Before we had the luxury of streaming any song we want with a tap of a screen, listening to music took a little more effort. You had to use actual tools, like dropping a needle on a vinyl record or popping a CD into a drive. There’s something romantic about the idea of going back to these more “primitive” methods. It feels nostalgic, maybe even a little cooler, like you’re doing it for the aesthetic. But for me, collecting vinyl is more than just a novelty. It’s practical, meaningful, and a lot of fun.
My goal is to break down why I love collecting records, what makes the experience so rewarding, and even point out some of the downsides that come with it.
The Streaming Problem
Streaming has become the default for most people. It’s convenient, fast, and offers more music than you could ever listen to in a lifetime. But that convenience comes with a cost.
Streaming services make it easy to access media, but they also keep users locked into subscriptions that benefit the company way more than they do the artists. Beyond any business’s corporate ethics, there’s also the issue of impermanence. If an album or movie is pulled from a platform, it’s just gone. You don’t own it, you were just accessing it, and now you’re out of luck unless another service picks it up or you start juggling multiple subscriptions.
That lack of permanence is exactly what pushes other people and me toward physical media.
Tangible Ownership
Buying records guarantees me a real, tangible copy of the music I love. As long as I own that record, it’s mine. I can play it whenever I want, on my setup, and the music will sound exactly how I remember it. There’s something so satisfying about putting on a record and hearing your speakers come to life. It turns listening into an experience, not just background noise.
And if I ever decide a record no longer fits in my collection, maybe it’s just taking up space, I can sell it or trade it. I’m not locked into some app’s ever-changing catalog. I control what I own and what I let go of.
My Setup (For the Audio Nerds)
Right now, my setup includes an Audio-Technica turntable, hooked up to a Sony multi-channel audio receiver. I’ve got Boston Acoustics speakers handling the left and right channels and a 10-inch Chrysalis subwoofer rounding things out with some extra bass.
It’s not exactly high-end or “audiophile elite,” but it’s gear I’ve picked up over the years, mostly during college and my early audio-nerd phase. But that’s the best part: your setup is completely customizable. Some people think I’ve gone overboard, while the people I surround myself with attempt to convince me to upgrade. I think it’s just right for what I need.
The Drawbacks
Vinyl isn’t perfect. Over time, records wear out. The more you play them, the more they degrade. Just sitting on a shelf, they can collect dust or get damaged. And if you’re clumsy like me, there’s always the risk of dropping a record or stepping on it.
Sound-wise, some digital files can technically offer better audio quality. While vinyl is often praised for its warmth and “true” sound, there’s a lot of room for error. Unless your entire setup is perfectly optimized (and expensive), you’re not always getting peak sound. CDs or digital lossless files offer cleaner playback in most cases. I collect CDs too, just not as many.
The Joy of the Process
I won’t delve into the complex world of digital audio formats and compression algorithms today. But I will say this: there’s something special about analog listening.
There’s a whole vibe to coming home from the record store, tearing off the shrink wrap, placing the record on the turntable, and letting it fill the room. I even try to visit local record stores when I’m on vacation. Every purchase becomes a little souvenir of that moment in time.
Listening to records also forces me to be present. I catch little details in the music that I might’ve missed while casually streaming. It makes listening more intentional.
Bonus Content and Collector Perks
Let’s not forget the perks. Many records come with posters, custom disc variants, or even exclusive bonus tracks. One of my newest additions, Don’t Tap the Glass by Tyler, the Creator, includes a bonus track that was never released for streaming.
Mainly, these bonuses are purely cosmetic and don’t usually affect the music itself. However, they definitely manipulate the consumer’s brain. When something’s labeled as ‘limited edition,’ there’s a real drive behind fans dropping cash on the newest pressing of an album, sometimes by people who don’t even own a record player and just want it to display. That’s when buying a record as a practice starts to transcend the music itself.
Why I Keep Collecting
Every collector has their reasons for what they buy and why. For me, it always comes back to the music. I’m not canceling my Apple Music subscription anytime soon, but there’s something powerful about disconnecting from the algorithm and listening to music on my terms.
My collection may grow or shrink, but every record I own represents a specific moment in my life. Each one’s a little snapshot of a place, a mood, a memory. That’s what makes it worth it.
Special Thanks to the owner of Total Drag in Sioux Falls, SD, for letting me take the featured photo inside his store.
Also, a big shout-out to my friends Colton, Dan, and Mykel for submitting photos from their personal collections
Screen Falcon 