Rediscovering records

I have a great used record store in Dallas, Jose Records, buy all my previously loved vinyl there. I can inspect each album. Also find the Jazz, Classical and Blues vinyl is usually in better condition than Rock albums. I buy rock albums new...  

@newton_john 

Yes, I was really delighted when I heard how much, much better my good sounding records sounded when I got a whole new setup.  
BUT, mediocre records, of which I have a majority, although better than before, did not benefit nearly as much.  I don’t think they justify the expense of really good equipment.  
Im really very happy, with the great sound of the good ones though.

It is so dependent on how revealing the upgraded system is... how deep in the grooves... the very nature of the upgrade can enhance or detract from some or all. Very complicated line. I have found carefully cartridge choice is critical. Too revealing and it can really make many worse. But much better but musical really helps. But the follow up electronics also matter. My most recent cartridge is the Kotesu Rosewood Signature. I happily hit the point I was shooting for on the spectrum. 

@lewm 

I’m fine with “classical”. Like “pornography”, I can’t define it

Well, I'm not fine with "classical" because it covers two concepts:  the classical era in Western music, most of which I don't like; and its much broader use to cover Western art music, for want of a better term.  So I have to say I mainly listen to classical music, even though that is not strictly true.

It does seem to me that there are two distinct subspecies of Audiophile, with nearly diametrically opposed goals!  Simple terms to distinguish them would seem helpful and long and short are the best I can come up with at the moment!

Not sure why the argument here over what constitutes Classical Music.  I side with Lew   

The interesting question here is whether the sound of a large orchestra is equally reproduced by digital or analog.  I prefer digital for all my listening, but I particularly think it pays benefits here.  Reducing the noise floor and expanding the dynamic range helped me appreciate all kinds of low level information in the symphonies of Mahler and Shostakovich.  It helps sort out the textures in Brahms and Schumann.