I'm not sure how widespread the Fred Meyers retail chain is across North America but if you are not familiar with them you can basically think of them like a smaller, more expensive version of Walmart. They sell food, furniture, jewelry and amongst other things electronics.

The other day I stopped in to buy a USB extension cable and there, on a dedicated display right at the front of the department, was a rather large collection of brand new vinyl! Mostly "classic" rock with a sprinkling of jazz and blues and priced in about the range of most CDs these days. They had two integrated AM/FM turntables on display as well, of the faux "old timey" look. Looks like they are carefully dipping a toe in to test the waters but man, it's nice to see retail outlets starting to carry real media again

http://www.fredmeyer.com/Pages/default.aspx

I read that in the paper or msn online, I havent seen any vinyl at my freddy's up here in bonney lake. dang I would, maybe if the price was right get some new stuff, cds are just so convenient.

elroy

That was the Puyallup Freddy's if you are ever in the neighborhood!

I didn't know you lived in Bonney Lake! I wonder if you and I haven't exchanged emails or even phone calls over ads on craigslist! I would love to hear your Vandy's some time

crap, dingus is in graham, with his ar9's, ya we need to get together for a little demo, and I would love to hear your system as well. I am sure dingus is in too.

he enjoys that type of stuff also.

btw are you talking the freddy's oldtown auto row? I spin through there all the time. will need to stop and take a look.

elroy

The one off of Meridian and River Road, just south of the end of 167?

cool, I may stop today, I got some runnin around to do up on S. hill today.

elroy

The Freddy's at 72nd and Pacific in Tacoma carries Lp's also.
I bought a copy of Clapton's 461 Ocean Boulevard there.

Rat44 has heard my vandies, he even hooked up is ads 810's to my yammie mx2000.

we got a few nw audio junkies around here dont we.

elroy

There's a few of us.
Hello,thought that was you.

Well when are we ever going to have a NW "meet"? Maybe a swap meet or something? Pizza?

Anywho, here is an update on the Fred Meyer topic. I was there yesterday and even though I heard a rumor that Fred Meyer had ordered this vinyl in "by accident" it certainly looks as if it's staying, at least for awhile. They had albums in nice, wooden racks off the end caps in the music section.

While I taking a look at their inventory a noticed Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" *vinyl* album for sale. This is their newest one, just released earlier this month I believe, but the really cool thing is that as clearly stated on a label right on the cover, the purchase of the album for US$22.95 got you the CD (contained within) for free, a CD I had just recently spent probably $16 on!

I dug deeper hoping to see a trend I had previously overlooked but theirs was the only one offering such a dual media package. Many other albums did come bearing labels that said they were "Audiophile Pressings" and "180 grams" though.

I don't know if these trends will catch on market wide but I like it!

went by freddy's to look at some of the vinyl. its fairly expensive, the cheapest lp I saw was 14.99 and it was judas priest "british steel" most of the albums went for 17-24 dollars a piece. seems a little spendy.

elroy

Elroy I take it you don't buy new vinyl much.

the example I'd use from Freddy's is the Led Zep Mothership Box set which they are selling for $49.95 and the cheapest you can find it on line is $10.00 more.

The new AC/DC Black Ice was $29.99 at Soundstage Direct.

And most new LP's run from about $18-35.00 from any of the good on line dealers. Do you get the Acoustic Sounds Catalog? $18-50.00

IMHO Freddies has pretty good prices if you find what you like there. Granted I have more LP's usually needing to be taken out of the back seat of the car on any given weekend then they sell in their little displays BUT hey it's a start.

havent bought new vinyl since 1986 or so, pretty much when cd's went mainstream. and If I do pick something up its garage sale stuff, but very rarely at that. I just remember an lp being 10-12 bucks back in the day is all. damn oil prices anyway.

elroy

the freddy's in KENNEWICK, WA. has a vinyl selection as well. i had to do a double take, then show them to my family! i had no idea FM's or anyone else outside of ACOUSTIC SOUNDS was selling new vinyl until that day. it was the very first time i recall ever seeing brand new LPs in a store, being 26 going on 27 and all...