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T.H.E. Vinylonium: Bigger and Better Than Ever

The Vinylonium this year at T.H.E. Show 2023 had more vendors, triple the amount of records, and some excellent pressings that were certainly scooped up by attendees.

T.H.E. Vinylonium 2023

My favorite “exhibit” at the 2022 edition of The Home Entertainment Show (aka. T.H.E. Show) in Long Beach was the Vinyl Marketplace (or what I referred to in this article as T.H.E. Vinylonium). There were not that many sellers (four) but there was some excellent quality in all genres, be it used or new, standard or audiophile pressing.

T.H.E. Vinylonium 2023 Left Side
Left Side: More vendors and crates to dig through.

When word came that T.H.E. Show was moving to Costa Mesa and that there would be an expanded Vinylonium, I was ecstatic. Not so much about the move (I was and am agnostic on location), but very much about the bigger, and better marketplace.

When the event kicked off Friday morning I made a beeline for the Pacific Ballroom, and was not disappointed to see 9 sellers, and triple the quantity of vinyl.

T.H.E. Vinylonium 2023 OC Record Show
OC Record Show: Good selection at this booth.

I flipped my way through 90% of what interested me (jazz, classical, audiophile and high-end pressings) in the first couple of hours after opening and was rather impressed with the quality of merchandise available for sale. I went back early Saturday for another dig and added a few more items to the record bag.

T.H.E. Vinylonium 2023 Friday Albums Purchased
Friday Buys: Some wish list items crossed off.

As a jazz and classical nerd, I was happy to see a good selection of albums in those genres, including reissues from MoFi, Classic Records, Analog Productions, Tone Poet, Impex and even some Music Matters releases.

A couple of vendors had a good selection of Japanese pressings, along with original and early pressings from Blue Note and other well-known labels. These tended to be a bit pricy (I was shown a near-mint copy of John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme priced at $1,200), but there was also a good selection of very affordable jazz and classical to be had.

T.H.E. Vinylonium 2023 A Love Supreme
A Love Supreme: Not every day you see a near-mint copy.

For the non-jazz and classical listener, I saw several crates at different vendors of rock, punk, metal, hip hop, soul, R&B, electronic and other genres, so no matter your preferences there was something interesting.

T.H.E. Vinylonium 2023 Digging at Waawwaaw Records
Digging at Waaw Waaw Records: Flip, flip, flip, flip, flip…

Much of my record buying the last few years has been on Discogs, and prices here at the show were in line with what you’d see on that platform. The nice thing here was the absence of shipping costs, so immediate gratification and no mailing or customs charges.

T.H.E. Vinylonium 2023 Japanese Pressings at Audiophile USA
Japanese Pressings at Audiophile USA: All hail the Obi!

Cash was king in the Vinylonium (much preferred by the vendors), but all accepted other payment forms – either PayPal and Venmo, or credit card.

T.H.E. Vinylonium 2023 Bob from Analog Shoppe
Bob of Analog Shoppe: Watching over proceedings…

Having spoken with eCoustics colleagues and several show attendees, it’s clear that a vinyl marketplace is a welcome addition to an audio show. Though some equipment sales do take place (show discounts can be quite attractive to those looking to upgrade or purchase a new system or component), the majority of guests are not looking to buy a component or system, at least not immediately; they’re there more to see what’s new and available, and perhaps listen to systems they’ll never be able to afford.

T.H.E. Vinylonium 2023 Rockaway Records
Rockaway: Some nice goodies in those front crates.

A marketplace allows for a tangible takeaway from the event. For myself, I still think of the Long Beach show when I pull out records I bought there last year, and I’ll undoubtedly be reminded of this show in Costa Mesa when I spin my scores from this weekend.

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Albums purchased on Saturday at T.H.E. Vinylonium 2023
Saturday Buys: Two off the wish list and a couple of impulse buys.

Continue reading more coverage of T.H.E. Show 2023.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. ORT

    June 12, 2023 at 4:35 pm

    I was able to pick up sealed copies of “Francis A. & Edward K.” and the sound track to the film, “The Sound of Music”!

    This part of the show most brought out the yoot in me as it took me back to when I religiously rifled the rows of records at the Vinyl Vestibule known as Tower Records. Like Indiana Jones, I was in search of that most elusive and Holy of Grails – Something I liked that I could actually afford.

    And I never chose…poorly.

    ORTicus Maximus Ridiculum

  2. tonyE

    June 19, 2023 at 5:20 am

    I live like 3 miles from that darn hotel.

    And completely forgot about the show.

    Oh well, hopefully next year…

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