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Record collecting versus hoarding

At what point does "collecting" records become hoarding? Unless you are in the business of selling records either primarily or even secondarily, why do so many people here talk about having 2,3,4,6,10,000 records and CDs? It's not stamps or coins.

Let's say you listen to records 15 hours a week (a good estimate for me) that equates to about 750 hours a year or 1000 records a year. I like to listen to mine at least once every three months - I have 300 records and change. In the rare instance when I replace one for a better sounding one (I've done it maybe 4-5 times), I immediately sell the old one - with only one exception. The Sgt Pepper UHQR. I already had it on the Beatles Collection and do occasionally listen to it when I want a treat. It does sound better than the regular Mofi one, which sounds great to me.

Why would you have multiple copies of the same record and not just listen to the best sounding one and sell the rest?

Why would you want records you listen to less than once a year?

Maybe some people listen a lot more than me (and replace cartridges/styli pretty ofter or have a bunch of them)?

The reason I bring this up is because Acoustic Sounds is releasing Steely Dan's studio albums from the 1970s on their UHQR brand (not sure how they now own the name and not Mofi, but that is not the point), I am a huge fan and will be getting a few of these overpriced (IMHO) records, which will replace a few of my non-audiophile (except the Aja Mofi) records. I plan to sell the Aja Mofi immediately after getting the UHQR, which I am sure will sound much better. That is worth a few bucks, but the others I sell should be worth $10-15 in trade at a record store.

Anyone with records they play less than once a year or keep multiple pressings of a single album, please let me know your rationale.

Are you a hoarder? Too lazy to get rid of them? Like the way they decorate your room?

sokogear

Showing 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,750 posts
 

How do you end up with so/too many?

I bought LPs in the 60’s, high school, college days, beat em up pretty bad, Stopped buying for many years while paying college loans. Inherited some classical from my uncle, and got my first Jazz via a friends divorce.

Next, loans paid, CD’s drove LP’s price down, I bought unknown Jazz LP’s at Record Hunter, 5th ave, nyc, and 8 tracks six/$5. at ____ lexington ave. every Payday.

Then people got rid of their lps, gave them to me, I just put them on the shelves, much not even my taste. Playing CDs, SACD’s, but not disposing of LP’s.

Back to listening to LP’s, then joined here, upped my TT to 3 arm wonder, and started replacing favorites with new copies. about 2,500. on the shelves.

Then, my friend, a collector, and hoarder (couldn’t even reach his TT) left me 4,000 LP’s nearly all in very good condition, some played only 1 time, a great deal of jazz.,

What a mess, now 6,500 unalphabetized. I made 2 stacks, keep/go taking them out of the boxes, and successfully sold around 2,000 lps to individuals and 4 record stores.

Next, Jim alphabetized them for me (I'm limited, spine injury, probably surgery coming). Now, knowing what I had, I pulled a bunch more to sell. friends and individuals first, now ready to call the record companies again, they come here.

I’m hoping to get down to 2 shelves at easy to see/reach height, total 18lf, say 1600.

Then, buy one, at least one in that letter out. Gradually get down to my favorites and sell ones I doubt I would play again because I prefer the other.

While 1600 is a big drop from 6500, I can get it smaller. I improved my CD/SACD player to the point I am enjoying my too many, and buying used CD’s again.

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