It really depends on the quality of the pressing and the record itself. There are production standards that define how many times a record can be played — usually in the thousands, sometimes even tens of thousands. Unfortunately, the quality of pressings has declined over time, which means the number of plays a record can withstand while maintaining good sound has dropped as well.

This shift is largely down to the sheer volume of releases these days, coupled with a noticeable drop in the number of copies pressed per title. In years gone by, there were fewer albums in circulation, but each was produced in substantial quantities, allowing for tighter quality control and greater consistency. Nowadays, we are seeing thousands of new titles released annually, yet many are pressed in very limited runs — often as few as 300 to 500 copies — and that, inevitably, has an impact on the overall standard of the pressings.

That said, a record’s longevity also hinges quite a bit on how it is stored.

Why do records sometimes crackle and hiss — is it a defect or just part of the medium?

Vinyl remains the finest music format out there, offering a sound that is about as close to live as you can get. But every so often, it can start to crackle and hiss — usually because of static caused by dust. In most cases, the record simply hasn’t been cleaned properly, or it has missed a quick sweep with an antistatic brush before being played.

The stylus might also be to blame — it could be dusty itself, or it may have picked up debris from a previous record. The groove — that delicate little channel the needle follows — is particularly good at collecting dust, which can easily wrap around the stylus and noticeably affect the sound.

So yes, records do need cleaning. There are professional and DIY ways to do it. Professional machines use vacuum systems to clean records to perfection, but at home a bit of washing-up liquid, water, and a soft cloth work just fine. Just remember not to soak the paper label and to wash the record gently in circular motions along the grooves, rinse, and dry. Antistatic cloths are also handy.

Why do people still choose vinyl in the age of digital music — is it pure nostalgia, or is there more to it?

It is a mix of factors. As said before, the needle is essentially a microphone reading the groove, which means you are getting the most authentic, analogue, “live” sound possible. Whether you are at home or in a club, the sound has really good quality — and it feels.

So, who listens to vinyl today? People who really understand sound — and those who appreciate the aesthetics of the format itself. The sleeve, the artwork, the ritual of putting it on — it is beautiful. It also helps you be more intentional: it is easier to build a collection of records that truly reflect your taste than to make sense of the endless digital noise out there.

Interesting number: Between 2016 and 2023, vinyl album sales in the U.S. increased from 13.1 million to 49.6 million, nearly a 300% growth over eight years. link

How should records be stored? 

The rule is simple — never stack your records on top of one another. Always store them upright on a shelf. When records are piled flat, the weight presses unevenly on those underneath, gradually bending them out of shape. Because vinyl softens slightly with warmth, even normal room temperatures — combined with records sticking together — can make the problem worse over time.

Is it true that you should only handle records while wearing gloves?

Not at all — gloves aren’t required when handling records. In fact, they can sometimes do more harm than good. Wearing gloves gives a false sense of protection, and you may end up holding the vinyl incorrectly.

What truly matters is the way a record is held. The playing surface — the part with the grooves — should never be touched. Instead, support the record by placing your middle finger through the centre hole and resting your thumb along the outer edge.

The golden rule is simple: avoid contact with the surface where the music lies. It is safe to hold the edge, the central label (the “apple”), or the smooth area between the grooves and the label — but never the grooves themselves.

Can vinyl be stored without a sleeve?

Absolutely not. Records should always be kept in sleeves — and not just any sleeves, but anti-static ones. Some newer or vintage releases come in decorative cardboard sleeves; they may look stylish, but they are dreadful for the record itself.

Cardboard sleeves attract dust and leave particles on the surface. Each time you slide the record in or out, you risk creating tiny scratches — invisible to the eye but painfully obvious in sound.

The rule is simple: whenever you buy a record, get an anti-static inner sleeve at the same time, and transfer it straight away.