A buddy of mine at work just stopped by and told me he wants to upgrade his turntable because a lot of the music he wants to buy is being released on vinyl as 45s.
I’ve known this guy for 20 years, and considered him somewhat of an “audiophile.” Which is fine. Anyone who has the money and knows what they want to spend it on.
I knew lots of music was still released on vinyl. I have a turntable myself to play my old vinyl. But for some reason I was surprised to learn that I was completely ignorant of the fact that some vinyl was currently being released in 45 rpm.
Just wondering if I could get a quick show of hands:
-how many of you folks knew you could buy new 45s (not the old 2-song, fat hole 7")?
-how many of you buy/would like to buy music in this format?
I knew. A friend of mine is big into vinyl, so I hear more than I could possibly want to about the subject from him. However, I wouldn’t buy it myself. I don’t even buy CDs anymore. It’s all MP3s for me.
I knew that, but only because I worked at my university’s radio station while I was there (six years ago). I don’t have a turntable, so I don’t keep up with current trends in vinyl, but I was aware of the situation.
If I was still as passionate about music as I was then, I’d probably make the investment in a good turntable and a bunch of stuff on vinyl -I love the way music on vinyl sounds. However, I’ve become an old fart and can’t seem to work up much enthusiasm about music any more.
I knew just because I have read things on how audiophiles are unadulterated crackpots and go crazy for them. Most of them don’t really want to reproduce what the music should sound like. CD’s can do that better than anything. They want the sound to be distorted in the subtle ways that does just like they remembered growing up. I am pretty sure that this will die out eventually just because people with this bias will die themselves and leave an even more insignificant market share.
Check out www.musicdirect.com.
In addition to 45s, you can also get the 180g and up vinyl!
I assume there will be a rush on hi-fidelity 45 turntables to play the newest Public Image release!
I guess I was impressed at learning about this, because I KNEW I was out of touch with NEW technology, just didn’t know I was as clueless about OLD technology as well!
I actually just found out on Saturday. My boyfriend and I were in NYC, walking around Times Square, and went into the Virgin Megastore: I stopped in my tracks when I saw the wall of vinyl LPs, and actually giggled a little (with happiness) when I saw the 45s! All new releases!
I still have a bunch of LPs and 45s from my youth (the 80s/90s), but I haven’t owned a turntable in nearly 10 years. I hang on to the vinyl, though, because I will have a turntable again someday.
