Cartridges

It might be the case that there will be a slight compromise in certain assemblies of equipment in use, to fully appreciate a Hot Stamper Pressing qualities.

Through owning the Hot Stamper, it is quite likely there will be a time it will appreciate, and that 'will' be appreciated. 

Thanks again to all! I live in SC where there is no access to audio shows or even any good retail outlets where you can demo components. I’m no spring chicken and since my dynamite system (to me at the time) was stolen in 1978, I was out of the serious listening realm. With all the pressures of raising a family and paying a mortgage, couldn’t afford to get back into it. It wasn’t until last year I started piecemeal putting components together. I saved thousands by buying some used pieces like the amplifier, phono and phono stage. If it weren’t for people like you, willing to share your thoughts and experiences, I would have spent much more time and money in the process. I know a lot of folks like the tube amp sound and I am curious how it would compare with my solid state. I do know that I have diminished hearing in both ears for the higher notes so, I’m wondering if the solid-state with his edginess wouldn’t be better for someone like me. Probably need to catch an audio show somewhere to see. Will need to travel. Cheers!

"Mr. Hot Stamper indeed. What this guy provides for lazy well-heeled audiophiles is a complete cleaning including ultrasonic cleaning of non-scratched/abused copies"

I believe chrisoshea sums it up, but missing the other ingredient-the dead wax stamp of 1st release press. While I haven't done a shoot out, perhaps the 2nd run sounds just as good as No.#1

My luck has been good over the years finding "stamper" candidates at wallet friendly prices.

How did I miss this thread?

You already have a darn good turntable / audio system that you appreciate and feel the Need to purchase Quality Pressings.  I have a Symphonic All in One with no name cardboard speakers.  Secondhand store vinyl suits me fine. 

Absolutely, get the "Hot Stampers".  You will eventually have to replace or retip the stylus or buy the hot new premium cartridge that has appeared anyway.  Once that artist's record is sold out, you will pay the price of Retpping for it.

btw.  Last year I broke my stylus.  I hemmed and hawed about spending $2.99 for a replacement needle from China.  Almost gave up on vinyl.

The answer to the OP's question is yes.  Do both.  You will get instant appreciation of your existing collection, but new records will probably sound better.  

In my humble opinion, buy 3 or 4 NM copies of an LP at about $30 each, chances are one of them is a so-called “hot stamper” and you’ve saved yourself hundreds to a thousand or two dollars.

If you properly cared for your records over the last half century, you don’t have this problem, of course. Original presses tend to sound best.

My two sense.

Having said that, I otherwise more or less agree with @bpoletti  

theaudioatticvinylsundays.com

Cleaning, especially ultra-sonic cleaning, is a very good use of money. With my US set-up, I get an improvement about equal to upgrading a major component. In addition, a photomicrograph at 1000 hours showed minimal wear of my stylus - instead of half worn out - so the US set-up  has already paid for itself.

YMMV

OP,

I highly recommend traveling to listen to some different systems. Shows can be good… but so few of the systems are at all optimal and so much to see it is distracting. I would plan a trip for a weekend… bring wife. Schedule a couple hours at two or three different audio stores. I would not be surprised if tubes still sound better. Listen to some pure systems to gat a feeling for the “house sound” (sound of a company’s products) you like. Try Audio Research, Pass, and a couple more. 

KISS

+ 1 to “both”

without high quality vinyl records you never will be able to discover high-end cart/TT and arm/phono/pre/amp/spkrs sound advantages!

IMO an ulrasonic cleaner makes a vast difference to new and old vinyl alike. If you have a lot of vinyl it is worth having one as it is amzing the difference it can make to the sound.

Agree with the view that the quality of the pressing makes a vast difference - I rely upon discgogs to find user reviews of all the various pressings and it helps you to find better pressings

Cartidge should be well matched to the arm and table (and system in general).

Separate issue from the records. I almost exclusively buy new, and the audiophile ones typically sound great (especially the 45s), although if the original tapes aren't good, the mastering can't correct for it.

Catchy title. OP could have put entire query in title. 

I had a VPI classic 3 and an Ortofon Cadenza black and switched to a Dynavector XV 1S and it a was a nice upgrade.  I still think the Cadenza sounded really good and had a lot of that next level sound you get from the best carts.  I don't know the blue but I would guess it would be really good.  Also Hana Umami Red is really good.  I never tried it on the VPI but it's great on the Rega P8

For starters, you require an excellent cartridge to clearly hear any record. Lowest grade cartridge I would use is a VM540ML. My current HOMC cartridge plays with $1K+ cartridges. I could buy better but am satisfied.

@fisher_400 "I could buy better but am satisfied".

This is the most 'valuable statement' and the knowing where to come of the gas and enjoy the hard work done, is a very important place to arrive.

I have been through the hike and enjoying the Vista being available for quite some time.

The Plateaus on the Yonder Mountains are wonderful to look at, and present their own attraction and allure, but the knowing there is not much more enjoyment to be had, than has already been experienced, in getting up there is a good place to be.

Buy a DS Audio 003 or above and never go back to MC or MM again

SL-1200 mk II. (2 from early mid 80’s

sl-1210 mk II (from mid 90’s I think ,black version)

every few years, remove platter, remove spindle assembly, wipe, fresh oil, 

set brake, blow out w air duster, put together.  Not a hiccup, start, stop on a half dime, never out of speed, always turns on, no belts, no bs. 
still used to record lps to computer to burn to taiyo yuden cdrs’

after what, coming up on almost 40 years, no issues.

Ortofon Arkiv to record to computer, or the nightclub II for extra mid n low end. 
 

best most reliable TT built. 
naysayers eat a bag of icksday :)

great sound, no hiccups in any of them. 
I take care of them.  Maybe kids someday will get them and my records. 
as my nephew said when here long years ago, after seeing my records in a box (Uncle R****** , how big were your CD players .

classic!