Did vinyl sales just hit the proverbial brick wall?

Couple things...

#1 - @ghdprentice - Budget systems go up to $50K? Are you kidding me? Maybe $5K or $10K is pushing it, so for MOST people vinyl can sound better for the buck if you know what you are doing.

#2 - back in college (early 80's) when I started collecting LPs actively, regular pressings were around $8-$10, audiophile ones were $15-$20, and UHQRs were $40-$50 (if I my memory serves me correctly, which is optimistic - I may be off a bit). Say inflation is 3-4%, that would equate to regular records today being $32-$40, audiophile ones being $60-$80, and UHQR's (or One Steps) being $160-$200. Things cost more now. I don't think the prices for new records are a rip off. The One Steps and UHQRs are the closest to being an even deal. 4% growth is better than declining. I do agree that the industry could be more efficient in releasing back catalogue titles, but they are a business and are trying to make money and expect blockbuster sales immediately upon new reissue, like movies at a theater. Thankfully we have companies like Acoustic Sounds (Analogue Productions), Music Direct (Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab), Speakers Corner, Blue Note, etc. that are keeping things moving forward. But even they won't do a reissue if they don't think it will sell. But I think they are closer to the market with expectations for sales than the regular labels are, who seem to be more conservative these days. 

  @limomangus   - new regular pressings are between $22 - $25 for the most part, not $30. Many, like Blue Note, represent tremendous value and sound great. Most of the people buying vinyl are not your age. Certainly many are, but there are plenty of 20 and 30 somethings that like them (and 40's 50's and 60's), not to mention the hipsters of all ages that just think vinyl is cool. 

If you are happy with your record library and don't want any additional records, whatever floats your boat. For the rest of us, vinyl is not much more than new CDs and they cost more to make. If you want to rent and stream, that's a great option for people that can't afford to own a record, CD or HiRez DL.

@mahler123 -audiophile releases are generally $40 and up. They use better vinyl, are better pressed with less pressings per stamper and are typically remastered which takes extra skilled labor. Regular LPs go for $20-30, depending on the label.

my friend @limomangus - CD sales are shrinking. Maybe used prices are making a comeback, but not new ones. In many cases,you can’tgive them away. SACDs are a small niche in that market, and I don’t think their sales are broken out separately. I wouldn’t be surprised if SACD sales are doing much better than standard ones.