What’s really happening in the world of vinyl collecting right now—and where is it all headed? I

On this episode of SURFACE NOISE, we kick things off with our weekly vinyl record collecting current events segment, breaking down the latest trends, news, and conversations shaping the hobby. From market shifts to collector behavior, we’re covering what matters most to today’s vinyl community. 

Then we tackle a topic that doesn’t get discussed enough in today’s hobby: the disappearing "middle class" of record collecting. With so much attention focused on ultra-expensive grails, rare pressings, and social media “big score” culture—and on the opposite end, cheap heat and dollar-bin finds—what happened to the collectors in the middle? The ones with budget/fiscal discipline, simply upgrading pieces they already have, or just looking for the best sounding version of their favorite albums - for them? 

Expect real talk, strong opinions, and insights from passionate collectors who live and breathe vinyl records.

This

Is

SURFACE NOISE

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For more on host Concert Buddie:

https://www.youtube.com/@ConcertBuddie

https://concertbuddie.com

IG: @concertbuddie

For more on Arnaldo (fidelios_frequency): 

https://www.youtube.com/@fidelios_frequency

IG: @fidelios_frequency

For more on Chris (Groove Seeker):

https://www.youtube.com/@Groove_Seeker

IG: @thegrooveseeker

For more on the immortal Jose Moreno Rahn (aka John Bong):

https://www.youtube.com/@josemorenorahn

https://auroracentralrecords.bandcamp.com

For more on Jason Roxas:

https://www.youtube.com/@JasonRoxas

For more information on Vinyl Community Podcasts:

https://vinylcommunitypodcasts.com

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A few weeks removed from roaming the halls of listening rooms of AXPONA, David Bianco of Safe & Sound Texas Audio Excursion and Louie V from Vinyl Latte return with the newest installment of CHASING BETTER SOUND sharing their thoughts covering the systems, surprises, and sonic moments that truly stood out. This isn’t just a surface-level “best of” recap — it’s an honest conversation shaped by focused listening sessions, real-world impressions, and the ongoing pursuit of better sound.

The guys dive into which rooms delivered the most engaging experiences, what gear actually lived up to the hype, and which highly anticipated systems failed to connect once the music started playing. Along the way, the discussion explores emerging trends across the high-end audio world, including the continued strength of vinyl playback, the rise of hybrid analog/digital systems, and how setup, room acoustics, and system synergy often matter more than raw price tags.

From standout surprises to some questions from the live chat, this episode captures the energy, debate, and passion that make AXPONA one of the premier gatherings for music lovers and audio enthusiasts alike.

CHASING BETTER SOUND never stops. It only amplifies 🔈🔈🔈

👇 👇 👇 👇 👇 

For more on David Bianco (Safe & Sound Texas Audio Excursion):

https://www.youtube.com/@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion

IG: @audio_excursion

For more on Louie V. (Vinyl Latte):

https://www.youtube.com/@VinylLatte

IG: @vinyllattecafe

shop: vinyl-latte-shop.fourthwall.com

For more information on Vinyl Community Podcasts:

https://vinylcommunitypodcasts.com

On tap for this episode of Vinyl Community Podcasts, Beer & Vinyl host Alex (from Columbus) sits down with local record store owner Thomas Stanley of Stanley's Records for a conversation rooted in passion, purpose, and community.

Thomas shares his journey into vinyl—how a deep love for records turned into opening his own shop—and what it really takes to build a record store in today’s evolving collecting landscape. Beyond the store, Thomas has become a driving force in the Columbus vinyl scene, leading the charge in organizing record fairs that bring collectors, diggers, and music fans together under one roof.

They also preview the upcoming May 16th record show at Ohio Brewing Company in Columbus, breaking down what attendees can expect (free parking, free admission, two rooms full of LP's, 45's, CD's, etc.), why these events matter more than ever, and how these shows continue to grow the local vinyl community in positive ways.

If you are a seasoned collector or just getting started, this episode is a great look at the people putting in the work to keep vinyl culture thriving at the local level.

🍺 Drop the needle, grab a frosty one, and tap into the Columbus, Ohio record scene!

For more on Thomas Stanley from Stanley's Records:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/stanleysrecords

E: [email protected]

For more on the Ohio Brewing Company, host to the May 16th Record Show:

https://ohiobrewingcolumbus.com

For more on host Alex (Beer & Vinyl):

https://www.youtube.com/@beerandvinyl

https://beerandvinyl.com

For more on Vinyl Community Podcasts:

https://vinylcommunitypodcasts.com

One hour cannot contain the unbridled enthusiasm for record collecting that is SURFACE NOISE. Here with another helping of BONUS TRAX, we get off on unusual footing with some shade sent the way of the young pop star Lorde. 👑

After most of the panel comes to their senses, the dais discusses what they find to be the best way to track down their grail records these days. Is it better to lean more towards saving up for rare finds at record fairs? Keep a closer mind to online listings on Discogs or eBay? Or by leaning more on the eyes, locations, and travels of other collector friends?

Before the lights go out we discover a new record has been set courtesy of Bong. John Bong. Long time listeners will know what to expect. For the rest of you...consider this parental discretion now advised.

Only on these BONUS TRAX. Don't say we didn't warn you. ⚠️

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For more on host Concert Buddie:

https://www.youtube.com/@ConcertBuddie

https://concertbuddie.com

IG: @concertbuddie

For more on Arnaldo (fidelios_frequency): 

https://www.youtube.com/@fidelios_frequency

IG: @fidelios_frequency

For more on Chris (Groove Seeker):

https://www.youtube.com/@Groove_Seeker

IG: @thegrooveseeker

For more on the immortal Jose Moreno Rahn (aka John Bong):

https://www.youtube.com/@josemorenorahn

https://auroracentralrecords.bandcamp.com

For more on Jason Roxas:

https://www.youtube.com/@JasonRoxas

For more information on Vinyl Community Podcasts:

https://vinylcommunitypodcasts.com

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Don't forget to visit FOTS (friends of the show) Vinyl Storage Solutions for the BEST sleeves to protect your best records (and your worst).

Save 10% using the code(s) below:

VCP10

The conversation keeps spinning on SURFACE NOISE —the show of record, talking records. In this episode, the panel kicks things off with the latest current events in vinyl collecting, breaking down what’s happening across the hobby right now—from record store chatter to the latest releases and headlines shaping collectors’ conversations:

- A new ERC release of a reissue staple?

- Miles Davis returns in Salina, Kansas?

- And another musician has left this celestial plane (but had some baggage while they were amongst the living).

From there, we dig into a topic that might be too 🔥 to handle: has the “collector mindset” actually changed vinyl record collecting for the better? The panel explores how chasing variants, limited pressings, and high-dollar grails has reshaped the hobby—impacting everything from pricing to the way people discover and connect with music. Are we better record collectors for it? Has the over-saturation of information made this all less attractive? Answers will vary...

Whether you’re crate-digging every weekend or just getting started, this is vinyl talk you can take on-the-go, when you go, wherever you go. 🎧 This....is SURFACE NOISE

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For more on host Concert Buddie:

https://www.youtube.com/@ConcertBuddie

https://concertbuddie.com

IG: @concertbuddie

For more on Arnaldo (fidelios_frequency): 

https://www.youtube.com/@fidelios_frequency

IG: @fidelios_frequency

For more on Chris (Groove Seeker):

https://www.youtube.com/@Groove_Seeker

IG: @thegrooveseeker

For more on the immortal Jose Moreno Rahn (aka John Bong):

https://www.youtube.com/@josemorenorahn

https://auroracentralrecords.bandcamp.com

For more on Jason Roxas:

https://www.youtube.com/@JasonRoxas

For more information on Vinyl Community Podcasts:

https://vinylcommunitypodcasts.com

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Don't forget to visit FOTS (friends of the show) Vinyl Storage Solutions for the BEST sleeves to protect your best records (and your worst).

Save 10% using the code(s) below:

VCP10

After the mics cool down on SURFACE NOISE,  the conversation keeps spinning on BONUS TRAX —and this time, it’s all about perspective. In this laid-back, off-the-cuff episode, the panel dives into a spirited round of Overrated, Underrated, or Properly Rated, taking a closer look at the careers of some of music’s most talked-about figures.

From legendary icons to polarizing hitmakers, we break down where these artists truly stand today—cutting through nostalgia, hype, and revisionist history to ask: are they getting too much credit, not enough, or just the right amount? Along the way, expect plenty of laughs, sharp takes, and a few surprising opinions that might challenge your own rankings.

It’s a fun, unfiltered extension of the SURFACE NOISE conversation—perfect for vinyl record collectors, music fans, and anyone who loves debating the legacy of the artists who shaped the soundtrack of our lives.

🎧 Drop the needle and join the debate! 

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For more on our special guest Melinda Murphy:

https://www.youtube.com/@MelindaMurphy

For more on host Concert Buddie:

https://www.youtube.com/@ConcertBuddie

https://concertbuddie.com

IG: @concertbuddie

For more on Arnaldo (fidelios_frequency): 

https://www.youtube.com/@fidelios_frequency

IG: @fidelios_frequency

For more on Chris (Groove Seeker):

https://www.youtube.com/@Groove_Seeker

IG: @thegrooveseeker

For more on the immortal Jose Moreno Rahn (aka John Bong):

https://www.youtube.com/@josemorenorahn

https://auroracentralrecords.bandcamp.com

For more on Jason Roxas:

https://www.youtube.com/@JasonRoxas

For more information on Vinyl Community Podcasts:

https://vinylcommunitypodcasts.com

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Don't forget to visit FOTS (friends of the show) Vinyl Storage Solutions for the BEST sleeves to protect your best records (and your worst).

Save 10% using the code(s) below:

VCP10

It's almost over - we promise! On this episode of SURFACE NOISE, we break down the full aftermath of Record Store Day 2026 — what time did we set the alarm for, and everything we witnessed in-store and in line on one of the biggest days in vinyl record collecting. Making history or rather HERstory, we are joined for the first time by Melinda Murphy to class up the joint, and we're talking real experiences from the ground: the hype, the surprises, the sellouts, and whether this year lived up to expectations. Did the drops deliver? Were the lines worth it? And what does it all say about the current state of the vinyl hobby?

What titles were the winners, losers, or surprises of RSD26? What did our members of the panel pick up - or strike out on? And what were our take away impressions from this year's "Super Bowl" of vinyl record collecting? 

Answers to those questions and so many more....coming a click away!

🎙️ SURFACE NOISE is the show of record, talking records — featuring real conversations from collectors across the Vinyl Community. 🆓

This...

is

SURFACE NOISE!

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For more on our special guest Melinda Murphy:

https://www.youtube.com/@MelindaMurphy

For more on host Concert Buddie:

https://www.youtube.com/@ConcertBuddie

https://concertbuddie.com

IG: @concertbuddie

For more on Arnaldo (fidelios_frequency): 

https://www.youtube.com/@fidelios_frequency

IG: @fidelios_frequency

For more on Chris (Groove Seeker):

https://www.youtube.com/@Groove_Seeker

IG: @thegrooveseeker

For more on the immortal Jose Moreno Rahn (aka John Bong):

https://www.youtube.com/@josemorenorahn

https://auroracentralrecords.bandcamp.com

For more on Jason Roxas:

https://www.youtube.com/@JasonRoxas

For more information on Vinyl Community Podcasts:

https://vinylcommunitypodcasts.com

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Don't forget to visit FOTS (friends of the show) Vinyl Storage Solutions for the BEST sleeves to protect your best records (and your worst).

Save 10% using the code(s) below:

VCP10

If you are still needing a taste of vinyl record collecting talk, we serve it up in spades for this portion of BONUS TRAX. 🫗

Did SURFACE NOISE land a new sponsor? 💰

What was up with Elton John album covers in the 80's? And which was the best (or worst) of the lot? 🧲

Did EU records in the 90's sound good? And are they worth picking up now? 🆗

Then Concert Buddie shares a story about his recent visit to see a man/warehouse featured in a recent YouTube video about Ron in Mendota, IL and his business - Horizons Music - a crate diggers utopia. This warehouse has over one million records (if not more) and if you have the time and the eye, you will see (and find) things you won't believe. More information below.

If you love music and records, you've found your vinyl resting place. Here, thanks to BONUS TRAX!

For more information on Horizons Music:

https://www.horizonsmusic.com

YouTube video about Ron & his story:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsJxbu2DYzc

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For more on host Concert Buddie:

https://www.youtube.com/@ConcertBuddie

https://concertbuddie.com

IG: @concertbuddie

For more on Arnaldo (fidelios_frequency): 

https://www.youtube.com/@fidelios_frequency

IG: @fidelios_frequency

For more on Chris (Groove Seeker):

https://www.youtube.com/@Groove_Seeker

IG: @thegrooveseeker

For more on the immortal Jose Moreno Rahn (aka John Bong):

https://www.youtube.com/@josemorenorahn

https://auroracentralrecords.bandcamp.com

For more on Jason Roxas:

https://www.youtube.com/@JasonRoxas

For more information on Vinyl Community Podcasts:

https://vinylcommunitypodcasts.com

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Don't forget to visit FOTS (friends of the show) Vinyl Storage Solutions for the BEST sleeves to protect your best records (and your worst).

Save 10% using the code(s) below:

VCP10

Get ready for the ULTIMATE Record Store Day 2026 preview on the next episode of SURFACE NOISE as we break down everything vinyl collectors need to know before Record Store Day hits on Saturday, April 18, 2026. We talk must-have RSD 2026 releases, collector strategy, hype titles, hidden gems, and which records could become the biggest stories of this year’s event. Whether you’re lining up at dawn, building your wish list, or deciding which exclusive vinyl releases are worth chasing, this episode is your guide to one of the biggest days in the record collecting calendar.

After discussing some current events in the form of the official 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees list (it's a BIG list), we share which titles have been officially CANCELLED in advance of Record Store Day. The panel then discusses the most talked-about Record Store Day 2026 vinyl releases, what collectors should expect from local shops, and how to prepare for the rush, the competition, and the surprises that always come with Record Store Day. From major exclusive pressings to under-the-radar picks, SURFACE NOISE gives record collectors, Vinyl Community members, and music fans a sharp preview of RSD 2026 before the doors open. If you love vinyl records, record collecting, audiophile culture, exclusive releases, and record store culture, this is an episode you do not want to miss.

🎧 Let SURFACE NOISE set you up for success this Record Store Day 2026!

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For more on host Concert Buddie:

https://www.youtube.com/@ConcertBuddie

https://concertbuddie.com

IG: @concertbuddie

For more on Arnaldo (fidelios_frequency): 

https://www.youtube.com/@fidelios_frequency

IG: @fidelios_frequency

For more on Chris (Groove Seeker):

https://www.youtube.com/@Groove_Seeker

IG: @thegrooveseeker

For more on the immortal Jose Moreno Rahn (aka John Bong):

https://www.youtube.com/@josemorenorahn

https://auroracentralrecords.bandcamp.com

For more on Jason Roxas:

https://www.youtube.com/@JasonRoxas

For more information on Vinyl Community Podcasts:

https://vinylcommunitypodcasts.com

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.

.

.

.

Don't forget to visit FOTS (friends of the show) Vinyl Storage Solutions for the BEST sleeves to protect your best records (and your worst).

Save 10% using the code(s) below:

VCP10

Is this the BEST time ever to collect vinyl… or are we just living through the most complicated era the hobby has ever seen?

Fresh off the floor at the 2026 AXPONA North American Audio Expo, this episode features a panel discussion moderated by Jim Kaplan of Record Collector News— featuring Concert Buddie, Louie V (Vinyl Latte), and David Bianco (Safe & Sound Texas Audio Excursion) — as they tackle the state of vinyl record collecting in present times.

From explosive growth and mainstream popularity to rising prices and reissue overload, this conversation pulls no punches. Is vinyl more accessible than ever, or is the barrier to entry quietly getting higher? Are collectors thriving in a golden age of availability, or drowning in a sea of variants, represses, and FOMO-driven buying?

The panel dives into:

Ultimately, the panel doesn’t give a simple yes-or-no answer—but instead paints a nuanced picture: this may be the most active era in vinyl history, but whether it’s the “best” depends on what kind of collector you are.

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For more on moderator Jim Kaplan of Record Collector News:

https://recordcollectornews.com

For more on Concert Buddie:

https://www.youtube.com/@ConcertBuddie

https://concertbuddie.com

IG: @concertbuddie

For more on David Bianco (Safe & Sound Texas Audio Excursion):

https://www.youtube.com/@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion

IG: @audio_excursion

For more on Louie V. (Vinyl Latte):

https://www.youtube.com/@VinylLatte

IG: @vinyllattecafe

shop: vinyl-latte-shop.fourthwall.com

For more information on Vinyl Community Podcasts:

https://vinylcommunitypodcasts.com