Do you want to be a vinyl snob? Welcome to the club! It’s very fun, and very loud, here.

Spending more money on LPs than rent isn’t for everyone. But if it’s for you, here’s how to get started with some ace 2026 releases crashing the booming high-end hi-fi market.

“Station to Station,” David Bowie

Price Tag: $24.98

Bells and Whistles: This 50th anniversary picture disc has been — and this is for you super audiophile nerds – “cut on a customized late Neumann VMS80 lathe with fully recapped electronics from… the original Record Plant master tapes.” (Basically a super sophisticated analog tool cuts the LPs, as opposed to them being pressed for mass production). Oh, the LP also comes with a cool sleeve poster.

Verdict: “Station to Station” is probably what a Pink Floyd disco record would sound like. Or maybe what a Chic prog record would sound like. Or what a Kurt Weill prog disco album would sound like. It’s perfectly weird and wonderful. If you can find a used copy of “Station to Station” under $25, more power to you. The rest of us will love this finely reproduced reissue.

“Loaded,” The Velvet Underground

Price Tag: $39.98

Bells and Whistles: This reissue is championed as AAA, which means it’s all analog — analog recording, analog mixing, and analog mastering, And this “warm” sounding process is just right for the warts-and-all sound of “Loaded” (a sublime but raw album if there ever was one). Part of Rhino’s High Fidelity Series, the LP has been pressed on 180-gram heavyweight vinyl and features an exclusive four-panel insert with notes from legendary rock writer David Fricke. Limited to 5,000 copies.

Verdict: The first album you should buy after you own all the Beatles albums (ditto for  Kinks, Beach Boys, David Bowie, REM, Talking Heads fans). Simply perfect rock ‘n’ roll, no notes. If you can find a $40 used copy of “Loaded,” well, frankly I would call you a genius or a liar. At a penny a listen, worth it for the 3,998 spins you’ll give it.

“Can’t Slow Down,” Lionel Richie

Price Tag: $99.98

Bells and Whistles: Interscope-Capitol Records’ latest release in its lofty Definitive Sound Series, this audiophile LP has been pressed to 180-gram high-definition vinyl from the original analog master tapes and includes a certificate of authenticity detailing the mastering, plating, and pressing chain. Yes, this thing is like a Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show champion complete with papers. Limited to 3,000 copies.

Verdict: Released in an era when pop was spotlessly clean, this edition puts a shine on something already sparkling. This is Richie’s best album and arguably the best mellow-but-bright Top 40 album of all time — see “Hello,” “Stuck on You,” “All Night Long.” But maybe only 50-somethings flush with cash will want this. However, that tiny demographic will be thrilled with the purchase.