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: 31 January 2015 by DrMark

Aaahhh, the ticket - we both seem to have run into the same conundrum.

 

Of course my odds of winning by happening upon the prize ticket on the ground appear to be nearly the same as my buying it! 

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by George J

Likewise!

 

I predict that i'll be struck by lightning before buying my Lotto ticket!

 

ATB from George

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by Steve J
Originally Posted 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.

I'm in total agreement with both you and Hook Graham. The reissues from MM etc are exceedingly good because they're all analogue.

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by Clive B
Originally Posted 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.

 

 

ATB from George

Given that you listen to classical music it doesn't surprise me at all. I find that the dynamic range in classical recordings means vinyl is not really viable owing to surface noise in the quiet passages which I find quite irritating. 

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by Bart
Originally Posted by Hook:

 

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

 

 

Your vinyl issues parallel my wine issues.  My wife enjoys our music almost as much as our wine . . . and she is a bit concerned about my wine amassing.  Digital downloads however don't take up any space . . . and I do not need to worry about the wearing out.

 

With wine, of course, it's "one and done."  Which is why buying at least a half of a case is required!

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by kuma

5 copies of Maiden Voyage.

But I think I found the definitive one now. 

Posted on: 01 February 2015 by dave4jazz

Hopefully just one CD copy these days plus a few downloads. Too much good music to explore and listen too.

 

"Maiden Voyage" is a great album but my copy sounds pretty good to my ears.

 

"Right first time" is my motto.

 

Dave

Posted on: 01 February 2015 by Clive B
Originally Posted by dave4jazz:

Hopefully just one CD copy these days plus a few downloads. Too much good music to explore and listen too.

 

"Maiden Voyage" is a great album but my copy sounds pretty good to my ears.

 

"Right first time" is my motto.

 

Dave

Yes, but how do you know that the next remaster doesn't provide greater clarity, allowing you to get closer to the heart of the music? That is the dilemma!

Posted on: 01 February 2015 by aht
Originally Posted by dave4jazz:

 

"Maiden Voyage" is a great album but my copy sounds pretty good to my ears.

 

You should check out the new Music Matters 33 RPM of Maiden Voyage.  Allegedly they discovered the master tape, missing for decades.  It's a revelation, IMHO.  I've already ordered an extra copy.

Posted on: 01 February 2015 by dave4jazz
Originally Posted by Clive B:
Originally Posted by dave4jazz:

Hopefully just one CD copy these days plus a few downloads. Too much good music to explore and listen too.

 

"Maiden Voyage" is a great album but my copy sounds pretty good to my ears.

 

"Right first time" is my motto.

 

Dave

Yes, but how do you know that the next remaster doesn't provide greater clarity, allowing you to get closer to the heart of the music? That is the dilemma!

I don't but then there'll be another artist/album that is equally deserving my attention. I don't think I need n copies of an album to get to the heart of the music on it. As I said there is too much music out there to exlpore. Perhaps that's what vinyl only guys are missing.

 

Dave

Posted on: 01 February 2015 by dave4jazz
Originally Posted by aht:
Originally Posted by dave4jazz:

 

"Maiden Voyage" is a great album but my copy sounds pretty good to my ears.

 

You should check out the new Music Matters 33 RPM of Maiden Voyage.  Allegedly they discovered the master tape, missing for decades.  It's a revelation, IMHO.  I've already ordered an extra copy.

WTGR How many times have we heard that.

 

Dave

Posted on: 01 February 2015 by Iron Cobra
Originally Posted 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. 

Steve,

 

I totally agree with you on this regarding vinyl to the point where I am considering getting rid of new vinyl in my collection all together.

Posted on: 01 February 2015 by Bart

There certainly are a few uber-classic albums that have been remastered, to good benefit, several times over the years.  The sonic changes are dramatic enough that re-purchasing them as hi res digital files has still represented a good value.  The Beatles USB, the recent Led Zep remasters, the recent The Who remasters, and the Pink Floyd remasters (ok not all available in hi res) are some examples.  The Neil Young hi res remasters too.

Posted on: 02 February 2015 by Mr Mole

The most I have of any particular album is three. The original vinyl, the CD, and the remastered CD.

Posted on: 09 February 2015 by ChrisG

I have 5 vinyl editions of "Blonde on Blonde" and 8 CD's, it's a passion......oh OK an obsession then.

 

Chris

Posted on: 09 February 2015 by Judge

Sadly I replaced my favourite vinyl with CD, then sold the records 15 years or so ago.  I got back into vinyl last year, but now the split is second hand vinyl for music I should have bought 30ish years ago, and CD for current stuff.  I like both formats, but things like Gerry Rafferty's City to City is much better on even 2nd hand vinyl.  My local 2nd hand record store does not grade LPs but then does sell them for between £2-5 each, which means I can spend £20 every 2 or 3 weeks and get between 5 and 10 viable records.  I do use a basic cleaning system which makes a worthwhile difference.  My collection of both formats grows weekly.