LP and CD storage solutions? Open or closed

Posted by: mudwolf on 09 March 2016

I've just moved EVERYTHING  out to my house near Palm Springs and have loads of boxes, most my LPs and equipment.   I want a new storage solution.  The wide bookshelves were problematic in that if there were not enough LPs they would slump one way or another even tho I had metal bookends, I kept them in  clusters of Male Rock (largest), Dylan &The Band, Female singers, Female Jazz singers, Male Jazz(2nd largest and growing), and Classical.

Main concern is easy access readability, and second, CLEANLINESS. In Los Angeles I had lots of dust and no maid, I've disgusted my dealer, but my windows were open 3/4 of the year with fans going and I lived 300 yards from a major freeway.  Fraim isn't easy to clean at all. The desert house, I have a hermetically sealed environment with filters, but micro dust still floats around and coats everything. Tho days like today I want all sliders and windows open, windstorms can whip up in minutes. Keep that all in mind, or come visit and enjoy. It also is ultra contemporary house,  taupe/gray colors, colorful art, views  to the golf course and has to eventually look uncluttered !!!!

I found a website coloredrecordsvinyl.com that had 27 manufacturers which was a blog with links. Everything from plain cubes to book cases on up to very expensive furniture all focused on durability of storage. Open and closed systems.  I have 425 LPs that take up 100" in length, not including box sets. 350+ CDs and 25 operas/box sets.

1st and inexpensively is an arrangement of wood boxes, advantage is stacking them different ways and it separates collection into segments.

2nd Open bookshelf arrangement, some wide shelves or cubicles. I can't say for sure but more collecting will be very difficult out here. it's 2hrs drive to LA and Amoeba.

3rd closed system with doors and back, less easy access and readability. I did find a Canadian firm making steelcase office and workshop storage was very proud to offer a 2 drawer LP filing cabinet that holds 560 LPs and 2 or 3 drawer 6" high CD storage (540-810) with options for dividers, slides and filing solutions. Powder coated in numerous colors and you can mix and match any way you want. It would stand  a bit over 4' high and 3' wide, very compact by many standards and right next to my system.

Thanks for reading if you have any comments or ideas that worked for you I'd much appreciate it. Pictures to follow when I figure that out.

Glenn

 

 

Posted on: 09 March 2016 by ChrisSU

I see on your profile that you have a streamer - are you not tempted to rip your CDs so you can store them out of sight?

Incidentally, ND5XS/555PS is an interesting combo.......? 

Posted on: 10 March 2016 by Dozey

I use "Glorious" record boxes for LPs which are black and stackable and look fairly minimalist. They come in different sizes (e.g. 50 or 100 or 200 LPs) You can avoid LPs falling over by filling the space left with a few books.

I agree you should just rip the cds and store them out of sight.

Posted on: 10 March 2016 by mudwolf

Oh yeah, those look great and are one of the 27 sites, but they don't sell in America, all over europe and England an one site in Mexico, numerous in middle east and one in China.  I think I'll find some nice wood ones instead of the file cabinets.

When I had CDX I had an olive power supply s/h and thinking of upgrading my dealer said to buy the 555ps it would go with anything in the future, it sure made the CDP sound better.  When I bought the streamer it added a lot of umph but I'm not going to upgrade that to the NDX or S. Just too much money. 

Thanks for replying,  I've decided that I'm going to clean all my records before they go in the shelves,  I'll start with the 180g vinyl first and change the solution often on the older disks

Posted on: 10 March 2016 by lescouse

Have you tried I-Cube, its what I have and they make lots of different colour combos - for vinyl and CDs

Posted on: 19 March 2016 by Loki

I've used 3  open freestanding Habitat shelving units for 3000 Lps. Just the right size, robust and oak veneer. About £120 each.

Posted on: 20 March 2016 by mudwolf

Had my last trip back to get stored things.  I decided on Gothic cabinets, they have a plywood box 15" and I bought 2 of them as doubles so will try to make a stepped arrangement, I bought 3 singles just in case I should expand my collection, a cinnamon reddish stain, my speakers are cherry and darker now. Now to get started cleaning my LPs before they go into the boxes.

My system is still in boxes, my new dealer is very particular about everything so will discuss set up with him.  I have one worry, I hooked up my SHL5s to an integrated and heard raspy high sound, wondering if I damaged the tweeter in transit, in back seat.  I'll have to take the grill off and on quick glance don't know how.  I've been doing so many other things and have music thru LFD integrated Rega CDP and Audience 1+1.

I know I have some insurance on the furniture so add this to the list.  This is last move ever, or just to a care facility when I'm senile.  I'll try to figure out posting  pics on here.