A Guide to Collecting Classical Music on Vinyl

This is a long one.
Opening clip is from a performance of Tchaikovsky's 5th symphony by the San Francisco Symphony and Michael Tilson Thomas.
If you want to follow my performer channel, click here: / @michaeljohnson6385
If you want to see what I’m listening to at the moment, follow me on Instagram: / poetryonplastic
Below is some entry level gear I recommend to new vinyl and audio enthusiasts:
The outer sleeves I use: amzn.to/3ld3tcG
The inner sleeves I use: amzn.to/2S1K1CU
Turntables
Pro-Ject debut carbon: amzn.to/30bO0S5
Rega Planar 1: amzn.to/2ECCQhC
Phono Preamp
iFi Zen Phono Preamp: amzn.to/331D6Qs
Integrated Amplifiers
Marantz PM5005: amzn.to/308sSfr
Cambridge Audio AXA25: amzn.to/2FTfK7b
Yamaha A-S301 amzn.to/3ibo92U
Speakers
Elac B6.2: amzn.to/331Ed2A
DAC
iFi Zen Dac: amzn.to/3kNxDCR
Headphones
AKG K240: amzn.to/3j5GwHx
Sennheiser HD650: amzn.to/3cE2qPN
Focal Elegia: amzn.to/3cwwoFm

[@holzfallen]

2:55 Decca 4:05 Decca wide band. Tubes vs transistors at the beginning of transistor technology. 7:52 Decca's American subsidiary, London. 11:34 Later Decca pressings. Narrow band. 14:01 Decca 70s (Decca/London Phase 4). New recording techniques. More substantial differences between UK & US. 15:44 Decca sublabels. Argo. Different type of repertoire (Bach). 16:57 RCA. 17:57 RCA Living Stereo original pressing. Shaded dog. 20:36 60s re-press. White dog. 21:41 Decline of quality for RCA. Dynagroove. Compression in mastering. 23:17 Dynagroove label. 24:06 70s RCA. 25:12 Mercury Living Presence. Known for dynamics. 26:54 Mercury jacket and label. 27:47 Later Mercury pressings. 28:56 Mercury bought by Philips. Mercury Golden Imports series. Dynamics vs noise. 31:22 EMI. Confusion with Columbia. 32:09 Tip-on jackets. SAX serial numbers. 32:21 Second label variant - red arch (vs light blue/silver label). 34:11 EMI variant. HMV. 35:34 Regular British EMI, most common. 36:51 EMI's US subsidiary. Angel records, pressed in US by third party. 38:13 Most common Angel label. Check for made in UK/England for records cut from master recording rather than 2nd or 3rd gen copy. 39:23 Philips. 41:03 Deutsche Grammophon. 43:00 DG Tulip label. Late 50s/early 60s pressings made on tube gear. 43:37 Later pressing with plain white line. Look for DP/Deutsche Pressing. 44:27 Columbia Records (US label). 6-eye pressings. 46:14 Columbia 2-eye pressings. 46:43 Columbia 'circle' pressings. 47:48 Switch to digital. Telarc. 49:43 Nonesuch.

[@holzfallen]

50:12 Reissues. 51:01 Analogue Productions. 52:29 Analogue Productions reissue of Living Stereo. (**side note from me, my kid totally does play these on her Peanuts-cobranded Crosley**) 55:34 Classic Records (bought by Analogue). 57:40 (Japanese) King Super Analogue (?) 59:35 ORG Original Recording group. 1:01:22 (German) Speaker's Corner. 1:05:18 EMI Testament. 1:07:08 Other labels doing reissues. ClearAudio. Reference Recordings. Some larger companies cut their own reissues from CD masters or other inferior source material. 1:09:39 The need to be vigilant in examining wear & tear on classical LPs.

[@poetryonplastic]

@@holzfallen Now that's commitment!

[@holzfallen]

@@poetryonplastic thank you for an amazingly useful guide!

[@behindthetechnicspodcast3222]

I have some for sale

[@robertocela8913]

I don’t think I can say something that others haven’t said already, but I NEED to tell you this is BY FAR the BEST audiophile-related video I have come up on KZbin so far. CONGRATS and THANKS for the info you’ve shared with us. Regards from Spain.

[@Billybob_1976]

I am coming to this video six years after you made it having just started investigating classical records and emarbking on building my own classical collection (having spent the last 30 years pretty much exclusively concentrating on jazz, my first love). I had started off by buying cheap Deutsche Grammaphon records from a local charity shop, just because that (and Decca) were the only classical labels I had any passing knowledge of so it was reassuring to hear your comments at the end that this was a relatively sensible strategy that I had just happened to stumble upon. I had no idea about Tulip pressings but lucked out on quite a few of those for £1/£2 and a couple of Deccas (although not the desirable ones you mention)! Anyway, the real point of this post was that I just wanted to thank you, albeit belatedly, for boiling all of this knowledge down into a relatively short video to help people starting their journey into classical music. This is one of the best examples of what KZbin should be for, a valuable resource for sharing knowledge and education. Thanks again.

[@popcornsamurai]

holy shit kid you just became one of my favorite you tubers.

[@metallian2952]

I've been a metalhead for years and starting to get into classical music for some time. Thanks about this lesson, it is such a HUGE amount of music. THANK THANKS THANKS.

[@BigE-Ian]

This was a really well done and informative video posting. Much needed info for someone just starting out into a deeper appreciation of classical music. Awesome job!

[@edwinhew6213]

Thanks for this thoroughly informative video guide. You are a wellspring of excellent info. I've just started to revive my vinyl collection and have been scouting for classical music in the bins. This is a big help. Keep it up.

[@mscottspalding7619]

Very informative! I learned so much from this video and I'm stunned that someone so young is so knowledgable about historical vinyl records. Will definitely subscribe and watch your other videos. Thank you!

[@rgudmundsson]

I enjoyed your video very much, and I am inspired to revisit the classical records I have; a lot of Columbia, London and DG, with a smattering of Angel to my chagrin, but also other lesser known interesting labels. Most were picked-up used for a song over the years, at state sales, thrifts and the like, can't find them anymore. Surprisingly even when the sleeves are not mint, most of the records are NM, speaks about the owners who cared for them, and also didn't play them much. Look forward to your videos, Thank you!

[@prockrog5219]

Great great video! Thanks for all your hard work, and thanks for bringing some attention to classical music.

[@flossysmith7307]

Hello Michael. How do I begin to thank you for your time and amazing information I have got from this video. I have been collecting classical and opera for afew years now and I had no idea about some of the stuff you have talked about. So informative and interesting. As I write I have four pages of notes that I will use as a reference when out and about record shopping and I will spend this morning checking the records I already have with the information you have given me. I do tend to favour Deutsche Grammophon pressings mainly because I find they are found more easily but I will definitely be on the look out for some of the other labels you have spoken about. THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking the time to make this video, going by what other people have said these videos take a lot of time to make and edit so I just wanted to let you know your appreciated. Have a lovely Sunday. Best wishes, Floss x

[@thevinylnumpty8416]

I too discovered this video 5+ years after recorded. Great information and delivery and really enjoying your other posts!! Great to hear the Jacqueline Du Pre Elgar mentioned towards the end. I have an original mono, and it is one of my favourites.

[@denniswade6727]

I know this video is about 2 years old now, but I want to thank you for making it. I am just getting back into vinyl after being seduced by digital for quite a few years. That romance is now over! I find it easy to get good info on rock and jazz recordings when it comes to what pressings to buy, but much harder for classical. Your video is a very good help for this!

[@ignaciocalvet7713]

If you like classical music and you go for vinyl , i'm quite sure you'll have a miserable time cleaning records over and over again getting no better sonic result and being really dissapointed. I tell you based on my own experience.

[@hmrowland6114]

Thanks for an excellent experience, your time and for sharing your knowledge. You're very good at this Michael. I'm going to run to my collection now and see what I have that I didn't understand previously.

[@TooBuz]

Simply one of the best videos on KZbin!

[@GuitarDan73]

You Sir are the man! I watched and devoured every minute of this faultless video last night before bed....I was too tired to comment but had to this morning. I own a used vinyl record shop so im pretty good with the world of first presses etc, however classical was until recently something I personally loved as a genre/audiophile (I also collect and sell vintage HIFI) but never realised the collectability and potential value of some of these pressings. I have recently began to really pay attention to my huge un processed back stock of classical and have ordered them by label/number and am pleased to have a mass of Decca widebands etc....with the help of this vid I will be able to sort them even further and I hate to say, anything strings based (I favour violin/cello/chamber music/solo stuff) is probably going to go home with me and start my own 1st press classical collection. Anything of value that is not to my taste personally gets priced accordingly and will be available in my store! I am subscribing to your channel, your un scripted flowing unfaltering non stop knowledge was exceptional. Well done fella. Dan 'Creekside Vinyl' Faversham/ UK

[@chrisrud5158]

LOVE THIS. Well done, very informative and helpful. What a great resource, Cheers.

[@paulcasler3087]

Big fan of this video! Informative, geeky, obscure....everything I dork on about records! Subscribed. Please make more videos.

[@ToneInGrooves]

Fantastic video! Greatly enjoyed this. It inspired me to dive deeper into my own Classical collection, do some analyzing/evaluating, comparisons between releases and pressings, etc. Even made a video sharing the results of my first experiments. Thanks!

[@Soundisciples]

absolutely top notch video, you know your stuff! I learned quite a bit - great work.

[@Soundisciples]

so I took your advice, bought an LP for $0.50 at the thrift store today, come home and do some research, turns out the LP is on the TAS super list! thanks for the good advice!

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

I’ve been collecting classical since 1972. I really admire your knowledge and ability for discussion.

[@chuck7190]

Thanks for all the great info. I recently started going through my classical collection and found some great gems that I never knew I had! I discovered a Decca Phase 4 stereo Respighi Fountains of Rome, Pines of Rome Charles Munch and the New Philharmonia Orchestra that sounds amazing. I had never listed to it before today. Thanks!!!!!!!

[@EValdez82]

Great crash course. Finally renewed hope in my local Goodwill stores. Thanks for the video.

[@tidybear101]

Fantastic resource. Thanks for doing all this. Much needed.

[@andrew-xr1de]

This has been a great one hour info. all in one place. Thanks!!!

[@waldemarmadigan2082]

great video! i love the fact that you have the kertesz mozart requiem recording and the backhaus! decca also did great mono LPs.

[@zayrueda]

This is the best introduction to classical vinyl i know. gracias desde España

[@studydude]

I just bought the exact RCA Tchaikovsky No 5 Record you showed because of your review, can't wait to receive it and spin that great piece!

[@budokarate6212]

I love this video. Very informative, especially to someone new to collecting classical records. Thank you !

[@chameleoned]

Fantastic deep dive. Great to learn the backstory on these labels!

[@contrabandivory]

Very thorough breakdown. Incredible.!Thumbing through some 200 plus classical records I possess I was able to find a few shaded dog RCA’s. Good titles too. Ravel, Stravinsky, Brahms, Shostakovich. Thanks for the in depth video.

[@h0ll0wm9n]

Michael: You've created a unique and comprehensive resource for YT . Nice work -- and thx! I know this is a vinyl channel, but I think you should create a similar Guide for digital/CD. Maybe compare/contrast to vinyl, etc.

[@NickP333]

Extremely helpful video, Michael. Thank you.

[@toquecentralmusic9212]

Really appreciate this one! A friend recently gave me (free for nothing!) a Classical vinyl library of close to 50 NM LPs - lots of Deutsche Grammophon (UK and German pressings), Angel Eminence (UK pressings) and a handful of Phillips (Netherlands pressings). I've been listening non-stop since bringing them home. Good stuff! After watching your video I scoured the internet and found someone in my area selling his Classical vinyl for 10 cents a piece! I just got home with 30 LPs in excellent condition - more DGs, some Angel Records (Canadian pressings, which I've read are supposed to be superior to US counterparts), Nonesuch, RCA Living Stereo and Red Seal. Can't wait to put them on my turntable. Thanks again for the tips!

[@joshuasutton8301]

Thanks for making this video! I've been a long time jazz collector and I've been into classical recently. After learning from your video, I went to my local thrift stores and found some mint Londons, RCA Living Stereos, DGs, and even a very valuable original Decca!

[@RafaelGarciaMarquez]

Amazing and so informative. So glad I found you. I've gathered a nice collection alomg the years. Thought I knew something 😅 Now I'm browsing my records looking for older ones, or the seven eyes... Specially interesting knowing about the reissue labels and the differences. Thanks for your video.

[@Lyrikaholmes]

This is amazing! Thank you for this

[@Agamemnon2]

I don't know diddly about classical music (yet) but I love your clear enthusiasm and knowledge about the subject. So far the closest I've gotten to the genre is I own one recording of The Mikado which sounds like it was captured from the bottom of a well, with a bit of string and a tin can.

[@TheAboriginal1]

Learned a ton from this one. Thanks for sharing.

[@charlesfagerquist1091]

Incredibly educational video. As a new vinyl collector watching this, I have picked up 6 DG records for $8. Whole different world from the 1950s and 1960s jazz albums I usually look for.

[@serhiiherasymov4809]

Love this. Thank you!

[@DeAudiofilosyLocos]

Always a fan!

[@MrRom92DAW]

Just discovered your channel and after a quick perusal of your channel and insta feed linked in the description, my immediate reaction is that I think we might actually be the same person. We have way too many common interests for me to be convinced otherwise. Good stuff, 100% subbed. 👌🏻

[@cameronzywina906]

This is an excellent, informative video that I will use whenever out shopping for classical. I did not realize that the early Angel label LPs had such poor sound. Now I will know what to look for. Thanks for the great advice!

[@dead_formats]

I agree. Philips records were superb!

[@sgbaird]

One of the reasons that many prefer the Deccas over the Londons is that the pressings were earlier. I don't want to get into what happens when more records are made from the same stamper, but, having both in my collection for decades, there are often significant differences in the sound. An excellent video, young man.

[@rafepurnell]

Thank you so much for this video. I was able to take a risk with confidence today. I found a decca wide band of Verdi Nabucco Highlights. I am so happy with the results. Thanks again.

[@richardvicek8043]

Very informative video. Learned a lot of important stuff.

[@saltech3444]

Thank you for this guide. I am just getting into vinyl for the first time. Today I trawled the antique and record shops and got a DG mono record of Beethoven's 3rd piano concerto from May 1953 (blue tulip border) for the princely sum of one Australian dollar; an Argo pressing of Haydn's trumpet concerto from 1967; and an EMI of Adrian Boult conducting Holst's The Planets also from 1967.

[@saltech3444]

...and yesterday I got Brahms's Deutsches Requiem in a DG blue tulip from 1964, in a nice big case; a Decca narrow band Elgar's Gerontius from 1972 conducted by Britten, also in a nice big case; a 1984 DG repressing of the Elvira Madigan concerto from 1962; and a Mercury of Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto from 1965. A nice haul.

[@Sleevemonger]

Thank you for this. Very informative.

[@koylesmasterpeice]

Thank-you for doing this I am going through my classical collection trying to figure out what to keep.

[@koylesmasterpeice]

I had the same realization that a lot of what I have is crap and I wanted to get rid of it and only keep the good stuff.

[@stateniland]

I am eager to begin a classical LP collection.. start me off on a few LPs that will brighten my day? Thank you Joe

[@poetryonplastic]

Rimsky-Korsakov- Scheherazade Chicago Symphony w/ Fritz Reiner on Analogue Productions Brahms the Four Symphonies- Karajan and Berlin in the new box set by DG, cut from analog tapes. Bartok- Concerto for Orchestra Chicago Symphony/Fritz Reiner on Analogue Productions Saint-Saens- Symphony No.3 "Organ" Munch/Boston Symphony on Analogue Productions Mahler- Symphony No. 2 Solti/London Symphony on Speakers Corner. All of these are currently in-print.

[@stateniland]

@@poetryonplastic TY Much ... Joe

[@kevinl6231]

stateniland Try Scherazade with Charles Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony. Reiner’s version sounds like a fat woman on a barge. I agree with him on the Saint Saens/Munch. After almost 62 yrs it is still a the definitive performance.

[@Greywolf3]

Thank you, this is incredibly helpful!

[@kevinmaillet4712]

Fantastic video!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!

[@MrTodd2000]

Very good brother ! You know your stuff.

[@FiddlingCPA]

I have found that some of the CBS Masterworks records that were made right before they went digital (or at least they didn't say they were digital)--say, 1980ish--have outstanding (natural and clear) sound quality.

[@nnnb896]

Thanks to this guide I got into collecting classical vinyl one year ago. (Although I am a broke teenager in germany 😅) Magnificent work.

[@stevehallberg2204]

Hi. Very informative indeed. I have a few original Deccas too and some of them have "original recording by" instead of "made in England by" and I believe these are the very earliest pressings. Keep up the good work.😊

[@leonidvolovik5203]

You are my new vinyl guru.

[@byronchandler5000]

One of my favorite conducters is the legendary Leonard Bernstein.

[@williamhumphrey1084]

Possibly the best vinyl collection video ever, thanks! If only there were more emphasis on finding the best version of any given recording.

[@ejtonefan]

I'm not sure Michael understands that this is the best video on vinyl collection

[@studydude]

That is a very debatable topic that is even a bit subjective. This video is a good foundation to build from what you desire.

[@victorsvorinich1595]

Nice job! I too share your enthusiasm for AP, and wish they would do more classical other than Living Stereos, like the Rachmaninoff 45. I'm def looking forward to their Royal Ballet too. SC has done an outstanding job with their Decca series. All this stuff is great, but really is geared for the audiophile/serious enthusiast because of the cost of these pressings.

[@ColocasiaCorm]

thank you so much for this guide. I am new to collecting classical vinyl but enjoy how cheap they are at my local record store.

[@uhfch2358]

If you want to be blown away by the Angel series, get a copy of the 45 rpm version of Holst, The Planets suite, with Andre Previn. The quad version, SS-45000 played in standard stereo is incredibly dynamic.

[@pandoraefretum]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and expertise... I am returning to Vinyl after 30 years... very excited to hear Violin on Vinyl.... aside from Super High Res and 24-bit, I did not enjoy the CD or digital revolution. For all its flaws Vinyl still has a buzz and a warmth and my 30 year old (or more) records have survived hibernation

[@larryshaver3568]

I have a Nutcracker Suite on a London Red seal conducted by Ansermet, It was in excellent condition when I got it.

[@larryshaver3568]

I agree ,the six eye pressings were very good

[@jgrab1]

Wow, I thought *I* was a classical geek! :) (And I say that with all due respect and awe.)

[@williamhumphrey1084]

I meant emphasis among the entire the you-tube community, your example is the benchmark

[@alexandermonette5772]

Thanks for the info man, watched this video a few months ago, really helped my thrifting and have scoured out some great deals on quite a few classic shaded dog titles! Been scouting for Decca records, haven’t found any, but I guess in the US it is tough, but the London’s are pretty damn good too.

[@wurly1100]

Scored 5 London "Blue Backs" today! $10 each. Store had more but I ran out of cash, They had a 20 % off sale so I bought several London Decca and Phillips label classical LP's averaging $4 each. I reached my $150 spending limit with only change to spare, lol. Thanks for your very helpful and informative video.

[@FranckSonata]

5:04: "This is what a late 50's, early 60's UK Decca pressing looks like." Said with a 1968-1970 UK Decca pressing (ED3) in his hands ... Charming mistake, even the sun got spots! A bright and thorough introduction to important parts of classical record collecting, thank you.

[@poetryonplastic]

Ah, I knew that was an ED3 but I wasn't aware wide band went that late into the 60s? I had thought they went to narrow band by 68, my mistake!

[@daveweekley8955]

This is easily the best primer on classical music labels on You Tube, thanks for posting this. Quick comment and a question for you. I've only been collecting classical records for a few months now and this video really helped me save time, by pointing me to the best labels and staying away from the weaker ones. I'd love to see you post a similar video on Jazz labels. Regarding classical labels, what's your take on Epic? They seemed to have a relatively strong roster of artists in the '50's (I just picked up a NM Clara Haskil record playing Schmann earlier today, in fact) -- just wanted your take on this label. Again, thanks.

[@studydude]

This is also a "Guide" for anyone that wants to flip classical records. Inadvertent to his video message, but it is a complicated feat to sell and profit off them. This guy is a whiz.

[@johnmcfadden3919]

I have been collecting records since about 1960 and my collection goes back to the earliest electric recordings circa 1925; for example I have the first 50 classical albums issued by Victor. However, the relevance to your video is that I mostly concur with your analysis of stereo records. I identified the bad LP labels when I had to thin my collection about 10 years ago; out went the US Angels (pressed in Scranton, PA), the non-tulip DGGs (which also cleared out the hated von Karajan recordings; I hate the guy as a human being as well as a musician), many 1970s records, etc. I’ve gotten interested in tape recordings; I have Ampex 354 and PR-70 recorders, both tube decks. I also bought the later Ampex transistorized AG-350 and their 440. The AG-350 was pure junk that I sold immediately; the 440 was much better but no match for the tube 354 after I restored the tube electronics. In my view, much of the quality issues you discussed resulted from the change in recording and mastering gear from tubes to transistors. I’ve also collected many prerecorded tapes, both 4-track and 2-track. When you play the tape version of one of the Living Stereos, it’s absolutely amazing how compressed the LPs are. For years, these prerecorded tapes have been looked down upon by audiophiles, but in general they’re better than the discs and probably come from an earlier generation of master tapes. I also have half a shelf of LP reissues, buying everything that came along in the 1970s and 1980s, and most of them have been played once at most. They just are mostly too transistory and I’d rather listen to even a scratchy Living Stereo than these pathetic and expensive “prestige” pressings. Finally, my last comment about your survey is that the problem with collecting good pressings is that most of them cover a very limited repertory. For example, I like chamber music and there are hardly any Living Stereo or FFSS recordings of the chamber music repertoire. You’re stuck with the marginal labels that may or may not work out sonically. Anyway, best.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Can’t believe you didn’t use that remarkable Fennel/Cleveland recording of the Holst Suites as your example of early Telarc. That bass drum almost made my stylus jump! LOL

[@rockchicavids]

Hi! I just stumbled onto your channel. I really enjoyed this video. Needless to say I need to take some time to go through my classical records now. Thank you so much for posting this information. I look forward to checking out more of your videos. BTW I'm in San Antonio, maybe we can meet up at the Austin Record Show. Keep on Spinning!

[@johevideos]

Amazing information . 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@EdwardT9]

Anyone interested in key performances needs a few copies of the Penguin guide. Mid 80s thick copies covered LPs and early CDs. I’ve had several versions for over 20 years and they generally are a good guide to the better performances. The advice on decca is great, but don’t pass up good performances on lesser pressings if the price is right, or frankly, the CDs.

[@wurly1100]

This has been extremely helpful, Thanks! I've never paid much attention to the labels before and as a result sound quality was always hit or miss. I went on a classical records hunt last week at my local records stores and found a few gems thanks to you! And I was able to search faster by passing on the" Angel" pressings. My favorite recent find was a Telarc Digital recording on vinyl "Frederick Fennel - Cleveland Symphonic Winds, Holst,Handel and Bach". The music really soars on my Music system...Denon DP-47F turntable, Yaqin Tube Amplifier and Tube phono preamp all feeding the KEF Ls-50 speakers. Any thoughts on VOX label? I saw plenty of those records out there.

[@poetryonplastic]

I have that record myself, although I haven't listened to it in a while. I don't have a ton of VOX pressings, I have a few vox turnabout reissues from Analogue Productions and those are excellent. I think those are specific recordings by a specific engineer though. I have a few original vox pressings, specifically I just picked up two box sets of Scriabin piano music from about 1971 on vox, and while I loved the music, I thought the sound quality was relatively poor. I would pass on them unless they are one of the recordings that have been on the TAS list or other audiophile lists, as those would be safer bets. I actually just upgraded my KEF Q300s to LS50s myself, such a great little speaker, you have a nice system.

[@taowaycamino4891]

I'm ready now(thanks to you)to go hunting for Classical Composers records. I now know what to kill and what to leave alone...Thanks for the show/video poetryonplastic.(Next time try to hold the records you're using as demonstration for 2 seconds, at least , and without moving, in front of the camera so we can pause the video and write down the title of the album and look for it, since you have great Classical taste, and of course, if its possible for you to do that. Thank you).

[@olerocker3470]

VOX RVG STEREO are pretty good and eclectic too.

[@hitcharide1971]

Epic video, thanks! I watched it non stop and took plenty of notes. I already have an honest CD collection of classical music (nothing audiophile really). I am happy with it, but I am looking into discovering classical music on vinyl, especially Beethoven. Unfortunately, I did not start on the right foot. Last time I went shopping, along with my usual stack of rock albums, I bought my first classical album on vinyl. It was a $10 used copy of Symphony no. 9 by Beethoven, conducted by Bruno Walter, on the Columbia Masterworks "6 eye label". I did not see any scratches in the store and it was graded NM by the people there by way of a sticker, as they always do. So I bought it, brought it home and washed it with my Spin-Clean. Unfortunately, it was so noisy all the way through, I could not enjoy it at all. When looked under good light, I could see that the record had suffered some kind of harsh treatment, maybe moisture. That was not something I could have notice at the store under normal light. So your video arrives at a time when I was just starting to say to myself that maybe I should stick to CDs for classical... I guess now I will give it another try and maybe try an Analogue Production reissue, I don't know. I have the rock profile that you mentioned near the end of the vid, so I guess you're right, I really have to be more vigilant. On the other hand, I am wondering if it is worth the headaches... That's where I am at today.

[@poetryonplastic]

I always take a small flashlight with me when i go to record stores, many stores keep the lights dim on purpose so you don't see scratches! In general, the records from the 50s and 60s tend to be beat up when you find them, you'll have much better luck with London's and DG's I think, I tend to find those in much better condition in shops. For a good place to start your collection, try the Solti/Beethoven Symphonies box set on UK London. Great performances, great sound quality, and you can probably find a mint copy on ebay for about 40 dollars or so.

[@hitcharide1971]

You know what, a flashlight is not a bad idea at all! Thanks for all your recommendations. :-)

[@grantpate1932]

Thanks for the video!

[@allstopblue5717]

I have zero desire to EVER purchase a classical record. Yet I thoroughly enjoyed this. I inherited a few very nice things from my grandparents but like I said, I have no desire to actually purchase classical stuff on my own.

[@davidmeeker7213]

Great video, thanks! Would love to see a follow-up video on some of the other U.S. labels I see that look to also come from the tube technology era, such as Everest, Vox/Turnabout, Dover, and Westminster. Also, Urania! Looks like you have. Technics 1300 in the video. Great turntable :)

[@olerocker3470]

Really enjoyed this, thanks! I've always had a passion for classical. Most of what you went over on original pressings I already knew but what is a true nugget is the info on the re-master/re-issues. Thanks for those tips. On the originals, have you picked up any Musical Heritage Society? Usually simple white jacket, black or blue print, mastered at MASTERDISK usually by Bill Kipper. Mostly European orchestras and chamber groups. Most of them seem to be very good quality which makes me wonder if they received the master tapes from these lesser known orchestras and artists or sent their engineers over to these locations and then brought back the masters to Masterdisk. Another interesting rabbit trail for vinyl lovers, eh?

[@TrippinGnome]

Thanks, this is a great guide you have produced, been working my way slowly through your videos! And also thanks to "Tone In Grooves" for pointing this one out! OhNo Now I suspect the 23$cdn (17$US) I spent on a 24 disk set of Wagners Der Ring Des Nibelungen (Time Life Music) may not be the high quality one would expect for that kind of cash outlay :D

[@garysmith1156]

you have some awesome classical record s mate:)

[@user-zo5zu3mc1l]

Very good! Hello from Russia!

[@hifitommy]

you may already know about the DTD records on chast the dragon label but just in case you didn't, there are things there that YOU must have. another thing that i have on my mind is that boulez is a stravinsky expert and his three ballets on columbia, both are on LP and cd. i first got turned on to his petrouchka on columbia and it is delightful and to me the quintessential version. i was self educating myself at the library in panorama city (nearly across the street from the security pacific bank where harry nillsson worked as a teller) and started with the rite of spring by karajan on DG. dynamic enough to pressurize a room but (i didn't realize the travesty it was to reality) it was DG multimked to death. still a good performance. next was a pristine copy of boulez' petrouchka which i promptly committed to tape on my TEAC 4010GSL which became my main listening version for years. i was going to go to tower on van nuys blvd and get it along with planets/mehta/LAPhil BUT when i went in to do so, the LPs were NGONE and CDs were there instead. i was deflated. i am mostly a jazz guy so then i concentrated on that and expanding my horizons via my friend to Ben Sidran and Dan Hicks and his hot licks. ETC. now i my tastes are widlely varied towards things like YELLO, dead can dance, trilok gurtu, etc. medeski martin and wood are also in there. metal, punk, ska, and genres like that don't do it for me like it does you but we seem to have parallel interests up to a point. ...hifitommy

[@cillyede]

Great video, thank you! Hello from Germany

[@soniaxv]

Come back from time to time, feel like I need to have a time stamp for each label 😂

[@coolelectronics1759]

Recently got into collecting early electronic music records. Electronic pop and classical/compilation records. Most of them are recordings of various music performed on early transistor-based or vacuum tube organs. I also enjoy collecting instrumental stuff, stuff most would consider cheesy or elevator music. If I see anything with philharmonic in the tytle Ill buy it. I also have some pype organ stuff I just bought today as well as some wurlitzer air theater organ recordings! I hope the wurlitzer and the baroke stuff turns out to be good pressings. The electronic stuff I am normally after is stuff like demo records that were bundled with the instrument, eric dimpson, ken ken grifn, hil olevera, clous wonderlich sorry probably buchured the names and that word too. Oh well I love music!

[@Dbriskit]

Really great video dude. I was taking notes! Any thoughts on: 1.) the recent Hi-Q reissues of EMI catalog? 2.) The classical output of the Epic Label? Thanks in advance!

[@domjohn5579]

Very interesting video. I wish there were more videos on collecting classical music like yours. I'm curious what you have in your collection and what audio equipment you use.

[@poetryonplastic]

My setup is always changing as I am also an equipment reviewer/writer, but for a while now it's been a Rega P3 along with some older McIntosh separates. You can watch my recent "State of the Stereo" video if you want a complete rundown.

[@keithkohley9855]

Great video! Have you collected or evaluated the London Stereo Treasury (STS) series?

[@JacobafJelling]

Nice video dude. Cool with some pointers. An idea could be to add pictures when you mention records you dont own, and also mention the age of the records mentioned 🇩🇰

[@richardvicek8043]

Very good and informative presentation. I have had London Lps for a long time and have noticed the great quality of the "Made in England" disks. Continued success to you. What are your favorite opera "highlights" records?

[@garysmith1156]

u have some awesome records mate:)

[@hootenhtn]

Also in the early 80's, full priced London Deccas started to be pressed in the Netherlands, I believe the same plant which Phillips used. I found these pressings definitely to be quieter, but perhaps a tad less dynamic.

[@poetryonplastic]

I have a couple of those netherlands Deccas, to me they sounded alright but I don't have anything to compare them to.

[@nattyco]

Thanks for such an informative video. I too have that Elgar (ASD 655) recording and I've always thought it was the original. It says 1965 on the cover and record and I can't see where it says ''Testament''. Whatever, it's a great recording. Warner Classics have produced a re-issue and that is very good too, Sea Pictures has greater clarity though the strings are not quite as full and rich as the original.

[@MrLoulou226]

Seriously this video is THE definitive guide for collecting classical music on vinyl. I keep coming back to it to get informed about labels. Thank you very much!

[@grayhalf1854]

The classical market is so much more niche than rock, pop and jazz. I've found that it's much more fruitful digging for vinyl classical rarities in charity shops than for any other genre. Picked up a beautiful1969 HMV ASD issue of that Du Pre this afternoon for a pound (along with a white and gold ASD for £3 a few weeks ago!)