Are turntables and records worth it financially?

[Chrisp2112]

Im fairly new to audio enthusiasm and I've just been thinking about records from a purely financial point of view...

With the high cost of turntables, styluses and records is it worth starting a collection? It seems to me as an outsider looking in that price affects everything, from the quality of music to the selection. Also, everything eventually wears out with the frequency of using...records and styluses get worn, so much that it seems you don't want to use your rare records for fear of ruining them.

I know CDs and FLAC files may have a while to go before they get the same characteristics as vinyl but they have their advantages. You can access almost anything via the internet...

 

[Mr Boochie]

Maybe streaming is your best bet.

 

[OBMG74]

For enjoyment, yes.
As an investment expecting a financial return, no.

 

[doctor fuse]

If you are not absolutely compelled to buy a turntable and records - DON’T DO IT!

It is more than just “not a good investment”; it is a bonafide money pit.

Count yourself lucky that digital is good enough for you, and enjoy the discretionary income in your wallet.

 

[Trays]

Getting started with vinyl isn't a huge investment. I believe there are turntables with a cartridge and even a built-in phono preamp for around $500.

If you are looking to buy vintage records, that can get expensive and it's a hassle. Don't worry about wearing out your records or the stylus. They are pretty resilient and with getting up every 20 minutes to change records you won't play them that often.

Think of vinyl as more of a hobby than the best way to consume music.

 

[gadget73]

Audio is rarely about wise financial investment. Its more about what you enjoy. If you can break even on it, consider it a bonus.

 

[loudnoises]

Short answer, no.
Long answer, noooooooo.

It's a hobby. Expect to lose money. If your time is valuable, expect to lose more money. See it starts off easy enough, but before long you're toying with buying altec drivers...

Edit: bought the drivers...

 

[enricosonic]

How many hobbies pay off from a financial point of view.

 

[loudnoises]

How many hobbies pay off from a financial point of view.

3.

And no I'm not telling.

 

[enricosonic]

Wait, is Pokémon one of them

 

[kirk57]

No.

 

[enricosonic]

Vintage cars, vintage guitars are two I know.

 

[enricosonic]

No.

Sounds like there’s scar tissue there

 

[flavio81]

I bought almost all my records before the vinyl craze, when a record costed 0.15x what it costs today.

Turntables, on the other hand, are a good investment, particularly vintage ones that are classics.

 

[theophile]

Like anything, how you buy an item determines whether it is an investment or a bath.

I bought my Yamaha GT 2000X 18 months ago at a great price. In the open market other 2000X are for sale at multiples of the price I paid. Assuring that when I sell it I will be able to either recoup every cent I paid for it, or possibly make a profit.

I bought a Soundmith Strain Gauge cartridge many years ago for 1/3 of what it costs now to buy it. Assuring that when I sell it I will be able to either recoup every cent I paid for it, or possibly make a profit.

I bought thousands of records in the early '80s for a pittance because people were dumping their entire record collection with the start of the CD fad. All of which I can sell today for a profit. My best buy was a rare Beatles album I bought for next to nothing and which last sold on Discogs for north of $3000 US.

The trick is to know the value of something you'd like to own and leap when you see it for sale at a bargain price.

My speakers I bought at 1/5th of the retail price.

All of my components are to die for great hifi compnents and I bought them at great prices. Irrespective of the price the resultant sound quality is excellent by any standard and for the price I paid(for a high quality vinyl based system) a screaming bargain. There are bargains out there. If you are young: take a long term approach. Keep your eyes open and leap when you see greatness for sale at a pittance.

 

[malden]

Im fairly new to audio enthusiasm

what equipment do you use to listen to music?

 

[malden]

I bought almost all my records before the vinyl craze, when a record costed 0.15x what it costs today.

same here. Once I got over the sticker shock, I'm okay with paying $20-$25 for a record or $30-$40 for something special

Turntables, on the other hand, are a good investment, particularly vintage ones that are classics.

yes, unlike many other things, a vintage turntable will hold its value

 

[MFRD]

Here are diverse points of view on this matter:

Audiogon Discussion Forum

Unpacking and going through my vinyl collection, it occurs to me that vinyl is it, whereas streaming is Audio’s red plastic cup. The best wines taste l...

forum.audiogon.com

 

[flavio81]

The trick is to know the value of something you'd like to own and leap when you see it for sale at a bargain price.

x1000 !!! Exactly this!

My speakers I bought at 1/5th of the retail price.

Yes, i can relate, for example I went into a store to listen (audition) the famed Yamaha NS-1000M, but ended up buying a Victor (JVC) speaker that costed almost as much ast the 1000M when new, but at this store the Victor was offered for less than 1/2 the price of the 1000M, yet it sounded more musical than the 1000M, which wasn't bad at all.

 

[Mr Boochie]

Vintage cars, vintage guitars are two I know.

The problem with those is, yes, my old guitars and amps are worth some $$$. But I can't really sell them as I can't find anything to replace them. Price and emotion-wise.

I only sell to friends these days.