How many copies of an album do you buy?

Posted by: Brian M on 21 January 2015

Years ago I only ever bought vinyl for my Rega Planar 3.  Then CDs happened so I replaced large portions of my collection with the new format.  Eventually I stopped buying albums and only bought CDs.  A few years after that I even sold my beloved P3.  Now streaming has happened so I ripped all my CDs to FLAC and loaded them up on a NAS.  I hardly ever listen to my ageing CD player anymore.  New music is still mostly CDs that I rip to the NAS.

 

Now I'm really getting the vinyl bug again and deeply regret selling my lovely old Rega.  Something that's putting me off buying a new turntable is what to do about new music - do I buy vinyl and CD/download, or do I buy just one format and, if so, which one?  I like the high quality digital versions as I listen on a number of different devices when I travel, but I think I'd like the sound and the involvement of the vinyl.  I see that some vinyl albums also contain a digital version, but it seems to be mostly 256 MP3s rather than a lossless format.

 

So what do you multi-format people do when a new album is released?

 

Cheers

 

Bri

Posted on: 21 January 2015 by kuma

Vinyl if it's available.

 

I do not have any other playback device for high resolution files.

Posted on: 21 January 2015 by Allante93

Newbie, didn't mean to but in, but I sold my beloved LP 12 out of 300 Albums, I only had about 20 of good quality, And decided to do only one format, I CD's  tried DMM  The Stockfisch not bad, Xrcd 24, Sara  K , pretty good also. But not to be rude trying to get in touch with Kuma regarding Brik Bi Amp Configuration, Darke Bear, let me know you were the Brik specialist!  When you have time Kuma check out my Post! Brik Bi amp configuration help! 

 

Thanks!  

Posted on: 21 January 2015 by Bert Schurink

In principal only 1. Exceptions are very highly liked high resolution albums besides the normal version I already had. Example would be the remaster from Led Zeppelin. Overall I would guess I am only talking about less than 20 albums....

Posted on: 21 January 2015 by joerand
Originally Posted by Brian M:

I see that some vinyl albums also contain a digital version, but it seems to be mostly 256 MP3s rather than a lossless format.

I am of the opinion that an all-analog recording produced on vinyl (or tape) is the only true lossless format. That said, I have numerous digitally recorded albums on both CD and vinyl, and prefer the vinyl. In general, current vinyl productions will give you better dynamic range. That is not so much due to the technical capabilities of vinyl versus digital, but a reality of current production qualities, at least with my rock music listening. It's a shame really, as digital's potential capabilities are largely being wasted on loudness and compression for mass market MP3 audiences.

Posted on: 22 January 2015 by Fueller

Brian, I'm in a similar situation to you in that I love vinyl, but ideally need a digital lossless copy for both NDX and ibasso portable player - and I also have a CD player in the car.

 

When the vinyl comes with a CD that's an easy decision, otherwise it depends how much I like the album so if it's that good I might buy both CD and vinyl. For others I used to buy vinyl and tolerate the free mp3 but now CDs are so cheap I'm buying more than ever despite my inherent dislike of the format. I thought I'd be going with only vinyl or hi-res by now but very disappointed in the price, quality and availability of the latter.

Posted on: 22 January 2015 by winkyincanada
Originally Posted by Allante93:

Newbie, didn't mean to but in, but I sold my beloved LP 12 out of 300 Albums, I only had about 20 of good quality, And decided to do only one format, I CD's  tried DMM  The Stockfisch not bad, Xrcd 24, Sara  K , pretty good also. But not to be rude trying to get in touch with Kuma regarding Brik Bi Amp Configuration, Darke Bear, let me know you were the Brik specialist!  When you have time Kuma check out my Post! Brik Bi amp configuration help! 

 

Thanks!  

What? I don't understand much of that post.

Posted on: 22 January 2015 by karlosTT

The neatest solution I've yet seen is from the nice folks right here at Naim Label, where sometimes if you buy vinyl you get a free hi-res download as well.  The best of both worlds !  But this is sadly rare.

 

Generally I find current (new) vinyl prices rather high which puts me off anyway, and would tend to steer more towards second hand -  even with the quality/condition risks that entails.  Discogs is a good site ime, with honest vendors who tell you what the condition is really like.

 

Another approach is to rip vinyl, but that first requires a bit of kit, and is of course time consuming as you have to do it in real time unlike CD rips.  Good quality ADCs are far from cheap, but despite that I see myself going this direction in the long run  -  not necessarily to digitise all my vinyl which would be an epic task, but at least a more treasured part of it......

Posted on: 22 January 2015 by winkyincanada

As long as I have at least Redbook CD quality (from either rip or download) I won't re-purchase anything in a different format, except perhaps occasionally some of my old small vinyl collection because I don't have a TT anymore. I'll buy new music in Hi-res if the premium is not too much over a CD.

Posted on: 22 January 2015 by Naijeru

It depends. In general, I buy CDs and rip them, but if I particularly enjoy the artist or the album I'll get the vinyl version as well. The exception to this is when one edition contains more music; for instance the Sun Ra compilation "In the Orbit of Ra" contains far more material on CD than it does on vinyl so CD is really the only choice there.

Posted on: 22 January 2015 by David O'Higgins

I have reached the stage that I will only buy 24 bit. If it's something not available in 24 bit, I will buy a used CD at very low price and rip it to NAS.

Posted on: 22 January 2015 by dayjay

For my favourite artists over many years I've bought every format of most albums excluding cassette,  and then only because I couldn't afford a Nakamichi Dragon to play them on. Recently I've purchased all of tge 24 bit Rush albums plus a load by other rock bands, simply because I love the music and usually they sound better to me, and I will continue to pick up new 24 but versions of favourite music as it becomes available.  For new music now I only buy 24 bit downloads where available or 16 bit downloads if not. 

Posted on: 22 January 2015 by Florestan

Main collection is CD.  If something I want is available in vinyl then I will buy the vinyl and the CD.

Posted on: 22 January 2015 by simon, but not simple

If a new release is available where the vinyl version includes a CD copy then I will by this version, otherwise just the CD.

Posted on: 30 January 2015 by Goodsounds

I bought Monster Movie - Last Night Something Happened CD
on WHITE WABBIT RECORDS WWR D63
on CLAIRECORDS FERN 026
on CLAIRECORDS FERN 068 (re-release)
on ALISON RECODS AL 010

Posted on: 30 January 2015 by Kevin-W

Generally, if something's on LP I will buy that, unless I've heard that the vinyl version is particularly terrible, then I opt for CD. A lot of albums I have on multiple formats, but that's more the collector's impulse rather than a quest for the ultimate sound quality.

 

For example, for anything released on Factory Records (1978 - 92, RIP), I have on every format it came out on - vinyl, CD, cassette, and in a few cases, DAT.

 

I also have multiple versions of albums by bands such as Joy Division, New Order, Floyd, Zeppelin, Can, Kraftwerk, Bowie, Scott Walker, Durutti Column; but in most cases this is for completist reasons as opposed to SQ.

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by Clive B

I have six copies of 'Close to the Edge', two vinyl and various CD remasters. It's been a life defining album, but I've just realised that I don't listen to it much now either. I must take the necessary action to remedy this!

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by Clive B

Actually, make that seven.

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by Steve J

I used to buy vinyl wherever possible but generally the quality of modern recordings and reissues, with some exceptions, has more often than not resulted in a degree of disappointment. I now reserve my vinyl purchases to good quality original second hand vinyl and buy new music on CD to rip to the HD or download. 

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by Quad 33

I'm with Steve regarding most reissued vinyl, the exception for me is the Music Matters 33rpm Blue Note reissues. My New Years resolution is to buy only vg or better SH vinyl where ever posable,along with the odd Cd for the Cds2 until I get myself a Hugo 

 

Graham.

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by Hook

Agreed for the most part with Graham and Dr. Steve. But in addition to the fourteen Music Matters BN releases to date, I have also been pleased with other jazz reissue labels (Speakers Corner, SAM, MoV, Pure Pleasure, ORG, Mosaic and the majority, but not all, from MoFi and Acoustic Sounds).

 

Made a decision about a year ago to reduce my vinyl collection. Had over 5000 records, and storage was becoming a problem. Have been going through all titles, from A though Z, and have pulled out all the albums that, hopefully, I won't miss too much. Soon realized I was not going to get to my target of 3000 unless I also pulled out duplicates of records I still love...

 

The only exceptions I've made are for jazz records where I have an original pressing (or a really strong second pressing - for example, BN and Prestige stereo releases that followed the original monos). In these cases, I've kept two copies: original and best-sounding reissue. It has been a labor of love, and am almost done with this first phase of the project.

 

Only problem, as Mrs. Hook has noted, is that while my buying has slowed down, it hasn't exactly stopped!  

 

ATB.

 

Hook

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by George J

Sometimes I replace an old and beloved recording with its new remastering. I listen and if it is better then the new one stays and old one goes, or the other way round.

 

I never keep two copies of any recording.

 

ATB from George

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by DrMark

I now only get CDs to rip to NAS.

 

I still have about 50-60 vinyl LPs, but I am fast realizing I will never enter the vinyl world again, due to cost, age (there's only so much time left), and the fact that I am trying to achieve a state of less crap to drag around, not more - and i can recall when I had about 600+ albums how little fun that was to move!

 

So I am seriously thinking of selling my LPs and accepting that I will be digital only.

 

But I'd return to adding vinyl if I won the Lotto...

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by George J

Dear Mark,

 

I have been CD only for recordings at home for more or less ten years. I shipped out almost all of my LPs as long ago as 1991.

 

If won the Lotto, I would not be replacing my LPs ....

 

 

ATB from George

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by DrMark

Well George, in fairness to me, it would have to be a VERY big Lotto.  A mere million wouldn't do it - lol!

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by George J

Dear Mark,

 

I sometimes dream of what I would do if I won a multi-million prize!

 

A cottage in the Norwegian highlands, and electric car, A modest  new-built town house in Norway with a log fire ... same replay as now, but a nicer room!

 

The rest could wait till my nephew and niece got their inheritance! 

 

First I must buy a ticket!