Ok, I'm Old! Record albums, I know, no one calls them that, can be resurrected from the basement or attic. One just knew someone would think of this. Just thought it would be interesting to share with everyone!

If the 'problem' with vinyl was dust and that the needle cut into the surface ... then why didnt someone produce a laser stylus that meant no physical contact with the record surface, and maybe even seeing thru the dust ?!

Steve, the Japanese have already been there, done that.

I know at least AdamC's got my back when I say, "Long live vinyl!"

Laser-pickups were tried, years ago, they didn't sound that good. It turns out that the mass of the needle/cartridge, etc. sort of mushing through the grooves was necessary to make the thing sound good; a laser which just read all the grooves as is, sounded pretty harsh. Too bad. I bet a smart guy could create a digital filter that would take the laser pickup output and mimic the filtering effect, of a mechanical cartridge, though.
Another note; I was disappointed to learn that the Teac LP to CD converting gadget out now uses a ceramic cartridge. Ceramic cartridges are pretty crappy, used only in the lowest of the low, portable "record players" and the like. Whatever happened to Teac, they used to be good?