Buy vinyl at Insound

There are lots of places online to pick up vinyl records. From winning auctions on eBay, connecting to local stores on Nylvi, and browsing the host of online retailers, it's easy to spend a couple hours digging through the virtual bins.

One site I really like is InSound. They have an extensive collection of new, indie vinyl along with promotions and pre-orders that will keep you coming back. Here are some of their specials going on right now.

• Vinyl Club - Buy 10 or more records from the 2008 Top 100 Sellers list and you'll get 15% off of your purchase, free shipping, and a nice tote bag
• Vinyl Newsletter - Sign up for their email newsletter and you can save 10% off of your purchases until December 31st using code "vinylholiday10"
• LP + MP3 - Purchase select records and you'll be able to download the .mp3s at checkout
• Free shipping - No shipping charges on all orders over $50

About Insound

Insound was born in 1998, a glimmer in the eye of a bunch of indie rock kids who wanted to make the mail-order business better. Tired of perforated catalog pages, licking stamps and watching as dozens of Amazon-alikes sprouted up with no mind for underground excited, Insound officially launched on March 1, 1999. We have grown up from three guys and a machine, to a proud, successful mainstay of the indie rock community.

Why do you love vinyl records?

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Headphones with style

A great pair of headphones next to your turntable is an absolute must. With so many choices out there, it's often tough to find a pair of headphones that balances great sound, solid build quality, and a comfortable design.

If you're looking for something with little more design character than the traditional black headphones, you should check out the offerings from WeSC, Skullcandy, and Nixon.

WeSC

Makes of premium streetwear clothing, WeAretheSuperlativeConspiaracy (WeSC) has a line of headphones that will add some life to your audio setup.

They come in a variety of styles and interesting color combinations with solid tech specs for sound.

Check out the full line here.

Skullcandy

Makers of streetwear accessories including MP3 players, backpacks, and headphones, Skullcandy has a lineup of large headphones with lots of interesting designs.

With lines including wireless models and DJ models, you'll be sure to find a unique pair of headphones.

Specs on these are decent and they are priced less than some of the other fashion oriented headphone lines.

Check out their store here.

Nixon

Known for their innovative watch collection, Nixon will be releasing a line of similarly styled headphones.

The MasterBlaster ($200) shown left features an aluminum construction with stitched leather padding that look really comfortable.

Tech specs on these look good as well but we'll have to wait for reviews to hear how they compare to audiophile lines.

Check them out here.

Convert LPs to MP3s - A Wired Guide

Have a collection of vinyl records that you're looking to transfer to  .mp3? There are a host of hardware options (external sound cards, USB turntables) and software options that will help you do this. Beware: I've known people that have tried this and be prepared to spend a lot of time getting it right / convert.

Personally, I have no desire to undertake this task as the process seems too arduous and the end result is a file that loses the essence of why I collect vinyl records. Sure it's portable and playable across different devices but, for me, the convenience of having everything in digital format doesn't outweigh the experience and sound quality that records provide. That's just me.

If you're interested in taking this on for your own collection, Wired has a great "how to" wiki that will show you how to do this.

Check it out here.

Old Rare New: The Independent Record Shop

A must-buy book for anyone you know that loves vinyl records, Old Rare New: The Independent Record Shop covers the unique experience of buying records in independent record stores.

Emma Pettit, formerly of the Institute of Contemporary Arts, has travelled across the UK and America into these eclectic spaces of musical exchange, interviewing record shop owners, collectors and musicians to provide a rich account of the increasingly rare independent record shop. Featured shops include Other Music (New York), Aquarius Records (San Francisco), Amoeba Records (California) and Jazz Record Mart (Chicago). The first comprehensive look at these important institutions, Old Rare New: The Independent Record Shop is an essential read for the musically inclined.

From the back cover:

'There is nothing quite like walking into a strange little record store in a town far from home and finding a record you've been after for so long, you didnt even remember you wanted it until you flipped through the bin and saw it. There is no similar charge available online, and it can't be gotten from a CD. It is something unique to vinyl and little stores and the people who live to breathe their air.'

Available here for $20 at Amazon