Where is a good place to buy vinyl online?

[Jack in Wilmington]

Well I finally went out and bought my first piece of vinyl in 15 years. I just had to see, or hear in this case, what all the fuss was about. I lost all of my old LP's when the basement flooded shortly after moving into the house in 1994. One of the local CD shops has a very limited amount of vinyl. They had about 8 Beatle's albums, all Japanesse imports, so I picked up Sgt. Peppers. Sounded very impressive, even on my old Technics TT. Looks like I'm in the market for a new TT. And of course some new vinyl. Where can I find a good selection online? Thanks

[basite]

well, i'm not from the USA, but musicdirect gets mentioned here quite alot,

http://www.musicdirect.com/

(-->press 'vinyl' then choose the kind of vinyl you want (standard, 180g, 200g,...) and then click the letters, or just search for your record you want)

Keep them spinning,
Basite.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Basite this is probably a real novice question but, what is the difference between 180 gram and 200 gram. Is one better than the other? Thanks

[Jimmy C]

Well I finally went out and bought my first piece of vinyl in 15 years. I just had to see, or hear in this case, what all the fuss was about. I lost all of my old LP's when the basement flooded shortly after moving into the house in 1994. One of the local CD shops has a very limited amount of vinyl. They had about 8 Beatle's albums, all Japanesse imports, so I picked up Sgt. Peppers. Sounded very impressive, even on my old Technics TT. Looks like I'm in the market for a new TT. And of course some new vinyl. Where can I find a good selection online? Thanks

...www.gemm.com.

That'll keep ya busy for a while...

[BRANDONH]

Well I finally went out and bought my first piece of vinyl in 15 years. I just had to see, or hear in this case, what all the fuss was about. I lost all of my old LP's when the basement flooded shortly after moving into the house in 1994. One of the local CD shops has a very limited amount of vinyl. They had about 8 Beatle's albums, all Japanesse imports, so I picked up Sgt. Peppers. Sounded very impressive, even on my old Technics TT. Looks like I'm in the market for a new TT. And of course some new vinyl. Where can I find a good selection online? Thanks
See this thread:
http://forums.audioreview.com/showthread.php?t=15834http://
I need to add these to the one I posted: http://www.ciscomusic.com
http://www.rhinorecords.com/store/vinyl_store.lasso
My top pick:
http://store.acousticsounds.com/

[basite]

Basite this is probably a real novice question but, what is the difference between 180 gram and 200 gram. Is one better than the other? Thanks


it's the weight of the record, 180 gram vinyl records is noticably better than standard records (the weights of standard records may differ, but they're not that heavy). they sound smoother, and more detailed,
for what i think, the 200 gram records should be better, but i don't know how much better, and if it's noticable with a normal/mid-end tt and cart.

Keep them spinning,
Basite.

[JoeE SP9]

The heavier the vinyl the thicker. This will change the VTA. Changing the VTA will have an effect on the sound. It may sometimes be necessary to adjust the tonearm height to get the proper VTA with vinyl of different thickness.:idea:

[Jack in Wilmington]

Just placed an order with Acoustic Sounds. Ordered two 200 gram LP's, now I'll have to see how they sound on my TT. I don't know if my old TT has all the adjustments that the new ones have. Another reason to invest in a new one. The wife gave me the OK to get a new one.

[BRANDONH]

Just placed an order with Acoustic Sounds. Ordered two 200 gram LP's, now I'll have to see how they sound on my TT. I don't know if my old TT has all the adjustments that the new ones have. Another reason to invest in a new one. The wife gave me the OK to get a new one.
What model is your Technics?

[Jack in Wilmington]

It's the SL-3350
Probably going on 20 years old. Replaced the stylus right after I moved into the house in 1992. As good as that Beatles LP sounded the other day, I can't wait to upgrade to a more modern TT.

[BRANDONH]

It's the SL-3350
Probably going on 20 years old. Replaced the stylus right after I moved into the house in 1992. As good as that Beatles LP sounded the other day, I can't wait to upgrade to a more modern TT.

Thats an excellent deck I would not replace it.
http://www.vintagetechnics.com/images/sl3350catalog.jpg

It may need some bearing oil since it has probably not been lubricated is a while.
KAB also has that for 4.95
SPINDLE BEARING OIL
SFW0 010
Also a stylus gauge
http://www.kabusa.com/GIF/SFG2.jpg only 19.95
(click sound ass'ys on the home page)

I recommend this cartridge though I have it and love it.
Note that the page shows 329.00 but if you click the buy now it will only be 229.00 and its well worth it.

from KAB USA http://www.kabusa.com
http://www.kabusa.com/GIF/Cc_pro_sL.jpg
Integrated mount hi fi cartridge. Audiophile standard for Technics SL-1200 MK2 - 5 provides smooth extended response and excellent tracking and freedom from midrange edge. Features STY-40 Fritz Geiger 70 stylus on low mass(0.35mG) cantilever. More variations on the
OUTPUT 5cm/S:4mV
FREQ RANGE:20Hz - 29kHz
RESPONSE 20Hz-20kHz:+2 -0 dB
TRACKING 315Hz:>90uM
LATERAL COMPLIANCE:25 uM/mN
STYLUS TYPE:FG70 5/70 uM
STYLUS REPLACEMENT:STY40
STYLUS TIP MASS:0.30 mG
TRACKING FORCE: 1.25-1.75 Gr
LOAD IMPEDANCE: >47kOhm,
200-500pF
CARTRIDGE WEIGHT: 18.5 Gram

The advantage of the integrated design is that the arm wand, cartridge coils and cantilever are in alignment. This creates a better path for vibration dispersion. The result is great midrange transparency and powerful punchy bass. These are custom assembled by KAB. Who else!

[Jack in Wilmington]

Thats an excellent deck I would not replace it.
http://www.vintagetechnics.com/images/sl3350catalog.jpg

It may need some bearing oil since it has probably not been lubricated is a while.
KAB also has that for 4.95
SPINDLE BEARING OIL
SFW0 010
Also a stylus gauge
http://www.kabusa.com/GIF/SFG2.jpg only 19.95
(click sound ass'ys on the home page)

I recommend this cartridge though I have it and love it.
Note that the page shows 329.00 but if you click the buy now it will only be 229.00 and its well worth it.

from KAB USA http://www.kabusa.com
http://www.kabusa.com/GIF/Cc_pro_sL.jpg
Integrated mount hi fi cartridge. Audiophile standard for Technics SL-1200 MK2 - 5 provides smooth extended response and excellent tracking and freedom from midrange edge. Features STY-40 Fritz Geiger 70 stylus on low mass(0.35mG) cantilever. More variations on the
OUTPUT 5cm/S:4mV
FREQ RANGE:20Hz - 29kHz
RESPONSE 20Hz-20kHz:+2 -0 dB
TRACKING 315Hz:>90uM
LATERAL COMPLIANCE:25 uM/mN
STYLUS TYPE:FG70 5/70 uM
STYLUS REPLACEMENT:STY40
STYLUS TIP MASS:0.30 mG
TRACKING FORCE: 1.25-1.75 Gr
LOAD IMPEDANCE: >47kOhm,
200-500pF
CARTRIDGE WEIGHT: 18.5 Gram

The advantage of the integrated design is that the arm wand, cartridge coils and cantilever are in alignment. This creates a better path for vibration dispersion. The result is great midrange transparency and powerful punchy bass. These are custom assembled by KAB. Who else!


I figured an old direct drive unit like that was not the way to go. Now days everything is belt drive that I see. That is something to think about, thanks.

[royphil345]

The VTA on that stacker (rake angle of the tonearm) is not adjustable and is probably set pretty badly for optimum sound when playing one record. The table is designed to play stacks of six records. The tonearm would have to be set pretty high.

If you enjoy the sound of it with a modest cartridge... stick with it... The automatic / stacking features would be pretty cool to have... Nothing wrong with a quality direct-drive. I'm the proud new owner of a brand-new Technics SL-1200MK2 myself. Very steady speed, very quiet. Honestly don't think it can be beat for the $400.00 I paid. If you get the urge to mess with higher quality cartridges, start seeking unquestionably better than CD sound from vinyl... You'd probably be better served by a single-play table with adjustable VTA.

Probably no need to buy a stylus pressure guage for a vintage table. I find the scales on the counterweight are usually accurate within .1 gram when zero is set properly.

Welcome!!! Enjoy those 200 gram beauties!!!

[Mr Peabody]

If you want good prices on used vinyl call Tom at House of Sight & Sound 785-825-0055.. He has been in business for years but very slow to adapt to technology so their website is still a work in progress.

If you really want to take your vinyl playback up a notch, give a listen to a Rega turntable and cart.

[dean_martin]

If, by chance, anyone is looking for new hardcore, emo, screamo, punk, etc., for themselves or teen kids, I recently ordered the new Converge album on vinyl for my son. When he asked for it for Christmas, I checked all my usual places for ordering vinyl and couldn't find it. I even checked a local independent record store. They said it wasn't released on vinyl. I found the vinyl and I took a chance and ordered a copy from here: http://www.verydistro.com/default.aspx

They sent it out immediately and included a sampler cd and at least 3 mags.

[BRANDONH]

If, by chance, anyone is looking for new hardcore, emo, screamo, punk, etc., for themselves or teen kids, I recently ordered the new Converge album on vinyl for my son. When he asked for it for Christmas, I checked all my usual places for ordering vinyl and couldn't find it. I even checked a local independent record store. They said it wasn't released on vinyl. I found the vinyl and I took a chance and ordered a copy from here: http://www.verydistro.com/default.aspx

They sent it out immediately and included a sampler cd and at least 3 mags.
here is another for that genre http://www.skinniesrecords.com/newvinyl.html

[hifitommy]

i have used this source numerous times with great success. the records are EXACTLY as described and the packing is second to none. pretty big selection as well.

http://www.recordsbymail.com/

[shokhead]

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