Ah, vinyl.
Last weekend I finally decorated our humble abode for the Christmas season! Needless to say, I've been listening to my favorite Christmas tunes pretty much nonstop. But it got me thinking how swell it would be if I could listen to the very same Christmas records that my dad played when I was little. When it comes to nostalgia, nothing beats the sound of vinyl. So, true to form, I began scouring internetland for record players just like dear ol' Dad's.
Would you believe he actually still has the same stereo equipment that he purchased when he was in college? ('73!) Each year we still enjoy Christmas tunes coming through that vintage steel and wood clad receiver and out of those 35 year old speakers… but I'm sad to say Dad let go of the record player in '99, when he finally invested in a cd player. These players from Urban Outfitters seem really cool, and that one on the right almost looks like Dad's oldie. I'm looking for something I can hook up to our stereo receiver and blast through our modern-eye-sore speakers.
I would also be delighted hear some of my favorite bands on vinyl. It's not just vintage, kids.
(Fleet Foxes, Port O'Brien, Neutral Milk Hotel)
Ah, I just don't know what to do. Buy vintage? Buy new? I think it's too late for Christmas. But you know, my birthday is early January…
I just bought the Crosley Keepsake Table (the one up on the left) and I LOVE it. You can USB it into your comp to rip the songs to MP3.
The sales guy told me you can hook it up to other speakers (there’s an aux out port) Plus, it just looks pretty.
I LOVE old records. They have such a character to them. I kept my mom’s old record player and brought it to college with me, and what a lovely companion it has been :) I did a whole post on record covers on my blog which I think you may enjoy. http://julialuckett.wordpress.com/2009/08/13/a-love-for-old-artsy-record-covers/
Oh, and your blog is so lovely that I am going to put up your link on the side bar! How did you make that by the way? Is there a particular site you used to generate it?
Charmed,
Julia
oops sorry, I haven’t figured out how to put up the link/image, but you’ll see a link for your blog on my “blogs to love list”
I just inherited some records from my grandparents, and am trying to convert some of them to CD. I bought a USB turntable that I hooked up to my computer and it makes mp3 files. Pretty cool! You get the snap, crackle & pop from the record, but it’s on a CD that will last longer. Sorry for the nerdy comment, I’m just excited that someone else is into vinyl, too!
I’ve been trying to buy record players that have MP3 compatibility for my husband for Christmas but they keep saying they have none in stock everywhere I have purchased online (which then they shouldn’t allow me to purchase if that is the case)! My crosley old-time looking record player has been broken for a while but I wanted something more compact and my husband has been wanting more vinyl, so I figured I’d treat him. THe urban outfitters players are cute!!! I love them. My parents still have their player from the early 70s but I think it doesn’t work too well.
P.S. I sooo want the neutral milk hotel vinyl – they are excellent
My parents never throw anything away, and my mom still has her old record player all the speakers and equipment, plus a whole ton of records. I wish I lived nearer to her just so I could get my hands on that stuff.
Hrmm…I have a new and an old one (My dad’s, also in the 70s) and I have far fewer problems with my new one.
sorry for the spazzy randomness for my first ever comment on your blog… BUT NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL COMES ON VINYL?!?! WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?!?!
Hi! Just discovered your blog & the fact that you are also from NE Ohio. I live in Cuyahoga falls & thought! wow! She goes to thrift shops in that area! Nice.
<3Amber
I’d LOVE to see some pics of the newly decorated house! :)
urban outfitters has some really great stuff. i purchased my holga from their online site and have since looked at their other electronic goods, such as their retro clocks and record players. i hope you get a record player for the holidays (or your birthday)!
i’d avoid the urban outfitters record player and buy something vintage. my husband is obsessed with records and he has bought most of his stereo equipment used on e-bay. he has a trusty old nad turntable that we just replaced the cartridge on and the sound is so warm and nice! the main issue is finding a place to put all of those records once you get addicted to collecting them. we’ve filled one of those huge open ikea shelving units with new, used and vintage vinyl. not sure where to put our latest acquisitions.
I am so jealous! I want vintage records and a turn table like that!
Vintage is great but sometimes shopping online tends to overprice them.
My husband and I purchase new and if it’s our favorite albums, we buy two. One to play and collect, one to display.