Old-school vinyl records are making a cool come-back.
Vinyl has experienced a strong resurgence in Australia, with sales growing 70 per cent last year – the sixth consecutive year the industry has seen an increase.
Purists say that listening to vinyl records is the true music experience but you do need to have the right equipment.
Australian audio products importer and distributor Synergy Audio (synergyaudio.com) provided these tips for creating the perfect vinyl experience.
Equipment
Turntables have come a long way since the 50s. Today's turntables offer sleek, stylish retro inspired designs, while including the latest in technological advancements.
Seek out turntables that incorporate a ultra-low friction tonearm with carbon cartridge for plug and play setup, reduced vibration and great stability.
However the turntable is not enough. Coupling a turntable with chic Bluetooth speakers and a high-quality phono pre-amp are essential in achieving the ultimate vinyl listening experience.
The Collection
Any self-respecting vinyl aficionado will have a solid vinyl collection. If you’re not about raiding the record stores for the classics such as Abbey Road by the Beatles and Darkness on the Edge of Town by Bruce Springsteen, you could pick up a remastered copy of Blonde on Blonde by Bob Dylan and True Colours by Cyndi Lauper from Mobile Fidelity.
Unlike in the past, where vinyls were pressed en masse, companies like Mobile Fidelity are making the most of advances in technology to reproduce the classics, so they sound even better than they did in yesteryear.
Many modern-day artists are also releasing albums on vinyl. Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and Lorde have all jumped onto the vinyl bandwagon and are embracing the new-old medium for their music, so it can be enjoyed as music should.
The Decor
Listening to music on vinyl is simply different. But to appreciate all that our parents and grandparents saw in the vinyl record, you have to listen in style and comfort. A classic leather lounge chair with matching ottoman will do the trick.
