Where do you get your vinyl from

dlb2

dlb2

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So I've decided to get back into vinyl and I'm wondering where everyone picks theirs up from. I have a great used record shop in my town which is a huge help, but as far as new stuff what retailers are out there? I do know of a couple online places but I'm hoping to be enlightened by those vinyl connoisseurs that we have here.

I lost all of my vinyl to two basement floods some 20 years ago so I have to start from scratch. It's been just as long since I've bought a record so I'm sure things have changed a bit there as well. I'm also curious about what to look for in terms of the best quality pieces. Are there warning signs to alert you as to whether or not you're getting a true analog pressing. I've heard stories of vinyl that has been pressed from digital masters. Is this a problem or just a sign of the times?

It will be a couple of months before I get my vinyl system in place. Things sure have changed since my vinyl days. Everything seems so much more complicated. No longer do you plug a turntable into the receiver and you're ready to roll. Now there are different arms that can be selected, a million cartridges to choose from, different types of phono cables, and now days it seems that you need something called a phono stage. Computer audio is so much simpler!

Thanks for everyones suggestions.
 
AudioNut said:
And, these are the places where I get new records although I seldom find need to buy many these days. No more room to store the things. And, if I play two records a day, it will take me over 18 years to play the ones I already own - so I guess I don't need too many more! :rolleyes:
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Thanks for your posts Julian. I don't think many of us "need" all these things we have, but they sure make life more fun and enjoyable.
 
dlb2 said:
Thanks for your posts Julian. I don't think many of us "need" all these things we have, but they sure make life more fun and enjoyable.
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I buy new LP's from Soundstage Direct as Seth's minimum for free shipping is $29.99 as opposed to the $75 and $99 of the other two major online independents. I also buy from some of Amazon's independent dealers as they sometimes still have new LP's that the other vendors do not. If I am going to buy AS's own titles I wait until I have enough in the cart for the free shipping before I order. Also to Mike, Seth might be willing to give this site a discount code for purchase like he has at A'gon and Audiokarma.
 
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Jack said:
I buy new LP's from Soundstage Direct as Seth's minimum for free shipping is $29.99 as opposed to the $75 and $99 of the other two major online independents. I also buy from some of Amazon's independent dealers as they sometimes still have new LP's that the other vendors do not. If I am going to buy AS's own titles I wait until I have enough in the cart for the free shipping before I order. Also to Mike, Seth might be willing to give this site a discount code for purchase like he has at A'gon and Audiokarma.
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Thanks Jack,

Welcome to Audioshark. Thanks for joining.
 
Great info in this thread. I use most of those mentioned.
Soundstage direct. Elusive disc. Acoustic sounds.
I also use records by mail and have got a few real nice mint condition original pressings from there. Most of my vinyl comes from Princeton record exchange.
And this new place audiophilia Jeff w has brought to our attention will be used in the near future I'm sure.
 
Grimeys Music (Nashville), The Great Escape (Nashville), Phonoluxe (Nashville), Ernest Tubb Record Shop (Nashville), Acoustic Sounds, Music Direct...

Dave
 
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Doug...Julian's post excellently covers the channels to acquire used records (I would morbidly add estate sales although I have never been to one). A good local used record store is a great source. Get to know the owner well and let him know what you're on the look out for and that will be a great avenue. As for new:

Acoustic Sounds
Music Direct
Elusive Disc
Amazon

are the online retailers I deal with but Amazon's LP packaging sucks so higher likelihood you will get warped LPs from insufficient packaging protection. Also, there may be local record store chains that sell both new and used (up in Boston area, we have a chain called Newbury Comics that sells new and used LPs, CDs, etc...).

As to your question about an easy way to figure out the quality of the recording/mastering and source (digital vs. analog tapes), there is no easy way except to research it online. Often the online retailers mentioned above will mention if mastering is done from analog tapes. Also check out record reviews from Music Angle (Michael Fremer's web site which may now have been folded into his Analog Planet web site), and Stereophile, the Absolute Sound, and TheAudioBeat.com all have good album review sections where they will often talk about the source tapes, recording and mastering quality etc...

Hope this helps.
 
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Doug, I think you will really enjoy your re-entry into the vinyl world. Everybody above has given you good advice. I will add that when I buy new records including past titles that are being re-issued, that you can't go wrong buying any titles being released by Acoustic Sounds. They own their own record pressing plant called Quality Record Pressings. Records pressed by them are some of the best vinyl records I have ever heard,super quiet and great sound quality.
I also like to buy re-issues that have been remastered by Bernie Grundman, I think he does a superb job mastering older titles. Also, RTI presses good quality records, and Mobile Fidelity also does some fantastic re-issues.

Most of all,have fun !! And get yourself a good record cleaning machine !!
 
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