Debating whether to get into vinyl...

[TheCoolGuy]

I've been wanting to start collecting vinyl LPs. My neighbor who has been listening to records and CDs all of his life gave me a list of his thoughts of why not to get records:

1) Hard to organize.
2) New LPs are costly (and a good record player is too.)
3) Not very convenient.
4) Sound quality isn't top notch like everyone says.
5) Can't be used in iTunes and the like.
6) If there's a problem with the needle/the record gets dust/scratches, it will start to skip and pop.

He gave me more reasons but these are the main point... he says CDs solve the above problems and don't sound bad...

Anyone have any opinions on the matter?

[clashcityrocker10]

If you have the money and space available for it, go ahead and start getting them.

[afterstasis]

i prefer the sound of vinyl in most cases and really enjoy the large packaging. it has it's drawbacks, but nothing too bad.

with just a little care and initial investment i think it's wise for any serious music lover to at least give vinyl a shot.

[instantdeath999]

1) Hard to organize.
2) New LPs are costly (and a good record player is too.)
3) Not very convenient.
4) Sound quality isn't top notch like everyone says.
5) Can't be used in iTunes and the like.
6) If there's a problem with the needle/the record gets dust/scratches, it will start to skip and pop.

He gave me more reasons but these are the main point... he says CDs solve the above problems and don't sound bad...

Anyone have any opinions on the matter?

1. No harder than CD's, in my opinion. Just need a bigger shelf.
2. Depends on what you're buying, how new it is, etc. Some vinyl you can actually pick up for cheaper than the CD's.
3. True, of course it's no ipod (although I would take the vinyl over mp3)
4. It's certainly an improvement, at least for me.
5. Not true, actually. Some vinyl players actually do transfer to itunes, though from what I've heard, it just goes into one long track. But why would you want to do that, anyway?
6. True, though I think cleaning will work most of the time.

[chumsicles]

One time I bought a brand new record and it skipped a little during the last song on side one. Is there anyway to fix this?

[bubblegumpop]

I just got into it myself and it is pretty expensive, I mostly just do it to be a collector. You could just start collecting and save up for a good player later down the road.

[schmeankman]

My opinion as a person who has about 1500+ records.

1) Not any harder than CD's, as long as you know the alphabet.
2) True, but (depending on your musical tastes) good music can be had in good condition for cheap (my local salvation army has a '8 for a quarter' deal). It's also often overlooked that vinyl can be ordered directly from the label for prices like $10, as opposed to the 20-25 you may see the same record for in the rec. store. Also, it's true that high end audiophile turntables are very expensive, but a nice vintage TT can be found easily at your local thrift/at yard sales
3) Well, no it's not known for it's portibility.
4) It is in my opinion.
5) True, though USB turntables can be used for conversion, though I wouldn't suggest them for casual listening use
6) Vinyl cleaner can be had for cheap (under 10 dollars) and is very effective, as far as not scratching records, you just have to be careful, I've only done it once in a year.

[bubblegumpop]

I have a usb turntable, I don't play my records much on it, but any recommendations to upgrade the cartridge?

[Elegy]

I think the sound is a lot better. Way easier to hear the individual instruments.

[Mystlyfe77]

One time I bought a brand new record and it skipped a little during the last song on side one. Is there anyway to fix this?

Adjust the anti-skate on your turntable.