As a collector there have been times where I have bought an earlier version of a title, and you got the old LP mix/master on that transfer .Usually more tape hiss, and tape drop outs(especially the real popular titles) When replacing title for Remasters I tend to look for these things: 1: stereo-mono versions, original LP mixes verus 45 mixes that are substitiuted, bonus tracks from original recording session(s),original label re-releases vs. artist private label reissues, and the overall sound quality of the recording. And let's face it boys & girls the recording industy really did not do a very good job in producing, manufacturing, and archiving pop/rock music from the 50's-60's-70's and in some cases the 80's.
So caveat emptor.....