I had a couple of Classics, then sold them. Overall I am not happy with current vinyl production, no matter how much effort has been put into them. I look at Hoffman's forums and read them with a grain of salt. I think he's all right, but there has developed a culture of audiophiles who have become to obsessed with the "purity" of sound, rather than listening to the music. Noise factor is one. How dead quiet can one expect these to be? I can still find old records, still sealed, open them, clean them (does any one clean their records before playing? In distilled water?) and have the faintest of noise. I am not putting down anyone who is buying the stuff -- I think it is reasonable to purchase a Classics lp rather than hunting for a 1st pressing. But talking about 180 vs 200 g, where they are pressed, etc. Yikes!
Plus, I fail to see how people can dismiss Chuck's insights -- who has been in the business for 30+ years.