Tips for purchasing Vinyl?

[docmd2010]

Hey guys!

i'm just getting into analog, and dont own any vinyl at the moment. Could you guys give me some pointers when searching online and in record stores how to find audiophile-grade LP's? What do I need to look for to get the highest possible quality LP?

Where do you guys buy your records?

[2fastdriving]

Oh man, you opened a can of worms. There's so much to it. I'm no expert but here are some tips.

Acoustic sounds is a great website for vinyl. Music direct is another. Anything from mobile fidelity sound labs is awesome. (aka mofi or mfsl). Classic records is also good. And Quality records. Create an account on the Discogs website or install their app. It will let you know all the various pressings of anything in existence. However it won't necessarily tell you what's good.

Used record stores are fun to search for quality vinyl but you should know what you are looking for before going. Otherwise you'll spend aimless hours in there. Surprisingly, I've found half price books to be a decent store for used vinyl.

[docmd2010]

Cool. any objective numbers i should keep in mind with regards to spin speed, pressing quality, weight etc etc?

[2fastdriving]

180 or 200 gram is usually best. In my experience, 45rpm 12 inch records sound better than 33 1/3. But that could be because most of the 45rpm ones are higher quality, more expensive pressings.

[Avid]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

180 or 200 gram is usually best. In my experience, 45rpm 12 inch records sound better than 33 1/3. But that could be because most of the 45rpm ones are higher quality, more expensive pressings.

Yap.. my favorite are probably the Analog production 45's. Which as 2fasrdriving mentioned can be had on Acoustic sounds website.

[Wasatch]

Lots of good info so far. Definitely checkout Discogs. For new remasters, reissues definitely checkout MOFI, Music Matters, Music On Vinyl, Classic Records, Rhino, Friday Music, Analougue Productions, Speakers Corner. For older pressings checkout Discogs. What you really need to do is look for forums that actually talk about which pressings are the best, from experience.

[Maks]

I second the MFSL and Analogue Productions, some of the best pressings around. In terms of used vinyl I think it's all over the place, I generally try to stick to original pressings when possible. Some stores will mark if it's the OP on the sticker, some don't. Overall I don't get too caught up in it, there are people who go crazy buying multiple pressings searching for the holy grail.

[docmd2010]

ok, so where do i find high quality pressings of recently released albums? say i wanted to buy a coldplay album that was released 4-5 years ago? what if i wanted to get that in a 45 rpm recording? i haven't been able to find this.

just want to find high quality pressings of recently released stuff as well.

[scirica]

Originally Posted by docmd2010

ok, so where do i find high quality pressings of recently released albums? say i wanted to buy a coldplay album that was released 4-5 years ago? what if i wanted to get that in a 45 rpm recording? i haven't been able to find this.



just want to find high quality pressings of recently released stuff as well.

As was mentioned, for that level of detail I'd go to Discogs and become familiar with what pressings were released. Then search for forums that debate which is the best pressing. Then, go back to Discogs and find one (or more) for sale, assuming it's no longer available in stores.

Happy Hunting!!

[eddiel]

Originally Posted by docmd2010

ok, so where do i find high quality pressings of recently released albums? say i wanted to buy a coldplay album that was released 4-5 years ago? what if i wanted to get that in a 45 rpm recording? i haven't been able to find this.

just want to find high quality pressings of recently released stuff as well.

You probably haven't been able to find it because it doesn't exist.

Generally though, recently released stuff doesn't get that audiophile reissue treatment so you're probably going to have to stick the regular release.

As others have pointed out, have look on Discogs to see what versions are available for the albums you want to get but don't be surprised if you're only options are the regular major label release.