The Best Part Of Collecting Vinyl? Finding Hidden Treasures!

I'm less than one year into being an official collector of vinyl records. I got my initial records from my parent's collection. I started off enjoying those and then began to explore what albums I would like to have on vinyl. Once I identified what I wanted, the best part of listening to records began. The hunt.

I can't tell you how great it feels to be flipping through countless records at a store, or a thrift store or garage sale and you find that hidden gem. The treasure you either  had  been searching weeks for, or you didn't know you wanted yet! It's a rush and it's also addictive! I went to several antique stores in Marion yesterday and went through box after box of records. Some boxes didn't have any that peeked my interest. But others had some hidden gems. I'd been looking for a copy Hotel California by The Eagles for awhile now. Imagine my excitement when I stumbled across a copy! And for only four bucks! Like I said, hidden treasure! I also found some John Lennon and a couple of Springsteen albums too!

I'm by no means a vinyl expert, but I have learned a lot over the past several months. I've upgraded to a higher quality turntable, gotten a new receiver and better speakers. Am I a full fledged 'audiophile'? Not yet. But there is just something different about vinyl. There is a physicality to the music. You're holding something real and tangible. It's not a mp3. It's shiny and beautiful. At the same time, it can crackle and pop. You can't skip from track to track. You have to take in an entire album. Isn't that what the artist intended? But the best part is the hunt. What hidden treasure will I find next?