Hi, Michael...Very thought-provoking video. Thanks for deciding to go ahead and post it! Like quite a few people (especially people like me who grew up long ago when vinyl was king), I rediscovered the medium during the pandemic. I was well aware that the vinyl revival had been going on for several years, but I only got back into myself in the past couple of years. So perhaps I missed the "golden age" or early years of the new vinyl boom. I undoubtedly missed out on many of the releases you mention. Oh well. As I got back into it, I discovered that it has become a huge business. The first thing I realized is that companies are cashing in like crazy with fancy-schmancy reissues, repressings, and packaging. There's special colored-vinyl this, super-deluxe that, limited-edition this, box set that, and on and on and on. To me, it seems like the business has turned away from simply buying music to listen to and enjoy, and has moved instead into "collecting" objects and artifacts for status--like trading cards, sneakers, and basically the entire "art" market (don't get me started in NFTs--lol). When that happens--when something gets commodified more for its status as a collectible rather than for its intended purpose--things get stupid. Enter flippers, obsessive "collectors", and so on. For me, vinyl is very much a secondary way of listening to music. For better or worse, I still stream most of my music. Vinyl is just for occasional fun. (I will avoid the ridiculous digital vs analog or vinyl is better than CDS and streaming nonsense--except to say that I consider the "debate" to be complete nonsense.) I have about 250 records now--and that's plenty! I also don't consider myself an "audiophile". I go back to the 1970s, and even then I considered the term rather silly. (The word literally means "lover of sound"--not even anything to do with music...but I digress.) I'm just a person who likes and enjoys music. Unfortunately, I went to too many very loud concerts when I was younger, plus I'm over 60, so my hearing isn't what it once was. I can appreciate the difference between $100 speakers and $1,000 speakers, or a $100 turntable vs as $1,000 one, but beyond going from crappy junk to decent gear, I find things very much follow the law of diminishing returns. Between my hearing and the quality of equipment I own, I also don't find a huge amount of difference between different pressings. Obsessing over who mastered something, who engineered it, where it was pressed, and all that just seems, again, rather silly to me. So I have "decent" equipment and I like to listen to music. But I just can't get into the obsessive side of the "hobby". For me, "collecting" (especially for the sake of collecting itself) makes no sense. I have a pretty short list of artists I'm especially interested in--probably about 10 or 12. I'll sometimes splurge on their material (for example: the recent Nick Cave box set). I'll even try to find old/original versions of their stuff in decent condition at a decent price. I TRY to keep an eye out for new stuff, but that's also very often a frustrating experience. I HAVE gotten sucked in to the "pre-order this extra super special limited edition" a few times, but I have since decided that's (mostly) not for me. Generally speaking, I think the whole vinyl thing has gotten completely out of control, and that makes me sad. I really miss the "good old days" of going down to the record store, buying a new album for $4 or $5, and just enjoying the music with friends!
Spot on! I only recently got into vinyl because a good friend of mine gifted me several of his KISS records from the 70's that were in very good condition. I'm a CD collector and have pretty much all the cool stuff from the classic bands. When I looked at the vinyls I kept thinking if they will be stored again for another decade or two or of I should listen to them, so I decided that for fun I should get myself a record player. I didn't bought one, mind you (I was still hesitant to get into it because I knew if I liked it I would start buying albums). So, my birthday came and my GF bought me cheap Victrola (neither I nor she knew they were very low in quality and mostly for fun) so I got to experience the vinyl for the first time. The kiss records were good, then I went out there and bought Hendrix (new) and experimented the first skipping and it was then when I realized there were issues with the record player and some new pressings. I bought an expensive record player and kept buying albums since then, it's been 3 months or so. Bought old records and new. It's fun, some sound great, some sound decent but, here's where I center what you are saying. The debate on what's better than the other is silly. Im not an expert nor "audiophile" but I dont need anyone to tell me that vinyl is better when I can tell on my own that some CDs are waaay better in quality than some vinyls. So get out of here with that silly debate. Mysic is fun akd it's meant to be enjoyed.
In my case, sometimes I see your recommendations with a point of frustration knowing that the recordings that are shown I will not be able to afford them. My purchasing power is medium and the money that I can dedicate to this hobby is scarce. I simply discard the impossible and focus on what I can assimilate. This turning point Michael is important if not the hobby becomes an obsession. Thank you always for waking us all up and telling it like it is. Greetings to the Community!
Many of us are like you. I for example focus on good quality pressings when it comes to new reissued and remastered jazz records, from Verve and Capitol that come from Music on Vinyl. I have about 50 of their records already and i'm yet to find a dud or the one I don't like. I do get Acoustic Sounds and Tone Poet ones too, but they're few and far between. My system is reasonably resolving one too (Yamaha high-end hifi amp, Technics GR turntable and B&W higher end speakers) so I can hear the finest nuances. My view on vinyl purchase is buy what you like to listen, not what you like to collect as most likely those expensive investments won't pay off in the long run.
Hi Michael this is what I have been doing for the last 15+ years. I think you have found yourself in this place also because you have purchased most of the old titles that you wanted - so enjoy what you have, watch out for new things and listen to the music😊
Glad you made this video. I am increasingly disturbed by the vinyl market. This mad spin is clearly based on the drain on the middle age men at the top of their purchase power. Pricing often has elements of some dodgy pyramid schemes. I stopped buying to collect, I only buy music I am listening. Also agree on stop looking back… there are so many great LPs of new music… most of stuff I buy these days is directly from artists on Bandcamp
Being an ex record industry professional, the core catalogue will always be reissued. Whether it's Eric Dolphy or a Yes title. The core for jazz is of course smaller, but I don't think there has been a time when the Prestige cat has been out of print on vinyl, maybe not audiophile but still. With the jazz cat it will continue to focus on the 50's-70's, sadly for us who also like pre 50's jazz as well. But they will stick to the "hi-fi' sound from that period. Whether its Blue Note titles thru Universal or their smaller quantity cat farmed out to a 2ndary producer, most of their stuff will always be in print or soon to be reissued, assuming the vinyl heyday continues. Same with the non jazz or classical, the big names in rock, r&b, reggae, country, will all come around again although the smaller non rock genres won't be audiophile there is an underlying prejudice in making these such titles audiophile, cause they believe they won't sell, there are some but not enough. For myself there are some titles I would like to find original pressings of and the rest happy with a great sounding new pressing. I myself will not get trapped into compulsively buying a really unwarranted upgrade because it's the newest thing. If I have the title and it sounds great I will use my $ to purchase a previous heard via cd let's say or a completely new to me title by a known or unknown artist. I understand the compulsion to rebuy and upgrade. I've done it with cds, dvds to blu rays, and vinyl to vinyl. I of course have to remind myself its about the music or film, not the conveyance (although I love have a good source), I do get torn tho!! Thank you sir for all the interesting content, you are a charming man!
like with everything else, the hype machine has no imagination----my only favourite new issues are either new albums OR releasing vinyl issues for records which were never released! Reissues are out of control; feeding on emotional attachment or others telling others to buy them. i don't buy what i SHOULD have---because other people feel those records are important. To me music is only IMPORTANT if i love it, regardless of if 50 people love it or 50 million. These days i feel collectors are buying too many records that others say they should have---instead of listening with their own ears and minds. Appreciate your videos Michael and thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings about music! i MOSTLY buy stuff that you mentioned later, small prints of 300 or 500 and it creates the same kind of panic. But at least i only pay the regular price when i pre-order. I don't pay the crazy Discogs mark-ups, because MOST of these get reissued several times over and over again later. I recently bought a cassette printed to 50. paid 10 euros. Marked up to 60 euros on Discogs now. Story of our times
Thank you for this video Michael. I think you articulated this very well. These are sophisticated concepts to communicate, and to do so well in a language which is not your native tongue is both impressive and much appreciated. I had preordered the Prestige Mono titles, as well as the Bill Evans Riverside box a few weeks ago, and I’m glad I did. I’d like to say that I have been very wise and patient in not paying for these on the 2nd hand market, but in reality I have just been too busy buying up all the AP, 80/Classic/Tone Poet, Impex, Intervention, and Sam releases that I can!
There comes a tipping point where there isn’t enough time to listen and much of the collection gets rarely played. During the pandemic I’ve managed to collect to the point where I haven’t listened to the same record twice in 2 years, apart from maybe a handful. I’m slowing down, because of physical space and head space. I am very close to having no new shrink wrap to open 😵 and I can enjoy reintroducing myself to old friends. Some of my favourite releases are not AAA. Just great music. I also have a personal policy. If I don’t like something, I give it to charity. Let someone else find a bargain maybe, and the karma of filtering my shelves feels good 😎 Appreciate your videos. Look after that headspace 🤓
I think the pandemic definitely played a role in the record collecting madness. The pandemic seems to be in its endgame and I think things will start calming down a bit in the record collecting hobby.
@@huberts1682 yes agree, though I’ve always been a collector of something or other. The last money-pit I found myself in was pop culture (Star Wars, DC, Marvel), and specifically the Hot Toys brand out of Hong Kong. £250 a figure typically. Approaching that hobby with a ‘completist’ mindset is dangerous. When it gets to the point that the hobby generates more anxiety than pleasure, something is wrong. I downsized from 45 figures to 9, creating instead a ‘boutique’ collection of my favourites (and not necessarily the most expensive or rarest pieces). SO much happier 😎 and the anxiety went.
@@anechoicchamber3237 Reminds me of collecting artists like Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Beatles, Elton John, you know it's like 'if I get that one, I have to get this one, and if I get this one, I need to get that other one' yeah, you know what I mean.
I think a problem is starting when you need 5-10 copies of the same album. I have a couple doubles that were such a deal I couldn’t pass up but it can get compulsive for some. To each their own I guess. Most of us need something to collect. 😎
As well as collecting habits I like to think about my listening habits - & trying to not buy more than I can ever meaningfully listen to. Otherwise it becomes mindless consumption devoid of the real & central experience of music and art. I need to have the time to listen to an album several times over and then know I will regularly return to it. Too often I don’t attend to this and it becomes all about purchasing, consuming and collecting to fill a hole in the soul: the hunger for more & more & the ‘hit’ of buying. I now try to ask myself do I have the commitment & time to really deeply listen to what I purchase? How often will I really be playing this or that box set? Is what I’m buying a masterpiece or just middle of the road filler? Collecting is a form of addiction that needs to be looked at and understood. It can be enjoyed when we are in control & not just receiving endless parcels every week.
I feel the same. I have hundreds of LP’s and CD’s that I bought like a madman in my 20’s and 30’s. How many did I really listen to? Some likely not played at all. I’m putting in a man cave soon for the opportunity to finally slow down and immerse myself in what I paid so much money for, hoping to be surprised and moved by listening to an album from start to finish and not be taken for granted as background music. If I buy anything new I will be very selective and try to pare down my collection to what really matters to me.
You've come to the same realization I have about 3 years ago. Most of the time, the chase is not worth it. There are enough reissues to have a steady inflow of quality vinyl coming in the mail. I'm not a collector, I buy only AAA 33rpm quality pressings of what I consider the best music (to my taste), so my collection is not very large but very satisfying. Now if we could get a quality AAA repress of Wish You Were Here from AP and Bill Evans Trio w/ Lafaro on 33 rpm from Craft that would make me very happy!
There are a lot of reasons for collecting vinyl: The joy of listening to the music; the joy of just collecting; an exploration of the history and evolution of music; the ego of owning a great collection, especially albums that others want or can’t afford; and also for investment. You make a lot of good points in this video. I think starting with a “looking back” focus is just natural. Classic albums have accumulated over decades, while great new albums trickle out year by year. Personally, I have arrived at a point where I need to listen to the albums I own, rather than finding new/old stuff. Fortunately for me, I am not that knowledgeable, nor does my ear require the highest quality recording. I rely on the expertise in the VC. Michael, thank you for your service.
Thanks for sharing your insights Michael! I was lucky to have revived my vinyl collecting in 2004 thanks mainly due to my association with Acoustic Sounds. Those were the times when you could call and talk to Chad. I was able to grab the Classic Records reissues and other audiophile stuff available then. But what started it all in a BIG way was the Fantasy 100 titles reissued by Chad on double 45s. They were all numbered and I got serial number 11 for the whole series which had all the great titles from Prestige, Riverside, Pablo etc. This was followed by the Music Matters 45 Rpm Blue Note jazz titles (around 130) and the 50 AP Blue Note titles. I was able to get serial number 51 for the former and 11 for the latter series. MM set the bar for the quality of jacket which AP adopted for their 25 Impulse titles which again were gems. The journey continues but things seem to have become too commercial for my liking in the past 2 years. Some of the noble elements of the hobby seem to have diminished as big bucks, profits and flippers seem to be the driving factor. But hopefully things should settle down as the gap between supply and demand decreases. Keep up the great work as I love your videos!
Tottaly agree, unless the old versions never comes back, such as the Anton Bruckner direct to disc done by Berliner Philharmoniker , but even thats never guaranteed not to be re-released in another form .
Some excellent points made. My own opinion is that paying obscene money-if one is going to pay it-should really be for a small number of personal favourites. For now, I enjoy the classics on repressings and streaming, I enjoy some reasonably priced personal favourites as first pressings, and I love discovering new music and getting it on vinyl to support the industry.
Yes, so many fantastic releases to come. Don’t cry over spilt milk! I can’t wait for those tasty One-Step releases! I won’t get all of them, but some are almost mandatory! Hey, your English is great. I’m a native English speaker, studied Linguistics, taught overseas, and I think your English is really good! Remember, more people use English that are non native English speakers than native English speakers. So you’re a ahead of the game! Your videos are awesome!
one of the problem with nowdays people is in fact that no one who collects "audiophilee" records does not visit Record Stores.. everything is summarized in hectic preorders and "collecting" records played once or twice max. i like to visit local record store and communicate with people and grab something new and interesting for fair price. Discogs, Ebay, Chad, MFSL and Record Store day releases killed most of the fun. I think that people should listen music (streaming platforms for example) , learn which edition sounds best and then purchase. Michael channel is very helping in that regard, but Michael is strictly into online buying if i am not mistaken.
@@lelanddavis4733 And this rich “collector” is the poster boy for that. He’ll never know the joy of finding a deep groove mono prestige pressing for five bucks at a garage sale. Record collecting is not just waking up and clicking on the buy button constantly. It’s gross.
@@BmacLA yeah, I bought a few Tone Poets, traded for them and I only opened one. But I can tell they are not even close to any Blue note monos or stereo. It's impossible to "unhear" that original sound.
@@lelanddavis4733 i do like Tone Poets, and i do like this channel. i think it is a great time for jazz record collecting. my point is : if you miss record shopping in stores, or concentrate on only audiophile editions, you'll miss important part of this hobby - meeting other people and learning and dicovering new music. In my universe, music comes first, sound is on second place. For example, if you like classical music - there are so beautiful editions from RCA, His masters Voice, DG, Deccas from the past which are not "audiophile" recordings but performances are outstanding, and are not reissued by Acoustic Sounds and MFSL. It is pity to listen only Royal Ballets and Secherezade and not other great stuff. Same goes for large proportions of pop and rock music. I am not against audiophile editions, best thing is great music which sounds great- but if You concentrate only on this editions, you will miss great, great music. and great people who can help you find it.
What dictates my vinyl buying....is the music on it. I have never bought even one expensive re-issue Lots of my records are noisy, but man, when I pay $2 for a used 'Bitches Brew' and those platters still hum...yeah baby
Great video Again! Patience is the word…some folks don’t have enough of it to stick to this approach you speak of. I can honestly say I haven’t overpaid for any record in my collection. 🙏🏼🤙🏼
I love your channel and the way that you present, reflect about all of this. I have about 25'000 Jazz LPS, more on CDS. I went to a lot of different ways of buying, collecting, thinking about all of this. I'm almost with you about all your reflections in this video. Great episode and great way to maybe try to exchange, some of us, some ideas, thoughts.
Great perspective, although I think this comes down to how much you need these titles regardless of the new ones which are being released. I've been waiting for Chet Baker Sings since April 2020 when it became unavailable. It's my favourite jazz album period and I recently made a gut reaction to buy one for £120 as I have not seen any in my country online. I know there has been represses but I've missed these as they were so limited. I feel if they become common again I'll be slightly frustrated but for replacing my Dol pressing it's been too long a wait, just for me. I wish I had your faith for the Beatles mono box as well and I only hope you're right! Love the videos as always and I wish your greyhound was in more!
Hi Michael, I came somewhat to the same conclusion. In the beginning I bought a lot of expensive records on Discogs. The most expensive record I bought was a Classic records version of Led Zeppelin I album for 480 Euros. Although there are still some expensive records on Discogs I would like to buy, I decided not to do that anymore, and concentrate on records that are out there on the regular market and upcoming titles.
Definitely agree on The Beatles Mono Box set. They'll probably change the packaging a bit as it's really not needed to be that OTT. They could sell out 25,000 easy. It's just a waiting game..!
I feel for you. It's a hot market.. people will get burned.. I started buying records in the early '60's. my first Jazz record purchase at 16 was Ornette Coleman's Quartet "Change of the Century " before that was anything by the Beatles .. I have built collections about 3-4 times since then.. sold them off, been burglarised and lost them, lent to friends and didn't get them back .. emigrated to NZ started again (still have that Ornettes' album here tho! and can remember every album I had ).. I started again, now have quite a collection.. NZ pressings were pretty poor in the scheme of things, expensive too, (altho now "vintage" Kiwi made records have skyrocketed in price!) imports were rare, so I started buying from overseas... mainly by email thru Ebay, Acoustic Sounds, Piccadilly Records, Amazon etc.. ended up with quite a collection!.. It was easy, didn't get everything I wanted, but was even satisfied with joining up and buying from AS on subscription (45rpm reissues numbered series, both Blue Note & Impulse! I think they were a hard sell in those days in comparison to todays market) If albums I wanted weren't available or sold out I just moved on.. The difference is these days that with the internet you don't have to look too far, just do a rudimentary search to find anything you want.. but the demand is high! Look at Record Store Day releases, on Ebay in five minutes - Be ready to be disappointed! Can't blame the record companies as they are stuck in a hard place keeping up with this unprecedented demand with limited production resources.. that's where quality suffers too.. I do admit I have too many records.. if I started tonight and started to play every one in rotation 24 hours a day I'm sure I wouldn't get to the end of them.. who has that much time? Funnily enough yesterday I ordered the Ornette box set from Blue Note, while ordering I thought that this will be my last order of vinyl..(Oh, and about 3 or 4 other orders, Zappa, Biosphere etc on their way too).. I'll leave room for others..
I think it was good you posted it, because it's an important conversation to have, especially with yourself as a collector. It's easy to get drawn into the FOMO part of the vinyl collecting, and buy without thinking about why and how you collect. Personally, I have been trying to be patient and buy new releases too.
It's also important to understand how obsession imbalances one's 'life portfolio,' i.e., between health, love, work, wonder, nights out, other hobbies, travels, the problems of the world, etc., that particular title/pressing/whatever probably shouldn't occupy too much of your consciousness or wallet. And one will never have everything they want, or at least not for long! Incompleteness is a basic and acceptable part of life- really in any domain.
Couldn't agree more. I've been solely focused on quality represses and new releases for the last year and it has been a great relief. 2 Years ago it seemed like we wouldn't see represses of a lot of these titles so paying aftermarket was just price of entry. Now that the vinyl market has continued to grow and the repress catalogue continues to grow it just doesn't make sense to chase. There's exceptions to everything, we all have our grails, and for now I'm going after the new as well.
Thank you, Michael… Very wise words and from my point of view you express, I feel the conflict and dichotomy shared by many vinyl and music obsessives, of which of course I count myself. Remember the old term ‘vinyl junkie’. Back in prehistory, when we had to visit physical stores, going into town and checking the racks for new releases or backfilling the collection was a ritual and event in itself… and in a way probably tempered the decision making process. For myself at any rate, it made the collecting of music a more valuable and considered process… and as a consequence the vinyl addiction could be controlled… (a bit!!). Now, due to the simplicity of access to acquirement via the internet, the barriers to our vinyl drug of choice are removed and the need easily fed but perhaps not so easily sated. So I think you are right to set yourself and rationalise your own ground rules to manage the condition! And it gives us all perhaps pause to also create our own such rules. Top of my rule sheet is not to leave the final decision to purchase that expensive box-set that I’ve dithered over for a couple of days until the end of a wine-night!!!
Stay calm! Personally I do prefer selection over accumulation. A small carefully curated record collection that I can know and love is preferable to a large, less carefully assembled collection that you do not have time to listen to properly. And also beautifully packaged records that I appreciate as objects. Only my opinion! Alles Gute zum Geburtstag mein Teufel! (Hope I got that right! That's German for Happy Birthday my friend!)
i think if your main reason to buy music (at a reasonable price) is to listen and enjoy you are ahead of the game. if you buy the records as an investment, mainly. then you are in it for the wrong reason. I have been collecting records again for just over 10 yrs ( I have all my albums growing up from 80s ( cocteau twins, siouxsie, joy division sets ( all 1st press)). With the analogue releases its being around when they released so we can get them at reasonable price.
My paradigm is: respect your own values, resources, and limits. Buy for the music, realize that completism is not necessary and can be obsessive, and buy for sound quality, but not at not-outrageous (for you) prices, unless perhaps it's an absolutely favorite title for you. Quality generally trumps quantity, but quality shouldn't become an overly-powerful obsession. And remember- when you're dead and gone, it's unlikely that anybody you know will care much if at all about your collection. And you may not even care so much about it someday. Luckily for me I've been buying vinyl non-stop since 1980 or so, and so don't have real gaps in my collection (but very few first pressings or special matrix numbers), and not a lot of current 'need.' I'm not willing to spend insane prices on vinyl relative to my finances, but with a professional job and middle age, I can now selectively spend on some MOFIs or UHQRs (but have never spent more than that on an lp, and understand that price is out of reach for many). My favorite titles will for me merit top prices for convenience and general reliability, but usually I'm thinking $40 or under for an lp. Just go with what you like and what you can afford, and don't obsess about unaffordable titles! I'll never own a Ludwig-mastered LZ II, though I'd love to, but- while I could technically afford to buy one in good condition, I'm not made of money and one title shouldn't be that important.
Great points. Lately, I am slowing down my purchases. I have discovered I do not have time to listen to all the great music I own. When I receive multiple records in a week, I just cannot give all of them the listening time they deserve. I have done some look-back purchases but only for stuff I really want. The Blue Note Classic Series Sidewinder sounds great, no need to search out another version. Thanks again!
What is the audio quality difference between the album you own : Otto Klemperer conducting The Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus performing Mahler Symphony n 2 in C Minor "Resurrection " as compared to listening to it on Tidal app in MQA hi- definition while played through a high end amp and speakers ? I understand the thrill of the hunt and the pleasure in buying /collecting but is there a difference between the sound ?
A very interesting debate and personal opinion on collecting vinyl. Well thought out and I certainly would not pay the sort of prices that some of the Albums are priced at, when incomes are limited (retired) it makes you very cost aware and I've picked up a few bargains 2nd hand which most (not all) have turned out to be wonderful sounding so you can carefully collect albums if you have the time and patience. I personally think the vinyl market is making money for the companies which wasn't there previously (ie CD's) Thank you for your well present discussion.
Completely agree, I refuse to pay through the nose for records I’m missing these days. So much coming out all the time, it’s hard to keep up with everything that’s current. Also, I pick and choose the Tone Poet/Classic/Acoustic Sounds/Sam releases I really want rather than grab everything, otherwise you have too many titles collecting dust!
Thanks for sharing your take. I completely agree this approach makes most sense in today’s inflated market. It’s actually refreshing to let go of the past. I’m just getting into audiophile Jazz so it seems like such a wealth of material I have missed. But instead of focusing my attention there, I will look forward to all of the amazing pressings to come!
Hi…..I enjoy your channel and I agree with you regarding the fact that many of these modern reissues will be around for a while as long as there is demand. One thing that is for sure regarding the true collectibility of records: They aren’t making any more clean original issues of any titles…. Thanks for all of the hard work you obviously put into preparing and delivering these videos……and your English is great!
Such a great topic Michael and I’m very glad that you did upload the video 😀 There are many different types of collectors/ vinyl enthusiasts. And even differences within a collection. For example I’m a Paul Weller completist (or trying to be) but I’ve only bought different pressings of my favourite albums of his work. In jazz I collected the first batch of Classic series, but now I’m selective with this and Tone Poets and AS series. But I totally agree that looking forward is great. I wish that all the labels would do what MOFI has done and give us a proper insight into the next 2 years. That way we can work out what are “must haves” versus just “nice to haves”. Thanks a lot for provoking the discussion as always 🙏 Graham
More interesting thoughts Michael. Patience is a virtue and in the current market, there is plenty of impetus for labels to reproduce and repackage classic and new material. The aftermarket does not earn them any extra cash, whereas a new well handled (re)release will keep the profit wheels turning. We are just fortunate that the great music keeps coming. Your channel provides an excellent service in keeping us appraised.
The reason the high prices for second-hand audiophile pressings persist is because many audiophiles are willing and able to pay more than $100 for a reissue of a classic record. It's a shame that so many collectors follow the lead of dealers by asking for the absolute most they are able to get for a record they are selling. To me it's crazy how consistently resellers upcharge way above retail. I guess everyone who gets these titles for retail price early is a little proud of their investment and wants it to pay off as much as possible.
Hi Michael, I came to the same conclusion than you last year. Now, I just go to the record shop and look for the new stuffs, be them represses or new artists. I'm happier this way and the wallet as well. I have to say that the Chet Baker thing happened to me. I ordered it on time to the local record shop but after a while they told me they couldn't get it from the US, then the price inflated and now it's way too overpriced for what it is... but there are other records ! Many of them !
Michael I have to agree with your point, and it's probably going to affect my buying habit going forward. I suffer from FOMO, the Fear Of Missing Out, so I buy everything from a collector's standpoint (Tone Poet, 80 Series, MFSL One Steps, Impulse Jazz) and I've got a shitload of albums of which many are still sealed and some titles that I just don't like the music. I'll probably start to thin out the herd and be a bit more selective before I buy from now on. And I have to agree that many titles will be re-pressed and if you just wait a bit they'll come back at reasonable prices. Thanks for waking me up!
You’re absolutely right, at the current time you should look ahead. The key, however, is to stay flexible and adapt to the market. It has changed, will change again and will continue to,change.
I’ve changed my approach as well in the past 6-9 months. If there’s a catalogue title in my collection that suddenly hits $50-$75 and I know it will likely be repressed in a year or two then I’ll sell it if it doesn’t mean a lot to me. I’ve done this with Pearl Jam and Jenny Lewis recently. I’ll the take the extra money and buy more records and also pick the title I sold for much less when it’s re-released
I would prefer a one step 33 1/3, opposed to the 45. I think the original play time before flipping the record is an important part of the art of production in an album.
Thank you for this and all your videos Micheal! These are the same thoughts I've been working through when thinking about what I want to collect and how. What I had decided was that it would be new reissues and/or originals. I can't justify several hundred dollars for something that will either be repressed or have a new reissue. Kind of Blue is a perfect example. I had thought about buying some expensive reissues on discogs, but when the UHQR was announced I jumped on that and now probably won't get another copy unless I find a decent original.
Very well said Sir, recently I’ve been leaning the same way, so many great new Tone Poet etc. being released they should be enough to keep me happy. Oddly I’m not seeing the older versions of these pressing coming down in price as a result. Good thing because I have invested heavy but love every one of them. I think it’s important to have a blend of both old and new but maybe that’s just me. Love the Honesty here. Thanks 🙏
I’ve watched a lot videos on record collecting. I myself have been collecting for 35 years. This is BY FAR the best (and most important) video I’ve seen on the subject. I agree 100% and this should be mandatory viewing for everyone who buys records…..especially those who are new to vinyl. So many great titles being released that sound better than ever…..there is absolutely no need to go backwards. None. Oh…and your English is absolutely perfect!
Hallo Michael! I think you expressed yourself well and I like your new approach to collecting. I have been taking the same approach for quite some time. The only time it makes sense to pay such a large amount of money for an album is if there is zero chance of it being reissued, very limited availability, and it is an album you will love and cherish and listen to often. I have yet to find myself in that position although I did come close once. I almost paid $150 for a Circle Jerks record but decided to wait as the 40th anniversary was coming up and I thought maybe they might reissue -- and they did! It is absolutely gorgeous and sounds perfect for a mere $22. Had I not been such a cheapskate, I would have overspent and had buyer's remorse. Instead I am ecstatic with my inexpensive reissue. I have been upset to miss some limited releases that are now on Discogs for ridiculous amounts of money but I will wait for the next reissue. Take care my friend and see you in the live streams. ✌️💜🎶🎶🎶
Thank you so much for this particular video. This is a topic that I have struggled with for the past few years and you were able, in fine English, to get across what I’ve been thinking. It was good to hear it said. I appreciate your honesty and conviction on this topic. It really helps with my choices.
Great video Michael. I’ve been buying vinyl over a period of 33 years, & my ideas of buying records are very much in opposition to yours....but I always really enjoy your videos. You’re correct there is no right or wrong way to collect vinyl..but .I hope your tempered approach means you get even more enjoyment out of it. I’m definately slowing down my purchases to enjoy what I have.
I think what your saying is spot on and you make some very good points. I'm glad you posted this video and I feel the same way. The only way I would pay big bucks for a record is if it was a rare never re pressed release. that is not available on the Streaming Services. Otherwise I would listen to it online or wait for it to be released on vinyl at a decent price.
Your point seems logical, but I don't seeing it always being the case. For example, The Mobile Fidelity Marvin Gaye "What's Going On' has continued to increase in value even with the release of the One Step. The original release currently sales for $250+ USD. Another example would be the MFSL Janis Joplin Pearl releases where many people actually prefer the orginal release by MFSL over the One Step. So I think the Miles Davis catalogue wiil be very similar to the Marvin Gaye releases.
Excellent video Michael, your thoughts and feelings came across really well. For me, record buying has to be fun and enjoyable, be it buying second hand or new audiophile releases. As for so called "limited releases", who actually really knows how many are pressed ? I'm not saying labels are dishonest, far from it, but they have to make a profit and we are consumers of their product. It makes sense to put something out as a limited release, there will be a mad scramble to own a copy at, let's be honest, whatever price the seller puts on it. When all these albums were originally released, people walked into their local record store and bought a copy of whatever the label put out, which was usually a mono, sometimes stereo, release. I'm sure all these new cut-from-the-original-master-tapes releases are sonically amazing, but when it comes to buying for investment reasons, I'm out. I'll enjoy what I have and play the damn things to death more often than not, but I'll enjoy doing that, music is amazing and life affirming, and to me that's how it should be.
It's always a question of time. If you can wait there will be a re-release, an opportunity, etc. If you can't wait you have to pay the current price. Besides, I don't care about the value of my collection. I do it for the love of music and not to show off or understand it as an investment with a revenue. I agree that the asked prices on Discogs seem to be a bit ridiculous. Up to 2000,- $ for the Stones Mono Box? Come on... - However, I take the best of all worlds. Sometimes look back, often wait for new releases, but I'm well aware that I will never have them all...
Hi Micheal enjoyed the video. I never look at discoggs prices .. I’ve been going in record shops for years I know what things are worth .. the way I buy records is pretty old fashioned I go in record shops and see what they have .. my monthly budget is about £250 a month I like finding a bargain but if I see something special I’ll pay the price .. buying records is supposed to be fun Ive never been stressed about buying a record in my life … in the uk there’s a crisis in consumer confidence rising gas prices , food prices etc I only have so much disposable income … Collecting records in a complicated business there’s to much choice I guess we all have to prioritise…. I understand your conclusion it does make sense .. I hardly show any records that I buy mainly because I’m not comfortable uploading to many videos I think 1 video a week is enough from me . Not many people watch my videos so there’s no demand .. interesting what you said about buying records with the money you’ve made through your channel that makes sense to me and it’s rewarding your subscribers with the content they want .. best wishes Micheal I hope your shoulder is recovering 👍
I bought the complete Prestige Stereo subscription last year when Acoustic Sounds 'found' a few in the warehouse. I spent $2K on 25 records that are going to be repressed at $40 apiece. I'm fortunate I was too late to pay $2K for the Prestige Mono series as well.
Hi good topic to discuss. My collecting has been impacted by my physical location and what I can get hold of. It is also affected by financials and the cost of vinyl and shipping. I also think of the amount of time I can spend listening and above always remind myself of the music which to me is the most important. I agree with you and Dylan and say ‘Don’t Look Back!’ 😊
Wonderful video and so very accurate, Your opinion I think would be shared by many in this community I myself am fairly new to collecting the Audiophile pressings I see it as a natural progression in how I have matured as a listener. I look for quality over quantity now and am well pleased with that decision. As for prices I like to get in at the pre order either direct or thru one record store who is wonderful to deal with.
Hi Michael-Overall, I agree with your comments. One exception-It’s still worth searching for classic original pressings of rock, jazz and classical albums. They are usually fairly priced. Peter
Well Said Michael! We all have put in large sums on scarce titles, for me the early one steps MoFi and Dylan on MoFi. The latest ERC title Portrait in Jazz (Mono) sold out in 6 minutes I think. Last fall (2021) I put in orders on all the Prestige catalogue (mono and stereo series) at Acoustic Sounds, including the Bill Evans box and the other day Chad confirmed they are doing all the titles. It doesn’t matter how long Ill have to wait, Ill get ‘em at retail. So thank YOU for giving us a heads up and put into words how to plan future collecting. While waiting for upcoming titles one can enjoy those in all the bookshelf’s…
So ironic I was having a similar conversation this afternoon about the same thing. I had to miss a lot of releases and really think about my collecting habits. I too don't look back nor would pay a lot for a release. I have a list that I have broken down with limited or numbered releases at the top including RSD. Then I have all the mofi and Analog Productions, then all other releases below. If it's a common new release I will not jump the gun and get because here in the US I have seen some of these later go on sale. I am lucky here in Phoenix to have a lot of shops to choose. A great example is you did a video mid last year of turntable favorites and you showed Neil Young Storytone. It's on discogs for 80+ US Dollar. Happen to stop by a store and they had a still sealed with a slight corner crease for 34 US Dollar. Never thought I would find it but I just stumbled across it. There are other examples where I really wanted a mofi and paid top dollar and now I am seeing these repressed. If you miss a release it's best to just keep looking forward unless you find a good copy at a decent price. You also brought up another point I was also discussing is the price of our collections fluctuating in value. For me my records are not a commodity like some people that treat their collection. I love to listen and enjoy my records. But I do think it's a double edge sword per say that a record I have is worth a decent amount and if and when it gets repressed, the value will come down. So in that aspect it's a little risky to hold onto to vinyl to resell later. Again I am not in that category and feel bad for those collectors who are only in it to make a buck. Last example is RSD titles later getting a standard press in black or another color variant for less than what we paid waiting in line all morning for at Record Store Day. I feel RSD needs to stop and take a look and maybe do a reset. For me it doesn't make sense to later release a standard version is kind of a slap to the face. I have done every RSD since it started and at the beginning the titles that were released never saw a repress or if it did it would many years later. I went back and looked at 2020 and 2021 and there some examples were that is true but also several releases that saw a standard release. I feel if a title is going to come out in 2-3 months after a RSD. They should either let us know or exclude that title from the list. In the last year color variations have become more common than 2-3 years ago. So for me it doesn't make sense to charge a premium for a product that will come out later in a few months for less money. I think I am not the only one that thinks this as I have 2 shops that still have most of 2021 RSD titles still for sale. What does that mean for collectors? Waiting hours in the cold to get something you think is exclusive or rare just to see it a couple of months later in a standard or even cooler color variant. Now I am signed up for all these newsletters from analog productions, Mofi and even shops, so it will be easier I hope for 2022 RSD to see if a standard version will come out. If so I am going to pass unless there is something special like a 2 nd lp or other rarity that makes sense to buy that title. That's my opinion and look forward to your next part about the electronic music. That is uncharted territory for me and want to know if I need to buy now. Example is there are 3 Yello titles I want but my local shop can order but each would be almost 100 US each including customs, and can't justify that. I would love to hear your take on it. Thanks
Great topic. Thanks for the update on your strategy. It is indeed nice to figure out that these reissue labels are in essence not collectors but businesses -- if a new pressing makes business sense and there are no licensing issues (not automatic givens), they will eventually put their product out in the market.
I came to the same conclusion as you did. Try to go with what is released now or will be in the future. Yes there will be exceptions for sure but I will try to keep the number of those small.
Let’s face it. Everyone buying an expensive record from the second market does it because it was possible and has enough money to pull the trigger. Agree to everything you said. Still, for the simple reason ERC decides to sell only 10 pieces of one record or a very limited number of records, it still does not make justice to their prices. Is not like their music comes recorded from another planet or anything… I won’t collect records from companies like ERC for this exact reason. Otherwise, all you said is fair and square, but we all kind of thought this the same way I think.
Great video! Agree on pricing and current vinyl trends within our community. My only saving grace is my true disdain of Jazz....this is certainly saving me with my bank account because it seems every channel and new release list has a heavy heavy emphasis on Jazz!! Still.....sadly....I am trying to cutback on my vinyl spending in 2022....after the first 45 days I am actually purchasing more than last year 😓😡😥🙄😠😩 Love what you say about "Staying Calm".... I need to adhere to this advice because not only shopping at my local record stores....I also currently have albums on order with Discogs and Amazon....I am certainly in need of professional help for my vinyl addiction 🤔🤔
the bottom line is: buy want you want and not for speculation...which also means don't over-pay (flippers upcharge) because most everything will eventually be re-pressed in a higher quality edition.
Well said. I think it is important to buy small label records, but they barely have exposure, glad you know where to find info about these and we can listen to it if we like it too online and buy them👍🏽
Nice to hear another collectors take on the current market. I think new people coming into the hobby need to see this video, they often get caught up in a FOMO, and become inpatient and end up trying to get as many of their wants as soon as they possibly can, and end up paying too much. When they simply need to remember there are always going to be other records coming out soon across all genres and labels that they will want, just need to sign up to news letters, find a good local record store and keep on top of labels announcements. I collect forward and backwards over my favourites and new releases for most of my time collecting. I've been keeping my eyes open for good deals on first presses and been lucky with being able to buy parts of a collection over time. I do a lot more pre-ordering these last couple of years. Also I visit a lot of record stores (every town I stop in) and they have been a source of many of tone poet and classic series that were not available online. My most lucky find was 2nd hand mint speakers corner crime of the century at retail price. Always check your record stores :)
Well said. The breadth and quality of releases at the moment is phenomenal. I expect the labels seeing the demand for these titles gives them more confidence to print bigger runs and go back to repress scarce titles. No need to pay 10x for a title you could get close to RRP 3 years ago.
I'm expecting record label companies will support the need for new pressing plants, so more vinyl will become available. Today, because CDs almost wiped out vinyl, there are not enough pressing plants. Also, I think someone said that one of the main plants was destroyed in fire and was not rebuilt.
I really enjoyed your thoughts and agree wholeheartedly, Michael. I got back into vinyl a couple of years ago, and have recently begun to explore jazz. Rather than chasing down expensive titles on the second hand market, I am picking up the reissues when they come out. There are so many great titles to be had at very reasonable prices. The Chet Baker titles that Craft Recordings released recently are fantastic. There are are a lot of great reissues coming out to look forward to, so I don't feel the need to look back.
Just a great video again, and spot on the message!!! Thank you so much of these videos, good unique content! One question; could you give a tip where to get/ preorder those USA audiophile labels that are not available in Europe Amazon, Analogue Productions, Mofi, etc. Is the only way to order from US and wait long and pay tolls and taxes? Thanks for the answer beforehand!
That was an interesting take on vinyl collecting in 2022. I think if we stop paying crazy prices on the secondary market maybe the prices will come down. As you said, there's plenty of new releases coming out every week. I hope you are right about the Beatles mono box, I have been patiently waiting for it to be reissued for a long time now. I think the only albums that will not be reissued are the mobile fidelity one step. If you want one, I'm afraid you will have to pay through the nose for it.
I got back into vinyl in 2019 and since then I have spent a lot of money on vinyl. I am coming to a point where I am content. 20 years ago, I had thousands of vinyl and sold them when I was going through college (university) to help make a tuition payment. I look at the pricing today and I am always getting a chuckle. But when I jumped back into it in 2019 I wanted to get certain titles and as we enter 2022 I am finishing my list, there are a few artists putting new material out that I will buy but I am at a point where I have the titles I want. You showed the MOFI Miles Davis Bitches Brew album, I have a copy of one of many represses of that album, I am content with what I have, when I hear they are doing another superdeluxe collection and it has every activity during the recording sessions or if they are the original pressing, my ears can hear the difference and I value the quality but I am not breaking my bank for them. I love The Band and I have the Big Pink and Brown Album superdeluxes and they are truly gems, but they have released Stage Fright and Cahoots and I get for collectors they are essential and nice sets but I sit back and go why am I going to pay for both $300 for albums that I may spin once a year and I don't take the deep dive into. I firmly believe there will always be more and more mega sets released and albums repressed, patience is key but also realize you cannot own everything. I am happier, and like you mentioned Michael I am looking forward for new artists and taking chances on others. Life is good but I don't need to spend 450 Euros on a Bitches Brew pressing no matter how good it sounds, that money can go to newer things in music.
I agree totally. I have 5000 Vinyl Records. 100 of them from audiophile Labels. But i never bought a Record via discogs or ebay. Patience is a must for a record collector. I have wanted the Bob Dylan Blonde on Blonde 3-LP 45 rpm set for about 8 years. I could have bought them for a lot of money on Discogs/ebay, which I did not. Last week I got them in the store for 98 euros. This is an example that underlines your thesis. This is not only true for audiophile records but also for all other LP's from the past. Even the most obscure albums come out as re-releases at some point. Of course, all this is uninteresting for those who absolutely want to have the original first pressing.
I've accidentally hit a kind of sweet spot. The supply chain issues have allowed me to prepare for purchases better, and also forced me to buy off of Amazon sometimes. But it also allows me to find out about bad pressings (lots and lots of times off this channel) before I buy them, so I can avoid wasting money on flat purchases, never mind aftermarket. I've also given up on colored variants as a cash grab and now I stick to targeting high-quality releases period. I don't chase the dragon on intentional collector editions meant to goad me into hoarding for flipping.
I just purchased a new TT for the first time in 35 years and have to say that without an extensive vinyl collection, deciding what to buy to play on it was an after-thought. 35 years ago, walking around a record shop and buying vinyl was a regular Saturday morning event. The world has changed lol. Buying vinyl suddenly seemed to be a daunting task rather than a joy. Thankyou for this insight, it was just what I needed to hear to simplify my buying habits going forward. Does anyone here have some top tips for the best sources for upcoming releases?
Spot on Michael. One of my truly favorite all time listen to album is Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On. I missed out on Mofi’s One Step of that title. That’s ok because I still have my Father’s original pressing that sounds great, a CD Version, a cassette version and I also pre-ordered the anniversary edition. Will the anniversary edition sound better than the MoFi, probably not. For me it’s the music. Yes I will purchase the some but all of the announced titles from MoFi. One thing that is for sure…..this is a great period in vinyl where you can get these reissued titles, not pay those crazy prices and enjoy some great music. As always thanks for all of your reviews and introduction to other types of genres and artists.
Anniversary is an actual remix done by Kevin grey so there's s pretty decent chance it ends up sounding better than the mofi. Maybe more surface noise than the mofi but a better mastering
I have more or less stoppet buying UHQR and MOFI One Step releases and my focus is on older European analog releases. It doesn't matter if it's the first, second or third edition, the only thing that matters is that it's analog and sounds good. Even digitized editions can do well, but only if they sound great.
You're right Michael the executives at the record companies they look at the market what records are going for a lot of money because they haven't been reissued or they haven't been reissued in a while that's how you do your market research and what you should produce and that's why when certain titles go for a lot of money they have a vested interest in reissuing that title and sometimes the reissue is much better than the previous issue. Glad to see you are doing well my friend enjoyed this video very much thank you
My position: I am 53 years old. I have limited time in life (in the remaining time on earth). I have 10,000 records. I learned that much more records does not serve me anymore than what I already have. I should slow down in obtaining records.
Living on a pension has certainly focused how I spend on vinyl. I have to be much more focused and choose carefully from Tone Poet, Blue Note Classics AP reissues along with SAM and Speakers Corner. . Also from mainstream releases, the Pink Floyd Piper is on order, also the forthcoming Ry Cooder/ Taj Mahal tribute to Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. In used records, labels like Pablo to take one example can deliver great recordings and pressings at very low used prices. The 'Ellington Suites' and Basie's 'Farmers Market Barbecue' are two examples of many. For me the MoFi one-steps and AP versions of the same are unaffordable, (particularly in the UK), and whilst I'm sure they sound great even in some circumstances being the best available version of a recording, their bloated presentation would be a struggle to accomodate even in my 4 bed house. Each to their own of course, if I had the salary and the space I might think differently. I would in any event like to see simpler packaged, lower priced versions of one-steps.
My collecting of music is about buying the music I like at a price I can afford, if I like the artist a lot then I will invest in a box set or anniversary edition from the artist. But, and thanks to this channel, I have widened my listening experiences but not by buying a super expensive limited collectors edition but by finding music from the artist at a price I deem is reasonable. The most expensive music in my collection is the recent box set from Billy Joel, I have been a fan for years so getting this collection of LP’s was an easy choice, but to pay the same amount on an LP from an artist who in my humble opinion is okay but nothing special is bonkers, I’d buy a CD or go via a second hand record store and pick something up for £5-£10. There are people out there however who must have that latest special, original master, one step, etc., etc., edition of an LP and there is nothing wrong with being that person, we are all different but as long as we enjoy our music then that is fine. My gear isn’t top drawer super hifi just a nice little set up around a Rega P3, I doubt if I would hear any of the differences between a basic shop bought edition of an album and a super super special version of the same album so for me my money is better spent buying more music than buying one super special album. I really enjoy this channel and thanks to Michael I have a much wider music collection than I did a year or two back, long may that continue. Cheers Michael.
Hi, Bro, Words from Singapore. I’ve been following your channel for a while. In so, I ‘ve been having a great ball of time. Your command of English is great, you always spoken from your heart, that is the one greatest reason that kept me into your channel. Thank you for the sincere comments please don’t listen to lesser comments. Most people do not understand the painS in doing what you are doing, thank you. Truthfully, I hate blue note,audiophile recording and all that RUBBISH pressings that are out to empty our walletS! What you are saying in this episode is perfect wordings to me. Why are we filling the pockets of such makers? We must never dance to the tune of speculatorS! I would to share what and how I collect. I am for music only, even the pressings are not too important to me. I am into 1940s mono jazz records al to the present day pressingS. Ofcause I have a mono cartridge to extract all the contents within the grooves. I understand the investments in time and monetary you’ve put in, thank you. Needless to say, if you review something that not available in the market, it would be pointless, please do not contribute to the coffers record manufacturers and speculators. I would rather let them drown in the fiery temperatures of HELL! Thank you once again. Take care and stay safe.
Came to a similar place just recently possibly because of so many intriguing reissues and no longer “looking back” to replace much loved stuff where I did not have a decent copy. Also, Michael, I bought a few of the electronica titles you recommend (unheard) and…HOOKED Thank you Thank you!
I bought that same MoFi copy of Bitches Brew new for $35-$39, whatever it was in 2014, and can’t believe that somebody spent $450 on Discogs for it. I do have some “holy grails” I’d be willing to drop some serious money on, though. A lot of old death metal titles will never be repressed, I’m looking at you Roadracer/Roadrunner bands, and the values of originals just keep going up and up.
The irony here Michael is that I just bought the ERC Bruckner 8th on the secondary market in part because of your videos. So are you an angel on one shoulder or a devil on the other?! Cheers for another great perspective and video!
I couldn't agree with you more. If I can't afford it I stream it. Price gouging on discogs is shameful. How about the sellers that clean out the RSD offerings and then post the records on Discogs for more than three times the amount of the original price?
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Hi, Michael...Very thought-provoking video. Thanks for deciding to go ahead and post it!
Like quite a few people (especially people like me who grew up long ago when vinyl was king), I rediscovered the medium during the pandemic. I was well aware that the vinyl revival had been going on for several years, but I only got back into myself in the past couple of years. So perhaps I missed the "golden age" or early years of the new vinyl boom. I undoubtedly missed out on many of the releases you mention. Oh well.
As I got back into it, I discovered that it has become a huge business. The first thing I realized is that companies are cashing in like crazy with fancy-schmancy reissues, repressings, and packaging. There's special colored-vinyl this, super-deluxe that, limited-edition this, box set that, and on and on and on. To me, it seems like the business has turned away from simply buying music to listen to and enjoy, and has moved instead into "collecting" objects and artifacts for status--like trading cards, sneakers, and basically the entire "art" market (don't get me started in NFTs--lol). When that happens--when something gets commodified more for its status as a collectible rather than for its intended purpose--things get stupid. Enter flippers, obsessive "collectors", and so on.
For me, vinyl is very much a secondary way of listening to music. For better or worse, I still stream most of my music. Vinyl is just for occasional fun. (I will avoid the ridiculous digital vs analog or vinyl is better than CDS and streaming nonsense--except to say that I consider the "debate" to be complete nonsense.) I have about 250 records now--and that's plenty!
I also don't consider myself an "audiophile". I go back to the 1970s, and even then I considered the term rather silly. (The word literally means "lover of sound"--not even anything to do with music...but I digress.) I'm just a person who likes and enjoys music. Unfortunately, I went to too many very loud concerts when I was younger, plus I'm over 60, so my hearing isn't what it once was. I can appreciate the difference between $100 speakers and $1,000 speakers, or a $100 turntable vs as $1,000 one, but beyond going from crappy junk to decent gear, I find things very much follow the law of diminishing returns. Between my hearing and the quality of equipment I own, I also don't find a huge amount of difference between different pressings. Obsessing over who mastered something, who engineered it, where it was pressed, and all that just seems, again, rather silly to me.
So I have "decent" equipment and I like to listen to music. But I just can't get into the obsessive side of the "hobby". For me, "collecting" (especially for the sake of collecting itself) makes no sense. I have a pretty short list of artists I'm especially interested in--probably about 10 or 12. I'll sometimes splurge on their material (for example: the recent Nick Cave box set). I'll even try to find old/original versions of their stuff in decent condition at a decent price. I TRY to keep an eye out for new stuff, but that's also very often a frustrating experience. I HAVE gotten sucked in to the "pre-order this extra super special limited edition" a few times, but I have since decided that's (mostly) not for me.
Generally speaking, I think the whole vinyl thing has gotten completely out of control, and that makes me sad. I really miss the "good old days" of going down to the record store, buying a new album for $4 or $5, and just enjoying the music with friends!
Spot on! I only recently got into vinyl because a good friend of mine gifted me several of his KISS records from the 70's that were in very good condition. I'm a CD collector and have pretty much all the cool stuff from the classic bands. When I looked at the vinyls I kept thinking if they will be stored again for another decade or two or of I should listen to them, so I decided that for fun I should get myself a record player. I didn't bought one, mind you (I was still hesitant to get into it because I knew if I liked it I would start buying albums). So, my birthday came and my GF bought me cheap Victrola (neither I nor she knew they were very low in quality and mostly for fun) so I got to experience the vinyl for the first time. The kiss records were good, then I went out there and bought Hendrix (new) and experimented the first skipping and it was then when I realized there were issues with the record player and some new pressings. I bought an expensive record player and kept buying albums since then, it's been 3 months or so. Bought old records and new. It's fun, some sound great, some sound decent but, here's where I center what you are saying. The debate on what's better than the other is silly. Im not an expert nor "audiophile" but I dont need anyone to tell me that vinyl is better when I can tell on my own that some CDs are waaay better in quality than some vinyls. So get out of here with that silly debate. Mysic is fun akd it's meant to be enjoyed.
In my case, sometimes I see your recommendations with a point of frustration knowing that the recordings that are shown I will not be able to afford them. My purchasing power is medium and the money that I can dedicate to this hobby is scarce. I simply discard the impossible and focus on what I can assimilate. This turning point Michael is important if not the hobby becomes an obsession. Thank you always for waking us all up and telling it like it is. Greetings to the Community!
Many of us are like you. I for example focus on good quality pressings when it comes to new reissued and remastered jazz records, from Verve and Capitol that come from Music on Vinyl. I have about 50 of their records already and i'm yet to find a dud or the one I don't like. I do get Acoustic Sounds and Tone Poet ones too, but they're few and far between. My system is reasonably resolving one too (Yamaha high-end hifi amp, Technics GR turntable and B&W higher end speakers) so I can hear the finest nuances. My view on vinyl purchase is buy what you like to listen, not what you like to collect as most likely those expensive investments won't pay off in the long run.
Hi Michael this is what I have been doing for the last 15+ years. I think you have found yourself in this place also because you have purchased most of the old titles that you wanted - so enjoy what you have, watch out for new things and listen to the music😊
Glad you made this video. I am increasingly disturbed by the vinyl market. This mad spin is clearly based on the drain on the middle age men at the top of their purchase power. Pricing often has elements of some dodgy pyramid schemes. I stopped buying to collect, I only buy music I am listening. Also agree on stop looking back… there are so many great LPs of new music… most of stuff I buy these days is directly from artists on Bandcamp
Being an ex record industry professional, the core catalogue will always be reissued. Whether it's Eric Dolphy or a Yes title. The core for jazz is of course smaller, but I don't think there has been a time when the Prestige cat has been out of print on vinyl, maybe not audiophile but still. With the jazz cat it will continue to focus on the 50's-70's, sadly for us who also like pre 50's jazz as well. But they will stick to the "hi-fi' sound from that period. Whether its Blue Note titles thru Universal or their smaller quantity cat farmed out to a 2ndary producer, most of their stuff will always be in print or soon to be reissued, assuming the vinyl heyday continues. Same with the non jazz or classical, the big names in rock, r&b, reggae, country, will all come around again although the smaller non rock genres won't be audiophile there is an underlying prejudice in making these such titles audiophile, cause they believe they won't sell, there are some but not enough. For myself there are some titles I would like to find original pressings of and the rest happy with a great sounding new pressing. I myself will not get trapped into compulsively buying a really unwarranted upgrade because it's the newest thing. If I have the title and it sounds great I will use my $ to purchase a previous heard via cd let's say or a completely new to me title by a known or unknown artist. I understand the compulsion to rebuy and upgrade. I've done it with cds, dvds to blu rays, and vinyl to vinyl. I of course have to remind myself its about the music or film, not the conveyance (although I love have a good source), I do get torn tho!! Thank you sir for all the interesting content, you are a charming man!
like with everything else, the hype machine has no imagination----my only favourite new issues are either new albums OR releasing vinyl issues for records which were never released! Reissues are out of control; feeding on emotional attachment or others telling others to buy them. i don't buy what i SHOULD have---because other people feel those records are important. To me music is only IMPORTANT if i love it, regardless of if 50 people love it or 50 million. These days i feel collectors are buying too many records that others say they should have---instead of listening with their own ears and minds. Appreciate your videos Michael and thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings about music! i MOSTLY buy stuff that you mentioned later, small prints of 300 or 500 and it creates the same kind of panic. But at least i only pay the regular price when i pre-order. I don't pay the crazy Discogs mark-ups, because MOST of these get reissued several times over and over again later. I recently bought a cassette printed to 50. paid 10 euros. Marked up to 60 euros on Discogs now. Story of our times
Sounds about right
Thank you for this video Michael. I think you articulated this very well. These are sophisticated concepts to communicate, and to do so well in a language which is not your native tongue is both impressive and much appreciated. I had preordered the Prestige Mono titles, as well as the Bill Evans Riverside box a few weeks ago, and I’m glad I did. I’d like to say that I have been very wise and patient in not paying for these on the 2nd hand market, but in reality I have just been too busy buying up all the AP, 80/Classic/Tone Poet, Impex, Intervention, and Sam releases that I can!
There comes a tipping point where there isn’t enough time to listen and much of the collection gets rarely played.
During the pandemic I’ve managed to collect to the point where I haven’t listened to the same record twice in 2 years, apart from maybe a handful.
I’m slowing down, because of physical space and head space.
I am very close to having no new shrink wrap to open 😵 and I can enjoy reintroducing myself to old friends.
Some of my favourite releases are not AAA. Just great music.
I also have a personal policy. If I don’t like something, I give it to charity. Let someone else find a bargain maybe, and the karma of filtering my shelves feels good 😎
Appreciate your videos. Look after that headspace 🤓
I think the pandemic definitely played a role in the record collecting madness. The pandemic seems to be in its endgame and I think things will start calming down a bit in the record collecting hobby.
@@huberts1682 yes agree, though I’ve always been a collector of something or other. The last money-pit I found myself in was pop culture (Star Wars, DC, Marvel), and specifically the Hot Toys brand out of Hong Kong. £250 a figure typically. Approaching that hobby with a ‘completist’ mindset is dangerous. When it gets to the point that the hobby generates more anxiety than pleasure, something is wrong. I downsized from 45 figures to 9, creating instead a ‘boutique’ collection of my favourites (and not necessarily the most expensive or rarest pieces). SO much happier 😎 and the anxiety went.
@@anechoicchamber3237 Reminds me of collecting artists like Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Beatles, Elton John, you know it's like 'if I get that one, I have to get this one, and if I get this one, I need to get that other one' yeah, you know what I mean.
I think a problem is starting when you need 5-10 copies of the same album. I have a couple doubles that were such a deal I couldn’t pass up but it can get compulsive for some.
To each their own I guess. Most of us need something to collect. 😎
@@1999zrx1100 Yes, I'm such a Beatles fan, I've purchased their music many times over, different pressings, mixes, formats, you name it.
Michael-when I can’t talk to my brother about records I listen to your channel. Your ideas and analysis are spot on! Keep it up!
As well as collecting habits I like to think about my listening habits - & trying to not buy more than I can ever meaningfully listen to. Otherwise it becomes mindless consumption devoid of the real & central experience of music and art. I need to have the time to listen to an album several times over and then know I will regularly return to it. Too often I don’t attend to this and it becomes all about purchasing, consuming and collecting to fill a hole in the soul: the hunger for more & more & the ‘hit’ of buying. I now try to ask myself do I have the commitment & time to really deeply listen to what I purchase? How often will I really be playing this or that box set? Is what I’m buying a masterpiece or just middle of the road filler? Collecting is a form of addiction that needs to be looked at and understood. It can be enjoyed when we are in control & not just receiving endless parcels every week.
I feel the same. I have hundreds of LP’s and CD’s that I bought like a madman in my 20’s and 30’s. How many did I really listen to? Some likely not played at all. I’m putting in a man cave soon for the opportunity to finally slow down and immerse myself in what I paid so much money for, hoping to be surprised and moved by listening to an album from start to finish and not be taken for granted as background music. If I buy anything new I will be very selective and try to pare down my collection to what really matters to me.
You've come to the same realization I have about 3 years ago. Most of the time, the chase is not worth it. There are enough reissues to have a steady inflow of quality vinyl coming in the mail. I'm not a collector, I buy only AAA 33rpm quality pressings of what I consider the best music (to my taste), so my collection is not very large but very satisfying. Now if we could get a quality AAA repress of Wish You Were Here from AP and Bill Evans Trio w/ Lafaro on 33 rpm from Craft that would make me very happy!
There are a lot of reasons for collecting vinyl: The joy of listening to the music; the joy of just collecting; an exploration of the history and evolution of music; the ego of owning a great collection, especially albums that others want or can’t afford; and also for investment. You make a lot of good points in this video. I think starting with a “looking back” focus is just natural. Classic albums have accumulated over decades, while great new albums trickle out year by year. Personally, I have arrived at a point where I need to listen to the albums I own, rather than finding new/old stuff. Fortunately for me, I am not that knowledgeable, nor does my ear require the highest quality recording. I rely on the expertise in the VC. Michael, thank you for your service.
Thanks for sharing your insights Michael! I was lucky to have revived my vinyl collecting in 2004 thanks mainly due to my association with Acoustic Sounds. Those were the times when you could call and talk to Chad. I was able to grab the Classic Records reissues and other audiophile stuff available then. But what started it all in a BIG way was the Fantasy 100 titles reissued by Chad on double 45s. They were all numbered and I got serial number 11 for the whole series which had all the great titles from Prestige, Riverside, Pablo etc. This was followed by the Music Matters 45 Rpm Blue Note jazz titles (around 130) and the 50 AP Blue Note titles. I was able to get serial number 51 for the former and 11 for the latter series. MM set the bar for the quality of jacket which AP adopted for their 25 Impulse titles which again were gems. The journey continues but things seem to have become too commercial for my liking in the past 2 years. Some of the noble elements of the hobby seem to have diminished as big bucks, profits and flippers seem to be the driving factor. But hopefully things should settle down as the gap between supply and demand decreases. Keep up the great work as I love your videos!
Michael, your English is just fine! I teach secondary-level English and your vocabulary is very impressive for a non-native speaker.
Your English, and your point of view here, are spot on.
Thx Richard :-)
Tottaly agree, unless the old versions never comes back, such as the Anton Bruckner direct to disc done by Berliner Philharmoniker , but even thats never guaranteed not to be re-released in another form .
Some excellent points made. My own opinion is that paying obscene money-if one is going to pay it-should really be for a small number of personal favourites. For now, I enjoy the classics on repressings and streaming, I enjoy some reasonably priced personal favourites as first pressings, and I love discovering new music and getting it on vinyl to support the industry.
Yes, so many fantastic releases to come. Don’t cry over spilt milk! I can’t wait for those tasty One-Step releases! I won’t get all of them, but some are almost mandatory! Hey, your English is great. I’m a native English speaker, studied Linguistics, taught overseas, and I think your English is really good! Remember, more people use English that are non native English speakers than native English speakers. So you’re a ahead of the game! Your videos are awesome!
one of the problem with nowdays people is in fact that no one who collects "audiophilee" records does not visit Record Stores.. everything is summarized in hectic preorders and "collecting" records played once or twice max. i like to visit local record store and communicate with people and grab something new and interesting for fair price. Discogs, Ebay, Chad, MFSL and Record Store day releases killed most of the fun. I think that people should listen music (streaming platforms for example) , learn which edition sounds best and then purchase. Michael channel is very helping in that regard, but Michael is strictly into online buying if i am not mistaken.
The soul of record collecting versus the privilege of record collecting. A phenomena of the last 15 years
@@lelanddavis4733 And this rich “collector” is the poster boy for that. He’ll never know the joy of finding a deep groove mono prestige pressing for five bucks at a garage sale. Record collecting is not just waking up and clicking on the buy button
constantly. It’s gross.
@@BmacLA yeah, I bought a few Tone Poets, traded for them and I only opened one. But I can tell they are not even close to any Blue note monos or stereo. It's impossible to "unhear" that original sound.
@@lelanddavis4733 i do like Tone Poets, and i do like this channel. i think it is a great time for jazz record collecting. my point is : if you miss record shopping in stores, or concentrate on only audiophile editions, you'll miss important part of this hobby - meeting other people and learning and dicovering new music. In my universe, music comes first, sound is on second place. For example, if you like classical music - there are so beautiful editions from RCA, His masters Voice, DG, Deccas from the past which are not "audiophile" recordings but performances are outstanding, and are not reissued by Acoustic Sounds and MFSL. It is pity to listen only Royal Ballets and Secherezade and not other great stuff. Same goes for large proportions of pop and rock music. I am not against audiophile editions, best thing is great music which sounds great- but if You concentrate only on this editions, you will miss great, great music. and great people who can help you find it.
What dictates my vinyl buying....is the music on it. I have never bought even one expensive re-issue Lots of my records are noisy, but man, when I pay $2 for a used 'Bitches Brew' and those platters still hum...yeah baby
Great video Again! Patience is the word…some folks don’t have enough of it to stick to this approach you speak of. I can honestly say I haven’t overpaid for any record in my collection. 🙏🏼🤙🏼
Great sound advice Michael, this has been the way I have been adding to my collection and not chasing the market. Thanks for the great videos!.
I love your channel and the way that you present, reflect about all of this. I have about 25'000 Jazz LPS, more on CDS. I went to a lot of different ways of buying, collecting, thinking about all of this. I'm almost with you about all your reflections in this video. Great episode and great way to maybe try to exchange, some of us, some ideas, thoughts.
Great perspective, although I think this comes down to how much you need these titles regardless of the new ones which are being released. I've been waiting for Chet Baker Sings since April 2020 when it became unavailable. It's my favourite jazz album period and I recently made a gut reaction to buy one for £120 as I have not seen any in my country online. I know there has been represses but I've missed these as they were so limited. I feel if they become common again I'll be slightly frustrated but for replacing my Dol pressing it's been too long a wait, just for me. I wish I had your faith for the Beatles mono box as well and I only hope you're right! Love the videos as always and I wish your greyhound was in more!
Some weekend wisdom right here.
Thank you for sharing your perspective and journey as a collector with us!
Hi Michael, I came somewhat to the same conclusion. In the beginning I bought a lot of expensive records on Discogs. The most expensive record I bought was a Classic records version of Led Zeppelin I album for 480 Euros. Although there are still some expensive records on Discogs I would like to buy, I decided not to do that anymore, and concentrate on records that are out there on the regular market and upcoming titles.
The higher you go with the prices the larger the risk of spending too much on the long run Anthony :-)
Definitely agree on The Beatles Mono Box set. They'll probably change the packaging a bit as it's really not needed to be that OTT. They could sell out 25,000 easy. It's just a waiting game..!
I feel for you.
It's a hot market.. people will get burned.. I started buying records in the early '60's. my first Jazz record purchase at 16 was Ornette Coleman's Quartet "Change of the Century " before that was anything by the Beatles .. I have built collections about 3-4 times since then.. sold them off, been burglarised and lost them, lent to friends and didn't get them back .. emigrated to NZ started again (still have that Ornettes' album here tho! and can remember every album I had )..
I started again, now have quite a collection.. NZ pressings were pretty poor in the scheme of things, expensive too, (altho now "vintage" Kiwi made records have skyrocketed in price!) imports were rare, so I started buying from overseas... mainly by email thru Ebay, Acoustic Sounds, Piccadilly Records, Amazon etc.. ended up with quite a collection!.. It was easy, didn't get everything I wanted, but was even satisfied with joining up and buying from AS on subscription (45rpm reissues numbered series, both Blue Note & Impulse! I think they were a hard sell in those days in comparison to todays market) If albums I wanted weren't available or sold out I just moved on..
The difference is these days that with the internet you don't have to look too far, just do a rudimentary search to find anything you want.. but the demand is high! Look at Record Store Day releases, on Ebay in five minutes - Be ready to be disappointed!
Can't blame the record companies as they are stuck in a hard place keeping up with this unprecedented demand with limited production resources.. that's where quality suffers too..
I do admit I have too many records.. if I started tonight and started to play every one in rotation 24 hours a day I'm sure I wouldn't get to the end of them.. who has that much time?
Funnily enough yesterday I ordered the Ornette box set from Blue Note, while ordering I thought that this will be my last order of vinyl..(Oh, and about 3 or 4 other orders, Zappa, Biosphere etc on their way too)..
I'll leave room for others..
I think it was good you posted it, because it's an important conversation to have, especially with yourself as a collector. It's easy to get drawn into the FOMO part of the vinyl collecting, and buy without thinking about why and how you collect. Personally, I have been trying to be patient and buy new releases too.
It's also important to understand how obsession imbalances one's 'life portfolio,' i.e., between health, love, work, wonder, nights out, other hobbies, travels, the problems of the world, etc., that particular title/pressing/whatever probably shouldn't occupy too much of your consciousness or wallet. And one will never have everything they want, or at least not for long! Incompleteness is a basic and acceptable part of life- really in any domain.
Couldn't agree more. I've been solely focused on quality represses and new releases for the last year and it has been a great relief. 2 Years ago it seemed like we wouldn't see represses of a lot of these titles so paying aftermarket was just price of entry. Now that the vinyl market has continued to grow and the repress catalogue continues to grow it just doesn't make sense to chase. There's exceptions to everything, we all have our grails, and for now I'm going after the new as well.
Thank you, Michael… Very wise words and from my point of view you express, I feel the conflict and dichotomy shared by many vinyl and music obsessives, of which of course I count myself. Remember the old term ‘vinyl junkie’. Back in prehistory, when we had to visit physical stores, going into town and checking the racks for new releases or backfilling the collection was a ritual and event in itself… and in a way probably tempered the decision making process. For myself at any rate, it made the collecting of music a more valuable and considered process… and as a consequence the vinyl addiction could be controlled… (a bit!!).
Now, due to the simplicity of access to acquirement via the internet, the barriers to our vinyl drug of choice are removed and the need easily fed but perhaps not so easily sated.
So I think you are right to set yourself and rationalise your own ground rules to manage the condition! And it gives us all perhaps pause to also create our own such rules.
Top of my rule sheet is not to leave the final decision to purchase that expensive box-set that I’ve dithered over for a couple of days until the end of a wine-night!!!
Stay calm! Personally I do prefer selection over accumulation. A small carefully curated record collection that I can know and love is preferable to a large, less carefully assembled collection that you do not have time to listen to properly. And also beautifully packaged records that I appreciate as objects. Only my opinion! Alles Gute zum Geburtstag mein Teufel! (Hope I got that right! That's German for Happy Birthday my friend!)
i think if your main reason to buy music (at a reasonable price) is to listen and enjoy you are ahead of the game. if you buy the records as an investment, mainly. then you are in it for the wrong reason. I have been collecting records again for just over 10 yrs ( I have all my albums growing up from 80s ( cocteau twins, siouxsie, joy division sets ( all 1st press)). With the analogue releases its being around when they released so we can get them at reasonable price.
My paradigm is: respect your own values, resources, and limits. Buy for the music, realize that completism is not necessary and can be obsessive, and buy for sound quality, but not at not-outrageous (for you) prices, unless perhaps it's an absolutely favorite title for you. Quality generally trumps quantity, but quality shouldn't become an overly-powerful obsession. And remember- when you're dead and gone, it's unlikely that anybody you know will care much if at all about your collection. And you may not even care so much about it someday.
Luckily for me I've been buying vinyl non-stop since 1980 or so, and so don't have real gaps in my collection (but very few first pressings or special matrix numbers), and not a lot of current 'need.' I'm not willing to spend insane prices on vinyl relative to my finances, but with a professional job and middle age, I can now selectively spend on some MOFIs or UHQRs (but have never spent more than that on an lp, and understand that price is out of reach for many). My favorite titles will for me merit top prices for convenience and general reliability, but usually I'm thinking $40 or under for an lp. Just go with what you like and what you can afford, and don't obsess about unaffordable titles! I'll never own a Ludwig-mastered LZ II, though I'd love to, but- while I could technically afford to buy one in good condition, I'm not made of money and one title shouldn't be that important.
Great points. Lately, I am slowing down my purchases. I have discovered I do not have time to listen to all the great music I own. When I receive multiple records in a week, I just cannot give all of them the listening time they deserve. I have done some look-back purchases but only for stuff I really want. The Blue Note Classic Series Sidewinder sounds great, no need to search out another version. Thanks again!
Hi Michael, I've just gone through a few of your recent videos and ended up spending over £400 on jazz lp's....lol
Happy days 🙂 Keep up the good work.
I actually really enjoy your speaking and German accent (I'm American). I find it sincere and very intelligent.
What is the audio quality difference between the album you own : Otto Klemperer conducting The Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus performing Mahler Symphony n 2 in C Minor "Resurrection " as compared to listening to it on Tidal app in MQA hi- definition while played through a high end amp and speakers ? I understand the thrill of the hunt and the pleasure in buying /collecting but is there a difference between the sound ?
A very interesting debate and personal opinion on collecting vinyl. Well thought out and I certainly would not pay the sort of prices that some of the Albums are priced at, when incomes are limited (retired) it makes you very cost aware and I've picked up a few bargains 2nd hand which most (not all) have turned out to be wonderful sounding so you can carefully collect albums if you have the time and patience. I personally think the vinyl market is making money for the companies which wasn't there previously (ie CD's) Thank you for your well present discussion.
Completely agree, I refuse to pay through the nose for records I’m missing these days. So much coming out all the time, it’s hard to keep up with everything that’s current. Also, I pick and choose the Tone Poet/Classic/Acoustic Sounds/Sam releases I really want rather than grab everything, otherwise you have too many titles collecting dust!
Thanks for sharing your take. I completely agree this approach makes most sense in today’s inflated market. It’s actually refreshing to let go of the past. I’m just getting into audiophile Jazz so it seems like such a wealth of material I have missed. But instead of focusing my attention there, I will look forward to all of the amazing pressings to come!
Hi…..I enjoy your channel and I agree with you regarding the fact that many of these modern reissues will be around for a while as long as there is demand. One thing that is for sure regarding the true collectibility of records: They aren’t making any more clean original issues of any titles…. Thanks for all of the hard work you obviously put into preparing and delivering these videos……and your English is great!
Such a great topic Michael and I’m very glad that you did upload the video 😀 There are many different types of collectors/ vinyl enthusiasts. And even differences within a collection. For example I’m a Paul Weller completist (or trying to be) but I’ve only bought different pressings of my favourite albums of his work. In jazz I collected the first batch of Classic series, but now I’m selective with this and Tone Poets and AS series. But I totally agree that looking forward is great. I wish that all the labels would do what MOFI has done and give us a proper insight into the next 2 years. That way we can work out what are “must haves” versus just “nice to haves”. Thanks a lot for provoking the discussion as always 🙏 Graham
Excellent points. This is a video that needed to be made. Bravo.
More interesting thoughts Michael. Patience is a virtue and in the current market, there is plenty of impetus for labels to reproduce and repackage classic and new material. The aftermarket does not earn them any extra cash, whereas a new well handled (re)release will keep the profit wheels turning. We are just fortunate that the great music keeps coming. Your channel provides an excellent service in keeping us appraised.
The reason the high prices for second-hand audiophile pressings persist is because many audiophiles are willing and able to pay more than $100 for a reissue of a classic record. It's a shame that so many collectors follow the lead of dealers by asking for the absolute most they are able to get for a record they are selling. To me it's crazy how consistently resellers upcharge way above retail. I guess everyone who gets these titles for retail price early is a little proud of their investment and wants it to pay off as much as possible.
Hi Michael, I came to the same conclusion than you last year. Now, I just go to the record shop and look for the new stuffs, be them represses or new artists. I'm happier this way and the wallet as well. I have to say that the Chet Baker thing happened to me. I ordered it on time to the local record shop but after a while they told me they couldn't get it from the US, then the price inflated and now it's way too overpriced for what it is... but there are other records ! Many of them !
Michael I have to agree with your point, and it's probably going to affect my buying habit going forward. I suffer from FOMO, the Fear Of Missing Out, so I buy everything from a collector's standpoint (Tone Poet, 80 Series, MFSL One Steps, Impulse Jazz) and I've got a shitload of albums of which many are still sealed and some titles that I just don't like the music. I'll probably start to thin out the herd and be a bit more selective before I buy from now on. And I have to agree that many titles will be re-pressed and if you just wait a bit they'll come back at reasonable prices. Thanks for waking me up!
You’re absolutely right, at the current time you should look ahead. The key, however, is to stay flexible and adapt to the market. It has changed, will change again and will continue to,change.
I’ve changed my approach as well in the past 6-9 months. If there’s a catalogue title in my collection that suddenly hits $50-$75 and I know it will likely be repressed in a year or two then I’ll sell it if it doesn’t mean a lot to me. I’ve done this with Pearl Jam and Jenny Lewis recently. I’ll the take the extra money and buy more records and also pick the title I sold for much less when it’s re-released
I would prefer a one step 33 1/3, opposed to the 45. I think the original play time before flipping the record is an important part of the art of production in an album.
Yeah! The whole point is experiencing the album like people did when it was new.
Thank you for this and all your videos Micheal! These are the same thoughts I've been working through when thinking about what I want to collect and how. What I had decided was that it would be new reissues and/or originals. I can't justify several hundred dollars for something that will either be repressed or have a new reissue. Kind of Blue is a perfect example. I had thought about buying some expensive reissues on discogs, but when the UHQR was announced I jumped on that and now probably won't get another copy unless I find a decent original.
Very well said Sir, recently I’ve been leaning the same way, so many great new Tone Poet etc. being released they should be enough to keep me happy.
Oddly I’m not seeing the older versions of these pressing coming down in price as a result. Good thing because I have invested heavy but love every one of them. I think it’s important to have a blend of both
old and new but maybe that’s just me.
Love the Honesty here. Thanks 🙏
Very insightful Michael,patience is the key 👍
I’ve watched a lot videos on record collecting. I myself have been collecting for 35 years.
This is BY FAR the best (and most important) video I’ve seen on the subject. I agree 100% and this should be mandatory viewing for everyone who buys records…..especially those who are new to vinyl.
So many great titles being released that sound better than ever…..there is absolutely no need to go backwards. None.
Oh…and your English is absolutely perfect!
Hallo Michael! I think you expressed yourself well and I like your new approach to collecting. I have been taking the same approach for quite some time. The only time it makes sense to pay such a large amount of money for an album is if there is zero chance of it being reissued, very limited availability, and it is an album you will love and cherish and listen to often. I have yet to find myself in that position although I did come close once. I almost paid $150 for a Circle Jerks record but decided to wait as the 40th anniversary was coming up and I thought maybe they might reissue -- and they did! It is absolutely gorgeous and sounds perfect for a mere $22. Had I not been such a cheapskate, I would have overspent and had buyer's remorse. Instead I am ecstatic with my inexpensive reissue. I have been upset to miss some limited releases that are now on Discogs for ridiculous amounts of money but I will wait for the next reissue. Take care my friend and see you in the live streams. ✌️💜🎶🎶🎶
Thank you so much for this particular video. This is a topic that I have struggled with for the past few years and you were able, in fine English, to get across what I’ve been thinking. It was good to hear it said. I appreciate your honesty and conviction on this topic. It really helps with my choices.
Great video Michael. I’ve been buying vinyl over a period of 33 years, & my ideas of buying records are very much in opposition to yours....but I always really enjoy your videos. You’re correct there is no right or wrong way to collect vinyl..but .I hope your tempered approach means you get even more enjoyment out of it. I’m definately slowing down my purchases to enjoy what I have.
I think what your saying is spot on and you make some very good points. I'm glad you posted this video and I feel the same way. The only way I would pay big bucks for a record is if it was a rare never re pressed release. that is not available on the Streaming Services. Otherwise I would listen to it online or wait for it to be released on vinyl at a decent price.
Your point seems logical, but I don't seeing it always being the case. For example, The Mobile Fidelity Marvin Gaye "What's Going On' has continued to increase in value even with the release of the One Step. The original release currently sales for $250+ USD. Another example would be the MFSL Janis Joplin Pearl releases where many people actually prefer the orginal release by MFSL over the One Step. So I think the Miles Davis catalogue wiil be very similar to the Marvin Gaye releases.
Excellent video Michael, your thoughts and feelings came across really well. For me, record buying has to be fun and enjoyable, be it buying second hand or new audiophile releases. As for so called "limited releases", who actually really knows how many are pressed ? I'm not saying labels are dishonest, far from it, but they have to make a profit and we are consumers of their product. It makes sense to put something out as a limited release, there will be a mad scramble to own a copy at, let's be honest, whatever price the seller puts on it. When all these albums were originally released, people walked into their local record store and bought a copy of whatever the label put out, which was usually a mono, sometimes stereo, release. I'm sure all these new cut-from-the-original-master-tapes releases are sonically amazing, but when it comes to buying for investment reasons, I'm out. I'll enjoy what I have and play the damn things to death more often than not, but I'll enjoy doing that, music is amazing and life affirming, and to me that's how it should be.
It's always a question of time. If you can wait there will be a re-release, an opportunity, etc. If you can't wait you have to pay the current price. Besides, I don't care about the value of my collection. I do it for the love of music and not to show off or understand it as an investment with a revenue. I agree that the asked prices on Discogs seem to be a bit ridiculous. Up to 2000,- $ for the Stones Mono Box? Come on... - However, I take the best of all worlds. Sometimes look back, often wait for new releases, but I'm well aware that I will never have them all...
Hi Micheal enjoyed the video. I never look at discoggs prices .. I’ve been going in record shops for years I know what things are worth .. the way I buy records is pretty old fashioned I go in record shops and see what they have .. my monthly budget is about £250 a month I like finding a bargain but if I see something special I’ll pay the price .. buying records is supposed to be fun Ive never been stressed about buying a record in my life … in the uk there’s a crisis in consumer confidence rising gas prices , food prices etc I only have so much disposable income … Collecting records in a complicated business there’s to much choice I guess we all have to prioritise…. I understand your conclusion it does make sense .. I hardly show any records that I buy mainly because I’m not comfortable uploading to many videos I think 1 video a week is enough from me . Not many people watch my videos so there’s no demand .. interesting what you said about buying records with the money you’ve made through your channel that makes sense to me and it’s rewarding your subscribers with the content they want .. best wishes Micheal I hope your shoulder is recovering 👍
I bought the complete Prestige Stereo subscription last year when Acoustic Sounds 'found' a few in the warehouse. I spent $2K on 25 records that are going to be repressed at $40 apiece. I'm fortunate I was too late to pay $2K for the Prestige Mono series as well.
Fantastic Video Michael!
some deep thoughts, much appreciated.
Hi good topic to discuss. My collecting has been impacted by my physical location and what I can get hold of. It is also affected by financials and the cost of vinyl and shipping. I also think of the amount of time I can spend listening and above always remind myself of the music which to me is the most important. I agree with you and Dylan and say ‘Don’t Look Back!’ 😊
Great video and I agree with all of it.
Wonderful video and so very accurate, Your opinion I think would be shared by many in this community I myself am fairly new to collecting the Audiophile pressings I see it as a natural progression in how I have matured as a listener. I look for quality over quantity now and am well pleased with that decision. As for prices I like to get in at the pre order either direct or thru one record store who is wonderful to deal with.
Hi Michael-Overall, I agree with your comments. One exception-It’s still worth searching for classic original pressings of rock, jazz and classical albums. They are usually fairly priced. Peter
Fantastic video
Well Said Michael! We all have put in large sums on scarce titles, for me the early one steps MoFi and Dylan on MoFi. The latest ERC title Portrait in Jazz (Mono) sold out in 6 minutes I think. Last fall (2021) I put in orders on all the Prestige catalogue (mono and stereo series) at Acoustic Sounds, including the Bill Evans box and the other day Chad confirmed they are doing all the titles. It doesn’t matter how long Ill have to wait, Ill get ‘em at retail. So thank YOU for giving us a heads up and put into words how to plan future collecting.
While waiting for upcoming titles one can enjoy those in all the bookshelf’s…
So ironic I was having a similar conversation this afternoon about the same thing. I had to miss a lot of releases and really think about my collecting habits. I too don't look back nor would pay a lot for a release. I have a list that I have broken down with limited or numbered releases at the top including RSD. Then I have all the mofi and Analog Productions, then all other releases below. If it's a common new release I will not jump the gun and get because here in the US I have seen some of these later go on sale. I am lucky here in Phoenix to have a lot of shops to choose. A great example is you did a video mid last year of turntable favorites and you showed Neil Young Storytone. It's on discogs for 80+ US Dollar. Happen to stop by a store and they had a still sealed with a slight corner crease for 34 US Dollar. Never thought I would find it but I just stumbled across it. There are other examples where I really wanted a mofi and paid top dollar and now I am seeing these repressed. If you miss a release it's best to just keep looking forward unless you find a good copy at a decent price. You also brought up another point I was also discussing is the price of our collections fluctuating in value. For me my records are not a commodity like some people that treat their collection. I love to listen and enjoy my records. But I do think it's a double edge sword per say that a record I have is worth a decent amount and if and when it gets repressed, the value will come down. So in that aspect it's a little risky to hold onto to vinyl to resell later. Again I am not in that category and feel bad for those collectors who are only in it to make a buck. Last example is RSD titles later getting a standard press in black or another color variant for less than what we paid waiting in line all morning for at Record Store Day. I feel RSD needs to stop and take a look and maybe do a reset. For me it doesn't make sense to later release a standard version is kind of a slap to the face. I have done every RSD since it started and at the beginning the titles that were released never saw a repress or if it did it would many years later. I went back and looked at 2020 and 2021 and there some examples were that is true but also several releases that saw a standard release. I feel if a title is going to come out in 2-3 months after a RSD. They should either let us know or exclude that title from the list. In the last year color variations have become more common than 2-3 years ago. So for me it doesn't make sense to charge a premium for a product that will come out later in a few months for less money. I think I am not the only one that thinks this as I have 2 shops that still have most of 2021 RSD titles still for sale. What does that mean for collectors? Waiting hours in the cold to get something you think is exclusive or rare just to see it a couple of months later in a standard or even cooler color variant. Now I am signed up for all these newsletters from analog productions, Mofi and even shops, so it will be easier I hope for 2022 RSD to see if a standard version will come out. If so I am going to pass unless there is something special like a 2 nd lp or other rarity that makes sense to buy that title. That's my opinion and look forward to your next part about the electronic music. That is uncharted territory for me and want to know if I need to buy now. Example is there are 3 Yello titles I want but my local shop can order but each would be almost 100 US each including customs, and can't justify that. I would love to hear your take on it. Thanks
Great topic. Thanks for the update on your strategy. It is indeed nice to figure out that these reissue labels are in essence not collectors but businesses -- if a new pressing makes business sense and there are no licensing issues (not automatic givens), they will eventually put their product out in the market.
I came to the same conclusion as you did. Try to go with what is released now or will be in the future. Yes there will be exceptions for sure but I will try to keep the number of those small.
Let’s face it. Everyone buying an expensive record from the second market does it because it was possible and has enough money to pull the trigger. Agree to everything you said. Still, for the simple reason ERC decides to sell only 10 pieces of one record or a very limited number of records, it still does not make justice to their prices. Is not like their music comes recorded from another planet or anything… I won’t collect records from companies like ERC for this exact reason. Otherwise, all you said is fair and square, but we all kind of thought this the same way I think.
Great video! Agree on pricing and current vinyl trends within our community. My only saving grace is my true disdain of Jazz....this is certainly saving me with my bank account because it seems every channel and new release list has a heavy heavy emphasis on Jazz!! Still.....sadly....I am trying to cutback on my vinyl spending in 2022....after the first 45 days I am actually purchasing more than last year 😓😡😥🙄😠😩 Love what you say about "Staying Calm".... I need to adhere to this advice because not only shopping at my local record stores....I also currently have albums on order with Discogs and Amazon....I am certainly in need of professional help for my vinyl addiction 🤔🤔
the bottom line is: buy want you want and not for speculation...which also means don't over-pay (flippers upcharge) because most everything will eventually be re-pressed in a higher quality edition.
Well said. I think it is important to buy small label records, but they barely have exposure, glad you know where to find info about these and we can listen to it if we like it too online and buy them👍🏽
Nice to hear another collectors take on the current market. I think new people coming into the hobby need to see this video, they often get caught up in a FOMO, and become inpatient and end up trying to get as many of their wants as soon as they possibly can, and end up paying too much. When they simply need to remember there are always going to be other records coming out soon across all genres and labels that they will want, just need to sign up to news letters, find a good local record store and keep on top of labels announcements.
I collect forward and backwards over my favourites and new releases for most of my time collecting. I've been keeping my eyes open for good deals on first presses and been lucky with being able to buy parts of a collection over time. I do a lot more pre-ordering these last couple of years.
Also I visit a lot of record stores (every town I stop in) and they have been a source of many of tone poet and classic series that were not available online. My most lucky find was 2nd hand mint speakers corner crime of the century at retail price. Always check your record stores :)
Well said. The breadth and quality of releases at the moment is phenomenal. I expect the labels seeing the demand for these titles gives them more confidence to print bigger runs and go back to repress scarce titles. No need to pay 10x for a title you could get close to RRP 3 years ago.
I'm expecting record label companies will support the need for new pressing plants, so more vinyl will become available. Today, because CDs almost wiped out vinyl, there are not enough pressing plants. Also, I think someone said that one of the main plants was destroyed in fire and was not rebuilt.
I really enjoyed your thoughts and agree wholeheartedly, Michael. I got back into vinyl a couple of years ago, and have recently begun to explore jazz. Rather than chasing down expensive titles on the second hand market, I am picking up the reissues when they come out. There are so many great titles to be had at very reasonable prices. The Chet Baker titles that Craft Recordings released recently are fantastic. There are are a lot of great reissues coming out to look forward to, so I don't feel the need to look back.
Thanks for posting this. Don't worry - your English is excellent. I appreciate your point-of-view.
Just a great video again, and spot on the message!!! Thank you so much of these videos, good unique content! One question; could you give a tip where to get/ preorder those USA audiophile labels that are not available in Europe Amazon, Analogue Productions, Mofi, etc. Is the only way to order from US and wait long and pay tolls and taxes? Thanks for the answer beforehand!
You are on the Right way ! Congratulations ! Thats the way it is ..
That was an interesting take on vinyl collecting in 2022. I think if we stop paying crazy prices on the secondary market maybe the prices will come down. As you said, there's plenty of new releases coming out every week. I hope you are right about the Beatles mono box, I have been patiently waiting for it to be reissued for a long time now. I think the only albums that will not be reissued are the mobile fidelity one step. If you want one, I'm afraid you will have to pay through the nose for it.
I got back into vinyl in 2019 and since then I have spent a lot of money on vinyl. I am coming to a point where I am content. 20 years ago, I had thousands of vinyl and sold them when I was going through college (university) to help make a tuition payment. I look at the pricing today and I am always getting a chuckle.
But when I jumped back into it in 2019 I wanted to get certain titles and as we enter 2022 I am finishing my list, there are a few artists putting new material out that I will buy but I am at a point where I have the titles I want.
You showed the MOFI Miles Davis Bitches Brew album, I have a copy of one of many represses of that album, I am content with what I have, when I hear they are doing another superdeluxe collection and it has every activity during the recording sessions or if they are the original pressing, my ears can hear the difference and I value the quality but I am not breaking my bank for them.
I love The Band and I have the Big Pink and Brown Album superdeluxes and they are truly gems, but they have released Stage Fright and Cahoots and I get for collectors they are essential and nice sets but I sit back and go why am I going to pay for both $300 for albums that I may spin once a year and I don't take the deep dive into.
I firmly believe there will always be more and more mega sets released and albums repressed, patience is key but also realize you cannot own everything. I am happier, and like you mentioned Michael I am looking forward for new artists and taking chances on others. Life is good but I don't need to spend 450 Euros on a Bitches Brew pressing no matter how good it sounds, that money can go to newer things in music.
I agree totally. I have 5000 Vinyl Records. 100 of them from audiophile Labels. But i never bought a Record via discogs or ebay. Patience is a must for a record collector. I have wanted the Bob Dylan Blonde on Blonde 3-LP 45 rpm set for about 8 years. I could have bought them for a lot of money on Discogs/ebay, which I did not. Last week I got them in the store for 98 euros. This is an example that underlines your thesis.
This is not only true for audiophile records but also for all other LP's from the past. Even the most obscure albums come out as re-releases at some point. Of course, all this is uninteresting for those who absolutely want to have the original first pressing.
Hi, may I ask in which shop did you find the Blonde on blonde? I am looking for it but cant find it in europe
@@la1ba Sorry i do an answer three times, but they were soon deleted.
@@theheepster thats strange :D did you answer with a link? Maybe it deletes it, if not, i dont understand it. But thanks for trying
@@la1ba No Link, But i named the Side Vinylcare in German y. My Bob Dylan was their last copy.
@@theheepster thanks anyway! :)
I've accidentally hit a kind of sweet spot. The supply chain issues have allowed me to prepare for purchases better, and also forced me to buy off of Amazon sometimes. But it also allows me to find out about bad pressings (lots and lots of times off this channel) before I buy them, so I can avoid wasting money on flat purchases, never mind aftermarket. I've also given up on colored variants as a cash grab and now I stick to targeting high-quality releases period. I don't chase the dragon on intentional collector editions meant to goad me into hoarding for flipping.
I just purchased a new TT for the first time in 35 years and have to say that without an extensive vinyl collection, deciding what to buy to play on it was an after-thought. 35 years ago, walking around a record shop and buying vinyl was a regular Saturday morning event. The world has changed lol. Buying vinyl suddenly seemed to be a daunting task rather than a joy.
Thankyou for this insight, it was just what I needed to hear to simplify my buying habits going forward.
Does anyone here have some top tips for the best sources for upcoming releases?
Spot on Michael. One of my truly favorite all time listen to album is Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On. I missed out on Mofi’s One Step of that title. That’s ok because I still have my Father’s original pressing that sounds great, a CD Version, a cassette version and I also pre-ordered the anniversary edition. Will the anniversary edition sound better than the MoFi, probably not. For me it’s the music. Yes I will purchase the some but all of the announced titles from MoFi. One thing that is for sure…..this is a great period in vinyl where you can get these reissued titles, not pay those crazy prices and enjoy some great music. As always thanks for all of your reviews and introduction to other types of genres and artists.
I pre ordered the Marvin Gaye and it might be pretty close to the one step. You never know.
Anniversary is an actual remix done by Kevin grey so there's s pretty decent chance it ends up sounding better than the mofi. Maybe more surface noise than the mofi but a better mastering
I have more or less stoppet buying UHQR and MOFI One Step releases and my focus is on older European analog releases. It doesn't matter if it's the first, second or third edition, the only thing that matters is that it's analog and sounds good. Even digitized editions can do well, but only if they sound great.
You're right Michael the executives at the record companies they look at the market what records are going for a lot of money because they haven't been reissued or they haven't been reissued in a while that's how you do your market research and what you should produce and that's why when certain titles go for a lot of money they have a vested interest in reissuing that title and sometimes the reissue is much better than the previous issue. Glad to see you are doing well my friend enjoyed this video very much thank you
My position: I am 53 years old. I have limited time in life (in the remaining time on earth). I have 10,000 records. I learned that much more records does not serve me anymore than what I already have. I should slow down in obtaining records.
Living on a pension has certainly focused how I spend on vinyl. I have to be much more focused and choose carefully from Tone Poet, Blue Note Classics AP reissues along with SAM and Speakers Corner. . Also from mainstream releases, the Pink Floyd Piper is on order, also the forthcoming Ry Cooder/ Taj Mahal tribute to Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. In used records, labels like Pablo to take one example can deliver great recordings and pressings at very low used prices. The 'Ellington Suites' and Basie's 'Farmers Market Barbecue' are two examples of many. For me the MoFi one-steps and AP versions of the same are unaffordable, (particularly in the UK), and whilst I'm sure they sound great even in some circumstances being the best available version of a recording, their bloated presentation would be a struggle to accomodate even in my 4 bed house. Each to their own of course, if I had the salary and the space I might think differently. I would in any event like to see simpler packaged, lower priced versions of one-steps.
My collecting of music is about buying the music I like at a price I can afford, if I like the artist a lot then I will invest in a box set or anniversary edition from the artist. But, and thanks to this channel, I have widened my listening experiences but not by buying a super expensive limited collectors edition but by finding music from the artist at a price I deem is reasonable. The most expensive music in my collection is the recent box set from Billy Joel, I have been a fan for years so getting this collection of LP’s was an easy choice, but to pay the same amount on an LP from an artist who in my humble opinion is okay but nothing special is bonkers, I’d buy a CD or go via a second hand record store and pick something up for £5-£10.
There are people out there however who must have that latest special, original master, one step, etc., etc., edition of an LP and there is nothing wrong with being that person, we are all different but as long as we enjoy our music then that is fine.
My gear isn’t top drawer super hifi just a nice little set up around a Rega P3, I doubt if I would hear any of the differences between a basic shop bought edition of an album and a super super special version of the same album so for me my money is better spent buying more music than buying one super special album.
I really enjoy this channel and thanks to Michael I have a much wider music collection than I did a year or two back, long may that continue. Cheers Michael.
Hi, Bro, Words from Singapore. I’ve been following your channel for a while. In so, I ‘ve been having a great ball of time. Your command of English is great, you always spoken from your heart, that is the one greatest reason that kept me into your channel. Thank you for the sincere comments please don’t listen to lesser comments. Most people do not understand the painS in doing what you are doing, thank you. Truthfully, I hate blue note,audiophile recording and all that RUBBISH pressings that are out to empty our walletS! What you are saying in this episode is perfect wordings to me. Why are we filling the pockets of such makers? We must never dance to the tune of speculatorS! I would to share what and how I collect. I am for music only, even the pressings are not too important to me. I am into 1940s mono jazz records al to the present day pressingS. Ofcause I have a mono cartridge to extract all the contents within the grooves. I understand the investments in time and monetary you’ve put in, thank you. Needless to say, if you review something that not available in the market, it would be pointless, please do not contribute to the coffers record manufacturers and speculators. I would rather let them drown in the fiery temperatures of HELL! Thank you once again. Take care and stay safe.
Came to a similar place just recently possibly because of so many intriguing reissues and no longer “looking back” to replace much loved stuff where I did not have a decent copy. Also, Michael, I bought a few of the electronica titles you recommend (unheard) and…HOOKED Thank you Thank you!
I bought that same MoFi copy of Bitches Brew new for $35-$39, whatever it was in 2014, and can’t believe that somebody spent $450 on Discogs for it. I do have some “holy grails” I’d be willing to drop some serious money on, though. A lot of old death metal titles will never be repressed, I’m looking at you Roadracer/Roadrunner bands, and the values of originals just keep going up and up.
The irony here Michael is that I just bought the ERC Bruckner 8th on the secondary market in part because of your videos. So are you an angel on one shoulder or a devil on the other?! Cheers for another great perspective and video!
I couldn't agree with you more. If I can't afford it I stream it. Price gouging on discogs is shameful. How about the sellers that clean out the RSD offerings and then post the records on Discogs for more than three times the amount of the original price?