RCA Classic Records-180 versus 200 gram

The originals are pretty good, but many have very noisy vinyl and if you do find a good one, it will take a long time because most are in horrible condition.  The classics are very good.  I am very lucky to have the ones I do have.  These were done with care, very rare these days

I do not agree.  I understand what you are saying but many of these records are so damaged and worn. To find a playable copy is difficult.  The London/Decca recording are fantastic, much better than the speakers corners but the rca shaded dogs are very hard to come by in playable condition.  eBay is a crap shoot.  The classics are very good and the engineering was done on many of them with the original engineers present during the mastering.  The local used record store never have classical  the record shows do not either.  Some of the original RCA's, if in very good condition are amazing, agree.  But find them.  You could pay a large sum of money and get garbage. If you find a mint copy of the reiner pines of Rome, and it is not 100.00+., by all means, grab it

 

Another analogy,  the classics bring you closer to the orchestra, the original living stereos would be like 15 or 16 rows back.  The string do sound amazing on the originals.  They are definitely softer sounding.

Scratch that last statement.  I am listening to an original living stereo called the Rubenstein story.  Chopin concerto number 2.  It is amazing.  Midrange to die for.  However,  the classics are good as well. If you can get an rca living stereo original or other originals in great condition you should grab them, but the classic reissue are definitely not terrible, some are very good like the royal ballet.

Some of the original living stereos are not that good.  Some are fantastic.  The classic reissues can sound pretty incredible.  I can see why they received the attention they have.  I frequently go to see the Cleveland orchestra at severance hall.  I usually sit about 7 rows back right behind the conductor.  Many of The classic reiisues really do sound eerilly like the real thing to these ears.  Some original shaded dogs that I have that sound real are pines of Rome and Gershwin an american in Paris, rhapsody in blue, harry belafonte at Carnegie hall.

Lol, right.  They are so quiet and you really hear just how good those old recordings really are.