the RSD 2020 alternate version of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours yesterday. Amazing! Dead quiet, super dynamic, great soundstage, the kind of recording that makes you feel the music (emotionally, not because of the 4 subwoofers). Expensive things are worth the money to people that buy them if they buy them. |
It’s stupid to pay for anything new the prices associated with extremely rare originals. Original records that cost $1500 are impossible to find and for this reason they are highly collectible among record collectors (not audiophiles). All new records must be $10, even $25 is too much for a new record or reissue. Some amazing originals from the 70’s are still under $30 and the quality is outstanding compared to modern reissues of the same albums. If someone trying to sell you a new record for $100 it’s snake oil and rip-off. |
If you are purchasing new recent artist releases, you're forced to buy to buy one of those new "Oversized black CeeDee's" for whatever price they are. Anything new is digitally recorded, so what's the point? Hear it on a nice setup, call it a day. As far as reissues, 98% are disappointing. Unless it is true unobtanium, I punt. Thankfully, I don't listen to much past 1980, so there is UNLIMITED amount of LP's in dusty bins for cheap. One of my neighborhood stores has a 3 for $10 section. Those 60/70's Classic Rock LP's that most have forgotten are just waiting to be played again. Latest acquisitions- Cream-Fresh Cream-mono!, Buffalo Springfield-Again, Springsteen-Darkness(finally found a clean copy) These according to discogs are all 1st press. |
In my opinion the Zappa vinyl reissues have been very well done (mastered by Bernie Grundman and Chris Bellman, pressed at Pallas), and for sane prices. And if a particular title could not be cut from an analog source, at least they're honest about it. I wish everyone else (including MFSL) would be a little more forthcoming in that regard.... |
Actually, I am not asking about rare collectables. Audio Advisors in WPB, FL has $1500 to $2500 newly issued LP's for their "modest" $25000 turntable. My question refers to this setup. Do they really sound great, or are they simply listening room jewelry for the speaker wire on platinum speaker wire trestle crowd? |
Audio Advisors in WPB, FL has $1500 to $2500 newly issued LP’s for their "modest" $25000 turntable. This is absolutely insane, but we’re all know how many sick people are audiophiles. Musicians are not crazy, their records are for everyone and they are $10-15 new. Original records are better than reissues, only extremely rare records (impossible to find mega rarity) can cost $1500-2500 because only handful of copies left on this planet, actually those rare originals can cost even more, but not a repress in whatever "audiophile" quality. Making reissues for $1500 is a ripoff! |
Your question is still ambiguous. Or likely, I'm not interpreting the question correctly. Are these "$1500 to $2500 newly issued LP's" an alternative to the same album which is priced less? I'm not on top of current new release pricing but took a peek at Music Direct's pricing. Depending on who it is/genre, that can be standard pricing for regular pressings. I don't see multiple LP choices of a current artist-Diana Krall to Lady Gaga? There are some artists with $13.99 LP's-Lana Del Rey. But other LP;s are more. These were just random popular picks. |
I believe these very expensive records are mostly new recordings, if not all of them. I don't know if cheaper versions exist, but when we bought our Sheffield D to D LP's, no one told us that secret tapes were being stored to use much later for releases on CD's much later. It is interesting to hear the same recording played through a good phono set up and a good CD player. I only have two. The D to D has gotten worse for the wear. The Cd is not so much, and is somewhat replaceable, or can be copied. |
I don’t get it. This question comes up often. I buy a lot of vinyl records. Guess what, I truly enjoy 95% of them "Enjoy". Maybe, (probably) my system synergy has much to do with it? ( I choose not to proclaim my system is the best ever), I hear differences and while I do make lp buying choices accordingly, I don’t bash those or others who make it their quest to constantly one- up everyone else. I certainly don't expect all records to be D2D quality. Steve |
11-28-2020 4:57am I am not asking about rare collectables. Audio Advisors in WPB, FL has $1500 to $2500 newly issued LP's for their "modest" $25000 turntable. My question refers to this setup. Do they really sound great, or are they simply listening room jewelry for the speaker wire on platinum speaker wire trestle crowd?I didn't see any $25,000 turntables or $1500 new LPs on the Audio Advisors. Any link? |
chackstera: Apparenty, I was not clear enough. The thousand dollar plus ones are not reissues, but new music. AA does carry both. However, I know what sounds a lot better than a $1500-2500 LP: A CD and a trip to France... after the vaccines is proven That's for sure, for a trip to France I can decline a CD. |
You can compare reissue vs. original in your system. If we’re not talking about some very rare and expensive LPs then it’s very easy to buy an original and reissue will cost you probably more (especially "audiophile" pressing). Then you can check by yourself in your own system. I have never heard a reissue better than the minty original pressing. |
Most of the time, the original press will sound better because the master tapes were fresh and the record is the permanent snapshot of that recording event. More so than the original Master tapes because they deteriorate with time. If one takes care of their records, they can last a long time. Reissues sometimes use secondary tapes and other sources. |
Oh yes the quality is much better. Back in 1982 when I purchased an Lp I had them open it and put it on there TT. Warping was a huge problem when Lp's got super thin. The cost? Cost of living, inflation and lower production levels keep the cost close to 1980 prices. How much did you make back then? Sound quality is about the same would be my guess. I current system is so much more revealing and just plain better it is hard to judge. My 50's 60's and 70's Lp's can sound a bit better sometimes but I think they just had Engineer's who took pride in their work and were better at it. |