If.....

[MusicDirector]

look at it a different way, the best reissues are 30-50 bucks ea. or an average of around 40. divide that into ten grand and its only 250 records. if you aspire to 2000 recordings that's almost $90k. and its not just new vinyl but used, OOP collectible LPs that will easily set you back by the same amount.

today, if you were exclusively digital and were fluent in computer audio you'd never have to pay for it - your dollars will go m-u-c-h farther in audio if the music were free. that said, i know vinyl 'collectors' that almost NEVER pay more than 2,3 or 5 bucks a used record and if they can get it free they'll drive 500 miles for it (i have friend that does this). These guys abide by a unique code of ethics as if paying high prices for LPs is like paying for sex - never, not happening.

So the choice is yours but if i were a betting man, you're going to go for the good stuff so start saving your shekels now.

Hmm, I buy used always, but I'm not like you describe, I have my limits. I like trying to find the stuff I listen to on pressings from back in the day around the time they were first released. For me it's fun. (Not saying I have not run into those types, I have many times).
Then again, I'm not a collector. I purchase to listen and have in my little library, that's it. I am of the belief that records are for playing and nothing else. I could care less about rarity, collector value, etc.

"Free" music via computer, streaming, radio, etc. is no bargain in my mind. With radio it's hardly any music anyway, mostly ads. With Streaming or downloads it's compressed (lossy), so much that the life has been squeezed out of it and you lose lots of dynamics. Once you create a lossy file, whatever was lost in the process is not going to come back no matter what you do.
I'm not down on streaming, it has a place in my world just as CDs do and I do appreciate the access we have to music on the interwebs and such. I have a Spotify account and such myself, but I use it for casual listening or background and for research in my case, but I just don't get a level of pleasure in seriously listening to it like I do with a good clean vinyl record.
That being said I also do make a "lossless digital copy" of some of my vinyl records for archiving purposes and mobility. It may not sound quite as lively or what have you to my ears, but it's far better than nothing should something happen to the vinyl copy.

Just my opinion and personal quirks though.

 

[asindc]

Yes, absolutely!! Very good advice.

My collection at 400+/- is not anywhere near the size of anyone else's here, but I had to get a database to keep track. The thing that prompted me to do that was purchasing a few duplicates unintentionally. Of course, developing a touch of OCD because I listen to vinyl, I shortly discovered that I like working with my database, it's almost fun because it's very detailed.

Which database do you use? I'm at about 300 (and counting) and I've been thinking of doing the same.

 

[MusicDirector]

Which database do you use? I'm at about 300 (and counting) and I've been thinking of doing the same.

I use Music Collectorz. I really like it, but that's just me.
I was going to do my own spreadsheet or even set something up in MS Access, but Music Collectorz was easier and at the end of the day, less costly from a labor standpoint.