Is Vinyl Even "Collectable" Anymore?

[The Toyroom]

Just got one of those USB Turntable Converters for X-Mas and I'm questioning why....I wanted one for ages but as I was setting it up I noticed the sound quality was horrible. Now it may be the player itself, I'm thinking about exchanging it for a better one. Or just getting my money back....

But as I was sorting through my tub of old LPs and the tub of old 45s I was hard-pressed to find SOMETHING that I didn't already have on CD or that I couldn't download with a click on iTunes. So why have I been keeping these things for years now?

And to make matters worse I acquired a huge stash of 45s when my grandmother passed away in '01...bunch of Dean Martin, Englebert Humperdink, Tony Bennett, etc. that I initially kept for collectible/sentimental reasons but again I'm now questioning why. It's not really my style of music and if I was so inclined to listen to it I'd just get a greatest hits CD and be done with it.

There's not even any outlets around anymore to sell these things to and eBay is out of the question...I'm not friggin' around with that nonsense....

[Joe90]

Many people argue that vinyl sounds better -- or "more organic" whatever that means. They claim CD's are too shrill sounding. I've never really noticed a difference. I never listen to vinyl any more.

I had a HK system back in the 1970's (still have it packed away) and I discovered that if you cranked up the bass all the way, the bass speaker would pulse like a heartbeat. Could the preference for vinyl be because we unconsciously find subsonic sound waves comforting?

[wayne foundation 07]

There is a record store about 45 mins. from us called Flip Side,they have a ton of vinyl.Its a huge store selling all types of music.Any time we stop there is always a lot of people there.

[Cmonster]

Many people argue that vinyl sounds better -- or "more organic" whatever that means. They claim CD's are too shrill sounding.

There really is no "argument". Vinyl sounds infinitely better. The acoustic range is immeasurable and the organic nature of the way records were recorded, produces far better sound quality than your standard, off the shelf, CD. The sound quality Anthony is having problems with, are probably the condition of the records themselves. That's what produces the hissing and popping most people complain about when they listen to vinyl. Brand new, fresh, out of the cello, records, sound pretty much flawless on the right equipment.

SC

[Mikey]

Here's a great example of how good vinyl can sound with the right equipment.

Note ... The cut out "one, two, three" is proof this is really the record playing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1umE...eature=related

m

[HardyGirl]

I like the popping, cracking and hissing...it shows that the record has history. I also like the physicality of the records; the grooves, moving the needle, the album cover, and whatever came w/ it like lyric sheets, liner notes, posters and iron-ons. Even the old "turn the record over" prompt on some of my old kiddie records. I guess since I play records more, and not a lot of CDs, I'm just into what they mean to me. CDs don't mean anything, that is, they have no history or sentimental value.

[megoat]

I love records because I LOVE the format, they aren't for everyone that's for sure. I've been collecting since I was a child.

As someone who buys and sells records actively--valuable records are generally based on two basic criteria--supply/demand and condition. Humperdink, Dean Martin and Tony Bennett are generally not the sorts of records that are in high demand. And in lesser condition they are pretty much good for the landfill.

I buy collections every week--most peoples' family and personal collections mainly consist of hits and popular artists--records that sold in the millions. They generally have little value, especially when in rough condition. However, some classic titles in clean condition routinely sell in the 15 to 25 dollar range--stuff like beatles, dylan, stones, led zep etc etc. But remember this is for stuff that is CLEAN.

Most of the real action in record collecting is in the obscurities. Stuff that average folk have never heard of. Punk, Psychedelia, Rockabilly, Soul, Garage, Funk, Jazz etc etc all have super active collecting circles where rarities are traded daily for 100's if not 1000's of dollars.

So to answer your question--yes vinyl is still actively collected and there are many many valuable records out there. It's a super fun hobby and exciting discoveries are made all the time!

[Joe90]

There really is no "argument". Vinyl sounds infinitely better. The acoustic range is immeasurable...

So are you saying that the acoustic range of analog equipment is broader than digital equipment?

... and the organic nature of the way records were recorded, produces far better sound quality than your standard, off the shelf, CD.

In which ways were the records recorded more organically?

[Bill]

Paging Blue Meanie...

I prefer vinyl because of the memories mostly, but I do like the way an album was put together, A side, B side and filler, as opposed to sixteen tracks and a buncha extras on a CD. CDs also seem to be recorded or produced with the sound turned up to ten most of the time, it subtle, but I notice the difference.
I still have a nice pile of original punk and post punk from my teen years and have been actively replacing the things that I miss. With a few exceptions vinyl is much more affordable these days than it was twenty years ago. Original Misfits singles are now priced in the thousands instead of the hundreds, but it was unaffordable then so it's not like I'm missing out on much. There are a few early 90's labels that are pricey, but most anything can be had for under $50, and many of those are under $15, only a few times have I had to pay more that $30 for an album.
So yes, some vinyl is still collectible. A friend of mine manages a mall music store, FYE. He has brought back vinyl to the mall, and has even started to dabble in used stuff for the store.

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

There's a good size market out there yet. A lot of new stuff comes out on LP; and you can get NEW turntables. (But you gotta look.) Funny thing, a lot of new turntables use vaccum tubes. They're MODERN tubes, but vactubes noneteless. Supposedly they have better resonnance and you get richer sound.

Don C.

[megoat]

Hmmmm....

There's a good size market out there yet. A lot of new stuff comes out on LP; and you can get NEW turntables. (But you gotta look.) Funny thing, a lot of new turntables use vaccum tubes. They're MODERN tubes, but vactubes noneteless. Supposedly they have better resonnance and you get richer sound.

Don C.

I don't believe I've ever heard of a tube powered turntable. Tube enthusiasts are generally passionate about tube amps and preamps. They tend to have warmer sound and they look so darn cool! I've owned quite a few but am currently rocking a solid state amp and preamp set up....

[The Toyroom]

The sound quality Anthony is having problems with, are probably the condition of the records themselves. That's what produces the hissing and popping most people complain about when they listen to vinyl. Brand new, fresh, out of the cello, records, sound pretty much flawless on the right equipment.

Well, yes and no...the pops and hisses and cracks I really don't mind. In fact, some of the albums and 45s were in prestine condition and they still sounded like crap. What I think it is, is that there is no volume control, bass, treble, etc. on the actual turntable as it plugs into my laptop...So the sound that's being input is VERY loud and annoying. I'm not too knowledgable about this conversion process but that's my guess.

My mom has a more expensive console-style converter that also does radio and cassette tape. It burns directly to CD and there's no laptop involved. Which is fine but I'd rather have my stuff on my iPod than CD at this point. She got her's for X-Mas also and I set it up for her...we burned an album and it sounded perfect...Not loud and obnoxious like mine seems to be.

That's why I'm thinking if I get one instead of a refund I'd be better off with a more expensive one with volume controls.

[jwyblejr]

Just got one of those USB Turntable Converters for X-Mas and I'm questioning why....I wanted one for ages but as I was setting it up I noticed the sound quality was horrible. Now it may be the player itself, I'm thinking about exchanging it for a better one. Or just getting my money back....

But as I was sorting through my tub of old LPs and the tub of old 45s I was hard-pressed to find SOMETHING that I didn't already have on CD or that I couldn't download with a click on iTunes. So why have I been keeping these things for years now?

And to make matters worse I acquired a huge stash of 45s when my grandmother passed away in '01...bunch of Dean Martin, Englebert Humperdink, Tony Bennett, etc. that I initially kept for collectible/sentimental reasons but again I'm now questioning why. It's not really my style of music and if I was so inclined to listen to it I'd just get a greatest hits CD and be done with it.

There's not even any outlets around anymore to sell these things to and eBay is out of the question...I'm not friggin' around with that nonsense....

What about Off Center Records in Utica? Are they still around?

[The Toyroom]

What about Off Center Records in Utica? Are they still around?

I never even knew there was such a place...

[wolfie]

anything is only collectable if someone wants to buy it.

How's that for stating the obvious.