Vinyl Setups also need maintenanceīesides the records themselves needing attention, you also need to take proper care of your setup, to maximize its lifespan, but also the lifespan of your records. This is an extra layer of inconvenience compared to digital music. Secondly, they need to be cleaned regularly to remove dirt and dust. First, they need to be stored in the correct way to prevent warping and damage. Vinyl albums need more maintenance and care than digitized formats. A digital recording of albums or songs won’t be affected by this quality issue. Each playthrough of a song imparts some amount of wear, even if it’s tiny, it adds up over time. The Downsides of Vinyl Records They get damaged and degrade easilyīecause records are a physical music format, they are prone to degrading over time, losing their quality. Often artists get a better deal through albums released as vinyl, so not only are you getting a sweet record, but you’re also helping out your favourite band and the wider music industry.

Other sites that offer digital downloads like iTunes and Amazon music aren’t much better. Streaming platforms like Spotify only pay artists less than a cent any time someone streams their songs. You are providing your favorite artists more support than other formats. This is attractive to music lovers who like having those exclusive song cuts. Some music is only on vinyl, and some releases come with bonus tracks that can’t be found anywhere else. In this case, you get the best of both worlds. In a lot of new vinyl releases, you will find a download card that gives you codes for the digital album. Many vinyl records come with a downloadable file anyway. Compared to other mediums, vinyl records offer a more enriching experience and often include extra artwork like inserts, posters, and double sleeves. The larger sleeves of vinyl are often things of beauty themself before you even listen to the recording. Vinyl is the king of physical audio media. You can’t go and hang out on iTunes now, can you?Ī cool physical product with bigger, bolder artwork. A record shop is a good place to meet people or spend the day with friends. It also brings people together in a more social way than virtual files. There is just something exciting about the physical nature of a record. Vinyl has more of a story and social scene. There is something very satisfying about the crisp texture offered by a dusty record, which many people prefer to the clinical, cold tone of a CD or other format types. When you compare a digital recording to a vinyl record side by side this becomes very apparent. Vinyl has a nostalgic, warm, and unique recorded sound. This makes building a collection a tight investment – if you look after your vinyl records correctly. You can resell vinyl records, you can’t resell a download. The Benefits of Vinyl Records Store of valueĪ vinyl record stores its value far better than digital files (.wav/mp3). This list is a general comparison to digital formats, like downloading files or using streaming services like Spotify. To get a sense of whether vinyl is something you might enjoy collecting, this list of pros and cons highlights key topics to consider. I saved up for a high-quality turntable (a TEAC TN-300), a decent amplifier, and a pair of decent speakers. When I realized how committed I was to vinyl, I was happy to invest more money in a decent system without feeling like I’d be wasting money. It was good enough for listening to music alone in my bedroom for a few years, but I eventually knew it was time to upgrade. I also couldn’t find a compatible replacement cartridge.

It was flimsy and noisy, and the speakers were tinny and weak. I didn’t have to worry about connecting any extra gear together, as the record player had built-in speakers.Īfter a few years, as my love for vinyl grew, I quickly outgrew this dusty old deck. It was easy to use – I could just plug it in, put a record on, and enjoy. In my early years of collecting, the record player was fine. It was a trashy old player that my parents had been keeping in the attic, along with their abandoned collection. When I first got interested in vinyl, I started out with a record player. I think looking at my personal experience is an excellent way to get your head around the value. You can get a basic turntable + amplified (“powered”) speakers for around $250. In short, record players are a great way for beginners to get into the world of vinyl without the expense and complications of a turntable and amp-based setup.Īlthough, if you want to get better sound quality out of your records and keep them in good shape, you’re better off saving for a turntable setup.

Vinyl record player for beginners