It is 5 AM, Do you Know where Mikey Fremer is?

Mr. Fremer, have you had a chance to hear the new Audio Research Ref Phono 2? What did you think? I borrowed a Ref 2 for five days and it blew my socks off; awesome performance in every way!!! I am saving up for one now.

I've got about 1500 LPs, a collection assembled over a nearly 40 year period starting in and after college. I mentally divide my collection into two categories: those LPs I bought new when LPs were available by the bushel in "Record Stores" and those LPs I bought since the late 1980s/early 90s, which tend to be LPs I bought used or at boutique prices from the many companies that still make "new" pressings, usually by mail order. My collection is about 85% jazz; the remainder is roughly 60/40 classical and rock. I like to buy used LPs in Tokyo, when I am there visiting our son, because the condition of the LPs is generally impeccable. I refuse any longer to buy ANY LP that has a scratch or glitch in the surface. I don't and never did collect "to own"; I collect to listen. I don't give a darn about the condition of the jacket, as long as the LP itself is mint. I have recently noticed that I cannot reliably recall whether or not I already own a particular pressing, unless it's by an artist that I know is insufficiently represented in my collection or not represented at all. So once in a great while I buy an LP that I already own. This to me is a sign that I have "enough" LPs. There is such a wealth of wonderful music in my collection that I don't feel compelled to binge at yard sales or second hand stores. Nearly all LPs available at such venues would not fit my strict criteria for purchase.

The collection and preservation of vinyl is a completely harmless activity other than a tax on your wallet and living space (and maybe a stress on your marriage or living/romantic relationship).

If for nothing else, it keeps LPs from the past from being destroyed by those whom do not know or understand.

Think about it... Once upon a time, when consumer audio hardware went to solid state instead of tubes, people put exquisite tube equipment (and their exquisite tubes... think of little kids smashing BugleBoys and Teles for fun... yikes!) out to junk on the curb or in the trash... stuff many of us pay big money to own and use today.

The same is true for vinyl. People toss vinyl into yard and storage sales every weekend. Where it goes... no one knows... hopefully not to some DJ scratcher (no dissing intended)...

Even if you don't listen to it, so what? Even if you have duplicates, so what? You are the keeper, a librarian or custodian of this media, of a legacy that might easily transcend your collection and you. In all likelihood (at least I like to think so) someone else will be grateful for your care and diligence. jmo.

Hey, and Mikey is my hero, so leave-him-alone... knock-it-off!

:)

:) listening,

Ed

probably less than 1%.

those few are records I bought in lots, to get others, but for the most part I've given my 500+ records their deserved time on the platter.

Plus like many full time students part-time workers in college, I spent a disproportionate time listening to music than studying or working. Now that I'm based in the reality of 40-50 hr weeks at work, my consumption had dropped some. Maybe, I'll see this % rise, but I dont think so, I try to avoid having filler in my collection.

Good question. It turns out that Mikey's "in heavy rotation" concept describes what I've done for years. I thought I had about 2k records. Because of this thread I went to my collection and roughly counted 4K. Yet, there's about only 20 or so that are "in heavy rotation" at any one time. Those 20 do change and I do have my all time favorites (about 300). But 20 out of 4k at any one time? I probably wont live long enough to play all 4K. Still, I know I will find and still buy more. Strange hobby, but music is sooo gooood.