Meet 360’s latest CD Junkie, Jeremy Sikora, better known online as the Budget Audiophiler. Sikora runs the popular Instagram account @budget_audiophiler, where he frequently posts photos of his vintage HiFi gear. The IG account has exploded in popularity over the last few years and currently boasts over 159,000 followers. The 47-year-old Buffalo, New York resident is an ardent proponent of the CD format. In this interview, Sikora talks about his favorite bands, the best-sounding discs in his collection, why he uses a PlayStation as a CD player, and more.
360°Sound: How long have you been collecting CDs? Do you remember the first CD you ever bought?
Jeremey Sikora: I have been collecting since 1986. My first two CDs, which I purchased together, were The Smiths’ Rank and OMD’s The Best of OMD.
What do you love about the CD format?
What I loved back then was the new technology. It was so much cooler than the cassettes my older brother had at the time. What I love now is the availability, affordability, and, to some aspect, the collectability of some music not pressed to vinyl or on streaming.
What are some of your favorite genres? Who are your favorite artists?
‘80s post-punk, ‘90s alternative and hip-hop, and “audiophile” CDs (e.g., MoFi) of all music. My favorite bands are The Cure, Fleet Foxes, Depeche Mode, Catherine Wheel, XTC, Beastie Boys, Dr. Dre, The Smiths and Nine Inch Nails.
Approximately how many discs do you have in your collection?
Around 700, most of them in Case Logic folders from college. The collection, which dates back to the mid-‘80s, has been thrown out and then retrieved from the trash TWICE.
How often do you buy CDs? And from where do you typically buy them?
Weekly. Record stores that have solid CD collections (which are fortunately growing) and thrift stores. I had a great time at a shop called Daredevil Records in Niagara Falls that even carried vintage portable CD players.
Tell us about your @budget_audiophiler Instagram account, which has grown tremendously over the last few years.
It started as, and still is, a hobby. Friends helped me source out my first vintage system, and I got the bug. I started sharing the pics and progress, and people really took interest. After a year and a half, the eCoustics team asked me to write a few articles, which was a welcome distraction from the Covid time. I have always tried to see and share audio from a budget POV as I did when I started. It’s been a blast. I’ve met so many new friends, and IG is super positive and supportive in the audio/vintage audio area.
You’re a fan of playing CDs with a PlayStation. Why do you love using that as a CD player?
I had heard the folklore of the Sony PlayStation model SCPH-1001 as a main or high-end CD player. I was intrigued. There were reviews spanned from “ok” to “audiophile” level. That’s quite a spread review-wise, so I had to check it out for myself. I found three local, all untested, and each one was only $30. Oddly enough, all three worked right off the bat.
With a little internet sleuthing, I found the remote Sony SCPH-10420 with the IR receiver to control it. The moral of the story is if you hear a lot of positive reviews for something under $50, grab it. Listen for yourself. This was a very pleasant result, and the PlayStation is still the CD player on my main rack.
What are a few CDs that sound especially stunning to you on a HiFi system? And what makes them so special?
To name a few offhand, Tears for Fears, NIN, Beastie Boys, Talk Talk, XTC, Portishead and INXS. The production and engineering are so crisp, some with 3D-like sound imaging. I personally love mixing (experimenting?) the accuracy of CDs with the warmth and “musicality” of 1960s tube amplification.
How do you feel about the future of the CD? Do you think we will see a revival like what has happened with vinyl?
I feel strongly about the future of CDs. I already see record stores increasing their CD inventory space. As for why, it’s physical media and super affordable. What I do recommend is grabbing a decent CD player. It need not be new or expensive, just do a little homework for your budget. See you at the record – I mean – CD store!
Follow Jeremy Sikora on Instagram @budget_audiophiler.
