#Discount vinyl records how to#

We would, however, urge you to check out half-speed masters as something that can make an audible difference. You can feel like you're getting more for your money – and as we've said, touch is a huge part of what makes vinyl so special – but there are plenty of great-sounding discs not much thicker than a sheet of A4. You'll also get conflicting reports on whether aspects such as weight matter much to a record press and how it sounds. It's worth reading reviews of the vinyl press in particular, just to make sure its quality matches that of the music. One such being that with pressing plants being so overworked, not every press of a record is sonically adequate. Buying newīuying vinyl brand new is not without its pitfalls as well, though certainly there are fewer. Vinyl Factory, an essential bookmark for any record enthusiast, has also put together this useful list of other online record shops for second-hand vinyl. On that note, Discogs is always a great resource for new and old vinyl alike, as eBay can be too. That of course only works if you're in a record shop, though, so there's lots more in there to help with charity shop and internet purchases as well. We've put together a list of 10 tips for buying second-hand vinyl, which will arm you with everything you need except experience, but a lot of work can be avoided if you ask to play the record before you buy it. While it'd be unfair to assume everyone is out there to rip you off, it is easy to get less than you expected when finally you place a record on the platter. Vinyl can be a little like cars, in that you only realise how little you actually know when it comes to buying second hand. And that, as far as we're concerned, is far more valuable. Gone are the days when people didn't check a box of records before donating them the vinyl revival has made everyone savvy to what might be worth a buck.īut that isn't to say you won't find some unexpected gems of the musical kind. Just be prepared for disappointment if you're hoping to find something valuable in there to retire on. Some record shops and labels also offer bundles of overstock, so if you're particularly into a certain genre it's worth seeing what deals they have on their sites. Otherwise you're looking everywhere you might think of when you have something to flog for yourself: charity shops, auctions, car boots and yard sales and websites such as eBay, Gumtree and Etsy. After all, that's how Grandmaster Flash told us his collection started. No matter how prized someone's collection, there will probably be a few things they've gone off or played to death much better to offer them a few quid now than they have to list everything for sale separately. That's why family and friends can be a good place to start. If you've ever had to share the aux cable at a party or on a long car journey, you'll know not everyone shares your taste in music. Having a big box of miscellaneous records can also give you an immediate taste of the joy that comes from crate digging and musical discovery. Like any music collection, your vinyl haul will grow over time, but it can be nice to have more than a couple of records to begin with.

Ever wondered how a vinyl record makes a sound? Find out here.

#Discount vinyl records how to#

Take a look at our articles on how to choose the right record player and how to add a turntable to your existing music system for more in-depth guidance. So don't be put off by the photos you see of stacks of components and big dusty stereo speakers if all you want is to turn your Sonos system into a vinyl-playing smart machine then you can do so and still get great sound. Other than that, though, the turntable market is now so diverse that there is barely a situation left it cannot accommodate. We have seen some going up to double figures, though, which is the equivalent of giving a toddler a sewing needle and letting it go to town on your record – not ideal if you're about to spend hundreds on a collection. This is easy to find on any spec sheet, and should usually be between 1.5g and 2.5g – maybe a bit either side. If there's one number you focus on when buying or setting up a turntable, it should be the tracking weight of the cartridge. You don't have to spend loads of money to get something safe – take a look at our best buy page for cheap record players, for example – but some of those briefcase-style decks you see in lifestyle ads can dig up more than the music from your vinyl's grooves.

Boring, we know, but if you don't start with a good source component then not only will your records sound awful, they're also liable to become damaged.