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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 fdroadrunner

fdroadrunner
33 posts
 

I've enjoyed reading these posts. 

I think the difference between hoarding and collecting (as it seems to me) is that collectors are intentional and specific about what they accumulate while hoarders just like to have stuff.  If you can still find the record you're looking for in a couple minutes, you're probably okay; if not, it may be time for intervention.

I have I guess somewhere around 3,500 records and a couple thousand CD's, and I like having that variety because I often get the itch to listen to something that hasn't been off the shelf in a few years.  And like other posters, the last time I sold a pile, I ended up re-buying several of them and later wishing I had some back because I'm now in a different headspace and would probably enjoy them.

Many records are also artifacts from my life that mean much more to me than their market value; they are tactile reminders of important moments and the persons I used to be.

As for owning multiple copies, I like the comparison; for example, I have at least four copies of Revolver (the 2014 mono reissue, a stereo copy from the blue box, an American mono, and an American stereo), and they all sound different and there are of course the different track listing depending on which side of the pond they were originally intended for.  Yet I also look forward to bringing home and listening to the de-mixed remix coming out next month.  And on a couple occasions, I have safety copies because finding another copy would be too difficult and the one in my hand is cheap.

And it is also like coin or stamp collecting, but the fact that I can put my object on a turntable and listen to it feels like more than having something just to have it.  The thrill of the hunt also has immense appeal and has led me on adventures that were really more meaningful than the records I hauled home.

And when it comes my time to take my dirtnap, my kids can call a record store to come haul it all away.

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