Tips for purchasing Vinyl?

[docmd2010]

thanks so much for the posts guys! i've been searching for a lot of the music i like, and most of it doesn't seem to exist in mofi and some of these other audiophile level pressings.

are the regular 180gram pressings still generally good (better than 24/192 or SACD quality)?

for example i want to buy one of coldplays older albums, will the regular 15-25 dollar LP sound better than the 24/192 digital file?

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by docmd2010

thanks so much for the posts guys! i've been searching for a lot of the music i like, and most of it doesn't seem to exist in mofi and some of these other audiophile level pressings.

are the regular 180gram pressings still generally good (better than 24/192 or SACD quality)?

for example i want to buy one of coldplays older albums, will the regular 15-25 dollar LP sound better than the 24/192 digital file?

Apples and oranges. It has the potential to sound better, but there are many variables. The vinyl mastering may be different from the digital version of the same album. I have some sacd and downloads that sound better than the pressing I have, and vice versa.

Not to mention, your digital gear might outperform your analog rig, and vice versa.

[bigblue]

I have just entered the vinyl arena my self and the labels I find to deliver the highest quality (new press) is ORG, Analogue Production, Mobile Fidelity.
Here you will find a list that might be useful when scouting for the best sounding albums.
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/arti...-lp-list-2016/

[Catcher10]

Originally Posted by docmd2010

thanks so much for the posts guys! i've been searching for a lot of the music i like, and most of it doesn't seem to exist in mofi and some of these other audiophile level pressings.

are the regular 180gram pressings still generally good (better than 24/192 or SACD quality)?

for example i want to buy one of coldplays older albums, will the regular 15-25 dollar LP sound better than the 24/192 digital file?

As others stated, get familiar with Discogs and search for the titles you desire. Also check out the Hoffman website, those guys over there know their vinyl very well. You can get very good info on which pressing has favorable sound over another.

You have to read the fine print, things like who mastered/mixed/pressed the record. Was it from tape or from digital file, which is fine as long as it was mastered for vinyl and not just a needle drop from a digital file. Pretty much all new vinyl releases are from 24bit master files, and again as long as the downstream processing (mastering/mixing/pressing) is done well it can become a very engaging experience.

Depending on the type of music you listen to, you may/may not find much in the way of reissues, so to the used record store bins you must go....Best thing is just try to find as clean copies as you can. Engineers like Bob Ludwig, Greg Calbi, Doug Sax, George Peckham, Kevin Gray, Ted Jensen...I could go on.

Also look for the mastering house like Sterling, Masterdisk, The Mastering Lab and also overseas pressing plants like GZ Vinyl, Optimal Media GmbH, Pallas, all do excellent work with vinyl.

As far as will it surpass SACD/HiRez? That's for you to decide, me..I'm 98% vinyl.

Have fun!

[Maks]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

Apples and oranges. It has the potential to sound better, but there are many variables. The vinyl mastering may be different from the digital version of the same album. I have some sacd and downloads that sound better than the pressing I have, and vice versa.

Not to mention, your digital gear might outperform your analog rig, and vice versa.

Couldn't have said it better myself. For me even if a digital file did sound objectively superior I'd stick w/vinyl but that's just IMO. I rarely do digital music unless I'm traveling, it's just not as engaging to me.

[djwhog]

Get this one recorded very well and most of the greats from Peter Frampton

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....XL._SY355_.jpg

[essjay]

I have been sorting out a large classical selection from the 60 & 70's and to my ears, the standouts are;

DG, Decca, Phillips, HMV & some of the RCA pressings I have are very nice as well. Those first 3 listed labels are all generally very good.

[2fastdriving]

I just got the MOFI Rickie Lee Jones first album, and it's incredible! Highly recommended. But I think MOFI does all their albums really well and it's no surprise.

I also now have the Pink Floyd Animals remaster and I'm going to compare it with my older UK pressing.

[Weirdcuba]

I have that RLJ album and pressing. It's great.

[scirica]

Originally Posted by Weirdcuba

I have that RLJ album and pressing. It's great.

Same here...Love it! I also have an older pressing of Pirates that is very good and I've got the Mofi release on pre-order.