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LP Vinyl: Quality, Pressing, Label, Weight, Where to Buy ???

Getting back into LP vinyl...its been a long time = mid 70s?  Searching for an educational review on the forum for buying decent quality vinyl LPs...an overview of quality, weight, pressing, label, and best source/location to purchasing (prefer to stay away from ebay as it seems to be hit/miss on what you get). Does anyone have suggestions for an educational review on the subject? 

As a discussion point...I was looking at buying an older LP (vinyl only); I did an internet search = "Faces" - The First Step Album. Online search produces numerous results with prices from $18 to $120...older, used, remakes/repressed, various quality ratings (is there a uniform rating scale), unopened...list goes on. 

Greatly appreciate the forums experience and insight!

jmrrobbie1

Showing 1 response by tablejockey

tablejockey
3,772 posts
 

Do the discog research, if you're set on getting period presses  to justify  possibly spending more for a quality pressing.

Get ready to do some eye squinting to reference the deadwax. It's all in those often hard to decipher etchings to determine pedigree of a possibly overpriced used LP.

First run doesn't guarantee the best SQ, but generally may provide best chance of getting "closer to the master tape".

Greatest hits LP's are generally inferior in SQ compared to the same cut on the original album. I don't bother with them.

Easy way to immediately spot a reissue is a bar code on the jacket. If the original was released before 1980 or so, it usually wont have a bar code.

 

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