What are generally the best versions of vinyl records to buy?

Should I usually look for the oldest pressings to avoid anything digital? For example, I’m looking to buy some of Can’s early 70’s output and Delay 1968, and some Stevie Wonder records.

 

I would use the search function of the Music Corner section of the general forum here for your specifics. The earliest Can’s are probably going to be expensive and not necessarily the best sounding. The Stevie Wonder’s should be pretty affordable.

 

It’s really a case by case basis that requires a bit of homework. There are good reissues, they exist! Sometimes they’re even able to improve upon the original, and of course sometimes clean originals are hard to come by or prohibitively expensive.

 

The ones you can't find

 

Agreed. Some people will tolerate poor condition to get an original. I'd rather have a pristine reissue, if it's listenable. I'm listening to music up to 55 years old now, so mint copies must be hard to find.

 

It is all about if the reissue is mastered well using the original analog tapes imo.

 

old vinyl is tough to buy sight unseen, you just don't know where its been or how its been treated.

 

I hope you are very wealthy ...

 

ones that have been treated well