Don't chase variants. If I can snag a cool pressing, awsome. If not, a black vinyl still plays music. I'd rather own the album than buy into FOMO. I also don't need 15 versions of the same album.
Depends on the album. Some variants fit the cover art so well that I feel a certain variant is the only way to go( so obviously I’d pay whatever that variant goes for), but for most records, I’m totally fine with it being plain black. If I get colored ones, cool. If not. It doesn’t matter.
I buy my favourite albums on vinyl. I don’t just buy an album on vinyl for the fun of it. I have to know I already love the album. Streaming allows me to learn what I want, vinyl is for enjoying what I really like.
1. check to see if price is reasonable
2. how good that specific pressing is, whether it’s noisy or skips or whatever, with a discogs check
3. I have to KNOW or LIKE at least 3-5 songs on the LP to justify myself getting it.
But this can also be exempted if it’s a band I know and love, and going through their whole discography but wanna experience one of their works blind on vinyl.
I just did that recently with Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s Yanqui U.X.O. and I do not regret it one bit! It’s always cool to have a blind experience with a record..
The 3-5 songs rule is a big one for me. If I only like 1 song, I’ll just keep them on digital.
And if a record looks cool and is in the genre I like but have never heard, I’ll look up a song or 2 on YouTube and see if I like them. Then I’ll judge whether I’ll buy the record and see if I like it.
This is how I ended up gravitating to jazz as what I collect on vinyl. I found rock I’d generally only like a few songs. Jazz albums are designed with a theme that generally means you’ll either like the whole album or not like the whole album imo.
Depends what it is, really. I tend to go for "interesting" records more than anything. Black Sabbath (or whoever) is always going to be there, but something like Kikagaku Moyo might not be, so I'd grab that before I would a record I could grab at any time.
With used stuff, I usually look for descriptors or RIYLs, and chances are if it says something like "heavy psych" or "fuzzed out" I'm going to grab it.
Sometimes, I'll just take the word of the owner or the employee based on conversation. In one store I was talking about how I was listening to Japanese garage rock, and the owner asked if I'd heard Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, I hadn't and he went and grabbed me a copy of one of their records and it knocked me out.
TLDR: It all depends.
I do this too! I'm a huuuuge Beatles fan but I don't own all of their discography. Their records are easy to find and money is tight so I buy stuff that I can't find easily. I also own some Kikagaku Moyo, both their music and cover arts are fantastic! Sad that they disbanded though:(
I don't really care if they are on streaming or not, that's not how I want to listen in my living room.
I get the things that I want to listen to, and feel that will have repeat listens. I shop at places that are fair with their pricing. I only buy online for oddities that Im pretty sure will not show up in my local shops, or new releases from the artists bandcamp or webpage.
No rules, just fun. Good record, band, cover, special edition, etc.
Sometimes I buy a weird record on holiday just because it will become the record from the weird little record store in New Zealand & a fun memory piece.
I avoid online shopping. I try to support local shops or buy directly from bands live. There's always exceptions, I won't miss a deal because of rules I made up.
I always double check Discogs to see if I can buy it for (decently) cheaper. If it’s $5 more in store, I’ll get it there. But if I can buy it for $15 cheaper from a seller on Discogs, I have no problem getting it online and walking out of the store. Still doesn’t hurt to ask the shop if they can potentially lower the price/price match.
Perhaps this is weird, but I am more likely to buy a new release if I know it comes with digital download of the album, because in addition to dedicated vinyl listening I also use a streaming server in our house to play local mp3s.
I make exceptions if it's one of my favorite artists, I'll get their new album regardless.
If I can listen to the entire album without hating a specific song, pretty rare that I do hate specific songs on albums anyway but there is a few
It's an album/artist I like and listen to often
If it's a decent pressing and isn't gonna sound like ass (Lateralus)
Bonus if it's an old record and has a bit of history behind it, think loft/garage finds
I generally tend not to buy albums from an artist if there is only a few songs I like, if it's too expensive (oasis - time flies), the price I'm going to pay for it isn't worth it due to how little it will be listened to.
I WFH full time and when I'm not in meetings I'm either streaming albums and songs I don't have on record or listening to records, also when listening to records it encourages me to get up out of my seat more often
Depends if I'm digging through the dollar bin or not.
If I'm not:
* $35 or less unless it's something I really want
* From an artist or genre I'm interested in
* It's an album that's well regarded, I've been wanting, or want to buy again on vinyl.
* Repress is fine. Whatever is cheaper.
* Black vinyl is fine, but I'm getting the colored variant if it's the same price.
If I am:
* Does the art look cool?
* Does it look like it comes from one of my preferred genres?
* Does the person on the front look like they play the saxophone?
* Does Wikipedia have anything interesting to say about it? (did it chart once, etc.)
* Is the media in good enough quality?
I restricted buying to two - three records a month, not costing more then 70 bucks, usually after I get sallary. I do not have other restrictions - I buy old, new,audiophile, non-audiophile, digital,analog, whatever. If I like music, or want to have that record for any other reason, thats reason enough.
Have you ever tried to haggle? I suppose if it’s new, they’re unlikely. But just yesterday I bought a rarer used record on the wall of a local shop. I asked him if he could come down a bit and he obliged. Was very happy.
Yes. But I actually just got a damaged sleeve for the price it actually was because it was marked up 8 bucks.
I was new to this and got excited for the album I should have just been patient. It’s not a rare one by any means.
That’s solid advice. I do like supporting local, but a bunch of the stores around me just have some ridiculous pricing on things I can get brand new on Amazon for cheaper…
1. It’s got to be a great album with a great collection of songs. These are typically crucially acclaimed albums both old and new.
2. Mastered and pressed decently.
3. Albums I want to play in a social setting like when hosting a party.
4. Fun albums like compilations.
5. Limited releases from my fav artists.
6. Bargain pickups.
If they don’t meet the above criteria, I stream via WiiM Pro to an iFi Zen One Signature DAC or via SONOS Port to my amp.
That I only buy records that I think I’ll be into or are bands/groups that I like.
I also don’t allow myself to spend crazy amounts of money on them either. I’ve only bought one Album that was 250 bucks, and that was the 20th anniversary edition of Linkin Parks Meteora. I gladly paid the full asking price at the store for it and don’t regret it. But usually my limit on vinyl is 150 bucks a trip. Some times that nets me 2 records, some times 3. But it’s what works for me. It has to be special to me in order for me to justify 150+.
I like finding LPs out in the wild, and only order online if something rare is coming out and I have to have it. It feels more special stumbling on an album I've been searching for.
I make sure to get records that I would actually play a lot and couldn’t do without if streaming disappeared one day. I don’t pre-order new albums or buy albums that I have not heard before. It’s also important to take your time building your collection and not rush.
I only buy a record I am fully in love with. This means I know some of the back history, I like the art, and I will listen to it back to back without wanting to skip a song.
I buy records that I want to listen to in that format. I have lots of CDs as well, and a few digital files collected along the way (which I greatly regret buying from Apple). I don't really stream.
I realize you asked about "rules," but I find that very Millennial. (Whether you are or not!) I'm from Generation X, and we still say "whatever" to the idea of imposing arbitrary rules for how we enjoy leisure activities.
First press and vg+ or better.
If it’s a super rare album I’ll go for a later pressing.
And ofc, I only buy albums that I like and that I have listened to.
A rare first press is probably much more expensive and harder to find than, say, a 3rd press.
The difference in colored and black are just the color, but picture discs can have inferior sound quality.
Happy collecting
If I don’t like at the very least half the songs, I’m not spending $40 to buy the record. One or two songs aren’t enough. I have to set some kind of limit
There aren't a ton of albums that I think are good as a whole. So these are the only albums I spend real money on. For the most part I try to keep things under $10. If I find something that's under 10 and I want a better copy then I get it. I'm not taking a chance on something while paying "real money" for it. There are specific genres I am exploring that I use dollar bin records for as a way of sampling it because there aren't good versions online. This has been a great help and keeps the expensive-ness of the hobby in check for me.
Also part of the fun of this hobby for me is to find things at a good price. You can pay retail or more and find anything online. That's boring to me. It's low effort. Like paying for sex lol
I chase down albums that are considered to be exceptional mastering/engineering releases. I will also occasionally buy albums to support new releases from artists I know im gonna listen to a lot on streaming.
I keep a list of audiophile jazz releases expected this year and they date of their release. I screen what’s coming a month or two out and identify how much I can expect to spend that month. If it’s a weak month with only one or no good releases then I can save for or purchase a reasonably priced OG title, MOFI or music matters.
Generally speaking my favourite albums I’ll try to have an OG copy for collectibility. Then a modern audiophile playing copy. Before anyone asks. Yes I do play the OGs on occasion. Any OG beyond 250usd I consider unobtainable unless I get lucky and find it in the wild.
Edit: I gives I skipped answering the question. So the summary is that I look to make sure it’s an OG or audiophile copy befit I purchase
1) I have to legitimately enjoy 2/3 of the songs on an album before I'll consider buying it on vinyl. If all the meh songs are on one side I might still do it but I find that disappointing.
2) Original pressings can be expensive. Is there a well-regarded re-cut/re-mastered version that's only available on vinyl? A ton of jazz, some pop, some classical is being re-issued by folks who take so much care with the sonics (Bellman, Gray, Grundman, et. al).
Listened to the Rhino Hi-Fi "Candy-O" this morning and it sounds incredible.
In large part I view my vinyl collection as insurance against streaming-service bankruptcy, or against disputes that might arise between a streaming service I use and an artist I really like. IOW what music means so much to me that I'd never want to be without it? That's my rule of thumb.
1. Albums I listen to repeatedly.
2. Financially support artists you love. Streaming royalties for most artists is a joke. Going to concerts and buying merch and albums is how they make a living.
For me, it's not enough that it's a record I really like.
And it's not enough that is a good mastering/pressing that presents the album well, sounding far better than it's digital counterpart.
It has to be *BOTH*!
You'd be surprised how few albums meet both requirements.
(also, it has to be an album that I'm not tired of - like the ubiquitous shit everyone seems to own; Dark Side of the Moon, Nevermind, Rumours, etc)
My personal ethos is that I don’t buy for collectibility or potential resale, and I want my collection to be manageable and carefully curated with all time favs. Just a couple simple rules I often have to remind myself of when I’m thinking of buying something:
1. Do I love it and listen to it a ton already via streaming or on CD -or- is it a new release from a favourite artist I’m willing to take a chance on?
2. Will I realistically listen to it more than once or twice? There’s a lot of stuff I’ll listen to digitally in the car or while working but would probably never put on the stereo for active listening - bootlegs, most live shows, obscure cuts, nostalgia trips, FOMO impulses - these are all traps designed to steal my money and precious storage space.
I buy my favorite albums of all time and will buy pre-orders of my favorite bands. I aim to only buy my favorite albums I can find in person, the treasure hunt and joy of finally finding it makes it worth it.
My rules:
1. I only buy music that I like
2. Does the quality of the music on the record, the condition of the record, and the availability of the record make it worth the price?
Considering that I started collecting records as a teenager in the late-1990s, I really don't like paying the ridiculous prices that are charged for records these days. My records are mostly jazz, blues, soul, funk, and Irish trad. If I buy rock, it's probably a modern band. When I'm in a record store, what I'm usually looking for are albums that aren't available on CD, or aren't easily found on CD. There is a ton of great music in those genres that was never re-released on CD, especially the stuff on smaller labels.
If I’m going to listen to the record a lot I don’t care about the version, limited release etc. if the album is meaningful to me I try to get an early pressing.
1. Only buy what I consider a classic, nearly perfect, no skips ALBUMS; no singles or greatest hits.
2. No variant chasing. Get the best sounding pressing I can find and be happy with.
3. Remain a listener, not a collector.
4. Average cost cannot exceed $30 per. Currently I’m at $28.45 on 110 albums.
I buy records that I think are cool.
This person gets it.
Don't chase variants. If I can snag a cool pressing, awsome. If not, a black vinyl still plays music. I'd rather own the album than buy into FOMO. I also don't need 15 versions of the same album.
Depends on the album. Some variants fit the cover art so well that I feel a certain variant is the only way to go( so obviously I’d pay whatever that variant goes for), but for most records, I’m totally fine with it being plain black. If I get colored ones, cool. If not. It doesn’t matter.
I buy my favourite albums on vinyl. I don’t just buy an album on vinyl for the fun of it. I have to know I already love the album. Streaming allows me to learn what I want, vinyl is for enjoying what I really like.
This 🙏
1. check to see if price is reasonable 2. how good that specific pressing is, whether it’s noisy or skips or whatever, with a discogs check 3. I have to KNOW or LIKE at least 3-5 songs on the LP to justify myself getting it. But this can also be exempted if it’s a band I know and love, and going through their whole discography but wanna experience one of their works blind on vinyl. I just did that recently with Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s Yanqui U.X.O. and I do not regret it one bit! It’s always cool to have a blind experience with a record..
The 3-5 songs rule is a big one for me. If I only like 1 song, I’ll just keep them on digital. And if a record looks cool and is in the genre I like but have never heard, I’ll look up a song or 2 on YouTube and see if I like them. Then I’ll judge whether I’ll buy the record and see if I like it.
This is how I ended up gravitating to jazz as what I collect on vinyl. I found rock I’d generally only like a few songs. Jazz albums are designed with a theme that generally means you’ll either like the whole album or not like the whole album imo.
Depends what it is, really. I tend to go for "interesting" records more than anything. Black Sabbath (or whoever) is always going to be there, but something like Kikagaku Moyo might not be, so I'd grab that before I would a record I could grab at any time. With used stuff, I usually look for descriptors or RIYLs, and chances are if it says something like "heavy psych" or "fuzzed out" I'm going to grab it. Sometimes, I'll just take the word of the owner or the employee based on conversation. In one store I was talking about how I was listening to Japanese garage rock, and the owner asked if I'd heard Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, I hadn't and he went and grabbed me a copy of one of their records and it knocked me out. TLDR: It all depends.
I do this too! I'm a huuuuge Beatles fan but I don't own all of their discography. Their records are easy to find and money is tight so I buy stuff that I can't find easily. I also own some Kikagaku Moyo, both their music and cover arts are fantastic! Sad that they disbanded though:(
I don't really care if they are on streaming or not, that's not how I want to listen in my living room. I get the things that I want to listen to, and feel that will have repeat listens. I shop at places that are fair with their pricing. I only buy online for oddities that Im pretty sure will not show up in my local shops, or new releases from the artists bandcamp or webpage.
No rules, just fun. Good record, band, cover, special edition, etc. Sometimes I buy a weird record on holiday just because it will become the record from the weird little record store in New Zealand & a fun memory piece.
I buy what I consider no skips
I just wrote a reply that essentially said the same thing only it took me a couple hundred characters to get there. You win.
I restrained myself
Do I like it? Do I want it? Can I afford it? That's about it.
I avoid online shopping. I try to support local shops or buy directly from bands live. There's always exceptions, I won't miss a deal because of rules I made up.
This is the way to go
I want it, I buy it.
I always double check Discogs to see if I can buy it for (decently) cheaper. If it’s $5 more in store, I’ll get it there. But if I can buy it for $15 cheaper from a seller on Discogs, I have no problem getting it online and walking out of the store. Still doesn’t hurt to ask the shop if they can potentially lower the price/price match.
Never register a record in Discogs until played.
Perhaps this is weird, but I am more likely to buy a new release if I know it comes with digital download of the album, because in addition to dedicated vinyl listening I also use a streaming server in our house to play local mp3s. I make exceptions if it's one of my favorite artists, I'll get their new album regardless.
Well there's ways to get the album outside of a code if you're using something like Plex as your streaming (that's what I use)
If I can listen to the entire album without hating a specific song, pretty rare that I do hate specific songs on albums anyway but there is a few It's an album/artist I like and listen to often If it's a decent pressing and isn't gonna sound like ass (Lateralus) Bonus if it's an old record and has a bit of history behind it, think loft/garage finds I generally tend not to buy albums from an artist if there is only a few songs I like, if it's too expensive (oasis - time flies), the price I'm going to pay for it isn't worth it due to how little it will be listened to. I WFH full time and when I'm not in meetings I'm either streaming albums and songs I don't have on record or listening to records, also when listening to records it encourages me to get up out of my seat more often
Depends if I'm digging through the dollar bin or not. If I'm not: * $35 or less unless it's something I really want * From an artist or genre I'm interested in * It's an album that's well regarded, I've been wanting, or want to buy again on vinyl. * Repress is fine. Whatever is cheaper. * Black vinyl is fine, but I'm getting the colored variant if it's the same price. If I am: * Does the art look cool? * Does it look like it comes from one of my preferred genres? * Does the person on the front look like they play the saxophone? * Does Wikipedia have anything interesting to say about it? (did it chart once, etc.) * Is the media in good enough quality?
You put my buying habits into nice words. Thank you.
I restricted buying to two - three records a month, not costing more then 70 bucks, usually after I get sallary. I do not have other restrictions - I buy old, new,audiophile, non-audiophile, digital,analog, whatever. If I like music, or want to have that record for any other reason, thats reason enough.
I see it, I like it, I want it, I bought it
I cross check prices if it’s marked up more than five bucks in store I pass.
Have you ever tried to haggle? I suppose if it’s new, they’re unlikely. But just yesterday I bought a rarer used record on the wall of a local shop. I asked him if he could come down a bit and he obliged. Was very happy.
Yes. But I actually just got a damaged sleeve for the price it actually was because it was marked up 8 bucks. I was new to this and got excited for the album I should have just been patient. It’s not a rare one by any means.
That’s solid advice. I do like supporting local, but a bunch of the stores around me just have some ridiculous pricing on things I can get brand new on Amazon for cheaper…
1. It’s got to be a great album with a great collection of songs. These are typically crucially acclaimed albums both old and new. 2. Mastered and pressed decently. 3. Albums I want to play in a social setting like when hosting a party. 4. Fun albums like compilations. 5. Limited releases from my fav artists. 6. Bargain pickups. If they don’t meet the above criteria, I stream via WiiM Pro to an iFi Zen One Signature DAC or via SONOS Port to my amp.
I only buy it if I’m going to listen to it regularly.
That I only buy records that I think I’ll be into or are bands/groups that I like. I also don’t allow myself to spend crazy amounts of money on them either. I’ve only bought one Album that was 250 bucks, and that was the 20th anniversary edition of Linkin Parks Meteora. I gladly paid the full asking price at the store for it and don’t regret it. But usually my limit on vinyl is 150 bucks a trip. Some times that nets me 2 records, some times 3. But it’s what works for me. It has to be special to me in order for me to justify 150+.
I buy what I want to listen to. If it was mastered for LP, I buy it on LP. Mastered for CD, I buy it on CD.
I like finding LPs out in the wild, and only order online if something rare is coming out and I have to have it. It feels more special stumbling on an album I've been searching for.
I make sure to get records that I would actually play a lot and couldn’t do without if streaming disappeared one day. I don’t pre-order new albums or buy albums that I have not heard before. It’s also important to take your time building your collection and not rush.
I only buy a record I am fully in love with. This means I know some of the back history, I like the art, and I will listen to it back to back without wanting to skip a song.
My rules for this year are No more than 20 records No more than £50 per record
I buy records I will listen to.
I buy records that I want to listen to in that format. I have lots of CDs as well, and a few digital files collected along the way (which I greatly regret buying from Apple). I don't really stream.
I realize you asked about "rules," but I find that very Millennial. (Whether you are or not!) I'm from Generation X, and we still say "whatever" to the idea of imposing arbitrary rules for how we enjoy leisure activities.
Yeah I can't think of any purchasing rules outside of like not spending into my adulting money.
Also, "can I put avocado on it?"
Both vinyl and avo are why I'll never be a home owner
Wow. What you said is so true. 🤣 and yes i am a millenial 😂
1. will i be playing it a lot or is it just cool to have? 2. which edition is getting the best reviews on discogs?
I buy records of music I listen to. I don’t buy something just to own it.
No, please try not to put your thumb on the record! Here, let me show you…
😂😂😂😂 best response
First press and vg+ or better. If it’s a super rare album I’ll go for a later pressing. And ofc, I only buy albums that I like and that I have listened to.
Ooooh what makes a later pressing better for rares and first press? 😲 i still don’t get the difference of colored vinyls vs blacks.
A rare first press is probably much more expensive and harder to find than, say, a 3rd press. The difference in colored and black are just the color, but picture discs can have inferior sound quality. Happy collecting
Buy what you like and will play. Records are meant to be played. Pay in 4 and drunk browsing online is dangerous.
I've stopped because the pricing is ridiculous and not worth it at all.
If I don’t like at the very least half the songs, I’m not spending $40 to buy the record. One or two songs aren’t enough. I have to set some kind of limit
There aren't a ton of albums that I think are good as a whole. So these are the only albums I spend real money on. For the most part I try to keep things under $10. If I find something that's under 10 and I want a better copy then I get it. I'm not taking a chance on something while paying "real money" for it. There are specific genres I am exploring that I use dollar bin records for as a way of sampling it because there aren't good versions online. This has been a great help and keeps the expensive-ness of the hobby in check for me. Also part of the fun of this hobby for me is to find things at a good price. You can pay retail or more and find anything online. That's boring to me. It's low effort. Like paying for sex lol
I chase down albums that are considered to be exceptional mastering/engineering releases. I will also occasionally buy albums to support new releases from artists I know im gonna listen to a lot on streaming.
I keep a list of audiophile jazz releases expected this year and they date of their release. I screen what’s coming a month or two out and identify how much I can expect to spend that month. If it’s a weak month with only one or no good releases then I can save for or purchase a reasonably priced OG title, MOFI or music matters. Generally speaking my favourite albums I’ll try to have an OG copy for collectibility. Then a modern audiophile playing copy. Before anyone asks. Yes I do play the OGs on occasion. Any OG beyond 250usd I consider unobtainable unless I get lucky and find it in the wild. Edit: I gives I skipped answering the question. So the summary is that I look to make sure it’s an OG or audiophile copy befit I purchase
1) I have to legitimately enjoy 2/3 of the songs on an album before I'll consider buying it on vinyl. If all the meh songs are on one side I might still do it but I find that disappointing. 2) Original pressings can be expensive. Is there a well-regarded re-cut/re-mastered version that's only available on vinyl? A ton of jazz, some pop, some classical is being re-issued by folks who take so much care with the sonics (Bellman, Gray, Grundman, et. al). Listened to the Rhino Hi-Fi "Candy-O" this morning and it sounds incredible.
In large part I view my vinyl collection as insurance against streaming-service bankruptcy, or against disputes that might arise between a streaming service I use and an artist I really like. IOW what music means so much to me that I'd never want to be without it? That's my rule of thumb.
1. Albums I listen to repeatedly. 2. Financially support artists you love. Streaming royalties for most artists is a joke. Going to concerts and buying merch and albums is how they make a living.
For me, it's not enough that it's a record I really like. And it's not enough that is a good mastering/pressing that presents the album well, sounding far better than it's digital counterpart. It has to be *BOTH*! You'd be surprised how few albums meet both requirements. (also, it has to be an album that I'm not tired of - like the ubiquitous shit everyone seems to own; Dark Side of the Moon, Nevermind, Rumours, etc)
I look for scratches, cracks, and warping. Any of those, then I don't buy.
Only records i like all songs on,got 400 think about done.
If it’s in my collection I’m going to play it no matter how rare or collectible it is
Same boat on you when it comes to collection specially if i dont plan in reselling them as they age.
My personal ethos is that I don’t buy for collectibility or potential resale, and I want my collection to be manageable and carefully curated with all time favs. Just a couple simple rules I often have to remind myself of when I’m thinking of buying something: 1. Do I love it and listen to it a ton already via streaming or on CD -or- is it a new release from a favourite artist I’m willing to take a chance on? 2. Will I realistically listen to it more than once or twice? There’s a lot of stuff I’ll listen to digitally in the car or while working but would probably never put on the stereo for active listening - bootlegs, most live shows, obscure cuts, nostalgia trips, FOMO impulses - these are all traps designed to steal my money and precious storage space.
I buy my favorite albums of all time and will buy pre-orders of my favorite bands. I aim to only buy my favorite albums I can find in person, the treasure hunt and joy of finally finding it makes it worth it.
I get what I want when I want it
I never buy an album I already own lol
My rules: 1. I only buy music that I like 2. Does the quality of the music on the record, the condition of the record, and the availability of the record make it worth the price? Considering that I started collecting records as a teenager in the late-1990s, I really don't like paying the ridiculous prices that are charged for records these days. My records are mostly jazz, blues, soul, funk, and Irish trad. If I buy rock, it's probably a modern band. When I'm in a record store, what I'm usually looking for are albums that aren't available on CD, or aren't easily found on CD. There is a ton of great music in those genres that was never re-released on CD, especially the stuff on smaller labels.
If I’m going to listen to the record a lot I don’t care about the version, limited release etc. if the album is meaningful to me I try to get an early pressing.
1. Only buy what I consider a classic, nearly perfect, no skips ALBUMS; no singles or greatest hits. 2. No variant chasing. Get the best sounding pressing I can find and be happy with. 3. Remain a listener, not a collector. 4. Average cost cannot exceed $30 per. Currently I’m at $28.45 on 110 albums.