Is heavy vinyl worth it?

Yes.

The special pressing with heavy vinyl are better for us. Matering from Dcc (vinyl) and others is even more important. But your mileage may vary. :)

Al

IMO, the weight of the vinyl isn't much of a determining factor, and the extra-heavy audiophile pressings may be better because of their vinyl stock quality, and the mastering and pressing care that's taken, but the actual thickness of the record doesn't have much to do with it. I feel the extra weight is mostly a marketing tool, and can interfere with effective clamping, not to mention the inconvenience of readjusting VTA should you feel the need. Standard weight is fine by me.

Original German records are quite light but always sound great and almost as quiet as Japanese.Quality of the vinyl is most important.I don't buy reissues at all, so can't compare that.

On page 146 of issue 24 of HiFi+ there's a record review in which the reviewer states:

"Old Decca engineers have down the years been at pains to explain to me that the optimum vinyl weight is anywhere between 140g and 160g. Above this and the vinyl is tehcnically more difficult to work with."

Just something else to consider.

It's only worth it if you can hear the difference!