11. Don't bother. Digital generally offers a closer reproduction of what was on an analog master tape. And many LPs from new recordings are made from digital, not analog originals. If you still think LPs sound better, then you just like the type of distortion and frequency response limitations inherent to the LP.
I'm talking about .wav digital files from sources that are of CD quality or better, not .mp3s or other data-compressed digital sources. If the source is a CD, it will sound better if you transfer the data to a computer and play through a quality DAC. If you download .flac or other lossless format, transcode to .wav before listening.
And if you don't have a $5,000 turntable, this conversation is laughable. You just like distortion and big pretty record sleeves.
Well, yeah--not gonna lie. Vinyl takes up a shitload of space. That part is true. Still, you can build a pretty solid starter collection just trawling the bargain bins. Hell, I've been collecting for 30 years and I still manage to score $1 records once in awhile. There are deals out there if you're willing to get your fingers dusty!
Tom--Yours is very much the perspective of an audiophile, which I respect. You may be entirely correct about sound quality. I don't really know enough about it. It's not the reason I collect vinyl, nor the reason I'd encourage others to get into it.
I am both a lover of music and a hobbyist. I'm a collector of artifacts. I enjoy items with history, items that carry the patina of age, items that come from another time and place.
Vinyl scratches my historian's itch, gives me fossils to quest for and unearth in the wild. And of course, if I find something I'm looking for, I get to bring it home and spin it. I won't claim that vinyl sounds better than anything else, but it certainly feels better than anything else.
Fun post. As a longtime record collector, I agree with almost all of your suggestions, with two caveats:
1) "Always haggle" for price on a used LP - this may be valid at a record show or yard sale, however NOT at a brick-and-mortar record store, in my opinion. The overhead in running an operation like that can be a tough nut to crack, and we want to support these places so they stay in business, right? If the price of a used LP is too high for you, just pass on it. You'll always find another one. . .
2) I love discogs in general but have NOT had good luck buying records through the site. My main quibble is that the seller has to post discog's own generic image of the LP, so to see the actual item you're buying requires contacting the dealer for pics. Pain in the butt.
I far prefer Ebay for online buying, and here's a tip - if you see a set-priced used LP on Ebay you're interested in, click the 'watch' button and wait a day or so, and 90% of the time the seller will contact you with a discount offer.
Thanks Hugh! As a former used record store proprietor, I appreciate your caveats. It's true--I don't tend to haggle much in record stores, particularly when items are priced fairly. Record shows are another story altogether. I tend to think many dealers price in some wiggle room on the pricing based on the expectation of haggling.
11. Don't bother. Digital generally offers a closer reproduction of what was on an analog master tape. And many LPs from new recordings are made from digital, not analog originals. If you still think LPs sound better, then you just like the type of distortion and frequency response limitations inherent to the LP.
I'm talking about .wav digital files from sources that are of CD quality or better, not .mp3s or other data-compressed digital sources. If the source is a CD, it will sound better if you transfer the data to a computer and play through a quality DAC. If you download .flac or other lossless format, transcode to .wav before listening.
And if you don't have a $5,000 turntable, this conversation is laughable. You just like distortion and big pretty record sleeves.
You will also need access to a shed load of money for the purchases and the shelf space
Well, yeah--not gonna lie. Vinyl takes up a shitload of space. That part is true. Still, you can build a pretty solid starter collection just trawling the bargain bins. Hell, I've been collecting for 30 years and I still manage to score $1 records once in awhile. There are deals out there if you're willing to get your fingers dusty!
Tom--Yours is very much the perspective of an audiophile, which I respect. You may be entirely correct about sound quality. I don't really know enough about it. It's not the reason I collect vinyl, nor the reason I'd encourage others to get into it.
I am both a lover of music and a hobbyist. I'm a collector of artifacts. I enjoy items with history, items that carry the patina of age, items that come from another time and place.
Vinyl scratches my historian's itch, gives me fossils to quest for and unearth in the wild. And of course, if I find something I'm looking for, I get to bring it home and spin it. I won't claim that vinyl sounds better than anything else, but it certainly feels better than anything else.
Like King Tut's tomb.
When CDs came out in the 1980s, they sounded worse.
Fun post. As a longtime record collector, I agree with almost all of your suggestions, with two caveats:
1) "Always haggle" for price on a used LP - this may be valid at a record show or yard sale, however NOT at a brick-and-mortar record store, in my opinion. The overhead in running an operation like that can be a tough nut to crack, and we want to support these places so they stay in business, right? If the price of a used LP is too high for you, just pass on it. You'll always find another one. . .
2) I love discogs in general but have NOT had good luck buying records through the site. My main quibble is that the seller has to post discog's own generic image of the LP, so to see the actual item you're buying requires contacting the dealer for pics. Pain in the butt.
I far prefer Ebay for online buying, and here's a tip - if you see a set-priced used LP on Ebay you're interested in, click the 'watch' button and wait a day or so, and 90% of the time the seller will contact you with a discount offer.
Love those dollar bins! Happy crate-digging. . .
Thanks Hugh! As a former used record store proprietor, I appreciate your caveats. It's true--I don't tend to haggle much in record stores, particularly when items are priced fairly. Record shows are another story altogether. I tend to think many dealers price in some wiggle room on the pricing based on the expectation of haggling.
Absolutely!