White Light / White HeatCheapest atturntablelab.com
Vovyl is currently tracking 3 offers for the 1968 reissue of The Velvet Underground's White Light / White Heat vinyl. Prices range from $29.95 to $34.98, with the best current deal found at turntablelab.com.
4.0
Average of 53 reviews
28
14
7
2
2
Whether a review is positive, negative, or neutral, we always publish it. However, we screen every review to ensure it is authentic and free of profanity. These checks happen automatically, though a human occasionally steps in. We never pay for reviews.
This album often gets a lot of criticism on Discogs, but honestly, I don't think it's any worse than the early Verve copy I owned way back in the day, around 1970. It's never been known for its high-fidelity sound, as the Velvets pretty much produced it themselves while Tom Wilson was focused on other things. Sure, it's distorted—all the needles were in the red as the Velvets aimed to recreate the sound of a live performance. They didn't really know what they were doing, but they definitely captured something unique. I might be wrong, but I don't recall the original sounding much better than this. Maybe one day I'll get an old pressing, compare them, and then update this review. Until then, I'm more than satisfied with this version. Just so you know, I'm playing it on a Rega Planar 3 turntable with a Goldring black cartridge.
I've got this particular pressing, and it's got a unique Matrix / Runout code that's a bit different: Side A shows 2353024 A//1▽420 I1 19 04, and Side B has 2353024 B//1▽420 I1 91 04. After the 420, there's a line that looks like a flipped 1 on my record. I've seen a similar Matrix / Runout code mentioned for this release, like on "White Light/White Heat" by The Velvet Underground.
My East Coast version is identical in every aspect, with ONE difference - there's a Skull Tattoo on the front cover.
The bonus clips are awesome and offer a fun, personal glimpse into the band's dynamic, even catching them chuckling during a track. The shade of the blue vinyl is stunning. The pressing quality is solid, though I did need to give it a thorough cleaning to get rid of some dust. The audio mastering sounds well-balanced and warm.
This reissue is absolutely fantastic. It's likely the best this album will ever sound. Plus, the extra disc has some amazing tracks on it.
Whether you're just starting your vinyl collection or have been spinning for years, the right turntable makes all the difference. We've selected the best options for every budget.
Discover our selection of turntables
| Date | Lowest price | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2025 | $29.99 | $33.97 |
| Jan 31, 2026 | $29.99 | $33.97 |
| Feb 28, 2026 | $29.99 | $29.99 |
| Mar 30, 2026 | $29.99 | $32.48 |
| Apr 30, 2026 | $29.95 | $29.97 |
| May 20, 2026 | $29.95 | $31.64 |
Hey Stoopid
Alice Cooper
Coney Island Baby
Lou Reed
MERCY
John Cale
Monster Movie
CAN
Kill City
Iggy Pop
Too Tough to Die
Ramones
Raw Power
The Stooges
Marquee Moon
Television
Bedtime For Democracy
Dead Kennedys
Radiant Monkey
Richard Lloyd
Easter
Patti Smith
Zen Arcade
Hüsker Dü