2. analog
  3. 183949-99308

Admitting my error…

Admitting my error of some years ago, when downsizing residences I sold my 1500 lps (my father’s, uncle’s and my collection :) because, of course nearly everything is available digitally, I am considering getting back into vinyl. Kit-wise I’m looking at Dr. Feikert Venti/J Sikora Initial TT level - full kit approx $15k including phonostage.

The Joseph Audio/Doshi/Aurender/J Sikora room at AXPONA simply blew me away. Switching between amazing digital and uber-rich and detailed analog, I kept returning to the room like the sweets table at a Bar Mitzvah. I understand that at $250K the rig was 2x’s mine (Pathos Heritage/Tannoy Kensignton/Innuous MK3/Phoenix USB/NET/Chord HSM/DAVE w/ SJ DC4 ARC6 lpsu. But still the character of the vinyl sound was utterly entrancing.

My question: If I go this route, I’d like to "restock" my collection to some extent by purchasing a reasonably sized vinyl lot, then add selectively over time. Any recommendations as to lot purchasing? ("Don’t do it!" is an acceptable recommendation.)

TIA

 

 
 
 

128x128cantorgale
mahler123
3,389 posts
 

It might depend upon your tastes, right?  If Led Zeppelin is your forte you might not be excited by a complete Montovani collection.  The music should come first, regardless of the medium.

 If it's just having lps for the sake of having lps, be aware that many current (expensive) reissues use digital files due to deterioration in master tapes from earlier years.  So if keeping it all analog, all the time, is important, I wouldn't buy any of these reissues unless they come a site that specifies they don't use digital files, and isn't being cute and misleading about it.  So I would be looking to acquire ups issued before 1990 or so, and expect to receive them in all kinds of condition.

cantorgale's avatar
cantorgale OP
157 posts
 

Thanks, all. Some wise words here.  

fbgbill's avatar
fbgbill
307 posts
 

I got out of vinyl in the late 80's and sold / traded everything. Of course it was a mistake. After retirement I decided to get back into vinyl a couple of years ago and would buy a select collection of albums let's say 75 to 100 that I really enjoyed back then. That was 300 albums ago....! Oh well it is a lot of fun searching for that hard to find album I want. I do not stream BTW.

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 

@cantorgale , that is exactly the advice I give to vinyl newbies. Do not start a record collection with one or two records at a time. You wind up playing the new records over and over building a collection of worn records. Start by buying 50 or so records then add a few at a time. It is much harder to wear out 50 records. You build a collection of pristine records. Buying that many records you may be able to strike a deal with a vendor. 

grislybutter
3,304 posts
 

I should add: I looked at a lot of lots and they have one potential: to keep the good ones an sell the rest on ebay. Unfortunately most of them are just a collection of $1 records because they already picked out the good ones and sold them on ebay for $20 each.

More to discover