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submitted 4 months ago by Pluto@hexbear.net to c/music@hexbear.net

I have Victrola's "The Empire" (6-in-1) vinyl record-player.

And I have old vinyls from the 1960s and 1970s and they work well, all things considered, though they've been scratched and have lots of dust on them.

I used a tool-kit to clean the dust as much as I can, but it can only go so far.

And there are clearly marks and scratches too.

But this is old Dominican music on a vinyl CD so I'm not worried.

Though my replacement needle is accruing dust... I should clean that.

But yeah, sound quality is off the charts. Don't know how to describe it. the stuff I've been listening to on Spotify or Apple Music (yeah, I know, I know) doesn't come close to the reverberations and timbre here. Honestly, I'm glad that I'm collecting vinyls now. I got this from the Dominican Republic; a person was just giving his old vinyls away. He said take as many as I could, too.

Anyway, gotta put in the gel to clean the needle.

But yeah, works like a charm.

What vinyls should I get?

Thinking of getting the "Big Wave" album by a certain Japanese artist.

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[-] LaGG_3@hexbear.net 7 points 4 months ago

What vinyls should I get?

Speaking as someone who has recently downsized a record collection - get stuff you'll play a lot. Starting with a few all-time favorite albums is always great.

[-] Pluto@hexbear.net 2 points 4 months ago

Oho

Perhaps I'll try that. thanks.

[-] Skeleton_Erisma@hexbear.net 5 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

You should totally get the single for blue jean by David Bowie only because it comes in a super cool vibrant blue (I'm a sucker for whacky colored vinyls).

[-] Pluto@hexbear.net 5 points 4 months ago

Oh nice, sounds lit

[-] FumpyAer@hexbear.net 4 points 4 months ago

Local used record shop uses a dawn dish soap + isopropyl alcohol + water solution. Similar to this: https://vacationvinyl.com/cleaning-vinyl-records/

[-] Pluto@hexbear.net 2 points 4 months ago

Water solution? Like, any water solution?

I'll try that combination.

[-] FumpyAer@hexbear.net 4 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

A solution combining water and isopropyl alcohol.

It's described in the link. Equal parts isopropyl alcohol and water + some drops of dish soap.

[-] Pluto@hexbear.net 1 points 4 months ago

I have that last one and I'm pretty sure I have filtered water and purified water last I checked.

So I should be fine. Thanks!

[-] NewLeaf@hexbear.net 4 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Finding albums "in the wild" at local record stores is a real thrill, but sometimes you have to buy online. Look at Discogs.com.

It's the biggest marketplace and community for vinyl online. You can buy from little shops all over the world, and they usually have everything! You can also catalogue your purchases and have them all on your phone, so when you're at the shop, you don't have to guess as to whether you already have a certain album

One trap people fall into is buying vinyl that is overpriced for no good reason. Shop around a little. A rule I made for myself is "never pay over $25 per disc." If it's a two record set, I wouldn't pay more than $40-50 for it. Unless my want for it overshadowed my thriftiness.

[-] Pluto@hexbear.net 2 points 4 months ago
[-] NewLeaf@hexbear.net 2 points 4 months ago

Also, not trying to be a record snob, but you should consider upgrading to a turntable at some point. Those all in one record players aren't always the best quality, and can ruin your good albums. They're fine for playing albums that aren't in perfect shape, or if you aren't going to dice headfirst into this hobby.

[-] Pluto@hexbear.net 2 points 4 months ago

Fair, fair.

[-] Leon_Grotsky@hexbear.net 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I am the most discerning of audiophiles, and as such I only have 3 vinyl records:

one is Crack the Skye album by Mastodon (GOAT album)
two is Random Access Memories deluxe album by Daft Punk
and three is the single "West End Girls" by the Pet Shop Boys.

[-] Pluto@hexbear.net 2 points 4 months ago

Starring this comment.

But yeah, get Big Wave album by Tatsuro Yamashita, would be my recommendation to you.

[-] Leon_Grotsky@hexbear.net 2 points 4 months ago

Daft Punk's RAM is a slam dunk no question, but I will warn you Crack the Skye is Sludge/Stoner Metal and is unconventional.

[-] Pluto@hexbear.net 2 points 4 months ago
[-] Leon_Grotsky@hexbear.net 2 points 4 months ago

I'm glad you liked them, if you liked Crack the Skye I also recommend checking out the band Baroness' Purple album!

[-] Pluto@hexbear.net 2 points 4 months ago
[-] ImmortanStalin@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 4 months ago

Crack the Skye must sound incredible on vinyl. God-tier taste!

[-] Leon_Grotsky@hexbear.net 1 points 4 months ago

It was really the first album to sell me on vinyl being distinct as a medium, was kind of a "there is no difference" contrarian up until that point.

[-] Evilphd666@hexbear.net 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Pro tip - don't store the vinyls vertically. My parents had an extensive vinyl collection from the 70s and 80s. Most of them became warped and unplayable after 20+ years on a shelf. But yeah they have an authentic feel to them and I've started collecting a few years ago.

[-] Pluto@hexbear.net 1 points 4 months ago

Yeah, I love analog.

[-] chauncey@hexbear.net 2 points 4 months ago

A spin-clean record washer is a good investment if you build a large collection.

Also suggest you look into high quality inner sleeves (mobile fidelity).

As far as what to buy, I'd suggest focusing on albums you love, that way you actually listen to them.

[-] Pluto@hexbear.net 1 points 4 months ago

Starring this comment.

[-] peppersky@hexbear.net 1 points 4 months ago

vinyl are plastic trash that's going to rot in landfills for all eternity (even if you only buy used records you are still supporting the industry and generating demand for new records, most of which probably being taylor swift records that never even get played). also playing them releases toxic chemicals into your home

just listen to good quality cd rips or even vinyl rips if you want to, you can get them for free using a little program called nicotine

[-] Pluto@hexbear.net 1 points 4 months ago

They called it... nicotine?

Well then.

[-] imogen_underscore@hexbear.net 1 points 4 months ago

i think its fine

this post was submitted on 12 Jun 2024
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