Close-up of a turntable with a spinning record and a moving tonearm with a green stylus, capturing the vinyl's grooves.

New to record collecting?

Thinking about getting into vinyl?

This website

The aim of this site is to be a one stop shop with all the information and advice you need to start collecting records and building a HiFi.

I've been buying and listening to records since 2002 and want to pass on all of the knowledge I wish I’d have known when I started out.

The world of Hi-Fis, turntables, and records can seem daunting, but this website aims to remove all of the mystique and jargon around the hobby.

All advice on this website is from personal experience, and all pictures, words, and content are my own.

Close-up of a vinyl record on a turntable, with a stylus in contact with the record's grooves. The record label features a tiger's face. The turntable has illuminated indicators near the stylus.
A turntable playing a green vinyl record, with a clear dust cover slightly lifted, positioned on a black stand or cabinet.

Records

Hopefully why you are here! Starting from laying out the arguments for starting a record collection and explaining how records work, including the different types vinyl formats and what each one is used for.

This page lays out everything you need to know about buying records: general advice, buying new in stores, buying used vinyl in store (the best!), buying online, and information about Record Store Day (RSD).

Always wanted to know the difference between Black vinyl, coloured vinyl and picture discs - I’ve got you covered!

There’s also pages with information on topics like how best to track your growing record collection and how to identify the exact record you have, down to more general info on storing, handling, cleaning, and understanding all of the terminology around vinyl/records.

HiFi

You’re going to need some sort of HiFi system or audio gear to play those records.

This page covers the basics of Hi-FI Gear, outlining what you should consider when buying your first ‘Hi-Fi’, and advice on what I would do if I started again today.

“Audiophile” is such a loaded and vague term - this page is full of personal advice on how to avoid going down the rabbit hole.

There’s also some high-level information related to:

A pair of black Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO headphones resting on a wooden shelf, with a vinyl record collection below and stereo receiver and player stacked on top.