Vinyl hasn’t just made a comeback — it’s already made it. What started as a niche resurgence nearly two decades ago has grown into a full-scale return to form. Sales of vinyl records have been climbing year on year, with the format now outselling CDs in many major markets.
At Peter Tyson, we’ve seen this growth first-hand. Whether it's beginners buying their first turntable or audiophiles upgrading to a Linn LP12, vinyl is once again a key part of how people engage with music.
Vinyl Sales Are Booming
Since the launch of Record Store Day in 2007 — which celebrates its 19th anniversary in 2026 — interest in vinyl has surged. In the UK alone, sales of LPs have grown for 16 consecutive years. The BPI (British Phonographic Industry) reports that over 5.9 million vinyl albums were sold in the UK in 2023, the highest total since 1990.
Globally, it’s the same story. In the US, vinyl outsold CDs in revenue terms for the first time in over three decades in 2020 — a trend that’s only grown stronger since. What was once the preserve of collectors is now mainstream again.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves, records are unlikely to ever reach the heady heights of sales in the 60s and 70s when they were dominant. The introduction of cassette tapes and CDs had already made a significant impact on vinyl sales in the 90's and early 2000's. Then digital music and streaming laid waste to sales of many forms of physical music, contributing to the end of UK retailers like Music Zone, Woolworths and nearly collapsing HMV, twice. So it's nothing short of miraculous to see vinyl records cement such a defined comeback.
Just in the last five years several new pressing plants in UK have opened including one in Middlesborough and another in Scotland. With no sign of a slow down in interest from artists wanting to cater to their record buying fans, so it's safe to say vinyl is here to stay.
Why Has Vinyl Come Back?
There’s no single reason behind the vinyl revival — it's a mix of technology, culture, and human instinct.
• Tangibility and Ritual: In a digital world, many music fans crave a more tactile experience. Putting on a record, dropping the stylus, reading liner notes — it's an intentional act that feels deeply personal. There's something much more personal and meaningful when you invite people into your home and you're able to literally show them what you enjoy listening to.
• Sound Quality: For many, vinyl just sounds better. The warmth, the depth, the sense of space — it’s not perfect, but it's pleasing. And when paired with a good system, it can be magical.
• Artwork and Aesthetic: Album art has always mattered, and the 12-inch LP cover is unmatched for visual impact. Vinyl isn't just music — it's decor, identity, and memory.
• Nostalgia and Discovery: Whether it’s re-living a golden era or discovering one for the first time, vinyl connects listeners to music’s past in a way that’s unique and meaningful.
• The Definite Article: If you're a fan of a band or musician, owning a vinyl record of their music may be the ultimate way of showing appreciation for an album you love.
• Supporting an Artist: Buying a vinyl is often a great way to directly support an artist. Streaming offers little in the way revenue for a large percentage of smaller artists, so if you can buy their music on vinyl, it's likely to be helping them out a lot more.
How Hi-Fi Has Evolved
As demand for vinyl has returned, so too has innovation in turntables, cartridges, and phono stages.
Brands like Pro-Ject have built their entire modern success on well-built, great-sounding turntables at affordable prices — perfect for beginners or casual listeners. They've even released special edition turntables honouring incredible bands like Pink Floyd and AC/DC.
Technics brought back their legendary SL-1200 series to huge acclaim, modernising a classic without losing its essence. TEAC has consistently offered versatile options that blend analogue soul with modern tech, including USB and Bluetooth capabilities.
And at the high end, Linn continues to lead the way. Their iconic Sondek LP12 remains the audiophile’s dream — endlessly upgradeable, precision-engineered, and capable of astonishing musical performance. For those with big budgets and a deep love of vinyl, there’s nothing quite like it.
Turntables no doubt had the biggest breadth of invention during their initial 60's and 70's heyday, but it's great to see hi-fi brands continue to push forward with new technical innovation as well improving the sound a clarity of record players at the lower end of the market making great vinyl sound more accessible.
Looking to get yourself a turntable? Check out our buying guide right here.
A Format That Keeps Evolving
Vinyl may be analogue, but it's far from old-fashioned. Today’s records are often pressed on 180g audiophile-grade vinyl, remastered using state-of-the-art equipment, and packaged with care and creativity.
It's also gotten way more colourful than just your old black vinyl. A multitude of colours, splatters, holographic picture discs and experimental inventions, like Mondo's Alien soundtrack special edition record filled with liquid "xenomorph blood" make buying records a great deal more fun than just opening Spotify.
We'll take this opportunity to dispel an age-old misconception. Once-upon-a-time coloured vinyl could result is lesser performance from your vinyl record because they required different compounds and dyes to achieve the colours, but no more. Modern vinyl pressing processes mean that your coloured vinyl is going to be just as good as a black pressing.
At the same time, modern turntables are easier to use and integrate with hi-fi systems than ever before. Many turntables come almost pre-built, with only minor tweaks to get them ready to play, and thanks to YouTube, nearly any modern turntable you buy will have a video on how to set it up - like this one ;).
Whether you want to keep it old school or integrate a turntable into a streaming setup, there's an option for you — and Peter Tyson can help you find it.
Experience Vinyl for Yourself
The vinyl revival isn’t slowing down, it probably saved HMV and it’s becoming a permanent part of how people enjoy music today. And it’s no longer just for audiophiles. It’s for anyone who loves music and wants to listen with intention and joy.
From your first deck to a dream Linn system, we’re here to help you find your groove. Visit petertyson.co.uk or pop into our stores in Newcastle or Carlisle to browse our range of turntables, speakers, and everything you need to enjoy vinyl at its best.