The Great Vinyl Debate


Vinyl record prices are out of control. Their quality is also lacking: Too many poor pressings and cheap packaging (paper sleeves and cheap card stock outer sleeves) don't justify the price. My question is why is this happening?

I refuse to buy re-issues when used originals can still be had cut from the original analog sources to those that love to search for them (I get that some folks don't care for hunting/waiting) and ultimatly find them.

The trouble I have is with the price of "new vinyl." It varies of course, but both indie and major label vinyl records are grossly over priced IMO. I have no qualms about supported an artist whatsoever, however the average price for LPs both single and double and box sets are outragous.

Labels, distributors et. al. appear to be taking advantage of an inflated/exaggerated supply and demand equilibrium more so these days than ever before. Why is this? Even tho I've been hearing and reading about the vinyl resurgance since 2007 and the plethora of other documents stating that it's on the rise - even that vinyl is killing the compact disc - only 3 people where I work have turntables (that includes me) but I'm the only one that actually listens to, and buys records. In my world, I don't see the resurgance at all. But I do see inflated record prices along the lines of $46 for double LPs and $35 dollars for single LPs! These aren't re-issue inflated prices either - these are new music prices. And most if not all don't include "free MP3 downloads" (who wants MP3's anyway?)

Perhaps the recording industry believes that if they have a customer base that will pay $2000 for one foot of power cord or $10K+ for turntables (sans tonearm and cartridge) - we won't balk at $30 150 gram records or multi-hundred dollar box sets.

I'm a music lover not a sucka. Hey music industry mad men I'm on to you - the revolution is now....
notec

Showing 6 responses by garn509

Has anyone adjusted the prices mentioned for inflation compared to the sixties and seventies ?
I'd like vinyl better if my collection was in better shape, if more was available on the market, or if I didn't
have to clean the stylus all the time. Tzh21y: do others hear the degradation on your system?
Apparently, the thread has spawned The Great Turntable Tracking Debate. In the realm of pivot style tone arms, is there any manufacturer who makes a pivoting cartridge joint
to offset the decreasing groove circumference ? Would this solve the problem ?
Has2be- I agree that the RSA 1 looks flimsy. $1400 is not extreme for a tonearm; it may be extreme for that tonearm. Have you clicked up Wilson Benesch ? I hope these arms help those seeking perfect tracking. !