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Where do you buy your vinyl?

Just getting in to this hobby and have a small collection some bought from garage sales and more inherited, but I am beginning to understand the immense difference between a great recording and one that is just ok and as I look to build my collection further, I am thinking of buying some new/unused records. I am not looking for collectibles, only for high quality sound and I am interested in where the best places are and how to figure out which pressing to get.

Here are the outlets I know of so far:

Acoustic Sounds    https://store.acousticsounds.com/
In the Groove    https://www.theingroove.com/
popmarket    https://www.popmarket.com
The Sound of Vinyl    https://thesoundofvinyl.us/

Are there other good places to look? How do I distinguish between versions? Do some stores have better quality s.t. I can rely on them to stock the best copies?

saulh
juanmanuelfangioii
958 posts
 

Acoustic Sounds, Discogs, Jose Record, Amazon, Music Direct, Thrift Stores when traveling find all kinds of great stuff. 

lewm
12,603 posts
 

New vinyl from Music Direct, Acoustic Sounds, Tone Poet, etc.

Used vinyl from vendors that appear annually at the Capital Audio Fest, where I can personally inspect the LP before purchase.  Never from eBay unless I am "feeling lucky".  Or when I am in Tokyo visiting our son.  The major LP and CD stores in Tokyo are 100% honorable and the one I use, Disc Union, has a grading system.  Their A grade used LPs are like new; no need even to inspect them.  B grade are likewise usually impeccable, but I do look at them before purchase. Prices were high in Tokyo last time I was there, a year before the pandemic. I thought it odd that some LPs that would be cheap here are expensive there, and vice-versa.  Like Julie London or Chris Connor for $25 seemed high.

inna
7,251 posts
 

Getting records in Tokyo, now that's stylish. Disc Union, I'll remember, thank you.

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

EBay and Discogs! I am not afraid to pay less for a VG LP. These often sound as good as those selling for 2 or 3 times the price! Winning eBay auctions can be tricky! My best recent auction score was a German Atlantic pressing of Led Zeppelin 1 for $23.50 + $5 shipping and 7% sales tax, so about $29. Excellent condition for a 50+ year old LP - the cover had some damage.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,510 posts
 

All good suggestions. Another source can be a record label itself, if their artist roster is to your liking. Sign up for email notifications of new releases and label-wide sales, and of course order enough to qualify for free shipping if offered.

I'm signed up with all the audiophile online dealers for reissues (Acoustic Sounds and Speakers Corner two particular favorites), plus a number of labels whose new releases/artist roster are of musical interest to me (New West, Rep Roc, Acony). 

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