How many copies
 

How many copies does someone need? I'm surprised how many different copies are available for a particular album. You have an original copy, then there's the reissue, the remastered version, the deluxe copy, then you have the limited editions, not to mention the import copies. The list keeps adding on. I recently became aware of the different print runs within a release and within different countries. I knew someone who had to have every copy that was available to a particular album. I have enough trouble keeping track of one copy. Who needs all the extra copies.

i only buy deluxe editions if i don't have the original copy, and that's only if the bonus tracks are "new" songs and not mono/stereo variations, demos or alternate versions (e.g. Kinks' Village Green, Velvet Underground & Nico) - even if reissued, i tend to stick with the original version

only instance i buy remasters is when the original mix is muddy and murky or the final mix just fell in the wrong hands (e.g. Hendrix's original 3 albums)

and i only buy a different mix, if i lost the original and the original mix is only available as a "deluxe edition" with songs I don't need (e.g. the Iggy Pop mix of "Raw Power")

To vinyl collectors, there's often a lot of copies available of the same album.
Spanish print, British print, dutch print, yellow print, blue print, transparent print, russian print, misprint...

I prefer one good copy. Altough in some cases (e.g.: Dire Straits) the remastered versions are worth buying. The original version of Brothers in Arms on CD sounds like complete crap, but the remastered version gets pretty close to the vinyl :)

what album?

i have 2 copies of Lou Reed's Berlin - i thought i lost it and bought another one

Oh I have two copies of so many albums, just because they are for sale for one buck or something. I've got three Déja Vu's by CSNY, reminds me, I've got four harvests by neil young. Couple of Joe Jackson doubles, couple of j.j. cale doubles, couple of Paul Simon doubles...

i forgot - i have both cassette and CD copies of:-

Rage Against the Machine - Battle of Los Angeles
Duran Duran - Greatest
Teresa Teng covers by Faye Wong
My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
Jesus and Mary Chain - Darklands
all Beatles albums
the three original Hendrix albums (actually i have 2 cassette copies of each, the original flat EQ and the Kramer remasters)

Oh, most CD's I have I've also got on vinyl :).
I buy CD's as a 'backup'.

Probably two max, and it wouldn't go for every album either. A CD hard copy, and a vinyl copy of the favourites.