Hope everyone is doing well. Well as far as the title, I have always preached to my two daughters about how the sound of music played on records sounded better to me than digital or least I always remember it that ways. Well both of the daughters started collecting records and my oldest used to play them on an old Crosley. My youngest daughter collected records but more for the art work I thought. She is into the older rock groups and surprises her teachers on how much she knows about music in the 60's and 70's. She goes around looking for all types of records in the oddest places and about a month ago, she brought home the mother lode. She located someone trying to get rid of a lot of stuff out of an old ranch house. She paid $100.00 for one of the best record collections I have ever seen, we are talking stacks of records.

One of her favorite groups is the Beatles. Well it so happens that most every Beatles record I believe is in this collection. Wait for it. Including a 1967 UNOPENED (SEALED) White Album in perfect shape(I put that sucker in a case). Matter of fact, every record in this collection was in flawless condition. I was so impressed with her find I went out and bought her a receiver and some nice speakers and I dug out my old turntable. Because you see, included in this stack of records was Hotel California and Dark Side of the Moon both original studio masters(With the blue stripe label at the top).

So we hooked up the system, my oldest and youngest daughter, my wife and myself sitting in the living room. The sound that came out of those speakers was greater than I ever remember. I could have swore the Eagles were right there in my living room. My daughters mouths hit the floor. It was very surreal watching my two daughters listening to records just the way I did years ago.

Don't pass up the chance if you guys ever get the chance to listen to music on vinyl. I know music is subjective, but something was lost in the digital translation of music. I think the manufacturers are listening as well, I saw a music system( I think Samsung) that ran the final sound output thru vacuum tubes. It sounded great.

Everyone take care

I might not be the best person to suggest components for a good system, but I will tell you that I spent the most money on the speakers. Remember I was looking for the analog sound. The receiver is a bare bones Onkyo TX-8255 receiver puts out 50 watts per channel but most importantly, it has a phono input so you don't need a pre-amp for the turntable. Like I mentioned the turntable is a 70's vintage Sony direct drive, nice but you can pick them up cheap.

The speakers were about $500.00 and you could probably do better but I had some restrictions on the style and size of the speakers. They are called Definitive Technology - 6-1/2" Indoor/Outdoor Speaker. I was able to compare them side by side to some similar priced Polk's and could not tell the difference. Again, I saw some pretty good deals on Craigslist for Polks and others that would probably work out fine.

BTW, my daughter started collecting by going to garage sales. They have picked up some great deals. Also, my youngest daughter first records were from a group called Beirut. She went to the bands' website and ordered them there.

Good luck