Ajay Sawant

What got you into collecting records?
While schooling in the early 90s, my dad had the popular yet humble Philips 242 Turntable + Cosmic stereo set-up at home in Bombay, grew up listening to live concert LPs of RD Burman, Asha Bhosle, Mukesh and compilation LPs of my favourite Mohd Rafi and film soundtracks of Karz, Anand, etc. and admiring the colourful record sleeves.
Mid-90's onwards Thomsun Original/PMT Cassettes and listening to mixtapes on (TDK, Maxell XLII90 Chrome tapes) on Sanyo Tape Deck/Sony Walkman took over till I acquired standalone SONY CDP-M27 CD player/Sony Discman in early 2000', LP's had already taken a backseat by then.

Having acquired many CDs/DVDs/Blu-rays of my favourite things (which I still buy), sometime in 2014 with the resurgence of vinyl world over and availability of LPs on Flipkart and few remaining music stores in Bombay, the format once again drew my attention though fixing my dad' old Philips 242 Turntable was taking quite some time but I started buying records and bought my first direct drive turntable ONKYO CP-1050 in 2016, life had come a full circle with music being the only constant. Vinyl Records were added to my ever increasing music collection :-)

Does music on vinyl sound better than any other format?

Since I grew up listening to Dad' vinyl collection, I still remember the warm sounds that filled the drawing room then besides the whole experience/process around it. Thomsun Original and mixtapes of Maxell XLII90 chrome tapes were my favourites when it came to fab sounds on Tape Deck. DVD and Blu-ray audio/video sound(96/24 LPCM) is fantastic too. Newer (reissues/remastered) vinyl sound amazing as well depending on the treatment received and original recording mix being of top quality in the first place.

How often do you listen to vinyl?
Not daily but a good 3 or 4 days a week.

How large is your vinyl collection and which is the most valuable record in your collection?
As I started collecting vinyl (2014 end onwards) and mostly of Alternative/Indie artists, its not confined to first pressings obsession, I'm a content soul as long as the record is pressed well and sounds immaculate. I adore music from Brooklyn based indie record label - CAPTURED TRACKS. Wild Nothing, DIIV, Beach Fossils, Craft Spells are just some of my favourite acts on it.
Got sizeable albums on vinyl of - The Radio Dept, Nick Drake, Cocteau Twins, The Cure, Hibou, Pearl Jam, Guster, AIR, Beck, Depeche Mode, Flaming Lips, Placebo, Radiohead, Lightning in a twilight hour, Explosions in the sky, Blur, The Verve, Coldplay, Dire Straits, Crowded House, Television, etc..

[As of Nov 2018 - Have got 150+ records in my collection]

Valuable Records [as seen in profile PIC] -
The Recordings of The Middle East (10", Ltd, Black Vinyl, 2009, UK First pressing on Chess Club record label)
Correspondence EP - Trembling Blue Stars (10", Ltd, Orange Vinyl, 2011, Spain First pressing on Elefant Records)

Tell us about your turntable setup.
Onkyo CP-1050 Direct Drive Turntable
ifi iphono preamplifier
Onkyo A-9050 integrated hybrid stereo amplifier
JBL TLX6 3-way bookshelf Loudspeakers

Any advice to people that are about to start their collection?

Given abundant enthusiasm among youth and varied streaming options, one would tend to discover many artistes/genres/sub-genres at an alarming rate, therefore be patient and buy records of the albums that give you the utmost satisfaction. Also, make sure you save money and invest in a decent entry level stereo set-up (separates) in order to optimise your hobby.

Ajay Sawant

Your Cart