Buying and listening to vinyl is an amazing experience, and listening to music on CDs or streaming services just cannot compare. 

Yes, vinyl is not for everyone, but it could be for those who find music important. Using vinyl creates a physical form of art to experience and enjoy. 

Vinyl records have many things that set them apart from CDs, making them a special way to experience music. 

One key point is their ability to hold value over time, which is why many collectors see them as a worthwhile investment. CDs, meanwhile, are cheap and wouldn’t have much value down the line. Also, it’s very uncommon to see CD players for sale.

Also, vinyl releases often include bonus tracks or bonus pictures from behind the scenes of creating the album cover, offering fans an expanded experience.

Taylor Swift’s Midnights vinyl has five different color options and three different packaging apart from the album cover. The liner notes also include lyrics to every song on the album. 

There’s also something about vinyl that creates a deeper connection with the music. Taking care of a record and maintaining the collection become part of the experience. Many listeners find this process nostalgic, bringing back memories and a sense of appreciation for the album as a whole.

Beyond that, vinyl has a distinct sound that many describe as warmer compared to CDs. This raw, rich quality makes the music feel more authentic. 

Having a record player also gives fans the ability to ask their parents for their old vinyl. That way, they can access the original warm sound of an older album. 

All these components combine to make vinyl a unique and meaningful way to enjoy music.

Despite many teenagers streaming their music on Spotify or Apple Music, vinyl collecting has grown in popularity. However, due to the price and its convenient size, compact discs are the superior form of physical music.

The biggest difference between the two is in price. For reference, the average new pop album on vinyl is $40 to $60, while the same album on CD is typically $12 to $20.

However, the average price of an older album on CD is typically $10 – even lower if it’s an old CD bought second-hand.

There are many thrift stores out there with a surplus of donated CDs. Searching through second-hand CDs is an experience in itself. Although some may have a few scratches, it is easy to flip through and find hidden gems for around $5.

Half Price Books is one of the best stores to find CDs as there are so many new albums donated so often that there is always something new to look at.

While vinyl records are typically more aesthetically appealing, they are also more likely to be damaged. Cheaper “suitcase-style” record players, improper carrying, and even the original vinyl sleeves that are sold in can damage the sound quality.

On the other hand, the plastic casing of CDs is more protective than many records’ flimsy paper sleeves. Additionally, getting a suitable CD player is budget-friendly and doesn’t cause scratches or damage to the disc.

Easy storage is another benefit of CD collecting. There are many ways to store CDs – their smaller size makes them compatible with baskets, shelves, stands, and stacking.

CDs also don’t have the struggle of being double-sided. Records have an “A” side and a “B” side – meaning the record needs to be flipped halfway through an album. Full albums almost always fit on CDs, meaning that once they’re on, they stay on until the album finishes.

Another great perk of collecting CDs is that many come with alternate covers and posters.

Inside of the clear casing, there is typically a booklet with lyrics that can be flipped to display an exclusive album cover. The booklets will often include never-before-seen photos of the artist. Behind the booklet, artists like Britney Spears, Olivia Rodrigo, Rhianna, and Taylor Swift sometimes include a free poster.

An example of a good album to buy on CD is Taylor Swift’s 1989 deluxe album. Both her old and re-recorded versions of the album include a set of exclusive photocard “polaroids” and exclusive songs like “Bad Blood” featuring Kendrick Lamar.