Over the weekend, audiophiles gathered at the Capitol Records building for two days filled with what they love most: records. The first ever WAX Records Fair brought together young and old who have a common appreciation for the analog versions of their favorite tunes. With live DJs and music, dozens of sales booths, auctions and even a demo on how records are mastered, vinyl enthusiasts showed up with open ears and ready thumbs to sort through the hidden treasures that were buried within the bins. These 12 were just a few of the people who got to enjoy what WAX had to offer.

Steve, 41

What makes vinyl special? There’s a nostalgia factor, and the sound is just better.
How many records do you own? I roughly own 2,000 records.
What are you looking for today? Pretty much '80s stuff. It’s what I listened to when I was growing up.
What have you bought today? Nothing yet, but I plan on finding something.
What is THE vinyl for you to own? I’d go with “An Ideal for Living” original 7” press by Joy Division.

Nick, 25

What makes vinyl special? Just the physical object of it. The fact that I can make a deliberate choice to listen to and engage in the music.
How many records do you own? Around 50.
What are you looking for today? Nothing in particular. Just browsing around.
What have you bought today? A Run the Jewels album, Depression Cherry by Beach House and the “In Your Eyes" Peter Gabriel single.
What is THE vinyl for you to own? I’d probably say an original pressing of Revolver by the Beatles.

Andrew, 30

What makes vinyl special? It’s a better sound.
How many records do you own? 300 maybe
What are you looking for today? There's a Sade live recording vinyl that was only pressed in the UK. That’d be the find of the day.
What have you bought today? Thelonious Monk
What is THE vinyl for you to own? Any Monk. I love collecting Thelonious Monk records.

Lorena, 41

What makes vinyl special? I love the way it crackles. And that there's no real silence. Oh! And the smell! It takes me back to being 17.
How many records do you own? Not too many. I had to sell my collection not too long ago. But at least a couple hundred back when I had it.
What are you looking for today? Anything really. I’m kinda trying to rebuild my collection.
What have you bought today? I only bought a 45 today: “Strangelove" by Depeche Mode
What is THE vinyl for you to own? It's a Depeche Mode 12” vinyl. One side has "Enjoy the Silence" 15 minutes version, and the other side had nothing on it other than etched artwork.

JR., 34

What makes vinyl special? It's tangible thing and the sound—It's something else.
How many records do you own? Probably around 600. I started late.
What are you looking for today? Just something interesting. I’m always trying to find a sound. 
What have you bought today? I got a De La Soul album. 
What is THE vinyl for you to own? There's too many. There's so much music out there. It also matters on how I feel. Basically once it's there and I see it, I feel it and say “Yeah, I want that."

Donald, 28

What makes vinyl special? It's larger format and it's a warmer sound quality. It's more of a visceral experience.
How many records do you own? 300-400
What are you looking for today? Just looking to meet people. I cut vinyl and getting our name out there.
What have you bought today? Nothing yet. I wanted to save the browsing for last after meeting people.
What is THE vinyl for you to own? Tom Waits' Rain Dogs 

Acacia, 27

What makes vinyl special? It's something that forces you to slow down and listen.
How many records do you own? Around 400
What are you looking for today? Nothing too much. I’m here to just hang out and meet people. Enjoy the Sunday.
What have you bought today? Not yet. But I’m planning on it
What is THE vinyl for you to own? I'd love an original of My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless.

Kate, 25

What makes vinyl special? It's a totally different experience to listen to something on vinyl. I love the album artwork. A lot of them have stories. There’s also the physical aspect of putting the record on and flipping it over half way through.
How many records do you own? Around 75
What are you looking for today? A wide variety. Basically things from classical music to old Police albums. 
What have you bought today? Found some Police. Got some of those. Some Santana and other classic rock.
What is THE vinyl for you to own? I think I'd want literally anything of David Bowie.

Jessie, 36

What makes vinyl special? I like the ritual of putting the album on and hearing the connection of the stylus. It's a very tangible connection with the music. The artwork is also beautiful along with a warm analog fidelity to the sound. 
How many records do you own? Probably about a thousand.
What are you looking for today? The first two Police LPs and Chet Baker Sings.
What have you bought today? I got a lot of classic rock and a Vangelis electronic albums
What is THE vinyl for you to own? Chubby Checker - Chequered

They call me Black Shakespeare, 30

What makes vinyl special? The quality is a lot better. The headroom space and sound. The artwork and design. All of that gets to me.
How many records do you own? I've been collecting since I was around 8 or 9 years old and I still have records from then, so I'd say about 30,000-40,000.
What are you looking for today? I'm looking for some jazz albums and dub. Maybe a couple 45s to bring up that side of my collection.
What have you bought today? I just got in and haven't bought anything yet. Just been looking around. There are a couple books here that I’ve seen that piqued my interest.
What is THE vinyl for you to own? I'm trying to get my collection on John Coltrane up, so anything by him right now.

Danielle, 26

What makes vinyl special? Just being in your living room listening to vinyl; nothing compares to it. There’s nothing like that vintage sound.
How many records do you own? At this point around 400. I'm looking to expand.
What are you looking for today? My best friend is a huge Beatles fan so I'm looking stuff for her. Personally I’m looking for '60s-'70s female singer/songwriter records.
What have you bought today? I literally just got here. And It's making it really hard because I just got paid. I pretty much want to buy everything.
What is THE vinyl for you to own? I would say an original Joplin... With her lip print on it… any of her albums touched by her. She’s my main girl!

Michael, 27

What makes vinyl special? It's the classic-ness of it. I like the scratchy sounds too. There’s no reason not to get any now that most of them come with digital downloads.
How many records do you own? Maybe a couple hundred.
What are you looking for today? Honestly I keep a list of what I'd like to get. So I keep that handy, but I just like thumbing through and finding something new. 
What have you bought today? I bought Steppenwolf because, why not? 
What is THE vinyl for you to own? I’d have to go with every Zeppelin and Beatles to be rounded out and have that classic base collection. Those bands are just great music to put on whenever.