how do you decide whether you buy something on LP or CD?

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I have about 500 records and 500 CDs, and a couple of years ago I would buy stuff on LP if I thought I would spin it at parties, or if it was a lot cheaper on LP (like a lot of those Drag City/Thrill Jockey LPs or something). Though sometimes I'll just buy an LP even if it's more expensive and I have no plans to spin it (like the new Yo La Tengo). So what's the reasoning behind your decision-making?

― Gear! (Gear!), Monday, 9 February 2004 18:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, I no longer own a turntable, so it's a pretty easy decision.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 9 February 2004 18:24 (twenty-two years ago)

About the same reasons: If I am likely to play it at friend's home party or something, I always buy it on LP, as it is much more fun playing rekkids. Otherwise, I usually buy it on CD, unless tempted by out-of-the-ordinary artwork (as when I bough the luvliest LP version of Boards Of Canada's 'Geogaddi').

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Monday, 9 February 2004 18:26 (twenty-two years ago)

i no longer buy albums, so i have it easier still!

(x-post, just kidding)

i have no consistent policy on this. i always get the stereolab LPs on vinyl tho', for total anaolgue goodness

― zebedee (zebedee), Monday, 9 February 2004 18:27 (twenty-two years ago)

price, typically.

― Ian Johnson (orion), Monday, 9 February 2004 18:28 (twenty-two years ago)

I suppose I never have any intent of playing "Yanqui" by GYBE at a party, and it's far pricier on LP, but I loved that artwork so I figured I'd snag it on LP.

And I concur on Stereolab. I'll be grabbing their new one on LP.

― Gear! (Gear!), Monday, 9 February 2004 18:28 (twenty-two years ago)

The only albums I've bought in the past...ten years, more?...have been specific small runs of otherwise not-easy-to-find stuff, like the recent Six Organs of Admittance releases on Time-Lag. Otherwise, CD plz.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 9 February 2004 18:29 (twenty-two years ago)

I rarely buy new LPs anymore but still purchase plenty of used ones, mainly because of price.

― zaxxon25 (zaxxon25), Monday, 9 February 2004 18:29 (twenty-two years ago)

the old classic rock stuff I'll buy on LP. Walking out of a store with Boston, BOC, Heart, and Cheap Trick LPs for a total of 8 bucks is always a good thing.

― Gear! (Gear!), Monday, 9 February 2004 18:32 (twenty-two years ago)

i buy cd's if it is electronic music. or rap now that rap albums on vinyl are like 3 or 4 album sets with 3 songs on each side. or if it is music that i don't really give a shit about but i feel like hearing it. or if i can't find it on l.p. most digital electronic stuff though, it just makes more sense to buy it on cd.

― scott seward (scott seward), Monday, 9 February 2004 18:37 (twenty-two years ago)

The last piece of vinyl I purchased was Severed Heads' _Stretcher_.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 9 February 2004 18:37 (twenty-two years ago)

These days I DJ with a turntable AND a cd player, so I have more options. So I'm less inclined to spend money on LPs strictly for spinning purposes.

― Gear! (Gear!), Monday, 9 February 2004 18:44 (twenty-two years ago)

I still buy LPs because they are (generally) less expensive and infinitely cooler. I just love the big artwork. So if the packaging on an LP is especially nice I'll buy the LP. Otherwise it's getting hard to justify since now whenever I get a CD I immediately rip it to my iPod, there's just more flexibility w/ digital, I can listen to it in my car, etc.

― scott m (mcd), Monday, 9 February 2004 19:23 (twenty-two years ago)

I'll buy s/h vinyl and vinyl if I can't get it on CD but I also don't have a turntable so even this is a bit dim. The last two things I bought new were the Life's A Dice Game 4 x 12" pack (not available on CD) and the Darkness Xmas picture disc. I could have got them on MP3 but I thought I ought to support the artists in their struggle against i) the daily realities of life in the urban grime ii) Gary Jules.

― Tico Tico (Tico Tico), Monday, 9 February 2004 19:30 (twenty-two years ago)

you will fail!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 9 February 2004 19:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Which ever format I track down first, really. Price helps.

― James Slone (Freon Trotsky), Monday, 9 February 2004 20:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh yeah, and packaging too. In fact, I own a lot of albums on lp and cd.

― James Slone (Freon Trotsky), Monday, 9 February 2004 20:14 (twenty-two years ago)

I used to subscribe to the notion that LPs sounded better than CDs, but that was mainly because people told me they did. It really makes no difference to my ears.

So I now have about 25 LPs which are really ace but I never play because it's an arse to get them out. I have a current project to convert them all to CD via the gift of downloading. I'm going to keep them though, because they make me look cool and *could* be worth something.

― Nick H (Nick H), Monday, 9 February 2004 20:53 (twenty-two years ago)

If I find it on either, I'm getting it.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 9 February 2004 20:58 (twenty-two years ago)

What's vinyl?

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Monday, 9 February 2004 21:23 (twenty-two years ago)

It's what Billy Idol's pants are made of.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 9 February 2004 21:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Availability. I find it easier to find vinyl recordings cuz I don't shop at chain stores. Price plays a slight factor.

― Vic Funk, Monday, 9 February 2004 21:30 (twenty-two years ago)

If I want to listen to it in the kitchen, CD. If kitchen-listening is not so important, vinyl.

― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Monday, 9 February 2004 21:32 (twenty-two years ago)

I have never bought an LP in my life. This is because I am Young and you are Old.

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Monday, 9 February 2004 21:32 (twenty-two years ago)

And control is all we've got to give.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 9 February 2004 21:33 (twenty-two years ago)

If it's significantly cheaper on vinyl, or if that's the only form it's available in, then I'll buy it on vinyl - otherwise, the durability, portability, convenience, and cleaner sound of CDs wins the day.

― o. nate (onate), Monday, 9 February 2004 21:43 (twenty-two years ago)

I've been pretty bad with this lately. When it comes to newer music then I'll just, uh, download it. Older stuff.. vinyl every time.

― may pang (maypang), Monday, 9 February 2004 21:52 (twenty-two years ago)

also: bonus traxx! despite Low's LPs being expensive, they tend to come with bonus material that makes it worthwhile. or the example of the Shellac LP coming with a CD version as well.

― Ian Johnson (orion), Monday, 9 February 2004 22:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh yes Low, I'll only get their stuff on vinyl if it's available in that format.

― Gear! (Gear!), Monday, 9 February 2004 22:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Almost exclusively, vinyl. Increasingly so. I enjoy putting on a record more than I enjoy putting on a CD. I'm not talking about sound, just the act of getting it out and playing it. Also, they are better to DJ with and they look better and people think you are cooler if you own them and you can find better stuff, cheaper second-hand.

I buy CDs if I can't be arsed to wait and wait to eb able to find them on vinyl or want a decent best of: last CDs I bought were Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and Muddy Waters.

― Jim Robinson (Original Miscreant), Monday, 9 February 2004 23:55 (twenty-two years ago)

if its on cd, then i buy the cd -- if its just on vinyl then thats what i buy.

― jack cole (jackcole), Tuesday, 10 February 2004 00:03 (twenty-two years ago)

I really only by used vinyl. All new albums I buy on CD.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 10 February 2004 00:13 (twenty-two years ago)

I often think that if it's a double album, then I'll buy the CD. But I don't. I have never bought a CD over vinyl.

― Canada Briggs (Canada Briggs), Tuesday, 10 February 2004 11:51 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm with Jim on the ritual of playing vinyl being the superior experience, but I've become so intolerant of brand new LPs having various pressing flaws (cheapo bargain bin stuff - fine) that I very rarely plump for LP over CD thesedays with new releases. I used to just go by price and which looked better.

I spent the last of my Xmas vouchers this week on the new Stereolab and Lambchop and fully intended to go for the full double-LP experience, but ultimately chickened out. Sorry, ailing pressing plant workers.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Tuesday, 10 February 2004 12:08 (twenty-two years ago)

I like vinyl, so I tend to buy records if I can easily obtain a digital copy of the tracks as well via downloading or ripping a friend's cd. I don't like to simply download an entire album's worth of songs if I'm not supporting the artist, but if I buy their LP I don't feel guilty about it. cds are easier to come by, though, so I still buy more cds than records in the end.

― webcrack (music=crack), Tuesday, 10 February 2004 14:24 (twenty-two years ago)

History, e.g. all the new GBV/Bob Pollard/etc albums i get tend to be on vinyl since that's how that part of my collection started. Same goes for Smog, but that also has to do with the fact that the vinyl is cheaper.

And then stuff like DJ Shadow just doesn't make any sense to buy on disc (only on principle).

GREAT albums, too. My disc copy of The Bends won't play on my stereo's player and i really wish i'd have bought it on wax -- i've never had an album "fail". Problem with this, fruits like Radiohead make their LPs a lot more expensive; the bastards.

And yes, all those groovy 70s titles can be had easily for only a couple bucks apiece.

In the end i'd say it's a 50/50 split.

― christoff (christoff), Tuesday, 10 February 2004 15:17 (twenty-two years ago)

I generally buy vinyl these days for four reasons

a) nothing like having thousands of burnt albums to make you appreciate cover art

b) nothing like already having a burnt CD to put you off paying 20-30 dollars for some pretty coloured paper - buy vinyl, I then have CD and vinyl

c)I DJ so having vinyl and CDs gives me greater choice with some venues

d) some things just aren't available on CD

reasons why I buy CDs

a) some things just aren't available on vinyl

b) cost

c) albums are designed with CDs in mind - I would never buy Geogaddi on vinyl due to all the fiddly segues that would just bug me.

― Jedmond, Tuesday, 10 February 2004 15:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Everyone knows i'm a big vinyl fan, but one thing that will make me buy the CD (besides the obvious ones like it not being available on LP) is if it's one of those albums that's just a bit too long to fit on one LP, or they choose to spread it out on 2 for sound quality or whatever; I hate having to flip the side after only a couple tracks.

― Sean (Sean), Wednesday, 11 February 2004 03:31 (twenty-two years ago)

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