EVERY Record I OWN! TOUR My ENTIRE VINYL Collection ! ＂A＂
United States of Analog | November 19, 2024
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
This is the first episode of a series where host Bob will go through his entire vinyl record collection alphabetically. He’s using Scrabble tiles in a cup to randomly select which letter to cover in each video, creating a 28-part series (A-Z plus special categories for MoFi and Jazz records, with a potential soundtrack section). In this episode, he drew the letter “A” and will showcase all his records that begin with that letter.
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- [00:00:56] He acknowledges sometimes reviewing digital products despite the channel’s analog focus, but justifies it by saying “it’s all analog when it hits your ears anyway”
- [00:01:27] He admits to having “too much of one kind of product” and doing multiple DAC or headphone amp reviews in a row
- [00:01:46] He’s trying to find ways to better engage his audience and mix up his content
- [00:01:51] He mentions sometimes only being able to get digital products “from a land far away”
Any interesting vinyl records, albums, or music discussed?
- [00:01:37] Mobile Fidelity (MoFi) Sergeant Pepper’s from around 1977-78 – the only record that survived from his original collection when he sold everything in the 1980s
- [00:01:52] He mentions having roughly 1,000 records in his current collection
- [00:02:10] He notes that some letters like “S” will have many records while others like “O” might only have one
Were there any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?
- [00:01:52] His wife’s confusion when he said he was going to “flip” his record collection – she thought he meant selling them like “flip a house”
- [00:01:53] His regret about trading “five to 10 LPs for one CD” in the 1980s, calling himself “an idiot” and noting “they practically give CDs away” now
- [00:01:40] His playful response to viewers who might point out there are only 26 letters: “Yes, I know, I went to school too”
Summary
Bob introduces an ambitious new series for his United States of Analog channel where he’ll showcase his entire vinyl collection of approximately 1,000 records. Rather than going alphabetically, he’s using a creative approach with Scrabble tiles in a cup to randomly select which letter to cover in each episode, creating 28 videos total (A-Z plus special MoFi and Jazz categories). This represents his effort to get back to the channel’s analog roots after recently covering more digital products, and to better engage his audience by mixing up his usual pattern of reviewing similar gear consecutively.
The host acknowledges that while his channel focuses on analog audio, he sometimes reviews digital products simply because that’s what he can access, though he maintains that “it’s all analog when it hits your ears anyway.” He’s clearly passionate about both his gear reviews and his vinyl collection, seeing this series as a way to showcase the analog side that defines his channel’s identity. His approach is conversational and self-deprecating, inviting viewers to participate by predicting what might be in his collection and even to “ridicule” his selections if they disagree.
In this first episode, he draws the letter “A” and shares some personal history about his collection. Most notably, he reveals this is actually his second vinyl collection – he sold his entire first collection in the 1980s during the CD transition, trading multiple LPs for single CDs in what he now considers a foolish move. Only one record survived that purge: a Mobile Fidelity pressing of Sergeant Pepper’s from the late 1970s, which serves as a bridge between his past and current collecting phases.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
What vinyl records, albums, or music discussed:
- [00:05:35] Adam Ant/Adam and the Ants – “Friend or Foe”
- [00:05:46] Adam and the Ants – “Kings of the Wild Frontier” (has two copies)
- [00:05:54] Bryan Adams – “Reckless” (featuring “Summer of 69,” “Heaven,” “Kids Want to Rock”)
- [00:06:17] Ryan Adams – “1989” (his cover version of Taylor Swift’s album)
- [00:06:37] Allman Brothers Band – “Live at Fillmore East”
- [00:06:48] Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass (mentioned but cut off)
What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions:
- [00:05:10] His letter A collection is “nothing to write home about” and “not going to win me any awards”
- [00:05:16] Only has 15 records total in the A section
- [00:05:42] Not a huge Allman Brothers fan despite owning their live album
- [00:06:14] Owns Ryan Adams’ 1989 but has never listened to it and doesn’t know why he bought it
- [00:06:45] Probably hasn’t played the Allman Brothers record since the day he bought it
Any price/value assessments:
- [00:04:10] Records in his high school years cost $2.50 at the base exchange
- [00:06:27] Bought the Ryan Adams album during a time when “records weren’t very plentiful and I just wanted to buy something”
Any memorable quotes or strong takes:
- [00:04:06] “And man, don’t think there’s not some nights that I don’t think about that” (about his lost collection)
- [00:05:10] “My letter A collection is nothing to write home about”
- [00:06:30] “I think I bought this at a time when records weren’t very plentiful and I just wanted to buy something”
Summary:
In this portion of the video, the host reflects on a painful loss from his past – his entire vinyl collection from his high school years in England, which consisted mainly of British and German imports that he purchased for just $2.50 each with money earned from bagging groceries at a base commissary. He expresses genuine regret about losing what he describes as “all the good stuff,” noting that he still thinks about that lost collection on some nights.
The host then transitions into showcasing his current collection’s “A” section, immediately acknowledging its shortcomings with characteristic self-deprecating humor. He admits his A collection is “nothing to write home about” with only 15 records total, promising viewers that things will improve when he gets to the letter B. This honest assessment sets a tone of authenticity rather than trying to impress with rare finds.
As he goes through individual albums, the host reveals his somewhat impulsive buying habits and honest relationship with his collection. He owns duplicate copies of some albums, has records he’s never played (like Ryan Adams’ Taylor Swift covers), and admits to not being a huge fan of artists whose albums he owns. His commentary suggests a collector who buys based on availability and moment rather than systematic curation, creating a relatable portrait of how many vinyl enthusiasts actually build their collections.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion?
- [00:07:24] London record label (Herb Alpert album)
- [00:08:10] RCA Victor (The Astronauts album)
What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion?
- [00:08:40] The host expresses disappointment with his “A” collection, stating “You can’t be more disappointed than I am” regarding the 15 albums shown
- [00:08:50] He promises “It’s gonna get better and better” for future letters
How did the video wrap up?
- [00:08:39] Host announces “So that’s it. 15 albums in all under the A”
- [00:09:06] Calls for viewers to subscribe and hit the notification bell for future collection videos
- [00:09:13] Directs viewers to watch the next recommended video
- [00:09:31] Signs off with “We’ll see you next time. United States of Analog. Don’t be late.”
Any memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions?
- [00:09:06] “Hey if you want to see more of my nutty waste of money I call a record collection”
- [00:09:31] “Don’t be late” (channel tagline)
Summary
The final portion of this vinyl collection tour wraps up the host’s coverage of his “A” section with a few remaining albums, including Herb Alpert records that trigger childhood memories of his father playing them after church, Arctic Monkeys (which he admits he’s not a huge fan of and doesn’t know why he bought), and a Chet Atkins guitar duets compilation featuring Mark Knopfler and George Benson. The host shares personal anecdotes, including suspecting he may have “stolen” one of the Herb Alpert albums from his parents’ collection.
The host concludes by expressing genuine disappointment with his “A” collection, totaling only 15 albums, and acknowledging that viewers are likely equally unimpressed. However, he maintains optimism that future letters will showcase better selections from his collection. This self-deprecating honesty adds authenticity to his presentation style.
The video ends with standard YouTube engagement requests, encouraging viewers to subscribe and watch the next recommended video. The host refers to his record collection as a “nutty waste of money,” demonstrating the self-aware humor that characterizes his channel’s approach to discussing expensive audiophile hobbies.
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
