The Largest Selection of Vinyl

History of Vinyl Records

The man who invented the gramophone record was the German Emil Berliner. He received his first patent as early as 1887, and in subsequent years focused on developing this technology. For pressing records with a diameter of 5 inches (12.7 cm), he used vulcanized rubber (ebonite), and the playback speed was set at 70 revolutions per minute. Thus, the recording industry was born, with Berliner as its father. Other inventors were not idle either, improving on the German's idea. In 1946, the RCA record label introduced polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which became the main material for record production for years to come.

In Poland, shellac records (and later vinyl records) as well as gramophones appeared on sale in 1889.

Vinyl Records Today

Observing the contemporary vinyl market, one can only rejoice. There was a period when people threw them in the trash, just like cassette tapes, considering them useless. Fortunately, those terrible times are behind us; today, vinyl records have regained their due prestige and respect. More and more bands and musicians are releasing albums on wax, even those you wouldn't expect. Fans often ask the moment an album is announced whether it will be released on vinyl. For professional DJs, on the other hand, vinyl records are a basic tool of the trade.

Why Collect Vinyl Records?

In today's world, we are moving away from physical media; music, movies, and games are increasingly distributed digitally. Why, then, is it worth collecting vinyl?

Firstly – for the same reason people collect stamps, coins, paintings, or figurines. Owning a collection of favorite items pleases the eye and constitutes a kind of trophy. In this context, vinyls look truly great on a shelf, and browsing through various covers is a pleasure in itself. Just like searching for new albums in music stores, online auctions, or at record fairs, commonly known as digging.

Secondly – vinyl offers an interesting, inimitable sound. Besides the melody, beat, or vocals, we hear those characteristic pops and crackles that make the track sound different than on a regular CD or streaming service.

Thirdly – like any valuable collection, it is an investment. Moreover, our collection will be more valuable the more first pressings we own, and especially albums with extras like posters, stickers or patches, test pressings, limited edition vinyls, or special releases.

Fourthly – passion allows you to meet great people who share the same hobby. Collecting vinyl records, sooner or later you will meet a kindred spirit who reacts just as positively to the sounds from the black disc.

Vinyl Records: Care and Storage

How to care for vinyl? Here are a few tips to help keep our trophies in the best possible condition.

It is best to store them in a clean, dry place, away from direct sunlight and high temperatures. Order is something our vinyls like. Records scattered on shelves, cabinets, or even the floor will quickly get damaged or lost. One of the most common mistakes is stacking records horizontally. Compared to other formats, vinyls are quite heavy, so the pressure will cause damage to the media in the long run.

A good solution regarding the storage of vinyl records is arranging them in special crates or boxes. When our collection is not yet too extensive, a vinyl binder or case, used for instance by DJs, should suffice. It holds about 100 records, so when we reach this limit, we can buy another one. However, if our collection grows day by day, it is worth considering buying a dedicated shelf unit. Such furniture filled with hundreds of vinyl records is a beautiful sight, but obviously requires space in our apartment.

Although it may seem obvious, it is worth remembering how to handle vinyls. Always hold them by the edges or the inner label in the center, never touch the playing surface. Every so often, it is worth cleaning the most frequently played records. This can be done dry, using a carbon fiber brush, or wet. For wet cleaning, we use record cleaning fluid and a microfiber cloth.

The medium is one thing, but there are also the covers. Covers constitute an important part of the release; they draw attention to a specific album. Some people, when browsing vinyl stores, make a purchase based precisely on this. This way, great items end up in our collection that we normally wouldn't have checked out. Covers are best kept in thick, transparent plastic outer sleeves.

Where to Buy Vinyl?

Buying vinyl is addictive; fortunately, this addiction does not require treatment. However, it is worth knowing where to stock up on black discs, thanks to which you can sometimes save some cash or acquire a proverbial "Holy Grail". Today, times for vinyl hunters are definitely better than the times without the internet. Back then, to get an album on wax, e.g., with American rap, you had to search really well. Today the possibilities are definitely greater, but this only proves that vinyl is back on top. Moreover, black discs can increasingly be bought even in supermarkets.

Vinyl Records in Brick-and-Mortar Stores

A natural and obvious choice, especially since there are more and more of them. Advantages? Professional service, large assortment, access to new arrivals, safe shopping, promotions.

Record Fairs, Music Markets, Second-Hand Shops, Flea Markets

This is paradise for people who love to hunt for records on a hunch or have a specific product on their list. In such places, you can get unique items, often at an attractive price. However, it is worth checking the condition of the record before purchasing; they might be damaged or worn out.

Internet

You can buy everything online, so there is no shortage of vinyl either. You can get them on popular auction sites, online stores, or special groups for enthusiasts on social media. Advantages include a huge selection and the possibility of buying records from collectors. In our store, you will find over 11,000 records, and this number is constantly growing. We invite you to shop with us.