Vinyl record player history uncovered

Vinyl record player history dates back to November 21, 1877 when Thomas Alva Edison announced his invention of the first phonograph, a device for recording and replaying sound. He demonstrated the device for the first time on November 29 (it was patented on February 19, 1878 as US Patent 200,521).

Edison's early phonographs recorded onto a tinfoil sheet phonograph cylinder using an up-down (vertical) motion of the stylus. The tinfoil sheet was wrapped around a grooved cylinder, and the sound was recorded as indentations into the foil.

Edison's early patents show that he also considered the idea that sound could be recorded as a spiral onto a disc, but Edison concentrated his efforts on cylinders, since the groove on the outside of a rotating cylinder provides a constant velocity to the stylus in the groove, which Edison considered more "scientifically correct".


Edison's patent specified that the audio recording was embossed, and it was not until 1886 that vertically modulated engraved recordings using wax coated cylinders were patented by Chichester Bell and Charles Sumner Tainter. They named their version the Graphophone...............


Vinyl Records Still Live: dedicated to the preservation of vinyl records and antique audio equipment

How to make sure you are buying records safely on the net

Unfortunately buying records safely in the net can be a bit of a lottery. How often have you heard of friends being fooled by unscrupulous individuals saying they are recommended dealers? Here are 10 simple and straightforward ideas to ensure it doesn’t happen to you.

1. Before buying from someone who represents themselves as a record dealer, ask for references - and check them! Anyone who says they are a dealer would not have a problem with supplying references - so don't hesitate in asking for them!

2. Check the dealer's return policy and make sure that you may return damaged or mis-graded product within a reasonable amount of time. Don't expect a dealer to accept returns weeks after the fact or accept returns simply because you don't like the record you ordered.

3. Pay by credit card. All credit cards companies offer recourse these days.

4. If not paying by card - use PayPal. I find it invaluable in these days as it provides a wonderful audit trail.

5. Dealers who have their own websites are a safer bet than those who don't. Setting up shop on the net indicates a degree of permanence and commitment.

6. If you still have some doubts, ask that your package be shipped COD. Don't expect the dealer, however, to pay the COD charges.

7. Always buy postal insurance. This small investment is prudent. Don't assume the dealer will automatically mail with insurance, always specify it.

8. Always request recorded delivery. You will have to sign for the package on delivery so ensuring the dealer cannot simply say "but …I did post it". This will protect both you and the dealer, as, again, it provides a wonderful audit trail.

9. Don't forget to ensure the dealer packages your prized records correctly! Any decent dealer wouldn't think twice - but I once bought a record from Ebay before I knew better, and it came in a normal envelope - it was not surprising that by the time it reached me it was no good!

10. Only buy from dealers who are recommended by organisations such as 'Vinyl Records Still Live'!!

From my experience I find if I follow these simple guide lines buying records safely on the net is not a problem

Vinyl Records Still Live: dedicated to the preservation of vinyl records and antique audio equipment

Quad 99 Pre Amplifier - Just LOVELY!!

All inputs, including those for moving-coil and moving-magnet cartridges, have adjustable sensitivity whilst the main outputs have adjustable levels settings. This flexibility also extends to the wide range of precise tone-control adjustments that can be made. In addition to the usual high-frequency filter, there are adjustments for the bass response, and the unique Quad 'Tilt' control which skews the entire frequency response to give a preferred tonal balance.

The 99 Pre-Amplifier includes noiseless solid state signal switching and digitally addressed analogue volume and balance controls. These track both left and right channels with a previously unattainable accuracy of better than 0.1dB.

Product Specifications

Aux. & Tape Inputs: Sensitivity - 100, 300 or 775mV; Signal-to-Noise Ratio - >97dB (A) ref. 775mV; Distortion - <0.002%
Phono Inputs MM (MC): Sensitivity - 1, 3 or 7.75mV (100, 300 or 775uV), Signal-to-Noise Ratio 78dB (a) ref. 7.75mV (775uV); Distortion <0.005% (<0.01%)
Pre-Amp Output: Level 775mV (3.3V max.); Source Impedance - 100 ohms
AMPBUS Output: Level 2V (8V max.); Source Impedance - 20 ohms
Tape Output: Level 100, 300 or 775mV (10V max.); Source Impedance 330 ohms
Frequency Response: All Inputs except MM/MC 10Hz - 20kHz +0dB/-0.3dB
3Hz - 56kHz +0dB/-3dB; MM/MC Inputs 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.5dB
7Hz - 53kHz +0.5dB/-3dB
Dimensions: 70mm x 321mm x 310mm

See All Quad Amps

Vinyl Records Still Live: dedicated to the preservation of vinyl records and antique audio equipment

It's Great Fun Finding Rare Vinyl Records!!

Finding rare records can be time consuming, but, at the same time, can be fun and rewarding. Who hasn't dreamt of one day, entering a charity shop, walking up to a bin of records, and there before your very eyes, lies a stack of records that you have been wanting for years. And to top it off, you purchase them at a bargain price. Of course this is just dreaming - but hey, it could happen!

A local record shop is a good place to find rare records. You should find a large selection of records to choose from - but expect to pay top price for your selections. At Vinyl Records Still Live I am trying to build a data base of records shops around the UK who might not have a website. So please help in this task by sending me your recommendations

The ones on our list so far can be found at Record Shops If you know of any others you would like to recommend please send their details to me by clicking the Contact Page It will be my pleasure to add them to our listing.

You should also try looking in Yellow Pages for any charity shops in your neighbourhood. There, you will no doubt, find fewer recordings than at a record store. They will quite possibly be of a lower quality, but you should expect to pick them up at bargain basement prices. Also include in your search, any used book shops in your area. Although, their selection may be limited, they are also known for having used records for sale.

After you have finished with the phone book, grab the local free adds newspaper, and look under car boot sales. There have been many situations where a "Vinyl Hunter" has walked away from one of these events, with a box of vinyl gems, and in most cases, for only a few pounds.

If you are the type that prefers to stay at home and do your shopping with the use of your computer , there are several ways for finding records. One particularly fine method is to visit one of the many online auctions which have appeared in recent years. Two of the biggest, and perhaps the best, are Ebay.com and the Yahoo Music Auctions. At these sites, you can be sure to locate literally thousands of recordings (vinyl, shellac, tapes and CD's). To many collectors, online record auctions are another form of entertainment.

While competing with other collectors for the same album, you experience a rush of adrenaline in very much the similar fashion as you would when participating in legalized gambling. But buyer beware! Much like the gambling experience, online auctions can be addictive. Additionally, if you get caught up in a bidding war, you can easily end up paying much more for a recording, than it is really worth.

Perhaps the most plentiful resource on the Internet for purchasing records albums, is the record dealer website. Here a buyer, could buy or sell an entire collection of records. There are two methods for locating these websites. One way is by the use of a search engine (Yahoo, Excite,etc.). But you may wish to consider the safest source of dealer websites is to look at the recommended dealers at sites like ‘Vinyl Records Still Live’. This way you can have a high degree of comfort in doing business with a recommended dealer.

Vinyl Records Still Live: dedicated to the preservation of vinyl records and antique audio equipment

Should you catalogue your record collection?

The answer to should you catalogue your record collection is really simple - YES!!

BUT .......... The best way to achieve it isn’t so simple! I've spent a lot of time thinking about the differing options, and as I have a mixed collection ranging from Amadeus Mozart to Led Zeppelin, I tried to design an Access data base to handle them all.

Possibly a waste of time!

Still - of course the problem needs to be addressed - after all, if I am broken into and my collection stolen - or if it’s damaged in fire, I’ll need to make a claim on my insurance company.

By the way - you have got your record collection insured haven’t you? Just work out (use the advice you will find on this site) the value of your collection in monetary terms. Then think what would happen if you had to replace them all.

Of course a lot of my records - like yours - have stories behind them, and so simply replacing them wouldn’t be the same - but at least the insurance money would help ease the pain!

One point about insurance companies - make sure your collection is listed separately and not just under the general contents insurance - advice from a friend who got caught out!

So - for now - here you will find a couple of free record collection catalogue software downloads which will enable you to make a comprehensive data base of your records.

I haven’t tried them yet - so if you do please let me know how you get on. I’m going to keep trying with Access - if you’d like to help - or would like a copy when (if!) I get it finished, just contact me and I’ll keep you updated.

Vinyl Records Still Live: dedicated to the preservation of vinyl records and antique audio equipment