Mr. Kok Kit is a friend's father, whom I had heard was an avid vinyl records collector. He also collects turntables and other antiques. I wanted to hear from an older generation's point-of-view about keeping these 'relics' from the past, whether there were reasons that is more than just nostalgia.
29 October 2013, 8.15pm
1. How did your interest in vinyl records start?
I started collecting around 3 years ago. I like analogue things, and most of them are from 50 years ago. Now all these things have become collectors' items because they're not manufactured anymore. But for tube amplifiers, it's a family sort of thing because my brothers had it. So as I was growing up my brothers were playing hi-fi, and we used to listen to radio. And the radio stations back then will play from records, so we're very attuned to this sort of sound. Whereas nowadays… it's not that digital is bad. They have increased the dynamic range, and made it sound too perfect and unreal - the high is too high and the bass is very low. In the past there's no such thing as subwoofers. And youngsters nowadays prefer to listen to music with higher high and lower bass. After a while, you'll find that it's quite straining to the ears. The comfort of listening might not be there as compared to analogue sounds.
2. Why did you choose to keep the records?
People are probably tired of listening to digital. I don't know, there are 2 extremes. One type of people are very content with listening to mp3, where a lot of details are taken away but they don't realize it. Whereas for analogue you listen to a more complete sound. And it also has a familiarity to it; listening to old music on a turntable sounds different from one that has been converted to mp3. You can listen for hours without straining your ears.
3. So is that why you like records?
There's a lot more to it than just listening. Because collecting records - especially you find a good buy, you will treasure it, and it has historical value. Like stamp collecting, old things come alive. And when you look at record covers, there's a lot of stories behind it, and the artwork is very impressive. I notice that the artwork on records are more impressive than CDs. Maybe in the past they spend more time to do it hand-drawn. Whereas with computers there are filters that can make your photograph look like cartoon drawings instantly. At first I had a lot of fun, but after awhile I got tired of it.
4. Do you find that analog devices involve a lot more participation, like having to put the stylus onto the record?
I will think that doing all these is part of the fun, even though we might find that CDs are more convenient. Every 15-20min you have to flip the record over. But that to me is half the fun, because you want to listen to quality music. With the CD, after awhile you get sick of it.
5. Do you think this trend will last?
I will think that it will last indefinitely. Because the amount of records being reissued is not able to meet the demand. They're not able to come up with a large variety. And records can last you a long time, as long as you take care of it. You can still play the records with scratches, just that you get a lot of noise.
