The insane resurgence of vinyl records

[DGUtley]

The insane resurgence of vinyl records

Vinyl has reclaimed its throne as the most-popular physical music format. But can the industry meet the demand?

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https://thehustle.co/the-insane-resu...vinyl-records/

[The Booman]

I probably account for half the demand. Prices are really exploding.

[Standing Wolf]

I had to take a detour to get to the post office yesterday, along I street I normally never go on, and I noticed a little sign saying "VINYL RECORDS" and an arrow, so on the way back I stopped in to this place called "The Vinyl Dude". It was a very small shop, but in back of the shop was a HUGE storage area filled with vinyl records. Elvis, the owner - no, it wasn't that Elvis - told me they do almost all their business online.

It was fun looking around. The first thing I happened to see, in a display of '45s, was a copy of Cheech and Chong's 'Sister Mary Elephant' ("SHUT UP!!") bit on a single. The albums I looked at ranged in price from just a few dollars to a hundred or more, and I'm sure they had even higher-priced stuff in the back.

I did stump them, though. I asked Elvis if he had any Fugs albums (like 'The Belle of Avenue A' or 'Golden Filth') and he checked his inventory files and came up empty. He told me that there are certain bands that buyers will snap up literally within a few minutes of the records being posted - a lot of them in Scandinavia.

I still have several hundred vinyl records from my misspent youth and do buy more occasionally. I also inherited a box of them from my sister a few months ago. My youngest son is thirty and has been collecting vinyl since he was a young teenager. (For awhile there he was really into those groups that put out a really cacophonous sound with a lead "singer" who sounds like Satan having a bad day, but I'm pretty sure he's past that phase now.)

[RMNIXON]

I still have a fairly good sized vinal collection only because I could not bring myself to part with it when converting to CD's in the 90's. Some might be worth some real money but I don't want to sell.


It also reminds me of the simple pleasure of shopping for records and choosing with care on a limited budget. Kids these days don't know what it is to feel that you own music in your own hands. I was also a frequent visitor to the Recycled Records store in Hermosa Beach Ca. They put stickers over records that had a "Not for Resale" Warning because they were made for radio DJ's and promotional use only. I probably have a few of those even now.

[DGUtley]

Are turntables available again?

[Standing Wolf]

Are turntables available again?

I'm sure they are, though of course the big electronics sellers are not going to be offering them - at least not yet. I've still got two that work. They're nothing expensive, like my kid has, but they work.

Back in the '70s I remember walking through an antique store in California and seeing a 1950's German-made console stereo - beautifully crafted, in mint condition, and they'd even wrapped the whole thing in plastic to keep it perfect. It was priced at $500, which at the time was WAY out of my budgetary range. What I wouldn't pay for it now.

EDIT: I stand corrected. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/cd-play...d=abcat0202007

[gamewell45]

I'm an avid record collector with close to an estimated quarter million music selections in my music library ranging from LP's, 78's, 45's, 16 inch transcriptions, CD's, audio tape and digital files.

There is a huge difference for many people between digital and analogue sound. When you listen to digital audio you are hearing it in its most purest form which is good news for the audio enthusiast however when you listen to analogue audio you are listening to audio that has a little touch of distortion in it and tests have found that the human ear finds just a touch of distortion to be most pleasurable to listen to (another reason why tubes are coming back in popularity as well since they produce a little distortion).

Another distinct difference is in the quality of vinyl and how it was recorded. Columbia records traditionally recorded their records on cheap, thick vinyl at high modulation rates and hence the audio was "loud" compared to other record companies. RCA recorded their records on a much thinner, lower modulation (aka as "Dyna Flex") which gave them a much more "quieter" sound when played back. The old Dyna Flex records could literally be bent in half without breaking or snapping in two.

There are several companies who still manufacture turntables; I'd recommend direct drive as opposed to idler wheels since there are no moving parts to wear out long term. Likewise using a nice diamond stylus as opposed to a sapphire one is much more preferable since it is easier on your records. I use a Stanton 500E cartridge/stylus (general purpose) package for my listening pleasure.

Can the industry meet the demands? I think it would depend on how great the demand is and the industry's ability to meet the demand is (acquiring vinyl, parts to construct the turntables since almost all the parts are manufactured out of country, etc). Only time will tell in this case.

[Abby08]

Are turntables available again?

That's what I need, I have a lot of albums but, I no longer have a turn table.

[The Booman]

Are turntables available again?

They always have been and today's tables have USB ports and software to transfer vinyl to the computer and remove any noise. There are also high end manufacturers like Thorens who can charge eye watering sums. I have a mid range Thorens. Expensive but worth it.

[Captdon]

Are turntables available again?

Sure are.