Some labels are better than others (and it also depends on the years involved) but frankly it is a pretty much hit and miss affair.
Even with labels that have a good reputation, someone is going to get a record from the end of a stamper's production life or a record made with a blob of plastic that wasn't as pure as desired.
The big problem is that most people buy music because they like the artist or composition. If my favorite music happens to be on a crappy label, there is not a lot I can do about it.
The same thing is true of digital material. If my favorite music is compressed, over-processed and/or poorly mixed, it is a bit like a scrambled egg - it is pretty tough to unscramble.
At least with a new LP you can usually return a bad pressing for another try with a second copy.
Even with labels that have a good reputation, someone is going to get a record from the end of a stamper's production life or a record made with a blob of plastic that wasn't as pure as desired.
The big problem is that most people buy music because they like the artist or composition. If my favorite music happens to be on a crappy label, there is not a lot I can do about it.
The same thing is true of digital material. If my favorite music is compressed, over-processed and/or poorly mixed, it is a bit like a scrambled egg - it is pretty tough to unscramble.
At least with a new LP you can usually return a bad pressing for another try with a second copy.