Russell Nam Pham (Namplify Records)

So you're a record collector and you think you have everything you need? Or you have a friend who you know loves collecting vinyl but you don't know what to get them that they wouldn't already have? Here are some ideas that aren't always essential, but could really take things to the next level!

By now you've likely dug through some crates of old records and have pulled out jackets with split seams and ring wear, and pulled out records with scuffs and scratches. Records, and their jackets, are works of art and they deserve to be treated as such. Here are some essentials to keep your records clean and in great condition, so they look as good as they do now, when the next generation is flipping through them.

You're new to record collecting. And you just bought your first few records. And you start spinning them on your new record player but to your dismay, it skips or repeats. You call the record store to return the record and the first thing they'll ask you is, “What record player do you have?" If you have a suitcase player, or a player with a built-in speaker, typically for under $100, they'll probably say, “Oh, there's your problem. Play your record on a higher-quality turntable and see if that fixes it.” These are those higher-quality turntables that won't break your bank. And if you are a little short, I recommend saving up a little more until you can at least start with one of these. This is a list of the starter turntables that will earn you a nod from other collectors, and can last you a very very long time.