I think, first of all, that the availability of affordable high quality equipment is better today than it was 30 years ago. I also think that the premium quality vinyl today is better than the premium quality vinyl of yesteryear. What isn't great is the confusion around what sources are being used for vinyl releases now. 30+ years ago we knew that digital was not a part of the recording process (for the most part), but now when I often buy vinyl reissues of a records that I know were recorded digitally 20 years ago. Many of them sound far better than their digital release counterparts, so I have to believe that vinyl is superior to CD, but I don't know if this is due to modern technology or a variety of other factors. All I know is that I buy a lot of new release vinyl these days and most of it sounds really good. When I play an original from the 70's it sounds nowhere near as good as its reissue (in many cases). A little research before you buy new vinyl goes a long way towards finding separating the wheat from the chaff.
LP's... Do they sound better now than 30 yrs ago?
Thinking about getting back into LP's. Do they sound better than they did 30 yrs ago? I remember , no matter how well you cleaned them and how well you treated them they always( after 1 or 2 plays) sounded like crap! Pops and clicks. Scratched easy. Are they better made? Thicker? I don't want clicking and popping over my system! Thanks for your input!