Starting a vinyl collection. Suggestions?

[ViperZ]

I know, it probably sounds stupid, but I am looking for suggestions regarding the best vinyl albums for a starter?

I finally put together my 2-channel setup (Magnepan MG-II, Velodyne ULD-15, Carver TFM-24, Carver C-1, Dual 1228).

I like pretty much any kind of music (mostly rock, jazz, blues, classical).

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

[dkg999]

Become real familiar with your local Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc. stores and on what day(s) they put out the new stuff!

[dorokusai]

Don't do it.

[dkg999]

Don't do it.

Back off! He's already come over to the dark circle side

[Fongolio]

Value Village (Canada). Thrift stores, friends basements and attics, garage sales. Also many higher end audio stores are stocking new and used vinyl again. Ebay, Gemm, musicstack, acoustic sounds for online sources. Be careful you've entered the addiction zone. I started back into vinyl in February this year with one record and today's count is
916 rock jazz and blues titles with another 60 or so classical. As for specific LP's, go with what you like. You have a system that can make vinyl sound awesome provided you have a good cartridge on that dual classic and provided it's set up correctly. It's amazing how crappy it can sound if the cartridge/arm setup is off. I'm a big Tragically Hip fan and you being from Canada know who I'm talking about. I've spent ridiculous amounts of money collecting 4 of their albums (Up To Here, Road Apples, Fully Completely, and Day For Night. Because they are so hard to find The Hip are some of my fav's, Peter Gabriel, Joe Satriani, Sting, Pink Floyd, Yes, early ZZ Top, Steely Dan all sound fantastic on vinyl. This weekend I just picked up Mark Knopfler's Kill To Get Crimson brand new and Nirvana Unplugged in New York brand new as well. Welcome to vinyl. Enjoy.

[danger boy]

if you are picky as hell like me.. spend your hard earned $$ on new vinyl over used. that's the best advice I can give. I visit record shops here and buy the $2 version of an album, and if I like it. I find the new pressing or 180g one.

I like most of the 80's albums like Bryan Adams, John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, and so many others.

DO NOT buy the 180g pressing of Def Leppard's - Hysteria called the back to black series. Both me and my friend purchased it and we both though it sounded flat. No bass whatsoever.

I have a Japan pressing of Def Leppard's - Pyromania and it sounds schweet! :D

[Fongolio]

I have been disappointed quite a few times with 180gram releases. Sometimes the original pressing is the best and even then sometimes only certain ones sound great. This site: http://www.dccblowout.com/
is one I've bought a few things from. They have a section called hot stampers which cost a fortune but are the best sounding versions of many popular titles. I've got a copy of Heart's debut release Dreamboat Annie that sounds way better than any other version I've heard. Even on the same Mushroom label. Cost me 50 cents at a Salvation Army thrift store. I have a 180 gram version of REM's Automatic for the People that doesn't sound as good as the old original I have. Go figure. I have several German pressings of popular US releases and they all sound better. In fact, two of my Tragically Hip Lp's are German pressings. Almost all Japanese pressings sound better as well.

[Fongolio]

Hey Danger boy, I am the opposite of a Bryan Adams fan but aquired some in collections I bought. I have

Cuts Like a Knife VG+/VG+
Reckless VG+/VG+
Into The Fire VG+/VG+

All three with original inserts. They have been cleaned on my Nitty Gritty 2.5fi and have new poly inner sleaves. I'd be happy to trade for some doubles you may have that I don't. PM me if interested. If not perhaps I'll Karma them since that seems to be the trend today.

Kelvin

[ViperZ]

Are there any other particular brands/manufacturers that you can suggest?

Thank you!

[billbillw]

Personally, for a vinyl newbie, I suggest staying with cheap, thrift store albums until you build up a collection, get comfortable with the format, and then decide you want to stick with it. You also need a reasonably good setup to appreciate the better pressings. Not all 180g pressings are great. Many are crap. Just start buying and listening. For me, I never spend more than about $15 on any one album. Most of my 800+ album vinyl collection was bought on the cheap (<$2 each) and some of the best sounding stuff is older pressings that were well preserved.

Its also nice to buy 'bulk lots' of albums. Often you can get them for less than $1 each and you can often find some gems in there. Often, it also opens you up to music that you've never heard of, but may find enjoyable. During my vinyl collection buildup, I did about 4-5 bulk buys and was happy with all of them.

[dkg999]

And read up on how to clean LP's. Cleaning won't fix a bad pressing, but it's amazing how much better an LP can sound after a good cleaning. I've taken some thrift store finds that looked like they were in the bottom of the bird cage and they sound fantastic after a good cleaning. My VPI 16.5 RCM was a great investment.