Amoeba records is a classic. Buuuuuuuuuuuut classic this! Princeton Record Exchange can out-dance Amoeba anyday. PRE can bust out moves and tunes for such crazy prices that Amoeba would have to dust off that shoulder and just walk away. Amoeba would get serioulsy SERVED if it had to compete with Princeton Record Exchange. I grew up with PRE, so like Bonnie am probably a little biased, but I can say with whole-heart - that PRE is an original. It takes a beautiful group of people with different loves of all kinds of music to create a strong second-hand record store. PRE has such a superb following with such diverse tastes, for such a long period of time now - that the gems in this place are everywhere. It glimmers. All sorts of people wander in - trying to sell back CD's, records, videos, and DVDs. There are no pretensions. They have respect for everybody's music choices. "Next.... Mariah Carey - sweet.....Yanni.....uh nice.....Tom Jones...classic.....Kenny G ....uh.....is this yours (ok maybe a liiiiittle pretentious. But we can sum it up to taste....and let's be honest here - Kenny G was my dad's) PRE is like rummaging through your grandparents' basement, it's slightly dingy, and the dust may stick to your fingers, but you have no qualms about plopping yourself down, inches between the black leather soles of a punk/rocker and the leather wedges of a well groomed "sorority-ish" girl to burrow away in the big bargain CD and video crates. It is here, where I first began my video and foreign film DVD collections. Scooping up piles of classics like The Mirror has Two Faces, Zoolander, Animal House, Detroit Rock City, Sex Y Lucia, and more. Prices are so cheap that it's a great opportunity to branch out and try new genres of movies and music. Of course, sometimes PRE's magic is so alluring and many a friend that has accompanied me here - can testify to it's hypnotizing powers; that you end up buying lame crap: Old 90's pop, Whitney Houston singles, and and early 80's and 90's soundracks That at the end of the day - you're ready to trade it right back. If you're ever anywhere near this store - you owe it to music to try it out. The music gods will smile kindly upon you (PRE is blessed) and will guide you towards rows of music nostalgia. There'll be some sweet music at the end of it - - I'd even bet my used Jerky Boys 2 CD on it. read more

I can't think of a more appropriate place to unleash your inner music geek than PREX. Hell, even if your music geek is out and proud, you can always gussy it up a bit by stopping in and checking out the wares. Like Michael E, I was bummed at how disorganized the store was on a recent visit. It looked like someone shook the place up like a snowball and then left all the merchandise to fall randomly onto the shelves. So boo for that. Its saving grace, however, is the sheer size and selection of the vinyl and CD's. Whether you're into Serge Gainsborough, LCD Soundsystem or Peaches & Herb, you will quiver with excitement. You can even pick up a turntable while you're at it. Now all you will need is a ironic or obscure DJ name, a MySpace page, some sunglasses and a nicotine habit and you're in business. Crap, I totally just described myself, didn't I? Oh well, the point is this: Princeton Record Exchange. Go there. If you play your cards right, you could be hobnobbing it with Samantha Ronson and Lindsay Lohan by Passover. And no, "hobnobbing it" is not a euphemism for sex (at least this time). read more

Princeton Record Exchange - Music & DVDs Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

WOW WOW WOW!! I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!! Easily 5 stars or more, without a doubt!!!! What a brilliant selection of used CD's!!!! This is the best record store I've been in the East Coast, hands down!! I can spend hours here!! Reminded me of Aaron's and Rhino Records in L.A., you can find almost all your favorite indie bands' CD's!! Digging through the pile of "budget CD" section was so fun and exciting because a lot of them are around $2.99 and you find lots of great albums which are no longer available! I've found a really rare imported unreleased tracks of The Jesus and Mary Chain CD for $8.99!!! Woohoo!!! And besides the indie/alternative music, their unbelievable classical/opera CD section will blow you away!!! You can almost find any opera at such an amazing price!!!! I bought a double CD set of Verdi's "Nabucco" for only $7.99 and Jose Carreras' recitals for only $2.99!!! The only thing I didn't find was Massenet's "Thais", but his other works like "Don Quichotte", "Manon", and "Werther" were on sale. PREX rocks!!! I would've spent more if I had stayed longer!!! Check it out when you are in Princeton....so worth the trip!! read more

Princeton Record Exchange - Music & DVDs Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

To Jonathan L.: I was one customer who complained about your price stickers, when you changed the type of price stickers you used you even took the time to reply to my review. I stopped in today after seeing your Instagram posting about just having purchased 3,000 Rock albums and bought thirteen mostly Byrds related albums. I like to come home and look over what I bought, read the liner notes and remove any stickers. I was pleased...I was impressed! All thirteen peeled off without a problem including the two Folkways Woody Guthrie albums, I've found these type of rough paper covers often tear when a sticker is removed, but not today, not with your new price stickers! I'd like to publicly thank you as a record collector for listening to your customers. Of course doing so is good business but deserves acknowledgement all the same. Based on this I've upped my stars from three to four and am happy to say that your shop and I will see more of each other from now on! read more

It is a nice place with good selection of items. But I did not get any help and it was a bit crowded for me in such a tight space. I think this place is great if you know what you want but it is hard to browse all that if you don't know. read more

Good selection given its suburban location. I completely understand that the store can only purchase items that they can sell. Great for crate crawling, hit or miss for specific titles. Once in a while I strike gold and blow a paycheck here. love supporting local businesses. If they could make Record Store Day more efficient that would be bonus. Good luck PREX! read more

This is an awesome record store in Princeton, and I've been dying to go here for years! They have a ton of vinyl of all types of music genres here. You are bound to find something you either wanted or didn't think you wanted at all there. They also have a crazy selection on movies. I found a vast amount of obscure titles, and I finally found Cemetery Man on DVD! Be warned, your wallet will be extremely light after visiting here. read more

This is one of the greatest record stores on earth and a gem of modern society. The only problem is that I cant spend too much time in here or Ill spend too much money! They have Cds, Lps, DVDs, and blu-rays stacked floor to ceiling. You could spend all day searching the store (and many do!). You can come in here with an idea of what you might want to find and find about 20 other things along the way you didn't even know you wanted. They always play great music and you can discover new things yourself. This store is amazing!!!! read more

I really don't know what to say about this place. I have been shopping here for years, I am currently 37 I am talking more than 20 years ago. I have frequent other record stores throughout NJ, depending on where my life took me, and I have to say nothing comes close to Princeton Record Exchange. As a teenager my friends and I would stop in here to look for certain hip-hop albums you couldn't find in music stores outside of New York City. My Saturday or Sunday mornings were spent dining at PJ's Pancake house and walking down the block to Princeton Record Exchange. My wife was not a fan as one could easily lose themselves in the store and possibly end up browsing for hours and purchasing more than he/she intended. Which I did. I always forget my list of rare cd, and records. I never go looking for movies but some how always end up looking at a few DVDs. They have so many rare movies you can't help but look. They have classic movies that I never had the opportunity to see. They also have moves that make me say "Holy S--T" I remember watching that when I was 10 years old". I always walk out of there with a hard to find reggaee CD. I would always browse the viynls just to look at all the cool album covers people made back in the day, when music was great. Now that I have a digital record player at home I am definetly in search of more vinyl and Princeton Record Exchange is going to be my primary sport. read more

I went to the Princeton Record Exchange today for the first time with a friend who had been there before, and I can't say enough good things about the establishment. I brought one CD that I wanted to sell to them, and was told they were unable to purchase it due to scratches. This proves that Princeton Record Exchange values quality above all else. I then had the opportunity to spend time browsing and picking out CDs for purchase. As a fan of Jazz music, I was pleased to see an excellent selection at prices that won't be matched anywhere. For the most part, they carry music by established artists as opposed to lesser-known ones, with exceptions. What impressed me was how many rarer albums by the aforementioned established musicians they offer. I should also add that they sell music of just about every genre. As a kid, I would go to J&R Music World in NYC, and felt I'd never find a suitable replacement for that store when they closed shop. Princeton Record Exchange has filled that void for me. I will definitely be returning. read more

This is my absolute go-to for vinyl records. It makes the hour-plus drive to Princeton from Philadelphia worth it. The selection is simply unbeatable. I can't stress this enough. On multiple occasions, I've lost myself in their rows and rows of albums, each one better than the last. I'd rate their prices at moderately fair, once in a while having what I'd consider a bargain. With them being such an institution, they seem to always know what the current market values are and they price accordingly. I never feel ripped off going there. Additionally, everyone working there clearly loves their job. Either that, or they do a good job of tricking the customers that they do. Not only are they willing to help look for something or provide suggestions, every interaction I've ever had or witnessed there usually involved an employee legitimately excited to talk music with the customers. It's that kind of community vibe that I love and I feel is missing from so many other record shops. Princeton Record Exchange has been around for nearly 40 years. They aren't just some shop that popped up to get in on the new vinyl revival, they've been doing this for a very long time. They know their stuff, and as long as they keep doing what they're doing, they'll continue to be here for even longer. read more

This place is an awesome place. Probably the largest selection of records ive seen in any store recently. as well as a ton of DVD's new and used. I picked up a bunch of different seasons of the shows i watch hear at steal prices. Generally beats amazon prices for used stuff too. Even if you not looking to buy anything it worth just check out if your in the area. read more

So I bring cds and imports in trying to sell them.Offered 35.00 for stuff that's worth way more.No thanks,keep you're low prices on trades and high prices on crap.Avoid at all costs,better off doing a yard sale. read more

On many occasions, I have told people, in all honesty, that Princeton Record Exchange is my favorite place on earth. Every time I have been to this store, and I am speaking of multiple visits per year, over the last ten years, I have found more CDs and SACDs that I even had money to buy. Everything is extremely well organized, prices are rock bottom, staff is helpful and warm. I live in NYC, but it is well worth the trip every time I go. If you haven't been and are a collector, I strongly suggest that you make the trip. read more

I once brought a rare LP to Princeton Record Exchange and they told me it wasn't worth anything. I listed the record on EBay and people got into a bidding war over it and I made quite a bit of money. read more

Hands down one of the best record stores in the country. Incredibly huge selection with great pricing. I could spend hours in here!

Great place to get used and new albums. Since finding them I have been a repeat customer. Most of the staff is great with exception of one very unfriendly person. Great place to spend an hour or two thumbing through the inventory. read more

Many compliments to Princeton Record Exchange and Thomas, the appraiser for classical music. After my brother died, we wanted to find a "home" for his vast collection of several thousand classical music CDs. Thomas was knowledgeable, professional and always had time for us. My husband and I had to make many trips to Princeton because we have a small car and Thomas always confirmed our appointments in advance and was gracious in handling this collection. If we could give more than five stars, we would do so. read more

Took a day trip down from Manhattan, looking forward to a vinyl pick & walked away real happy for many reasons. A great selection of vinyl across multiple genres, reasonable prices on both new & used, relaxed vibe of the store & seeing all ages digging for vinyl. Their how to get to Princeton from penn station are spot on. Thanks PREX read more

Princeton Record Exchange - Vinyl lineup record for digging - Music & DVDs Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

Huge selection of records, CDs, tapes, and DVDs, and the people who work here are so genuinely nice! Some nice man gave us stickers read more

Princeton Record Exchange - Music & DVDs Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

I felt prompted to write my first Yelp review after finally visiting the long Yelp-hyped Princeton Record Exchange. I've got to say I feel a bit let down after reading many of the reviews here, some of which I feel are misleading. I didn't have any sort of negative experience in the store. Let's get that out of the way. I do however think this place is hyped up beyond belief. The store's website claims that they carry over 160,000 records, CDs and DVDs. While the store is quite large I just don't see how this is anywhere near factually accurate. I was expecting a bigger record selection, that's for sure. Tons and tons of CDs to be fair. But in regards to the records I was very underwhelmed by the selection. It is largely new releases, which for a place that advertises itself as an exchange doesn't make much sense. They do have a nice selection of new arrival trade in's however. This was the highlight of the store. I was able to find one 12" single I've been looking for here. That said, this section is somewhat large and must be time consuming to go through as a regular. Some level of organization would be a welcomed improvement. At the very least make Beatles/Stones sections to get all that stuff out of the way OR sort these new arrivals out among the rest of the LPs. For someone who walks in knowing what they're looking for it's just time consuming (and must be a hassle to try to sort through during busy periods) I also kept looking for a section with rarities around the store. They apparently don't have many/any. This was shocking to me as a collector. Especially for a store of this size. Plenty of box sets around. But if you're looking for rare vinyl this sadly isn't the place. Its a nice enough store with fair prices and friendly employees. But "one of the top 10 record stores in the country" as described in other reviews it's just really not. It's a nice local spot. But if you're not local it's not a place I would recommend to seek out. Especially considering the lack of obscure finds. Hopefully that doesn't sound too negative. It a nice store. If you're hoping to find gems you're better off on making a trip to either the South Jersey/Philly area or NYC. Just felt like the current review landscape for this shop isn't entirely accurate. read more

$1.99 is all it costs to go back in time 28 years. Beat that Botox. When I first heard about Princeton Record Exchange, I thought, "Oh another second hand music store... A room full of records and I don't even own a record player." But I do remember records and my first record ever purchased was a single of Bananarama's Cruel Summer in 1984. It was small since it was only one song but I felt so cool to own a record just like my big brothers. I will forever remember that jam. I was ecstatic when I came across a CD of Bananarama's greatest hits for $1.99. Venus and Cruel Summer would be mine once again. I'm not too familiar with the rest of the British group's songs but I figure at $1.99, it's not so much of a loss. Take that iTunes. Most CDs cost $1.99 at PREX. Take that Amoeba and Rasputins of the Bay Area, California. I see that those two record shops are mentioned quite a bit in these Yelp reviews for comparison. Well going to PREX is like going to those two. All those memories of just roaming the aisles and getting lost in the variety came back. While PREX is just a fraction of the size, it's selection is right on par. They also carry used DVDs and new music. It seems like PREX has everything from reggae and ska to metal and electronica. However, I could not find the one artist I was looking for: Cat Powers. But I did have a grand ol' time reading every title in every category and shelf. It was like hunting for gold with a metal detector and I did find a few gems. read more

The Princeton Record Exchange on Tulane Street is so overwhelming with recorded music that it is a truly a Mecca to those who love music so much they seem to worship it. At least once in your life you have to make pilgrimage to this narrow lane in Princeton Borough, just off Nassau Street, and be closest to this almighty compendium of sound. Your quest for the Holy Grail could end here in the endless bins of records, CD's or DVD's. It was here that I discovered the esoteric and impossible to find Thin Lizzy vinyl that completed my collection. So, too, for Cactus, and the venerated Vanilla Fudge. Go hither, young and old. Find your own path to the alter of the music gods. Pay homage and obeisance to the Temple of Tune. "The Blues had a baby and they named it Rock and Roll." (Muddy Waters) Amen. read more

Love this place. You could spend hours here. It can get very tight and crowded on the weekends, but it is such a nice place to kill time. I find myself here every time I come to Princeton. One thing to note: You cannot bring in any drinks or food. read more

Dumb Asses, I called about selling them my Classical LP and CD Collection. A girl answered the phone. I ask if there was someone to speak with about selling my collection. The female on the phone asked me "How many LPs are we talking about?" I told her there are 1455 LPs and as I was about to tell her I had 1580 CDs she Interruped me asking, Where was I calling from and I said Oakland, Ca. WELL (she said with attitude) unless your willing to pay for shipping just for us to Apprasied them we can't help you." Will I" was all I got out when she said "That's what I thought" and hung-up on me. Well I was about to tell her that the albums are still sealed and so are the CDs so what Apprasising is needed all in MINT CONDISTION. The shitty attitude this place gives off I'm glad I didn't let them have this MINT collection and good luck to those of you who think this place is great cuz it aint close. read more

Ok, if you like old vinyl the record exchange is a great resource for a vast variety of artists and genres. And they are an institution, so I can't give them less than three stars. But (begin the "kids these days" rants), but the stacks are a total wreck. When I was frequenting the Exchange, the stacks were orderly and tidy. The music was treated with reverence and respect. Yesterday, I was shocked at the state of the store. The stacks were completely neglected and were a total mess. I felt like I went to visit my old neighborhood and found it full of boarded up windows and crack dens. In my memory the Exchange was like Championship Vinyl incarnate; it was a scared space, staffed by the high priests of music. Seeing its current condition made me mad and sad and not likely to return. I guess the times they are a changin'... read more

I drive out with my boyfriend to Princeton Record Exchange about once a year. It's like a fun little trip to look forward to. Here are some things that I like/I think you should know: 1. A good selection of records, most within a rather reasonable price range (tons of $1 records!). There are some records that are rather overpriced and confusing, but there's not enough of them to turn someone on a tight budget away. 2. Weekends get busy in here and the aisles can be a bit cramped. Just be prepared. 3. They take cards! 4. Tons of DVDs/BluRays here, too. I usually get a record and a movie (today was 3:10 to Yuma for $2.99 and Talking Heads: 77 on vinyl for $3.99!). There's something for everyone, seriously. 5. Hand sanitizer as you leave. This is important because I hate the dirty feeling on your hands after sifting through hundreds of records. Just a small thing that I appreciate. 6. So much stuff here that it's really hard to choose what to put back and what to buy. 7. I'm sure you could find most of this stuff somewhere in Philly (where I live), but it's in the charming little borough of Princeton and pretty famous up here in the Northeast, so it's worth the trek. Overall, fantastic place. Big selection. Wish it was closer, but that's part of the fun! read more

When I lived in Princeton as a music student, I was a regular here. My CD collection grew exponentially. It is way too easy to visit PREX "just to browse" then leave with 5-10 CD's. PREX is a fantastic "used" music shop that boasts a huge number of CD's spanning all genres of music for $5 and under. For those into opera, there are many recordings by "big names" (Fleming, Bonney, Terfel, Netrebko, etc) for $10-25. I was just in Princeton for work and bought a Hogwood-conducted recording of La Clemenza di Tito for $11.99 (singers featured include Bonney and Bartoli among others). Quality of the used goods is guaranteed. I have never had a problem with anything I've bought here. In addition to CD's, PREX maintains an impressive vinyl collection and loads of DVD's. Atmosphere is funky and chill and it is super fun to spend lots of time browsing. Don't be in a rush to leave because you won't be able to do so. :) read more

Not a bad spot considering there aren't many stores like this left. My main gripes here are 1. organization is non existent here. There is little separation of genres. There is a metal section and a cheap metal section. The used cd's are mixed in with the new ones. At least have them all together ans separate them in their own sections. 2. prices for used cd's can be pretty high. Considering they don't pay very much if you bring them used cd's, I would think they could drop the price on these. No reason for any of them to be above $5. The store gets crowded and you will find yourself stepping over customers just to move around. They really could use an organisational and pricing revamp. read more

"Lady, you want seven dollars for a used Kenny Loggins record!? I'll give you five." If you're looking for a great place to spend your hard earned money, on things you don't need, look no further than the Princeton Record Exchange. Delve yourself back into the 80's and experience a trip back in time. Yes, this is a place where people exchange hard media for currency. Call it outdated; call it archaic. I call it awesome. Come here to spice up your music or movie collection. They have records, CDs, tapes, DVDs, and Blu Rays for a great prices. Don't pay retail; retail is for suckers. read more

This place is great, hands down! The selection of new and used CD's is almost incomparable. Though I'm not crazy for vinyl, I've found a few rare pieces at a reasonable price. The budget section is organized by genre, but not alphabetized. You would think this would be a bad thing, but it's not! I love scanning the CD's in the hope of finding that lost gem I've been looking for at the bargain price of $2.99. On the whole, the staff is willing to help you look for something if you ask them. I'd recommend calling ahead of time if there's a specific title you're looking for so they can put it on hold for you. With practice, you'll develop a keen scanning eye and won't need too much time, but it's still fun to take it slow. You never know what you'll find. That's why I'll keep coming back. NOTE: The only negative is that they don't do any special orders. read more

If there's no parking available, there's a pretty reasonable garage less than a 1 minute drive away. Don't bother parking at a meter, they're only 30 mins and unless you've got some amazing skill, you're gonna be a while. I only precursor my review with this because that what I was dumb enough to try... Inside is actually a fantastic vinyl store, tho just know, to find gold you're gonna do some digging. It's rare to walk to a place marked "Led Zeppelin" and find but a few meager selections there. The real place to look is the new arrivals bin. I only have 2 gripes about this place. Only one thing they can really help. 1) Some of the clientele have absolutely no respect for this place. They dig through and throw about lps like they're made of some fabulous material that's not fragile. 2) If I'm paying 20 plus dollars for an album, I don't want the possibility of ripping a nice chunk off of the cover while I'm removing the sticker from the paper sleeve. Please find a different way to price your inventory. This won't stop me from coming back but it sure is a downfall in my eyes. read more

A dying bread, the true music store is slowly fading before us, being replaced by megastores like Best Buy and online music shops. But for a true fan of music, theres nothing like holding a CD or vinyl in your hand, sifting through piles of forgotten music, and finding that perfect gem that you've been looking for. The nostalgia of Princeton Record Exchange (known as PREx) alone is mind numbing. PREx has a an amazingly vast selection of old and new music, accompanied by a host of vinyls, VCRs, DVDs, and even some cassettes. They have a whole wall of their store dedicated to $1-$3 used CDs which, to me, is the most important aspect of the store. Music is all about sharing, and Princeton Record Exchange allows music lovers to recycle their unwanted CD's and Vinyls, allowing others to enjoy them at a ridiculously low price. I left PREx yesterday with 8 CDs. I only spent $20. How can it get any better? Their knowledgable staff can help you find what you need or recommend a new artist or genre. The CD Shop is dying, but Princeton Record Exchange manages to thrive because they simply do it the right way. Good tunes are always playing in the background, setting the mood for your buying experience. Stop into PREx today for some awesome deals and a great time. Make sure you stop by the used CD collection to find your hidden gem! read more

UPDATE TIME: Total stores across the USA and private dealers I dealt in my life with counts at around 500+ I am far ahead of the average record buyer when it comes to "the hunt." I keep reading reviews about PREX being a top 10 record store in the country or one of the top stores. I wonder if politics play a part in these ratings because these reviewers/publications need to represent different geographic spots top have a PC consensus. I will state that PREX is in the TOP FIVE RECORD STORES IN THE USA!!! Some of these stores listed as great are laughable (sound garden, jerry's, criminal et al). Since my last review there have been VERY POSITIVE changes at PREX. They include the following: Even a better staff than anytime in the past. For a store of this size, it is the norm for record stores to have a so-so staff. Not so here, everyone is beyond friendly and if you need help with anything, they will help you out. They won't blow you off if you don't look a certain way, they will not give a sinister stare if you are looking for a certain Anne Murray CD, the staff makes you want to come back time and time again and here is the special part....they will remember your name!!!! The store is the cleanest it ever has been in my 10+ years of shopping here. It's always been clean but nowadays the order is par excellence. New arrivals vinyl, new vinyl, new DVDS, new arrivals in anything (Rap, Blues, Jazz) is a much cleaner shopping experience. Store order has always been top notched but nowadays store order is like 99.999999% correct. I'm one of those anal types who when looking sees something out of place and will put it into it's correct spot so a future shopper can find what they are looking for. In the past I would move around 5+ items each visit. Nowadays I move maybe 1 item every 5+ visits. The collections they get in has always been top notch with VERY FEW dry spells (a week would be long). I would state without question they are getting the best collections week in week out of any record store on the East Coast (and that includes Academy in Brooklyn). Die hard record fans KNOW when stores are on the way down or on the way up or just meddling. This store is on the way up and their best days are ahead. While places like Record Collector, LITT, Wax N Facts are yesterday's news, PREX is pushing forward. Being that I travel a lot I always recommend this place with the highest regards and I've never met one person out of at least 100+ that I told to shop here have the slightest negative word about the place and each of these people are PREX for life (good slogan?). read more

Great selection of records. Great record store in general. I'm just disappointed that the prices continue to increase every time I visit. I mean $20 for a new record... that's a bit much. I guess that's the way things are going, but I'd rather just order it directly from the band and cut out the middle man. On the used side the prices are a bit more on point, but the selection is usually fairly picked over. read more

I started going here back in high school, and even though its not a monthly trip like it was then, its still pretty much my favorite record store around. The selection (in terms of diversity) is amazing...sure, I've been to better "rock" record stores, or "jazz" record stores, but PREX has it all. Any format you could want, and unless things have changed they used to have some laserdiscs tucked away somewhere. If you are a music fan (a REAL fan), I dare you to not spend at least $100. Can't be done. Even if you stick to the "budget" wall (around $2 a pop) you'll still spend the money. The staff has changed a lot over the years, obviously, and its been up and down. Sure, you get the token uber-ironic, thick-rimmed glasses wearing Judge Of All Music (judgment = what you like sucks), but there have also been some really cool people there with great suggestions. It has been a while since I've gotten back here, and I've heard things have moved around and maybe the vinyl ain't what it used to be...sad if true, but I can't comment until I see it for myself. The negatives aren't really the fault of the store...parking can be a royal bitch, and if you hang out in town at all you have to suffer some Princeton students, but all the obstacles make the destination just that much better, I suppose. read more

As a San Francisco native, I thought nothing could beat Amoeba. Lo and behold, I found the Princeton Record Exchange. Not only do they have a cool atmosphere and large variety of music, but also great deals on used CDs and DVDs. I'll admit that I'm no music expert, but I love just browsing through the "Budget" section, where you can find loads of CDs for as low as $1.99. With prices that cheap, you can afford to take some risks and try out something new. Best of all, it's legal and environmentally friendly! Note that this place can get overly crowded on weekends. read more

I felt like Indiana Jones making an epic discovery of lost treasure here, only it thankfully did not involve any bizarre deathtraps, human sacrifices, or snakes. PREx is legendary. I've been hearing about it since my college radio days and still hadn't gone, until we happened to be a few blocks away this weekend. onward and upward! hidden away on a side-street, the prime location is worth the walk. the vast selection of media for sale here is amazing. tons of vinyl records (yes, I have a player - there is nothing quite like blasting music in glorious ANALOG through your home stereo) as well as CDs and DVDs. hell, they got VHS tapes at bargain prices too! it's fairly large, but it seems to be packed on weekends. aisles aren't too cramped, thankfully. media in both used and fresh condition - from the quick glances I got, the prices were fairly good and things were in decent to good condition. rare and imported stuff too - my inner Anglophile was pleased to see a whole section of BBC shows and films! my only regret is that I had spent more time here. then again, I probably would've dropped mad ducats, so my wallet is probably happier. next time, Gadget, next time... read more

I have been frequenting the Princeton Record Exchange for at least 20 years, and now that I, like many others, have recently re-discovered vinyl, I decided it was a good time to write a review. Being from central NJ, my four "go to" stores are PREX, Vintage Vinyl (Fords), Jack's (Red Bank), and The Record Store (Howell). Each of these stores has their advantages, but PREX is clearly the best of the four. For years, I'd go almost exclusively for cheap CDs ($1.99 - $4.99). Once in a while you'll find a rare item, but the large "cheap" selection allows you to build your library quite extensively without costing a fortune. Its nice to walk out with a giant pile of CDs for $30. Now that vinyl is my primary focus, the already great store has become even better. Every time I visit, which is about once every 2-3 weeks lately, I find the "New Arrivals" section very well stocked, and most importantly, NEW titles each time. The condition of the records is generally high quality. Compare this to Jack's in Red Bank, which puts out any dusty, dirty, scratched piece of crap. To Jacks' credit, their prices are very, very low. The prices at PREX are very reasonable. Compare that to Vintage Vinyl, which has a pretty large selection, but has very high prices for used items. For example, I might pay $6.99 for an original pressing of Van Halen's 1984 at PREX, whereas the same would be $12.99 at Vintage. My tastes lean toward progressive hard rock/metal to classic rock. One complaint about PREX is that the selection in the used bin for hard rock and metal is usually thin. There is, however, plenty of classic rock. PREX has a decent metal section, but its 90% new releases priced around $30 and up (which is typical for new releases and often too much for me). That being said, I have found some really good scores on occasion. My main complaint about the store is trying to browse the $1.00 vinyl which is all on the floor under the main bins. I'm reasonably fit, but but my knees and back simply can't take it. Its very uncomfortable. Still, if you're willing to dig, you can find some good stuff for $1.00... and often in good condition. The staff has been friendly and helpful the few times I've had a question. In summary, one of the best record stores in the area, and as many have said, one of the best in the USA. read more

There is a reason that my checking account is at $1.49 right now. It may be due to the following: -Buying too many records. -Thinking that since they are all marked under 10 dollars and in perfect condition it is okay to buy them all. -"I've wanted this album for sooo long." -"I'm never going to find it in this condition again!" -"But it's the Mothers of Invention!" -Thinking I should treat myself. Or possibly, all of the above. I have a severe problem. It's record shopping. I love vinyl and I can't help it! Ugh. Just leave me alone! I mean, this is a fantastic affordable place with a huge-o-mongous selection of vinyl, cd and dvd. Used and New. Right across the street from Princeton University. Although, if you don't have a car, good luck getting here--Princeton,NJ is the middle of nowhere. read more