Why Audiophiles Are Paying $1000 For This Man's Vinyl

Tom Port's records are for people who have much more money than time. Looking over his records, the vast majority are records that are not very expensive to buy and relatively common, so he can buy multiple copies to test. Since he doesn't have access to the full range of stampers (and early or late in the run of a particular stamper), what I think you will get is the best of the sample of records that he has bought, but by no means are guaranteed to get the best pressings out there.

He may be correct that older issues are better than the new reissues, but many of the records (I speak here of classical of which I know much more) are in fact reissues of original pressings. They are also the only issues which are plentiful and cheap enough to find multiple copies to buy and test.

For his business model to work, he needs to claim very large differences in sonics for what others may hear as very small differences. He also needs to claim that modern reissues are inferior to his older copies. He, like so many other, did rightly claim that the original Classic Records reissues of the RCA Living Stereo's were not superior to the originals. I think that finally Chad has gotten these releases right, although I do like the 45RPM versions that Classics released. I would be very pleasantly surprised, no, shocked, if Port says that Chad's Living Stereo releases are equal or superior to those he sells.

The late Ronn Penndorf in Berkeley had a similar model, selling used records with specific stampers for very high prices, albeit generally not as high as Port's. One major difference was that Ronn would, unlike Port, publish the stamper information, so if you were a diligent vinyl hound, you might be able to find the same stamper at your local vinyl haunt. Of course, that meant the Ronn did not make the comfortable six figure income that Port does.

Larry
 
Astrotoy, you got it, time = money. Though, it would be nice if someone did some digital needle drops to see how they really sound.
 
I have bought from him once

He can't even grade vinyl correctly, let alone know what a hot stamper is
 
astrotoy said:
...The late Ronn Penndorf in Berkeley had a similar model, selling used records with specific stampers for very high prices, albeit generally not as high as Port's. One major difference was that Ronn would, unlike Port, publish the stamper information, so if you were a diligent vinyl hound, you might be able to find the same stamper at your local vinyl haunt. Of course, that meant the Ronn did not make the comfortable six figure income that Port does.

Larry
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Tom started better records around the time Bob Bantz (elusive disc) and Chad Kassem did. they were all friends when neither had the upper hand, they became rivals when Chad's business took off. Tom wound-down the MFSL/1/2 spd/D2D/Audiophile pressing biz about the time he acquired the remaining DCC stock that he liquidated over the following few years. later he turned to original pressings and coined the term "hot stamper" and a no-brainer business model (buy at $1 sell for $1000). Tom's home system was as infamous. when two of my friends paid him a visit, his hearing acuity (or lack thereof) came into question when they noticed his reference system included speakers with a blown tweeter. the rest of it was not what you'd call "audiophile grade" either, LOL.

Ron Pendorf is a name I haven't heard in ages. he published a newsletter my buddies would pass around for laughs, his audacity was legendary. In a similar vein, Albert ten brink in NY and Sandy Chase in LA (The Record collector) come to mind. want a good laugh, check out Sandy's yelp reviews this is one of his 'better' ones (keep in mind none of his inventory is priced):

"I was verbally attacked and kicked out of this store today despite being a customer of five years. My offense? I only wanted to buy one album because the other three that I brought to the counter were overpriced. I was respectful the entire time but the owner freaked out and called me a deceiver and fraud. He then forced me out of the building and told me to never return. Give your money to other shops that treat customers with respect and have better prices!"




 
Rob, thanks for the history. I met Chad back when he was just learning the business, but never met the other two, although I do buy regularly from Elusive Disc. Never bought from Tom Port or Ronn, whom I met in a couple of Bay Area gatherings.

I think I was in Record Collector once - on or near Melrose? and the old guy (Sandy?) was just about as unfriendly a person I would ever expect to meet doing retail. Nothing was out on display, so you had to know titles or artists or labels and catalogue numbers to even see the records.

There was a store in Sacramento on the K Street Mall which was very large and had a wide range of records. The classical included many rare records (RCA and Mercury Living Stereo and Presence) but with absurd prices. An old guy ran the store and he had one or more cats who had free range of the store. You would often see dried cat poop mixed in among the records. When he was gone, his assistants came up to me (I was working not too far away at the time - late '90's and would stop by at lunch hour). They said, if you see anything interesting bring them up to us when he is gone and we'll give you a good price on the records. I got some of my rare RCA and Mercuries that way.

Larry
 
I've known Chad since the days when his only business was buying and selling used LPs. I am so proud of him for what he has accomplished and grateful for what he has done for our hobby. I don't think anyone in the world today is pressing better LPs than what Chad is pressing. Long live Chad!
 
+1 with Mark.

My first meeting with Chad was at one of the early Stereophile or Absolute Sound shows in the Bay Area. I think at the time he had bought the inventory of remaindered Mobile Fidelity records. He was extremely modest, and so eager to learn about everything from anyone, like a sponge. I even remember his Louisiana accent. In addition to the great reissues and QRP pressings his recordings of old time blues singers was a bold move. Although that is not my kind of music, the Tape Project released one of the albums, "Little Hatch" which I think is one of the most realistic sounding albums that I have ever heard, and fun, besides.

Larry
 
I actually enjoyed this article. It was very balanced; usually, these things have an agenda to push...one way or another.

In fact...while it was an enjoyable read; I'm not really sure, what the point was...lol.
 
CDLehner said:
I actually enjoyed this article. It was very balanced; usually, these things have an agenda to push...one way or another.

In fact...while it was an enjoyable read; I'm not really sure, what the point was...lol.
Click to expand...

That someone is making a big profit on used records. Could mean there is more disposable income in consumers who support the Music/Hifi Industry.
 
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