Chad Kassem of Analogue Productions, Acoustic Sounds, QPR breaks down vinyl's post-COVID boom and bust, the fragile global supply chain behind every record, and his new Vinyl Summit celebration.

Extended version of interview at Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Topics Include:

  • Nate welcomes back Chad Kassem to discuss vinyl and Vinyl Summit
  • Chad recalls moving to Kansas in 1984 as CDs launched
  • He rebuilt his collection, going against the CD trend
  • Vinyl grew slowly for decades before COVID hit
  • Chad bought his pressing plant and presses starting 2010-2011
  • CD had a 30-year lifespan; Chad always believed vinyl would survive
  • COVID caused explosive demand, "gasoline on fire" growth
  • Overbuying during the boom led to storage and inventory problems
  • Chad had to borrow millions for the first time post-COVID
  • Uneven state shutdown rules gave some competitors unfair advantages
  • Post-COVID growth normalized back to its long-term slow trend
  • Chad discusses his own taste: blues, jazz, rock from the 50s-70s
  • Younger collectors now chase 90s titles like Alice in Chains
  • Collecting interest shifts as older genres' fans age out
  • Comparison to toy collecting trends fading with generations
  • Rising interest in audiophile pressings like UHQR and One-Steps
  • Chad explains why quality mastering and pressing both matter equally
  • Originals aren't always better than modern remasters, and vice versa
  • Small improvements across many steps add up to great records
  • UHQR picks focus on undisputed classic albums Chad genuinely loves
  • Kind of Blue UHQR sold nearly 40,000 copies combined
  • Debate over pressing records at 33 vs 45 RPM speeds
  • Vinyl compound and material costs rising, but slower than expected
  • SACDs, reel-to-reel, and cassettes seeing renewed collector interest
  • Only one lacquer manufacturer remains, a major industry vulnerability
  • Skilled cutter-head repair techs are extremely rare and aging
  • Chad discusses fragile supply chain: lacquers, tape, cutter heads
  • Vinyl Summit announced: October 15-18, Salina, Kansas, 40th anniversary
  • Event replaces old Blues Masters concerts, adds vinyl-industry access
  • Details shared: tickets, guests, and proximity to Austin Record Fair

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

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