higher end jazz vinyl: where to turn?


I'm a lifelong jazz listener but only new to entry-level hifi, as presently marketed--by which I mean Rega p3-24 turntable, Linn Classik amp, Vienna Acoutics Mozart Grand Speakers, and a lot of heart.

Anyway I have a choice set of old ECM records, Miles Davis records, and so forth, that I bought in the early 1980s. Most of them have some noise and crackle now and again--which I largely discount as the distinguished marks of age and memory. Nonetheless a clean sweet classic jazz LP played at substantial volume, even through a low midfi system like mine, is a beautiful thing. Beauty is a rare thing, I read somewhere. And it makes me wonder about upgrading the vinyl.

So here are questions:
1. Are these $50 classic content and such rereleases of Blue Notes really so good? Including worth the effort of getting up and turning the 45 over in middle of a strong Coltrane solo-a double indignity, to a genius and to the lazy.

2. What to say of all these 180g and 200g re-releases at higher prices versus the $10-20 unopened recent copy meant for mass market (or as massy as the jazz list allowed/allows)?

3. I'm using Disc Doctor record cleaners on my old and newer vinyl, but wonder how great the different is to move to a machine, say vpi 165?

4. I'm just a poor righteous teacher so I'm a bargain hunter: an Inexpensive Audiophile down with the feel of the Expensive Winos aestheticist mentality.

5. Thanks!
paanders

Showing 1 response by actusreus

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.