By The Eye desk · Last verified 7 October 2026
As of July 2026, new vinyl LPs in Singapore cost from about S$38, with limited and coloured editions higher, according to record-shop owners interviewed by Vulcan Post; an entry-level turntable starts at around S$110. Second-hand records are priced on pressing, condition and demand, so a common pop album may be cheap while an original first pressing can cost many times more. Collectors spread across a handful of areas: independent shops in Joo Chiat, North Bridge Road and the city centre, the long-running dealers at The Adelphi, and warehouse-style stores for deep crate digging. Opening hours at small shops change often, so check before you go.
Flicking through a crate on a slow afternoon is one of the city’s quiet pleasures. Here is what you will pay, and where to start.
Quick facts
- New LPs start from about S$38 in Singapore (Vulcan Post, July 2026).
- Entry-level turntables start around S$110 (same source).
- Used records are usually graded from Mint and Near Mint down through Very Good Plus, Very Good and Good.
- Original pressings, rare local releases and sealed copies command the highest prices.
- Curated Records on North Bridge Road was founded in 2014; Cherry Lane Records in Joo Chiat opened in 2024.
- Many small shops keep afternoon-to-evening hours and close one or two days a week.
What vinyl costs
| Type of record | Price guide | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| New standard LP | From about S$38 (July 2026) | Label, import costs, single or double album |
| Limited or coloured edition | Higher than standard | Run size, exclusivity, collector demand |
| Used common title, good condition | Often below new | Condition of vinyl and sleeve |
| Original or rare pressing | Can be many times a new LP | Pressing details, condition, scarcity |
| Entry-level turntable | Around S$110 (July 2026) | Brand, built-in preamp, speakers |
How used records are graded
| Grade | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Mint (M) | Unplayed, perfect; often still sealed |
| Near Mint (NM) | Played rarely, no visible marks |
| Very Good Plus (VG+) | Light signs of play, little or no effect on sound |
| Very Good (VG) | Light surface noise, marks you can see and sometimes hear |
| Good (G) | Plays through with noticeable noise; buy for the music, not the pressing |
Grades are given separately for the record and the sleeve. Each shop grades a little differently, so ask to inspect the vinyl under a light, and ask whether you can play it on the shop’s turntable before you buy.
Where collectors go
The shops below were listed as trading in 2024 to 2026 guides and press reports. Small record shops open, move and close, so check each shop’s social media for current hours before you travel. Naming a shop here is not an endorsement.
| Area | Shops listed | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| North Bridge Road | Curated Records | Indie-leaning new and used vinyl |
| Joo Chiat | Cherry Lane Records; Choice Cuts Goods + Coffee; RetroCrates; The Barbershop Music | A small cluster of independents, some with cafés |
| The Adelphi, Coleman Street | Vinylucky; Roxy Disc House | Large back catalogues from the 1960s to 1990s, local retro music |
| Bencoolen Street | Hear Records | New imports and turntables |
| Playfair Road (Kapo Factory Building) | Red Point Record Warehouse | Warehouse-style digging through older stock |
| Esplanade | The Analog Vault | Jazz, soul, electronic and hip-hop |
Steps for your first dig
- Bring a short list of artists or albums, and leave room for surprises.
- Check the record and sleeve grades, then look at the vinyl under the shop light.
- Ask to play a track if the shop has a listening deck.
- Compare prices for the same pressing online before paying a premium for a “rare” copy.
- Store records upright, out of the sun, in inner and outer sleeves; Singapore’s humidity is hard on card sleeves.
The WahLiao Verdict
Start with new records of albums you love and a sensible turntable, then grow into second-hand digging once you can read a grade with confidence. Pay up for condition on records you will play often, check the pressing before paying for rarity, and plan a Joo Chiat or Coleman Street afternoon that takes in a few shops at once. Always check hours first; it saves a hot, wasted trip.
Questions people ask
Why is new vinyl so expensive?
Records are pressed in limited runs, mostly overseas, and shipping heavy, fragile stock to Singapore adds cost. Limited editions are priced for collectors.
Is a sealed record always Mint?
Usually unplayed, but warping or pressing faults can still be hidden inside. Ask about the shop’s policy on faulty new records.
Can I sell my old records to a shop?
Many second-hand dealers buy collections. Expect offers well below shelf price, since the shop must grade, clean and store them; get more than one offer for a large collection.
Do I need an expensive turntable?
No. An entry-level deck from around S$110 will play records; spend more later on a better stylus and speakers if you get hooked.
Sources: Vulcan Post, Singapore’s vinyl boom, prices and shop founders (July 2026); Honeycombers, record store directory (updated December 2024). The Eye explains; it does not endorse.
Read next: How The Adelphi Became Singapore’s Hi-Fi, Audiophile and Listening-Room Shopping Mall · Bookshops in Singapore: The Big Chains, the Independents and Second-Hand Books · Back to The Eye
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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