Done buying new vinyl

For some people it's a PITA , for others it's a labor of love.

My experience with all of the mentioned mediums has always been mixed.  I don’t know know a lot about the whole recording, mastering, and transfer to each medium.  I’ve got great sounding vinyl, eg jazz from East Wind and Three Blind Mice, but some recent reissues that are not very good.  Same for CDs, my main source.  Most are great, some awful.  In the end, I think its all about how well the original recording is made, and how well its mastered and transfered to the product that reaches the consumer.

FWIW, as you all know, vinyl is a major commitment. Pressings that aren’t the best in terms of transparency or suffer from an overall lack luster performance are made more enjoyable with a good US cleaning.

Some great points. At the end of the day, we are in agreement. It is the recording/mixing and not the pressing or the medium. I played my 1968 White Album which is not in the best of shape. Pops, crackles, frying eggs, the lot. Yet the music bursts forth off the vinyl. Crystal clear and full of detail, studio air, with Ringo’s rim-shots that crack you out of your chair. So, I don’t mind vinyl noise as long as the recording excels. Muted, dull with dead acoustics, mixed to death digitally, that sound like Dolby is on, seem to be the order of the day now.

Run, do not walk, and scarf up as many of the Music Matters Blue Notes that you can find.  There is a great thread on the Steve Hoffman forum (really long!) that will give you everything you need to pick the right records.  These reissues, especially the 45rpm versions, are incredible.  I've been on a buying binge lately and every time I spin a new one I'm blown away by the tone, air and ambiance that comes through from these records.  They are some of the greatest jazz records of all time redone with loving care in breathtaking fidelity.  The most coveted ones are either gone completely or reaching stratospheric prices so I would'nt waste any time in grabbing what's still available.   The 45rpms have all the tone and warmth of the originals and add gobs of air energizing the entire listening room with sound.  Amazing!