How to Digitize Vinyl Records Properly
How to digitize records, USB turntable versus audio interface, the settings that matter, why click removal needs restraint, and which records are worth the hours.
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Record Store Directory
The Stack
Record store road trips, shop stories, vinyl news, collecting guides, and the people keeping the culture alive.
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87 stories and guides
Turntable Accessories: What Is Worth Buying and What Is Theater
Which turntable accessories change how your records sound and last, which depend on your setup, and which are mostly decoration. Sorted honestly, with a tap test.
Cassette Players and Decks: What to Buy and What Breaks
How to buy a cassette player or deck, why belts are the thing that fails, tape types and Dolby explained, and how to care for tapes without ruining them.
Choosing Speakers for a Turntable
How to choose speakers for a record player, whether you need an amplifier, why room size beats budget, and the free placement changes that beat an upgrade.
The Best Turntables Under 500 and Under 300, by Bracket
What to buy at each price bracket, what changes as you move up, and the used option that beats both. Plus the budgeting mistake that costs beginners the most.
How to Buy a CD Player in 2026
How to buy a CD player now, from integrated hi-fi units to transports and portables. What actually matters, what to skip, and why used players are the value.
When to Replace a Turntable Stylus (and How to Do It Yourself)
How long a stylus lasts by tip profile, the signs it is worn, why waiting damages your records, and how to swap one yourself in about a minute.
Suitcase Record Players: The Honest Answer Before You Buy One
Why suitcase record players wear grooves down, the mechanical reason it happens, and what to buy instead at the same price. Plus what to do if you already own one.
Record Cleaning Kits: Which Tier You Actually Need
Which record cleaning kit fits your collection, from a thirty dollar brush and fluid to ultrasonic machines. Picked by how many records you clean, not by price.
How to Clean a CD (and Why the Rule Is the Opposite of Vinyl)
How to clean a CD without ruining it. Why you wipe center to edge instead of in circles, which side is actually fragile, what fixes scratches, and what disc rot is.
How to Clean Vinyl Records: The Complete Guide
How to clean vinyl records properly, from the dry brush before every play to deep cleaning with distilled water. What to use, what to avoid, and when a machine helps.
Record Store Spotlight: Euclid Records in New Orleans (Bywater Since 2010)
Euclid Records New Orleans is 4,000 square feet of vinyl, used CDs, and cassettes in the Bywater, with an in store stage booked by a former Circle Bar talent buyer.
The Best New Vinyl Releases of August 2026: Monthly Roundup
The 29 vinyl releases worth buying in August 2026, from Phoebe Bridgers and Interpol to two Blue Note Tone Poet reissues. Street dates, labels, and where to preorder.
Record Store Spotlight: Armageddon Shop in Providence, RI (DIY Hardcore)
Armageddon Shop on Broadway in Providence, RI. Ben Barnett (Dropdead) and Chris Andries' metal, hardcore, and punk vinyl shop since 2001. Plus Armageddon Label.
Record Store Spotlight: Nuggets in Boston (Kenmore Square Since 1978)
Nuggets Records on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston's Kenmore Square. 47-plus years across from Fenway. Records, CDs, imports, cassettes, VHS, DVDs. Boston vinyl heritage.
Record Store Spotlight: Low Yo Yo Stuff Records in Athens, GA
Low Yo Yo Stuff Records on West Washington in Athens, GA. Rare, out-of-print, and hard-to-find LPs alongside new releases. R.E.M. and B-52s college town vinyl.
Record Store Spotlight: Astro-Zombies in Albuquerque (Nob Hill Route 66)
Astro-Zombies at 3100 Central Ave SE in Albuquerque's Nob Hill on Route 66. Records, comics, toys, collectibles. Largest new vinyl in ABQ. #1 Comic Shop 23 years.
Record Store Spotlight: Gravity Records in Wilmington, NC
Gravity Records on Castle Street in Wilmington, NC. Full-service vinyl shop, vintage turntable sales and repair, in-store performances. Cape Fear region anchor.
Record Store Spotlight: Hello Records in Lincoln Park, MI (Detroit Metro)
Hello Records at 4165 Fort Street in Lincoln Park, MI. Curated new and pre-owned vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs. The Detroit metro record store worth the drive.
Record Store Spotlight: Drastic Plastic at Vive le Rock Omaha
Drastic Plastic now operates as Vive le Rock at 12411 W Center Rd Omaha. 40-year punk brand, vinyl lounge format, in-house DJs. Hours, address, history.
Record Store Spotlight: Everybody's Records Cincinnati
Everybody's Records on Montgomery Road in Pleasant Ridge. Cincinnati's longest-running independent record store since 1978. Late hours, deep used vinyl, history.
Olivia Rodrigo Vinyl Discography: Every Album and Variant (2026)
Olivia Rodrigo's complete vinyl discography: SOUR, GUTS, GUTS (Spilled), and the June 2026 release You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love. All variants explained.
How to Organize a Vinyl Collection: Alphabetical, by Genre, or by Year
Six organizational systems for vinyl collections: alphabetical, genre, label, year, mood, color. Cataloging apps, shelving, and rules for collections at every size.
How to Display Vinyl Records on a Wall: 10 Ideas That Work
Ten ways to display vinyl records on a wall without damaging them. Flip frames, floating shelves, picture ledges, gallery grids, plus what to avoid.
How to Choose Your First Turntable: A 2026 Beginner Guide
A complete beginner guide to buying a first turntable: belt vs direct drive, automatic vs manual, phono preamp, cartridges, and best picks at $200, $500, $1,000.
Record Store Spotlight: Peoples Records Detroit
Peoples Records Detroit on Gratiot Avenue. Brad Hales's rare 45s specialist shop since 2003. International collector destination for soul, jazz, gospel 7-inches.
Record Store Spotlight: Strictly Discs in Madison, WI
Strictly Discs on Monroe Street is Madison's flagship record store. New and used vinyl, cassettes, CDs, HiFi equipment, full national e-commerce.
The Best Record Stores in Wilmington NC: Cape Fear Vinyl Scene
Wilmington NC's best record stores: Gravity Records, Yellow Dog Discs (since 2000), Modern Legend downtown. Hours, addresses, one-day Port City dig.
The Best Record Stores in Detroit: Motor City Vinyl Scene
Detroit's best record stores: Third Man Records Cass Corridor, Peoples Records (Eastern Market), Hello Records, Found Sound Ferndale. Hours, addresses, one-day dig.
The Best New Vinyl Releases of June 2026: Monthly Roundup
The biggest vinyl releases of June 2026: Olivia Rodrigo, 21 Savage, Death Cab, Yeah Yeah Yeahs Show Your Bones, Maxwell 30th, and more. Release dates + preorder links.
How to Host a Vinyl Listening Party: A Weekend Guide
The complete guide to hosting a vinyl listening party: setup, stack, snacks, 10 theme ideas, etiquette, and gear recommendations.
How Vinyl Records Are Made: Every Step From Master to Sleeve
The full step-by-step process of how vinyl records are made in 2026: lacquer mastering, electroforming, PVC pressing, QC, and sleeving, with plant-by-plant notes.
How to Read Record Grading: The Goldmine Standard Explained
Vinyl record grading explained: every Goldmine grade from Mint to Poor, sleeve grading, common defects, and how to buy graded vinyl online without getting burned.
Record Store Spotlight: Shake It Records Cincinnati
Shake It Records in Northside Cincinnati. 25,000 vinyl titles, national indie label, Cincinnati RSD anchor since 1999. Hours, address, and what to dig for.
Record Store Spotlight: McKay's Chattanooga (Used Books, Music, and More)
McKay's Chattanooga on Lee Highway since 1990. Tennessee-born used-media chain with massive second-floor vinyl, buy-sell-trade model, weekly turnover.
The Best Record Stores in Omaha: Nebraska Vinyl Scene
Omaha's best record stores: Homer's Music (since 1971 Old Market), Recycled Sounds on 76th, and Drastic Plastic at Vive le Rock. Hours, addresses, one-day dig.
The Best Record Stores in Cincinnati: Ohio River Vinyl Scene
Cincinnati's best record stores: Shake It, Everybody's Records (since 1978), Feel It Records, and Plaid Room Loveland (home of Colemine). Hours, addresses, one-day dig.
Fleetwood Mac Vinyl: The Complete Collector's Discography
Fleetwood Mac on vinyl: Then Play On, Bare Trees, White Album, Rumours, Tusk, Mirage, Tango in the Night, Time, Say You Will. Labels, variants, collector notes.
How to Store Vinyl Records Long-Term (Without Damage)
Long-term vinyl storage: temperature, humidity, inner and outer sleeves, shelving. The archival setup that keeps records playable for 50-plus years.
Record Store Spotlight: Zzz Records in Des Moines, IA
Zzz Records on Ingersoll Avenue is Iowa's longest-running independent record store. Open since 2000. Des Moines flagship for new and used vinyl.
The Best Record Stores in Madison: Midwest College Vinyl
The best record stores in Madison, WI. Strictly Discs, B-Side Records (since 1982), and MadCity Music. Addresses, hours, and the one-day Wisconsin vinyl dig.
The Best Record Stores in Chattanooga: Tennessee Vinyl Scene
The best record stores in Chattanooga, TN. McKay's, Yellow Racket Records, and For The Record. Addresses, hours, and the one-day Tennessee River vinyl dig.
Drake Albums in Order: A Complete Vinyl Discography Guide
Every Drake studio album on vinyl. Thank Me Later, Take Care, Nothing Was the Same, Views, Scorpion, Certified Lover Boy, Honestly Nevermind, For All the Dogs.
The Best Vinyl Record Cleaning Kits of 2026: A Buying Guide
Which vinyl record cleaning kit fits your collection, from brushes and manual washers to vacuum and ultrasonic machines. Picks by use case and budget.
Record Store Spotlight: All That Music and Video in El Paso, TX
El Paso's flagship record store at the Fountains at Farah. 10,000 LP searchable database, vintage and new 180g vinyl, Record Store Day anchor.
The Best Record Stores in Des Moines: Iowa Vinyl Digs
The best record stores in Des Moines, IA. Zzz Records, Vinyl Cup Records, Jay's CD and Hobby. Addresses, hours, and the one-day Iowa capital vinyl dig.
The Best Record Stores in Savannah, GA: Southern Vinyl Treasures
The best record stores in Savannah, GA. Graveface Records and Coastal Empire Records. Addresses, hours, and the one-day Lowcountry vinyl dig.
Sabrina Carpenter Albums in Order: A Complete Vinyl Discography Guide
Every Sabrina Carpenter studio album on vinyl from Eyes Wide Open to Man's Best Friend. Labels, variants, prices, and collector notes.
How Do Vinyl Records Actually Work? A Physics-Backed Explainer
How vinyl records work at the physical level. Grooves, styluses, the cutting lathe, the RIAA curve, and why vinyl sounds the way it does.
Record Store Spotlight: Static Age Records in Asheville, NC
Static Age Records in downtown Asheville, NC. Record shop, venue, studio, and home of Family Night Records on North Lexington Avenue.
The Best Record Stores in El Paso: Borderland Vinyl
The best record stores in El Paso, TX. All That Music and Video, Sound Decay, Atomic Wax. Addresses, hours, and the one-day borderland vinyl dig.
The Best Record Stores in Asheville: Blue Ridge Vinyl
The best record stores in Asheville, NC. Harvest Records, Static Age, and Voltage. Addresses, hours, and the one-day Blue Ridge dig.
Taylor Swift Vinyl: Every Album, Every Color, Every Edition
The complete Taylor Swift vinyl guide. Every studio album, every Taylor's Version, every color variant from the 2006 debut to The Life of a Showgirl.
Vinyl Record Storage: A Collector's Complete Guide
The complete guide to vinyl record storage. Temperature, humidity, sleeves, shelving, cabinets, and the mistakes that warp records. For serious collectors.
Record Store Spotlight: Retro Spin Shop in Monroe, CT
Retro Spin Shop in Monroe, CT. Ronn's Main Street music store carrying records, CDs, cassettes, 8-tracks, VHS, laserdiscs, and every pre-streaming format.
The Best Record Stores in Ann Arbor: Michigan College Town Vinyl
The best record stores in Ann Arbor, MI. Wazoo Records, Encore Records, Underground Sounds. Hours, addresses, and what to dig for in a college town.
The Best Record Stores in Denver: Mile-High Vinyl
The best record stores in Denver, CO. Twist and Shout, Wax Trax, Recollect Records. Hours, addresses, and what to dig for at altitude.
May 2026 New Vinyl Releases: The Most Anticipated Drops
The most anticipated May 2026 vinyl releases. Camera Obscura 25th anniversary, Dave Matthews Band 5LP Gorge box, Devin Townsend, The Alarm, and more.
Vinyl Record Crates: What to Look For and Where to Buy
The best vinyl record crates for storage. IKEA Knagglig, Kallax, Wax Rax, milk crates, wire, wooden, DJ cases. Dimensions, capacity, and where to buy.
Record Store Spotlight: Uncle Joe's Records in Cromwell, CT
Uncle Joe's Records in Cromwell, CT. Joseph Sajda's Central Connecticut vinyl shop on Kirby Road. Used wax, online catalog, and CT record crawl tips.
The Best Record Stores in Orlando, FL: Central Florida Vinyl
The best record stores in Orlando, FL. Park Ave CDs, Rock and Roll Heaven, Remix Record Shop. Hours, addresses, and what to dig for in Central Florida.
The Best Record Stores in New Orleans: Beyond Bourbon Street
The best record stores in New Orleans. Louisiana Music Factory, Peaches, Euclid, Domino Sound. Hours, addresses, and what to dig for in the Crescent City.
The Weeknd Vinyl: A Complete Discography Guide
Every The Weeknd vinyl from Trilogy to Hurry Up Tomorrow. Pressings, color variants, Record Store Day exclusives, and where to hunt each era.
How to Display Vinyl Records on a Wall: 10 Ideas That Actually Work
Ten ways to display vinyl records on a wall without warping them. Flip frames, floating shelves, picture ledges, gallery grids, plus what to avoid.
Record Store Spotlight: Mystic Disc in Mystic, CT
Mystic Disc is one of the best record stores in the country. Inside Dan Curland's 40-year-old Connecticut vinyl shop on Steamboat Wharf in Mystic.
Spin City: The Best Record Stores in Rochester, NY
The best record stores in Rochester, NY. Record Archive, Bop Shop Records, Needle Drop. Hours, addresses, and what to dig for in the Flower City.
Spin City: The Best Record Stores in Las Vegas
Record Store Day 2026 is April 18. Bruno Mars is ambassador, Robert Plant is Record Store Legend, and 350+ exclusive vinyl
Tame Impala Vinyl: The Complete Collector's Guide
Record Store Day 2026 is April 18. Bruno Mars is ambassador, Robert Plant is Record Store Legend, and 350+ exclusive vinyl
The Best Way to Store Vinyl Records (Without Warping Them)
Record Store Day 2026 is April 18. Bruno Mars is ambassador, Robert Plant is Record Store Legend, and 350+ exclusive vinyl
Spin City: The Best Record Stores in Durham, NC
Record Store Day 2026 is April 18. Bruno Mars is ambassador, Robert Plant is Record Store Legend, and 350+ exclusive vinyl
Spin City: The Best Record Stores in Greenville, SC
Record Store Day 2026 is April 18. Bruno Mars is ambassador, Robert Plant is Record Store Legend, and 350+ exclusive vinyl
Record Store Day 2026 Complete Release List
Record Store Day 2026 is April 18. Bruno Mars is ambassador, Robert Plant is Record Store Legend, and 350+ exclusive vinyl
How to Shop Record Store Day Like a Pro
Record Store Day 2026 is April 18. Bruno Mars is ambassador, Robert Plant is Record Store Legend, and 350+ exclusive vinyl
The Most Anticipated Record Store Day 2026 Releases
Record Store Day 2026 is April 18. Bruno Mars is ambassador, Robert Plant is Record Store Legend, and 350+ exclusive vinyl
Record Store Day April 2026: Everything You Need to Know
Record Store Day 2026 is April 18. Bruno Mars is ambassador, Robert Plant is Record Store Legend, and 350+ exclusive vinyl
Spin City: The Best Record Stores in Salt Lake City
Explore the best record stores in Salt Lake City. From Diabolical Records to Raunch Records, discover 5 vinyl shops worth the trip to SLC.
The Island-Hopper’s Vinyl Guide: Explore the Best Record Stores in the US Virgin Islands
Discover the vibrant music scene of the US Virgin Islands. Explore iconic record stores in St. Thomas and St. Croix. Perfect for vinyl lovers.
SPIN CITY:THE BEST RECORD STORES IN SAN JUAN
Discover the best record stores in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This is your essential stop for vinyl lovers visiting the island from the RSD.
Hit The Vinyl Trail: From Hanson to Cape Cod
Explore the best record stores in MA with this vinyl road trip guide from Hanson to Cape Cod — perfect for collectors, audiophiles, and vinyl lovers.
A Record Store Road Trip from Lowell to Salem
Plan a record store road trip from Lowell to Salem, MA. Hit 6 vinyl shops including Welfare Records, Record Exchange, and Residency Records.
Ultimate Central Massachusetts Record Store Roundup
Explore the top record stores in Central Massachusetts! From Northampton to Springfield, in the latest edition of Record Store Roadtrip.
Best Record Stores Near Great Barrington & Pittsfield
Explore the best record stores in Massachusetts'. Find vinyl gems in Great Barrington, Pittsfield, and beyond with the latest road trip by the RSD.
Top Record Stores In Cambridge, MA
Discover the top record stores in Cambridge MA with the latest musical road trip through the historic town of Cambridge from The RSD.
A Record Hunter's Guide to the Boston Area
Explore the vibrant vinyl scene with our Boston Record Store Guide. Discover top spots for vinyl collectors with the Record Store.
Exploring Rhode Islands Vinyl Scene
Dive into the unique record shop scene in Rhode Island with our RSD guide. From Providence to Tiverton, discover places for vinyl exploration.
5 Record Shops in Connecticut Worth a Trip
Find Record Shops in Connecticut with this record store road trip guide to the shops you should check out in Connecticut.
An unexpected trip to Algonquin Records
UWM Record store write-up : Edition - 'Merry Christmas to me, and unexpected trip to unexpected trip to Algonquin Records'. Des Plaines, IL.