Would you get back into vinyl....

shokunin · « **on:** 12 Aug 2004, 08:21 pm »

I think this was a blessing and a curse. My parents went on a cruise vacation this week and asked that i get the large wheelies out of the storage shed. Upon digging through the 18x18 shed, pile up to the ceiling in junk, what do I find...

Around 50 of my old LP's that my parents said they threw all my vinyl away when I was in college.

Now I have at least a 100 more that I have feeling is somewhere in that shed. I didn't have time to dig through it as it was late at night.

These are mostly from the 80's, police, duran duran, U2, cure, easure, depeche, prince, some rap (remember kid n' play, JJ fad), Run DMC, Kool Mo Dee, BDP, etc. I never got into vinyl because

A) I didn't have that many records... although shopping could be fun.
B) I might like it and go down the slippery path,
C) I don't have a vinyl setup today
D) Means more audio gear I'll have to pass by with the wifey.

Is this the reason to get into vinyl, would you do it? I'm mainly into jazz, vocals, and 80's nostalgia now.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 Aug 2004, 09:18 pm »

Where do you live? I think this has a bearing on whether you get into vinyl or not. To me, vinyl sounds better, but if you have no access to it aside from Mail Order companies (red trumpet, etc.), then it's a much more expensive proposition. If you see it at garage sales or pawn shops cheap,then go for it. You can find 80's albums for close to nothing at these places and can gather a tremedous collection quickly. I started with maybe 100 of my old albums and have somehow amassed 1500 LP's for very little $ in about 7 years. Most of it I have purchased in my home state of MN and shipped back to NYC.

Michael

shokunin · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 Aug 2004, 09:31 pm »

Hi Michael,

I'm in orange county, CA. I've no clue about records stores in the LA/OC area, but I'm assuming that there's got to be a pretty decent selection around... Anyone have any recommendations on places in the los angeles, orange county area for new/used LP's.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Aug 2004, 09:34 pm »

Oh, man!!!!! You have an embarresment of riches over there!!!! Get your ass over to Amoeba on Sunset Blvd and go nuts. Great selection, among the best I've seen and pretty decent prices. L.A. is supposed to be the most reasonably priced city for vinyl. Compared to NYC, it certainly is. I'd get back into vinyl in a heartbeat if I were you. $500 should get you a good, solid table and arm.

Michael

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Aug 2004, 11:22 pm »

Quote from: mcrespo71

Where do you live? I think this has a bearing on whether you get into vinyl or not. To me, vinyl sounds better, but if you have no access to it aside from Mail Order companies (red trumpet, etc.), then it's a much more expensive proposition.......

Certainly right that Red T and others CAN be big $$$$ (I just bought the Classic Holly Cole for $30) but there are some sources that are priced better than their new CD counterparts. Since Jazz was mentioned, Fantasy's Original Jazz Classics are $9.99 which are cheaper than comparable CD's.

But you're right that vinyl can be dirt cheap in certain areas and some people really enjoy hitting the thrift stores.

shokunin.
you might try PMing hifi tommy about vinyl sources since he lives in your area.

ohenry · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Aug 2004, 12:23 am »

Caution: a bit of a thread highjack

FYI, I found that Gemm.com is a pretty good source to find vinyl. It's like a music clearinghouse for dealers, so when you search for an artist or title, you get to see all participating stores in the states and europe that stock it and the prices. I haven't be burned yet (knock on wood).

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 Aug 2004, 12:54 am »

As to buying a TT, I'm not sure you have to spend a huge amount. I have a good turntable now, but I've gotten incredible enjoyment out of a $250 retail Yamaha (which you could probably buy on eBay for $25 now). Of course, you really find out what vinyl sounds like when you spend more money, but you don't HAVE to do so to get lotsa musical pleasure.

shokunin · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 Aug 2004, 01:42 pm »

Michael, T-Y & ohenry,

Thanks for the info, I'll check out Amoeba and see what's available. I figure I'llt try a budget TT setup and see if I like it.

shokunin · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 Aug 2004, 06:00 pm »

I checked out Amoeba records the other day, wow, what a huge place. The parking lots were packed!! Sifting through the LPs was kind of a pain as many were also in bins that were on the floor. Otherwise I just had to wonder around each genre to find some cool titles. Most of what I picked up were around $2.99-8.99 each. Not bad. I'll have to check out the amoeba stores in the bay area when i up there.

Anyways I picked up a used TT setup on Audiogon, just need a phono stage now... possibly a hagtech Cornet.

I'll post my impressions once my new speakers arrive and as well as the undecided soon-to-be phono stage.

ohenry · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 Aug 2004, 10:12 pm »

shokunin,
Good show on looking for vinyl. Have you ever noticed how time flies when you're preoccupied with serching for treasure? I infrequently go to a local store during my lunch hour because it always turns into my lunch "two-hours".

Have fun.

orthobiz · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Aug 2004, 01:54 am »

Vinyl is the way to go. As I've posted before, redid my Linn Sondek and recaptured the time lost since 1988. Most of my treasures (I'm about to turn 49) are from the late 60's and 70's. FWIW, it seems like a lot of the 80's are one-hit-wonders (make a new thread if anyone else agrees).

Today cleaned and listened to Lee Michaels (eponymous 3rd album). What a great record! And it sound so good I don't need to run out and buy the CD.

There actually is stuff just on vinyl and new stuff is coming out all the time. Somehow stereo seems "incomplete" without it...

biz

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Sep 2004, 10:30 pm »

For those on the Vinyl hunt...

A website that can locate what is there near you...

http://www.recordstorereview.com/cgi-bin/store

hifitommy · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Sep 2004, 04:06 pm »

try this link:

http://www.recordcollectorsguild.org/record_stores/record_stores.html

in there is a listing for Stacks on gridley rd in artesia. also i suggest getting out your phone books. long beach has stores that arent listed in the guild guide.

a more LA focused guide is:

http://www.anycities.com/andyhifi/records.htm

after re-browsing this site, i see that it shows many more LA area stores than their main site.

driving a bit farther to amoeba and record surplus will prove to be rewarding as well.

have FUN!

viggen · « **Reply #13 on:** 7 Sep 2004, 06:18 am »

I am in the exact same situation as when Sho first started this thread, and I am in OC too. However, I am tempted to get a TT mainly so I can play with the gear. I've already started buying LPs from ebay. I might move soon, so I am waiting to buy a table and phono pre afterwards. There's a VPI Aries for $2000 on the Gon which looks very tempting though but must resist...

Psychicanimal · « **Reply #14 on:** 8 Sep 2004, 01:57 am »

Quote from: viggen

There's a VPI Aries for $2000 on the Gon which looks very tempting though but must resist...

Talk to me...I did it!

My modded Parasound belt drive transport and the Creature on Steroids coexist happily.

viggen · « **Reply #15 on:** 8 Sep 2004, 04:00 am »

Quote from: Psychicanimal

Quote from: viggen
There's a VPI Aries for $2000 on the Gon which looks very tempting though but must resist...

Talk to me...I did it!

My modded Parasound belt drive transport and the Creature on Steroids coexist happily.

I sold my Parasound transport a few months ago. I just picked up a CEC TL2 fully modded by Modwright. It is similar to the mod listed under Reference Audio Mod's website for their CEC transport mod. I should get it in a week or so.

I will resist vinyl til 2005.