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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 3 responses by topoxforddoc

topoxforddoc's avatar
topoxforddoc
353 posts
 
The best investment you can make is a proper wet vacuum record cleaning machine. It's a must if you buy used vinyl. You will abolish almost all of the crackle and pop. Suddenly all of your old 50s and 60s recordings will sound much better.

I love jazz too and watch live jazz at least once a month (you can see some of my jazz photos on my website). You will be very surprised how good your old LPs will be with a proper wash. Buy any one of the following VPI 16.5, Okki Nokki, Moth. Beware they are noisy, but you only have to turn the vacuum on for about 20 secs at a time. The high end cleaners are great as they're quieter, but their cleaning abilities are not much better than the cheap ones.

Good luck,

Charlie
www.charlie-chan.co.uk
topoxforddoc's avatar
topoxforddoc
353 posts
 
Paanders,

There's a world of difference between manual cleaning and a vacuum system. The problem about a manual clean is that you loosen up all the crud in the grooves, wipe it round and then just leave it to dry out again into the grooves! If you're serious about vinyl, a RCM is THE best investment AND upgrade you can ever make.

Charlie
topoxforddoc's avatar
topoxforddoc
353 posts
 
Paanders,

Forget about the comparison between the cost of the RCM and your system. It's more to do with the ratio of the cost between the RCM and your entire record collection. I agree that many original 50s and 60s pressings are fabulous SQ wise and will not be significantly bettered by expensive modern remasters. Economically you don't have to save yourself buying many $50 deluxe reissues to pay for a RCM which will benefit your entire record collection both now and in the future.

Charlie
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