Vinyl collecting is not for the faint of heart. Why? Because audiophiles are a picky bunch.

Vinyl is an oddly charged topic, some people believe there is no good reason to not use digital music instead, others say you can’t “really listen” with out a setup that that costs 4 digits at the the least.

So let’s talk about it.

Vinyl doesn’t sound better, it sounds different.

I don’t just mean crackles and pops from an older record. The way that the music was mastered on vinyl is often different. Vinyl Records often sounds warmer than their digital mixes .

So when you hear someone say it was better on the vinyl, they just like that mix better.

Start where you can.

The first vinyls I bought were 50¢ and from the bottom shelf of a thrift shop.

My first Record Player was a damage Crosley Cruiser from that same thrift shop.

Crosley turntables, or any cheap turntable, are not looked upon favorably by hardcore audiophiles.

That should not stop you, unless you are willing to put a lot of money into this hobby upfront do your self a favor and start with a cheap Crosley.

Try things out.

IF you like vinyl and want to get more into it, get something nicer, but it is better to start than not to because it was too expensive.

Nothing is worse than being told you can’t enjoy a hobby because you don’t have good enough equipment to “Properly enjoy” something.

Just some basic suggestions

1. Get a pair of headphones, Record Players with built in speakers don’t have good base because it would shake the record.
2. Go to a second hand or thrift store before buying, you will find either a bunch of old vinyl to listen to or a record player or two.
3. DO NOT TOUCH THE GROOVES on the vinyl! Grab by the middle and the edges.
4. There is thousands of ways people say to clean records, the simplest way is a cloth and some water.
5. Just have fun. It is a hobby.

Vinyl is a unique way to listen to music.

It is a deliberate type of music playing.

When I put on a record I listen to the entire thing. I spend the time just listening to the music and nothing else.

Digital music I listen to when I am out and about, or working on a project.

Because vinyl is a bit of a chore, or should I say deliberate. I don’t listen to music while doing an activity, I choose to listen to music as the activity.

Which can be quite relaxing.

It is like why people still read paper books, and cook burgers on a grill.

There is something about the experience that is special, something about that focus required that means something more to a person.

Sometimes you just need to try something new, so I hope you give Vinyl a try sometime.