Oh yes the quality is much better. Back in 1982 when I purchased an Lp I had them open it and put it on there TT. Warping was a huge problem when Lp's got super thin. The cost? Cost of living, inflation and lower production levels keep the cost close to 1980 prices. How much did you make back then? Sound quality is about the same would be my guess. I current system is so much more revealing and just plain better it is hard to judge. My 50's 60's and 70's Lp's can sound a bit better sometimes but I think they just had Engineer's who took pride in their work and were better at it.
Ar ethe current LP's available for $25 or so as goos as the old ones.
How about the $1500 plus ones? Are they worth the money to people with more resources than me, or just for people who feel better about always paying a lot to try to have the best of everything?