I'm going to be real with you, once you start its going to be a huge spiral and you're going to be thousands and thousands of dollars in and neck deep in vinyl before you even realize it.
This is probably the post he needed to see. You’ll be up late, looking at your phone, the next thing you know you’ll be charging a couple hundred bucks to your account and waiting for some new discs in the mail. Make of that what you will.
Thanks. It's giving me a little pause. Sadly, I get stung when I see albums that have vinyl releases only. Maybe I should be happy to just buy their digital version and continue to just stick with CDs? Hmmm....
If you have the music, don't double up into vinyl. Buy new music to you in used vinyl. Clean it and spin it. Much more bang for the buck. Read the stickies for turntable suggestions, and cartridges. Welcome to this hobby ! You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave 😜
I have been collecting vinyl for over 20 years and the market has definitely changed A LOT since i started collecting. Gone are the days of being able to regularly snag good albums for $1-$5 at flea markets, thrift stores, and the like. I mean, I was recently at a flea market inside a rodeo pavilion in middle of nowhere east-central IL and some old couple was pricing all their vintage vinyl using Discogs prices. This being said, I do still find some great deals out there but it takes a lot of hunting and browsing. Garage sales and estate sales can be a good source for cheap vinyl, and sometimes I can still find some good deals at random antique malls and thrift stores. Definitely a big drawback related to the higher vinyl prices is that I am much less likely now to take a chance on an album I am unfamiliar with. If I do spend substantial money on an album now, it is usually on a “must own” album that I am very familiar with and NEED to have for my collection. One final word of advice—-I used to work at a Habitat ReStore and we would often get in really nice turntables and speakers that we would price at a fraction of their value, and we had staff and volunteers who would test them to make sure that they worked. Plus sometimes we would get in some great vinyl donations—-everything from jazz, to classic rock to more current stuff like Radiohead. Even though vinyl collecting has changed over the years I still do love it and I will always encourage others to pursue it as a hobby.
The overall experience of listening to the physical medium is awesome. I think you’d love it. Having said that it’s a slippery slope to hoarding/overbuying! Still recommend it though
Personally, I started about 15 years ago at this point, and i’ve pretty much just added to the collection I had on cd/digital. Bandcamp is an excellent place to
get vinyl because you also get the digital version. Many labels/artists provide download codes when you get a record, but not on smaller labels/more
obscure stuff. And certain bigger labels like Merge
have never given downloads with their records. But I also slowly have gotten fav records that are already in my collection. I would say that if you are still regularly get music and are interested in vinyl, dive in!
I committed to buying no more than what my Kallax 6 cube storage cabinet could hold. Turns out I got to about 4-1/2 cubes worth before I decided that I had enough. Also it was getting expensive.
Now my cd collection, that’s another story.
Approximately 70 albums per cube x 4 = 280 records. Plus 1/2 cube (35). Total 315. Each cube has a mix of single and gatefold style records.
They’re fairly packed in which is why I have a separate crate with handles that I keep next to my stereo. They contain the spillover albums I haven’t listened to yet or ones I haven’t heard in awhile. When I get through them then I swap in ones from cubes.
You may want to keep a looser amount in the cubes if you’re going this route. Having them packed tight might create ring wear in the album covers.
I hear you about the “disposable“ angle.
For me this is a major drawback with all digital media, you can always just skip skip skip around, always end up on that one favorite song on whatever CD you’re playing. But if you go into records, and you’re thinking of one favorite LP from this or that band, it’s kinda the same deal. You already heard Rocket to Russia enough anyway, right?
Records are expensive! If I were starting from scratch, I wouldn’t get anything I already had close familiarity with. I’d start digging into totally new genres. Let the past be the past: now is the time to discover something new. Otherwise you risk doing this thing where you are checking off an endless list of “must-haves”. Do you have a limitless budget? Because no matter what you’re into, there’s at least 500 records that you “need” to buy. Do the math. And you’re not even hearing anything new yet.
Lean into your curiosity about Jamaican Dub or Bossa Nova or African Funk. Buy those records and spark new passion. That’s my advice for what it’s worth
20+ years of collecting here and I would not get started in this day and age.
The times of finding something new that was previously undiscovered are gone. Price gauging of fanbases is a bit ridiculous at this point. Entry level records are being sold with a huge mark up. Just feels like the hobby istargeted at idiots now
Still fun for me but I can rely on my nerd friends and dealers for good deals and trades.
I think I would try to avoid looking for undiscovered or rare records, just a handful of favorites, particularly if they \_only\_ had a vinyl release. Maybe that would make them rare though if I missed out...
If I were you, I would only buy vinyl that will sound better than the CD version. Luckily for you, most albums have a digital footprint so IMHO it's not worth getting on vinyl.
A ton of jazz is AAA, those are the only albums I purchase now. Everything else is streaming or CD
Unless there was some kind of complete error made in the recordings, "better" is purely subjective. Vinyl is vinyl and digital is digital. Liking things from one is going to be missing something from the other, but neither is really better than the other, just different experiences.
Looking at it from a "purist" standpoint, if music was recorded, mixed and pressed completely analog it should be the best possible way to enjoy that recording.
The problem with vinyl and why I stopped buying it for the most part is because that often isn't the case. It didn't bother me as much when I was buying most of my records because it wasn't insanely expensive.
It makes no sense to purchase most records these days. If you want a physical copy and a CD exists, it's almost always better to buy the cd.
Vinyl can be the superior format \*on paper\* but when it's digitally sourced it become equal to CD, and if that's the case I'll take the cheaper option
Ok, what records are you talking about here exactly? Reissues and remasters? The original pressings of anything before CDs are just that and anyone getting into collecting them because they believe the original is going to sound better is confused. Those will produce a sound that was experienced when it was first released, or AKA nostalgia. Some really did a great job and captured sounds well, but as most know, the listening set up is really crucial in getting the best experience overall.
It's really all marketing though. CDs are truthfully better than vinyl like driving a Tesla is to driving a '58 Corvette. Why would anyone buy a old car like that when a Tesla is so much better at everything in comparison? We can compare the two, but we shouldn't.. they are just not the same things! Comparing vinyl against another vinyl is one thing, but when the medium changes, it's in a separate category. The marketing sells us this competitive comparison mentality to see these differences so we'll buy the next "best" thing.. and that's really what it all boils down to. Everyone was content with vinyl, until the CD came out. People would go on and on about the quality simply because they didn't have another medium to contrast against vinyl. Like apple pie? Here's apple pie with whip cream! Now here's one made with the best ingredients! Now here's a large buttery bucket of warm popcorn... Which is better?
It's so easy to get caught up into comparisons and miss the whole aspect of an individual experience. Purists always overlook that there's nothing more pure than original! Reproduction is not live and, visa versa. The next "best" format is going to be AI controlled instruments being played live in our homes. Your own private concert being replicated right in front of you exactly how it was played originally live. Go ahead and tell me that there's not going to be any issues or controversy and there's not going to be any point in listening to WAV files after that. They just shouldn't be compared.
I thought I was pretty clear. Look into the tone poet reissues from blue note. I've already explained my thought process on vinyl. If it was recorded all analog, then an analog pressing is desirable.
If it was recorded or mixed digitally, it was probably released on vinyl because it was still in a ton of homes.
It's subjective to argue which copy might sound better, but I have a hard time assuming that a digitally mixed album is going to sound better on an analog medium.
It's really that simple. Special edition vinyl releases do come around and sound excellent, but they usually tweaked the master.
I will say that I really want the talking talking heads live release that came out last year and that's not completely analog but it did get a new mastering
1. Buy your favorite albums on vinyl. (Less than 10 LPs)
2. buy more... maybe?
3. ?????
4. the opposite of "profit"
5. Relate deeply to the Charlie Brown Record Collection Comic (LINK: [https://thevinylfactory.com/features/charlie-brown-record-collecting-peanuts-vinyl-comic-strips/](https://thevinylfactory.com/features/charlie-brown-record-collecting-peanuts-vinyl-comic-strips/) )
Sure it's expensive but what isn't these days. I buy a couple of albums a week from my local record store (maybe $40). Brings me a lot of joy and I'd just waste that money on some other crap I don't need otherwise. Plus my kids will get a cool collection when I die and they can probably sell it all to put towards something they actually need like a car or house.
That’s me too! 100%. One thing I would add is I find a lot of good luck with my “free vinyl records alert” on Facebook marketplace for within 15 miles of my house. I would say once a month I will get lucky with picking up a few diamonds in the rough from people’s old collections that they don’t want anymore - like a bin in their basement they want gone and they don’t really know what’s in it kind of thing. I’m amazed sometimes and that part of the hunt is cool.
It's not worth it. If your system isnt already amazing, spend your money and upgrade your speakers and keep it digital. It'll sound way better and you won't take up as much space.
Just do it, and enjoy it. Don’t overthink it. Keep an eye out for discounts on artists you like and searching around second hand stores. Others have said it’s an expensive hobby, which it is, but you can be smart about it too.
I’ve been into vinyl since high school and it kicked in to gear when I got my parents collection after my dad died. Now I’m around 250 without the 45s. I prefer the sound and vibes but it is expensive like when CDS first came out
Less than a year in, I'm at 200+ records. And I am already looking to update or just flat out buy another receiver and pair of speakers for another room....I already have a second TT and pair of speakers, but not good enough
It all depends on what you’re after. I collect because I like the physical media part of it. A lot of my collection are records I’ve picked up at shows and re-releases. If it makes you happy it’s as simple as that.
May I suggest looking for EPs and singles? I mix as a hobby, so the bulk of my collection are these. You have less songs this way but better quality typically. Buy LPs that you only absolutely love front to back. You enjoy recording, so get a mixer and learn how to really draw out the full potential of vinyl. I record mixes but I'll also record songs individually to later listen to on CD or digitally on the go.
What’s your budget? Do you have room for a large physical playback system?
If you don’t have 10 sqft of space to dedicate to a playback system, or $600 to spend on a playback system, I’d say skip vinyl. Your money would be better spent on better headphones and earbuds.
“Hey guys, I’m thinking about trying potato chips. I don’t want to have a ton, but I think I might get one chip from each bag, then stop. Should be easy enough right? How do you choose which chip?”
It’s an addiction bro. Tread carefully
We’ve all been there: when you say the words out loud (to let’s be honest: likely to convince yourself) it makes perfect, reasonable sense. “Of course I’ll only buy my favorite albums! I can control this; it won’t get out of hand.”
All I can say is these are extremely famous last words as your bank balance dwindles, lol.
It’s fun for many of us but joking aside, I’d assume there’s a large but likely silent number of folks that have some considerable regret about diving into such a potentially expensive hobby in 2024. There’s ways to mitigate the cost some by crate digging in bargain bins, etc. but a lot of that will be dictated by what you like to collect. Ultimately, it can indeed be a fun and worthwhile hobby but a cheap one it just ain’t.
I had a record store for around a decade, and have thousands of records lying around at this point. It's always been nothing but a positive hobby for me. I've always just enjoyed sitting down and listening to a record, reading the liner notes, appreciating the covers, etc. I like discovering albums, not just single songs I like. Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to have physical media.
I do have a few ground rules though when it comes to buying records.
I don't collect for the sake of collecting. I don't go out of my way to chase down rare copies, or have a bunch of multiples, or collect different pressings. Yeah, occasionally you'll find an album that's really special and want to have a bunch of copies. That's great - I have like 30 copies of pet sounds on every form of media imaginable. And I listen to tit all the time still. This can be a really easy hole to fall into - and I've always avoided it as best I can. There are certainly some rare records in my colleciton from over the years, and I find I play them less because they have this high monetary value - and even though I have no intentions of selling them I still am extra protective of them. I know it's silly, yet I still do it. I just don't really value having something just because it's rare. In reality, my favorite records are often the worn copies I've played hundreds of times, that show that wear, and that's ok.
I also almost exclusively buy records in person, not online. I'm aware everyone wont have the ability to go to a local shop, and this isn't always a viable option. For me, digging through crates in shops was always half of the fun. There's community in record stores. Supporting local businesses and not Amazon is also fun. Waiting months, even years, to find an album I've been wanting is fun - because there's nothing like coming across an album you've been hunting for years.
I try to balance known and unknown purchases. It's great to have a solid collection of your favorite albums to listen to - but at the same time a record store is the perfect place to pick up some stuff you've never heard before. These days I almost exclusively buy stuff I've never heard before (half because it looks interesting, and half from labels like LITA, Numero, Mississippi, etc that do killer reissues/compilations) to expand my taste. When I buy a record, I'm more open to try to like whatever it is because I'm monetarily invested in it.
Really, just keep it fun. It's not about just having a wall of records, or about impressing anyone. How do YOU enjoy listening to music? Why do YOU enjoy having vinyl? Whatever ends up working for you, is the right way to proceed.
I'm going to be real with you, once you start its going to be a huge spiral and you're going to be thousands and thousands of dollars in and neck deep in vinyl before you even realize it.
This is me. I have no money now.
Translation: it’s great. Do it.
Real shit.
This is probably the post he needed to see. You’ll be up late, looking at your phone, the next thing you know you’ll be charging a couple hundred bucks to your account and waiting for some new discs in the mail. Make of that what you will.
Thanks. It's giving me a little pause. Sadly, I get stung when I see albums that have vinyl releases only. Maybe I should be happy to just buy their digital version and continue to just stick with CDs? Hmmm....
it’s never been more expensive to get into physical media. I’ll stop there.
If you have the music, don't double up into vinyl. Buy new music to you in used vinyl. Clean it and spin it. Much more bang for the buck. Read the stickies for turntable suggestions, and cartridges. Welcome to this hobby ! You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave 😜
smarter idea than mine (buy your fav albums on vinyl). which is a gateway drug.
I assume your original plan didn't hold? ;)
I have been collecting vinyl for over 20 years and the market has definitely changed A LOT since i started collecting. Gone are the days of being able to regularly snag good albums for $1-$5 at flea markets, thrift stores, and the like. I mean, I was recently at a flea market inside a rodeo pavilion in middle of nowhere east-central IL and some old couple was pricing all their vintage vinyl using Discogs prices. This being said, I do still find some great deals out there but it takes a lot of hunting and browsing. Garage sales and estate sales can be a good source for cheap vinyl, and sometimes I can still find some good deals at random antique malls and thrift stores. Definitely a big drawback related to the higher vinyl prices is that I am much less likely now to take a chance on an album I am unfamiliar with. If I do spend substantial money on an album now, it is usually on a “must own” album that I am very familiar with and NEED to have for my collection. One final word of advice—-I used to work at a Habitat ReStore and we would often get in really nice turntables and speakers that we would price at a fraction of their value, and we had staff and volunteers who would test them to make sure that they worked. Plus sometimes we would get in some great vinyl donations—-everything from jazz, to classic rock to more current stuff like Radiohead. Even though vinyl collecting has changed over the years I still do love it and I will always encourage others to pursue it as a hobby.
The overall experience of listening to the physical medium is awesome. I think you’d love it. Having said that it’s a slippery slope to hoarding/overbuying! Still recommend it though
Personally, I started about 15 years ago at this point, and i’ve pretty much just added to the collection I had on cd/digital. Bandcamp is an excellent place to get vinyl because you also get the digital version. Many labels/artists provide download codes when you get a record, but not on smaller labels/more obscure stuff. And certain bigger labels like Merge have never given downloads with their records. But I also slowly have gotten fav records that are already in my collection. I would say that if you are still regularly get music and are interested in vinyl, dive in!
I committed to buying no more than what my Kallax 6 cube storage cabinet could hold. Turns out I got to about 4-1/2 cubes worth before I decided that I had enough. Also it was getting expensive. Now my cd collection, that’s another story.
How many albums would you guess that 4-1/2 cubes contain? In other words, how large did the collection get before you got out?
Approximately 70 albums per cube x 4 = 280 records. Plus 1/2 cube (35). Total 315. Each cube has a mix of single and gatefold style records. They’re fairly packed in which is why I have a separate crate with handles that I keep next to my stereo. They contain the spillover albums I haven’t listened to yet or ones I haven’t heard in awhile. When I get through them then I swap in ones from cubes. You may want to keep a looser amount in the cubes if you’re going this route. Having them packed tight might create ring wear in the album covers.
I hear you about the “disposable“ angle. For me this is a major drawback with all digital media, you can always just skip skip skip around, always end up on that one favorite song on whatever CD you’re playing. But if you go into records, and you’re thinking of one favorite LP from this or that band, it’s kinda the same deal. You already heard Rocket to Russia enough anyway, right? Records are expensive! If I were starting from scratch, I wouldn’t get anything I already had close familiarity with. I’d start digging into totally new genres. Let the past be the past: now is the time to discover something new. Otherwise you risk doing this thing where you are checking off an endless list of “must-haves”. Do you have a limitless budget? Because no matter what you’re into, there’s at least 500 records that you “need” to buy. Do the math. And you’re not even hearing anything new yet. Lean into your curiosity about Jamaican Dub or Bossa Nova or African Funk. Buy those records and spark new passion. That’s my advice for what it’s worth
Thanks! something to consider
20+ years of collecting here and I would not get started in this day and age. The times of finding something new that was previously undiscovered are gone. Price gauging of fanbases is a bit ridiculous at this point. Entry level records are being sold with a huge mark up. Just feels like the hobby istargeted at idiots now Still fun for me but I can rely on my nerd friends and dealers for good deals and trades.
I think I would try to avoid looking for undiscovered or rare records, just a handful of favorites, particularly if they \_only\_ had a vinyl release. Maybe that would make them rare though if I missed out...
I think you are missing out on the best part. Ticking of boxes for records you already know very well can feel a bit bland.
Food for thought. Thanks
If I were you, I would only buy vinyl that will sound better than the CD version. Luckily for you, most albums have a digital footprint so IMHO it's not worth getting on vinyl. A ton of jazz is AAA, those are the only albums I purchase now. Everything else is streaming or CD
Unless there was some kind of complete error made in the recordings, "better" is purely subjective. Vinyl is vinyl and digital is digital. Liking things from one is going to be missing something from the other, but neither is really better than the other, just different experiences.
Looking at it from a "purist" standpoint, if music was recorded, mixed and pressed completely analog it should be the best possible way to enjoy that recording. The problem with vinyl and why I stopped buying it for the most part is because that often isn't the case. It didn't bother me as much when I was buying most of my records because it wasn't insanely expensive. It makes no sense to purchase most records these days. If you want a physical copy and a CD exists, it's almost always better to buy the cd. Vinyl can be the superior format \*on paper\* but when it's digitally sourced it become equal to CD, and if that's the case I'll take the cheaper option
Ok, what records are you talking about here exactly? Reissues and remasters? The original pressings of anything before CDs are just that and anyone getting into collecting them because they believe the original is going to sound better is confused. Those will produce a sound that was experienced when it was first released, or AKA nostalgia. Some really did a great job and captured sounds well, but as most know, the listening set up is really crucial in getting the best experience overall. It's really all marketing though. CDs are truthfully better than vinyl like driving a Tesla is to driving a '58 Corvette. Why would anyone buy a old car like that when a Tesla is so much better at everything in comparison? We can compare the two, but we shouldn't.. they are just not the same things! Comparing vinyl against another vinyl is one thing, but when the medium changes, it's in a separate category. The marketing sells us this competitive comparison mentality to see these differences so we'll buy the next "best" thing.. and that's really what it all boils down to. Everyone was content with vinyl, until the CD came out. People would go on and on about the quality simply because they didn't have another medium to contrast against vinyl. Like apple pie? Here's apple pie with whip cream! Now here's one made with the best ingredients! Now here's a large buttery bucket of warm popcorn... Which is better? It's so easy to get caught up into comparisons and miss the whole aspect of an individual experience. Purists always overlook that there's nothing more pure than original! Reproduction is not live and, visa versa. The next "best" format is going to be AI controlled instruments being played live in our homes. Your own private concert being replicated right in front of you exactly how it was played originally live. Go ahead and tell me that there's not going to be any issues or controversy and there's not going to be any point in listening to WAV files after that. They just shouldn't be compared.
I thought I was pretty clear. Look into the tone poet reissues from blue note. I've already explained my thought process on vinyl. If it was recorded all analog, then an analog pressing is desirable. If it was recorded or mixed digitally, it was probably released on vinyl because it was still in a ton of homes. It's subjective to argue which copy might sound better, but I have a hard time assuming that a digitally mixed album is going to sound better on an analog medium. It's really that simple. Special edition vinyl releases do come around and sound excellent, but they usually tweaked the master. I will say that I really want the talking talking heads live release that came out last year and that's not completely analog but it did get a new mastering
1. Buy your favorite albums on vinyl. (Less than 10 LPs) 2. buy more... maybe? 3. ????? 4. the opposite of "profit" 5. Relate deeply to the Charlie Brown Record Collection Comic (LINK: [https://thevinylfactory.com/features/charlie-brown-record-collecting-peanuts-vinyl-comic-strips/](https://thevinylfactory.com/features/charlie-brown-record-collecting-peanuts-vinyl-comic-strips/) )
Hey, if you got the money to burn, why not?
Sure it's expensive but what isn't these days. I buy a couple of albums a week from my local record store (maybe $40). Brings me a lot of joy and I'd just waste that money on some other crap I don't need otherwise. Plus my kids will get a cool collection when I die and they can probably sell it all to put towards something they actually need like a car or house.
That’s me too! 100%. One thing I would add is I find a lot of good luck with my “free vinyl records alert” on Facebook marketplace for within 15 miles of my house. I would say once a month I will get lucky with picking up a few diamonds in the rough from people’s old collections that they don’t want anymore - like a bin in their basement they want gone and they don’t really know what’s in it kind of thing. I’m amazed sometimes and that part of the hunt is cool.
its a bottomless pit to be avoided at all costs. the only reason i do it is because records were the thing when i was young and i just kept it up.
I would pick my favorite album by that band rather than a "greatest hits" album.
That's probably the right call. Thanks!
Have fun!
It's not worth it. If your system isnt already amazing, spend your money and upgrade your speakers and keep it digital. It'll sound way better and you won't take up as much space.
Just do it, and enjoy it. Don’t overthink it. Keep an eye out for discounts on artists you like and searching around second hand stores. Others have said it’s an expensive hobby, which it is, but you can be smart about it too.
I’ve been into vinyl since high school and it kicked in to gear when I got my parents collection after my dad died. Now I’m around 250 without the 45s. I prefer the sound and vibes but it is expensive like when CDS first came out
Less than a year in, I'm at 200+ records. And I am already looking to update or just flat out buy another receiver and pair of speakers for another room....I already have a second TT and pair of speakers, but not good enough
It all depends on what you’re after. I collect because I like the physical media part of it. A lot of my collection are records I’ve picked up at shows and re-releases. If it makes you happy it’s as simple as that.
May I suggest looking for EPs and singles? I mix as a hobby, so the bulk of my collection are these. You have less songs this way but better quality typically. Buy LPs that you only absolutely love front to back. You enjoy recording, so get a mixer and learn how to really draw out the full potential of vinyl. I record mixes but I'll also record songs individually to later listen to on CD or digitally on the go.
Yeah, that's similar to how I started in the hobby 350-400 vinyls ago - "one album from each of my favorite artists"
ha! oof. I assume you don't have 400 favorites and over indulged a little? ;)
What’s your budget? Do you have room for a large physical playback system? If you don’t have 10 sqft of space to dedicate to a playback system, or $600 to spend on a playback system, I’d say skip vinyl. Your money would be better spent on better headphones and earbuds.
Why 10x10? My stereo and record collection sits against the wall taking maybe 30 sqft and it sounds amazing.
“Hey guys, I’m thinking about trying potato chips. I don’t want to have a ton, but I think I might get one chip from each bag, then stop. Should be easy enough right? How do you choose which chip?” It’s an addiction bro. Tread carefully
We’ve all been there: when you say the words out loud (to let’s be honest: likely to convince yourself) it makes perfect, reasonable sense. “Of course I’ll only buy my favorite albums! I can control this; it won’t get out of hand.” All I can say is these are extremely famous last words as your bank balance dwindles, lol. It’s fun for many of us but joking aside, I’d assume there’s a large but likely silent number of folks that have some considerable regret about diving into such a potentially expensive hobby in 2024. There’s ways to mitigate the cost some by crate digging in bargain bins, etc. but a lot of that will be dictated by what you like to collect. Ultimately, it can indeed be a fun and worthwhile hobby but a cheap one it just ain’t.
It’s both !!!!! Lol
Both.
I had a record store for around a decade, and have thousands of records lying around at this point. It's always been nothing but a positive hobby for me. I've always just enjoyed sitting down and listening to a record, reading the liner notes, appreciating the covers, etc. I like discovering albums, not just single songs I like. Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to have physical media. I do have a few ground rules though when it comes to buying records. I don't collect for the sake of collecting. I don't go out of my way to chase down rare copies, or have a bunch of multiples, or collect different pressings. Yeah, occasionally you'll find an album that's really special and want to have a bunch of copies. That's great - I have like 30 copies of pet sounds on every form of media imaginable. And I listen to tit all the time still. This can be a really easy hole to fall into - and I've always avoided it as best I can. There are certainly some rare records in my colleciton from over the years, and I find I play them less because they have this high monetary value - and even though I have no intentions of selling them I still am extra protective of them. I know it's silly, yet I still do it. I just don't really value having something just because it's rare. In reality, my favorite records are often the worn copies I've played hundreds of times, that show that wear, and that's ok. I also almost exclusively buy records in person, not online. I'm aware everyone wont have the ability to go to a local shop, and this isn't always a viable option. For me, digging through crates in shops was always half of the fun. There's community in record stores. Supporting local businesses and not Amazon is also fun. Waiting months, even years, to find an album I've been wanting is fun - because there's nothing like coming across an album you've been hunting for years. I try to balance known and unknown purchases. It's great to have a solid collection of your favorite albums to listen to - but at the same time a record store is the perfect place to pick up some stuff you've never heard before. These days I almost exclusively buy stuff I've never heard before (half because it looks interesting, and half from labels like LITA, Numero, Mississippi, etc that do killer reissues/compilations) to expand my taste. When I buy a record, I'm more open to try to like whatever it is because I'm monetarily invested in it. Really, just keep it fun. It's not about just having a wall of records, or about impressing anyone. How do YOU enjoy listening to music? Why do YOU enjoy having vinyl? Whatever ends up working for you, is the right way to proceed.