Vinyl
The parents visited today, so we did the usual thing of visiting colleges, wandering around shops and drinking coffee. I made the mistake (from my mum’s perspective, anyway) of introducing my dad to Avid Records—a fantastic second-hand vinyl shop. They have acres of rock, pop and blues on the ground floor, but it was only recently that I discovered they also have a first floor (up the narrow stairs, taking care not to kick off the piles of records stacked there) which has thousands of folk and classical records.
As I’ve mentioned before, I—-together with my dad and brother—-am a music and hi-fi geek. But I’ve never got in to vinyl, and consequently don’t have a turntable. This might be something I have to change, if only because you can feed a music habit so much more cheaply. Most of the records in Avid (apart from the very rare pressings) are around £1.50 each. You don’t need to be a mathematician to work out how many more recordings you can get for the price of one CD. Well OK, I had to get my calculator out, but then I’m mathemophobic. The simple answer is lots. I think I’m going to have to ask my brother to make me a turntable1. My dad was like a kid in a sweet shop, and kept marvelling at the great condition of the records. He said that the next time he visits, he’ll bring a huge box to take home a stack of discs.
1 He designs and builds turntables as a hobby from time to time, and they look and sound great!
1
I've been working my way through old records (can't get used to calling it 'vinyl') and transferring them to MP3 via Audio Hijack, Don't know what the legal situation is, but it's cool to hear digital scratches!----- I too am a hi-fi geek, and i'm definitely in the market for a turntable. Records are cheap and, in some markets, a-plenty. Plus, my favourite artist frequently has vinyl-only releases. I'd be interested in seeing your brothers home-made turntables. CHeers!
by wez @ 02/11/2003 1:12 am • Permalink •
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The Pro-Ject turntables, in the absence of a hand-built one, are very good (and reasonably priced):
http://www.riversidehifi.com/decks/project_turntables.htm
by djn1 @ 02/11/2003 7:11 pm • Permalink •
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pete: I've got Audio Hijack -- great isn't it? I use it mainly for timed recordings of radio programmes (mostly Radio 4). There's certainly something different about listening to vinyl (aside from the scratches). I think it's because there's more ceremony. You have to clean the dust off, position the stylus, then leap up and do it all again about half an hour later.
wez: I'll ask him if he's interested in taking on any projects at the moment. Previously he's made turntables for friends and family only.
djn1: Yep, I've heard them in action. They sound wonderful for the money, and I'm quite fond of the 'stripped-down' look. But I've promised myself I wouldn't spend any money on things like this until I get a new job. Which could take some time...
by bsag @ 02/11/2003 7:12 pm • Permalink •
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For anyone remotely interested, I'm running an occasional series called "Out of the Burning" over at my new blog,
I can't imagine anyone else sharing my bizarre tastes but would be interested in any contributions to what else I could trial?
by Mr.D. @ 03/11/2003 12:12 pm • Permalink •
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