Great sounding new vinyl

Here are two that you should avoid on vinyl:

Portishead "Third"
Ratatat "LP3"

both domestic pressings, both horrible with noise and defects (took one back because it skipped). Also, both domestic...hmmm.

I purchased two new Blue Note LPs last week (the cheap $10, not the 45 RPM heavy vinyl) and had to return both. One (Hank Mobley Roll Call) was so warp I didn't even try and play it (I think the shrink was way too tight...as it is on all domestic pressings). The other (Cliff Jordan Cliff Craft) had two visible/audible scratches (brand new!!!) and so much surface noise that it was a distraction. Conversely I bought two 180 gram LPs, Mingus Pithecantropus and Willie Nelson's Reggae album, both of which sounded fine. Moral of the story, I will probably only buy new vinyl that is an audiophile pressing or from Sub Pop.

One record I did pick up an LP recently called Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens. It is an amazing pressing of an already amazing unique album (blows my CD copy away sonically). I highly recommend this LP. I wish all new non-audiophile pressings sounded this good.

Hot stampers sounds like snake oil for people with money to burn (unfortunately not me in this economy). I too love the thrill of the hunt. Some of my favorite finds have been at thrift stores.