Why vinyl records are worth it ✨

I still remember the first time I put a record on my turntable after years of digital-only listening (I was an iPod kid). Pure magic. In a world where we can access millions of songs with a tap, vinyl records are making a serious comeback – and not just because they look cool in Instagram posts.

Building an artist-focused collection

From that first record, I developed a pattern in my collecting:

• Complete discography of artists: I’ve completed the discography of Haim and Laufey. Some I’ve bought secondhand, and some preordered.
• Live performances preserved: There’s something magical about live albums on vinyl. Arctic Monkeys’ “Live at Royal Albert Hall,” The Shins’ live recordings, and especially Laufey’s “A Night at the Symphony” capture a sense of being in the audience that gets lost in digital formats. The subtle crowd reactions and room acoustics come through beautifully.
• Timeless classics and new wave: My collection includes essentials from Blondie, XTC, The Smiths, and Fleetwood Mac. Whether it’s Stevie Nicks’ haunting vocals or Morrissey’s distinctive delivery, these iconic artists sound the way they were meant to be heard on vinyl.
• Electronic and modern indie: RAC’s “Strangers,” Porter Robinson’s atmospheric productions, Aly & AJ’s “A Touch of the Beat,” Tame Impala’s psychedelic soundscapes, and Kaytranada’s groove-heavy beats demonstrate how even modern productions benefit from vinyl’s analog warmth.
• Jazz standards: Ella Fitzgerald’s timeless voice comes alive on vinyl in a way digital streaming can’t match. Jazz recordings benefit tremendously from the warmth and depth of analog playback.

What I’ve discovered is that building a collection around artists you genuinely connect with creates a much more meaningful vinyl experience than just buying whatever’s popular in collecting circles.

What makes vinyl special in a digital world

Let’s be real – streaming is convenient. But there’s something about vinyl that keeps pulling me (and millions of others) back to this seemingly outdated format.

Sound hits different

I can’t tell if it was placebo effect but the first thing that struck me was how music just sounded… better? Not technically perfect, but better in ways that matter:

• Bass feels rounder and more natural
• Vocals sound more present – like the singer is actually in the room
• You hear subtle details that seem to get lost in digital versions
• The overall experience feels less compressed and more dynamic

Quick tip: Avoid those cute suitcase players – they look great on TikTok but sound terrible and can actually damage your records. Even a basic Audio-Technica will sound dramatically better. 

After years of resisting, I caved – I am now a vinyl record collector

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Album art 👏 👏

I am obsessed with album art and I love the thought that goes into creating one.

• You notice details that would be invisible on your phone screen
• Sleeves unfold to reveal hidden artwork and photos
• Many albums include posters, stickers, or other goodies (shout out once again to Laufey’s Bewitched album)
• The physical package becomes part of the artist’s expression

My living room now features whatever album I’ve been playing recently – instant conversation starter when friends come over.

The vinyl ritual changed how I listen

Music has always been a part of my routine and album listening has always been a hobby of mine. With vinyl, it is also an activity especially when I flip through my records (it’s not a large collection yet thought) or when I flip through records at a record store.

Listening to vinyl records have also been part of my daily routine because I also use them to time box my daily journaling.

The unexpected benefits I’ve discovered

Records can actually be worth something

I started collecting vinyl to enjoy music, not as an investment. But I’ve watched records I bought a few years ago double or triple in value:

• Limited edition releases sell out quickly and appreciate fast (oof, especially those Record Store Day vinyls)
• First pressings of even recent albums can become valuable – I was in Tower Records in Tokyo and the old Fleetwood Mac albums were more expensive than the newly pressed ones!
• Special colored vinyl variants become collectors’ items
• Some records I’ve bought for $35 now sell for $200+ on Amazon (I’m looking at you, Arctic Monkeys Live in Royal Albert Hall)

Finding records has become a treasure hunt

Half the fun is the search:

• Digging through crates at local record stores
• The rush when you find an album you’ve been hunting for months
• Record fairs where you meet other collectors
• The joy of discovering something unexpected

👥 There’s a real community here

Vinyl people are a different breed:

• The record store owner who texts me when something comes in I might like
• Trading recommendations with other collectors online
• Friends coming over specifically to listen to new finds

Let’s talk real costs (because I’m not going to sugarcoat it)

Starting and maintaining a vinyl habit isn’t cheap:

• A decent starter setup runs $300-500 (turntable, speakers, etc.) – mine’s the Audio-technica and Edifier bookshelf speakers
• New records cost $20-35 each
• You’ll need space to store your growing collection
• Accessories like cleaning kits and better needles add up

My advice? Start small. Buy albums you’ll actually listen to repeatedly, not just for show. A focused collection of 20 albums you love beats 100 records still in their shrink wrap.

Is vinyl right for you?

Vinyl isn’t for everyone. If you, listen mostly on-the-go, prefer background music while doing other things, don’t have space for physical media, or are on a tight budget…then maybe stick with digital for now. Vinyl demands attention, space, and investment.

Why I’m sticking with vinyl despite the hassles

Despite the extra cost and care, vinyl has completely changed my relationship with music. Songs I’ve heard thousands of times sound new again. Albums feel like complete artistic statements rather than collections of singles.

I’m not ditching Spotify or Apple Music – it’s great for discovering new music and for listening on my commute and while I work. But for the music that really matters to me? It’s vinyl every time.

That moment when the needle drops, there’s that brief crackle of anticipation, and then the music fills the room… that’s something no digital format has ever replicated for me.