Big Change Is Coming

I’ve been thinking how to best write this letter for a few weeks, and I think the best way is to just come right out and say it.

I’m changing how I do “Joy of Vinyl”.

Not the entire thing. The mission will still be the same, it is still all about the vinyl record playback experience, but it will be more focused. You deserve to know why.

For the last few years, I’ve been putting out weekly videos on the YouTube channel. I’m proud of those, and I am grateful for every one of you who watched, commented, and subsequently subscribed to this newsletter. Both the channel and this newsletter have grown.

I don’t want to make weekly videos anymore.

It’s taken me a while to come to this realization. The work that gets me up in the morning is the writing. Sitting down, gathering my thoughts, and composing longer pieces about what vinyl means, is where my passion thrives. Nothing beats writing, and it is where I can say things I wouldn’t put in a video.

If given the choice to spend three to four hours scripting and making a video or writing for this newsletter, writing wins hands down.

So here’s what’s changing:

The newsletter is going to become the heart of what I do. It will no longer be a companion to the channel. This is where I feel the most relaxed and have the most to offer.

The “Joy of Vinyl” YouTube channel isn’t going away, I’m simply done with a weekly cadence. When something exciting comes out, like a new Record Doctor machine, or a new way of cleaning and caring for your records, I will put it on the channel. If it’s a product I feel the channel’s 28k+ subscribers will benefit from, I will be happy to put it in front of them.

If you’ve been a subscriber for a while, you already know the content here is more personal than what is on the channel. I want to continue that. Vinyl records are more alive than ever, and mindful listening practices are where my heart is. Getting the most out of it, extracting every detail hidden in the groove, is what I want to help others with.

If this is what you signed up for, I think you’re going to love what’s coming.

If it doesn’t, I understand. There are plenty of gear review channels and newsletters out there, and I would never hold it against you for unsubscribing. I’m grateful you’ve enjoyed the content.

If you’ve ever felt that vinyl is more than an audio format, then stick around. We’re going to have some interesting conversations.

Talk soon!

Rick

P.S. If you’ve been a longtime reader or viewer, I just want to say thank you. None of this would exist without you, and I don’t take that for granted. The fact that I get to do this at all is because of you. I want to deserve that.

The Needle Drop

I can’t recall if I’ve ever called out Joe Strummer’s Assembly in a previous newsletter, but I listened to it over the weekend and was inspired to do so. This was released in 2021 and contains 16 tracks of remastered recordings. It serves as a reminder of how great an artist Joe was outside of the Clash. There’s nary a miss on this double-record set and Joe’s cover of Marley’s “Redemption Song” is worth the price alone.

This Week’s Recommendation

The Riverstone VTF gauge makes its reappearance as the weekly recommendation. It’s honestly my favorite tracking gauge and I tried a few before settling on this one.

My “Updated” Cleaning Routine

I swear by my cleaning routine, but it's not for everyone. What is for everyone is the booklet I've compiled that traces record cleaning methods from the simple to the complex. At the end I reveal my own, complete with the chemicals used, the proper amounts, and how they are applied and removed. Let me know what you think.​

App Candy for the Vinyl Lover

Enough said Here they all are!

Vinyl & Gear News This Week

• 5 more myths about vinyl records we need to leave in the past

• Best vinyl record storage 2026

• Vinyl records carry Japanese seniors back to soundtrack of their youth

• The 10 Record Store Day 2026 releases to buy

• The 10 most valuable records sold on Discogs last month (March 2026)

Enjoy your records!

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