Vinyl records are making a comeback.

What was written off for dead 25 years ago is now the only segment of the music business that’s showing an increase in hard copy sales.

The website marketplace.org recently featured a story on the subject. It states that record album sales in 2013 had grown to 6 million, and that number is expected to increase this year.

With the last new vinyl record press going online in 1982, why has this happened? The answer is young people.

Even though vinyl still represents only about one-percent of record sales, it was the younger folks (20’s and 30’s) who rediscovered what many of us already knew: vinyl just sounds better.

The growth has spurred reissues of classics such as The Beatles complete library, in stereo and mono, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley.

My last record purchase was Heart’s newest album, Fanatic. It sounds great.

However, the key to helping your vinyl realize it’s full potential is equipment. Through the years, I resisted all of the encouragement of family members to get rid of my turntable and approximately 600 albums. I’m glad I kept them.

I have a 1980’s Technics turntable that now is worth as much as a used car, and a 1970’s Kenwood amplifier that’s specifically designed for turntables. The only thing modern in my setup is a set of Bose Speakers.

I grew up with vinyl. I listened to it on a console stereo that included a turntable, AM/FM radio and an 8-track tape deck. This was when stereo systems were a piece of furniture.

At 17, I got a job at the radio station in my hometown. In the late 70’s, radio stations still played vinyl on the air. It was always exciting to see the newest release from an artist arrive in the station’s mailbox. Working five hours a day, six days a week with records gives you a love and appreciation for the format that you never lose.

I periodically sit down in my studio, pull out Frank Sinatra, Boston or Randy Travis, gingerly set the tone arm down on the first cut and just soak up the sound.

If you still have your vinyl, I encourage you to invest in a turntable and revisit what is arguably the best way to listen to music.

If you’ve never heard a side-by-side comparison of vinyl to mp3, I’ve posted a link below that allows you to hear the difference for yourself.

And thanks to the younger folks who have brought a middle-aged fellow quite a bit of happiness.

©2014 John Moore

To Hear A Vinyl-To-Digital Comparison, Click Here: https://soundcloud.com/marketplace/chicago-vinyl-comparison-test