This is one of those record stores that is worth traveling for. We were in Cleveland to visit the Rock Hall, and looked up a "Best Records in the US" list on Mental Floss. The records are fairly priced, especially for their condition, and their collection smacks of good taste, with an especially interesting soul section. This is a record store that someone who own 2K records will still find something they haven't seen before. read more

A Separate Reality Records - The exterior of A Separate Reality. - Vinyl Records Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

What a cool vintage record shop. I stopped in here with nothing special in mind other than to browse on a rainy day. The store is well organized and I was excited to see they had a local section and some more niche categories. There's a LOT of inventory, like, a lot. If you're a seasoned collector looking for older gems, you're going to have a field day here. In the back, they had some kitschy old school records that had me laughing out loud (aka, How To Strip For Your Husband, Mommy Where Do Babies Come From, etc.) The space itself has a live record playing spinning tunes, and in the back corner, they rent(?) a room to The Buckland Gallery of Witchcraft and Magick. Yes, you read that correctly. I freaking love that. I don't actually know who runs it (no one greeted me, and I couldn't tell who worked there), so don't be discouraged if you walk in and feel out of place. I always think its nice connect with staff, but I really don't care either way, though some people might! A Separate Reality is absolutely worth a stop into. If you have a record aficionado in your life, a gift card would be a top-notch win of a present. They take a lot of pride in their collection here. read more

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I'm visiting Cleveland from out of state and wanted to hit up record stores while in the area. Attempted to shop here two days in a row, both times were during posted business hours, and both times lights out, doors locked. Multiple reviews mention this. Maybe don't even both having a store if you don't want people to buy your records. What a waste of time. read more

Can spend quite a bit of time digging through the collection here. Found some rarities at a great price! Parking can be rough though, but I think you can thank the lux condos being built across the street for that. read more

We ducked into this shop at the tail end of our trip. I wish we had had more time to really dig deeper into their bins as they had some really interesting pieces, both on the walls (high dollar) and in the bins themselves. If you are into psych-rock, this place has significant volume to check out. They also had a nice variety of hip hop/soul/soundtrack. Prices ranged from $5 bins to some pieces in the hundreds (and one looked like a $1000 record). So keep that in mind prior to visiting. I couldn't tell if this was a newer store or not. Several people seemed to be coming in/out and going into an adjacent space next door. Parking was easy to find, we parked directly in the front. I'm a fan of having several good stores in a town, and this one might just be your cup of tea in the Cleveland area. read more

Normally when a record store asks for anything more than $3 for Fleetwood Mac - Rumors I turn around and walk right out. A Separate Reality was asking $30. But I broke my rule and stayed and checked the store out because of the size and amount of records. I will say that this place has a lot of records and a huge variety. Tons of hard to find things that you don't see everyday. But just because you don't see them everyday doesn't mean you don't ever see them. And that certainly doesn't mean you can list outrageous prices for those things. Like charging $30+ for what is honestly a dollar bin record (Fleetwood Mac - Rumors). The prices this place asks for records is why I gave the two star rating. They list prices for some things that are well over $50 that are in garbage condition. They also are asking that much for 21st century represses of rare records. For example Coven - Witchcraft Destroys Minds and Reaps Souls can easily fetch $100 for a mint copy original pressing. This place has a mint 2003 Italian repress for $50. You can buy the thing sealed brand new online for half that price. I walked out paying $25 for Caravan - In the Land of Grey and Pink mostly because I like to get something from any store I visit. Also spent $5 for Judas Priest's first album (which was listed as only a buck but he charged me 5? I didn't argue and just paid because I had to get out of there). If you want to see tons of hard to find records (i wouldn't go as far as to call them rare) then this is the place for you. Come in, check it out, laugh at the price tags, and leave. Save your money and get the albums off eBay, Amazon, or discogs. Yes, I know. Tl/dr. But unless you're a moron and don't know when you're being ripped off or just too lazy to go anywhere else, then I wouldn't waste my money. read more

Great record store. Lots of selections at good prices. Super cool art on the walls. Nice owner. Definitely worth a visit.

Called multiple times during store hours and was sent to voicemail. Finally got on the phone to see if they were open and was hung up on immediately after I was told that they're not open. Clearly not the first review with this problem. Disrespectful and disappointing. read more

Total waste of time. Visiting from out of town & stopped planned a trip here. Took a Lyft cross town during posted business hours. No lights. No note explaining why they were closed. Useless. read more

Condition and price do not match. Very cool to see some of these rare albums in the wild, but I have never been in a record store where there was such a disconnect between condition and price. I will pay good money for records, but the price for the condition of these records is absurd. I will pay more to support brick and mortar but not here. Example: There was a garage comp I found here I wanted. It cost 30 dollars used here and 13 dollars sealed on Discogs. VG+/NM prices attached to G/VG- albums. Even very common rock albums were overpriced and not in the condition he was charging for. Buyer beware. I came pretty far to visit this store based on the owners website. I feel duped. read more

Way overpriced and low quality, though a large selection. Don't waste your time unless the bargain bin is your thing. Wait the few days for the order from Discogs and save 10-50% off these prices. I can usually find something in every store. First time I can remember leaving ng empty handed and feeling like a good hour spoiled. read more

EDIT - Sept 10, 2016 I was back here in June and once again walked out with records you rarely see and for extremely reasonable prices. I only bought jazz, but the psych and prog also had tons of rarities. Great shop. Original: The collection here is one of the most interesting I have ever seen at a shop. Tons of rare psych, prog, and rock. Also loads of jazz, including the four absolute grails that I bought recently. Specifically, they had first pressings of Eric Dolphy "Out to Lunch!", Kenny Dorham "Trompetta Toccata", Wayne Shorter "Night Dreamer" and Larry Young "Into Somethin'" Those records are NEVER found in the wild, but they had all four. Awesome. In response to those who find the prices too high - this place is more like a record show, in that you should bring a few to the guy and make an offer. I agree that some sticker prices were a bit steep, but I haggled and ended up paying much less. read more

This is my favorite Record Store! Every time I travel to Cleveland from I stop in. I am never disappointed. A great selection(they even have a great Classic Country selection). I check out used record stores when I travel, and this is my favorite store I have found anywhere (this includes Las Vegas, Tucson, Myrtle Beach, Boston, Salem MA, etc.). Good prices, helpful staff, AWESOME RECORD STORE!!! read more

Amazing Gem! Records alone are a reason to go there.. but the clothing vintage and other are amazing condition!

This place is incredible. Hands down one if the best record stores I've ever been to. Their records are high quality; I have yet to see a beat up cover and the records I've purchased am have all been in great shape. Everything is pretty reasonably priced too for the selection and quality you get. The staff are so friendly and willing to give you a deal. There's a ton of rare and hard to find records. I was also really impressed with how well stocked the Jazz section is. read more

This is a truly exceptional shop with a massive inventory of rare original records across genres. Conditions vary but there is a nice demo setup to play records and check conditions. Highly recommended just be sure to set aside at least a few hours. read more

Nice place. Pleasant staff, good vibe, and great selection of budget records ( although inspect your selections to make sure they're not scratched). Discovered this on my way to The Loop and will make it part of my treasure hunting rounds. read more

Overall, I would say the store has a very good selection of stuff I'm personally interested in. The prices are, however, completely ridiculous. Nonetheless, I was still going to buy something because I was there and it was a local artist release. After waiting about ten minutes for the employee(?) to acknowledge my existence while waiting on(?) another customer,(?) I just put the record back and walked out. Hey, I'm all about shop talk, but you have to do business then get back to the discussion. It really feels like this isn't a real business. read more

Very disappointing experience. Was re assured item would be there if I drove in. Drove over an hour to find out the item I had called early about wasn't in stock... Owner accused me of being local competitor read more

May be a great place, but on the 2 occasions I went there they were not open, in spite of the open sign being on, and arriving during the posted hours of operation. read more

Independently-owned shop, which specializes in 50's/60's/70's used vinyl (including 7" singles), vintage clothing, old toys, furniture, and the like. Excellent selection! Friendly staff! Cool vibe! SUPPORT THE LOCAL INDIE SCENE!! read more

Have wanted to come here all summer, but just couldn't find the time. Today was perfect. Amazing stock of five dollar gems. Stuff I've never seen in my 20 years of record collecting. Big selection of high price psych lp's that I already own. Check these out kids, cuz you can't steal them online anymore. Very open layout. My early record hunting days were spent in some pretty claustrophobic spaces(dingey shop at 116th and Detroit, Record Den, downright ghetto dump on Lorain by Suite Lorain, a fucking BASEMENT in Garfield Heights). I appreciate the newer approach to lp shopping(the Loop, My Minds Eye, Blue Arrow). I don't feel like a gremlin is going to reach out from between the records and eat my face. In fact, obviously, the whole hobby is way more accessible and fun these days. I stopped going to the Round Sounds record convo in Fairview that I had frequented for some 20 years now, because I never won the raffle and people act like they don't even know me. Even though I basically grew up there. Wankers. But I digress. I thought maybe not going there would leave me with vinyl anemia. But Blue Arrow and MME and this place more than make up for it. I thought when Platter Puss, Quonset Hut, and Spin More in Kent packed up shop that lp hunting was dead. I am so happy to say it's almost better now. The decade of slogging through Fleetwood Mac Rumors records at the local Exchanges was a trying time, but we made it through to the other side. And the other side is black. Spinning around at 33 1/3 rpm's. Bring money, lose yourself, and leave with some real treasure. read more

This is the most appropriately named store in all of Cleveland. It's a great, yet interesting mix of vintage everything. That, of course, means this place is a bit odd in style and feel. But that's not a bad thing at all. From furniture to knickknacks to home goods to records, this place really has it all even though I would say the selection isn't huge. This is the type of joint I would hit up to find good records, for sure--it's actually decent music since they don't stock the usual vintage store collection of miscellaneous crap. I know my opinion of music is subjective, but this collection actually looks good compared to what I've seen at other vintage stores. Records aside, this is also the type of joint I would frequent to find the odd-ball stuff that normally marks a golden find at the Goodwill or Unique that maybe happens once every two years. When I go to A Separate Reality, I always find something that makes me say, "Oh #%$@ yeah! I never expected to ever find one of these." I guess I would call it a vintage shop that always gives you a good score. read more

The two people that the own the place are very nice, friendly, and helpful. We went in there mainly for records, which they have a good selection at good prices. They did have some cool furniture, and I would definitely come back When I had more time to browse. read more

Good selection of Jazz, soul and rock. I spotted a few records I have been on the search for but decided to pass on them due to the poor condition. I am pretty patient and I am sure I could get it cheaper and in better condition. Expect to see high end prices for a record that is VG or VG-. read more

I have been buying records at record stores for almost 50 years and this is the worse store I have ever been to. Scratchy records for way too much money. Plus the owner refuses to sell many records that are on the shelf and priced. He had 4 copies of not so rare psych record. all priced a bit high, and when I asked the owner if he would be willing to sell me the record he not only said no, but said he did not want to sell any psych or prog records to me. Sounds like a museum to me. Very poor business practice. I have heard that I am not the only one that this has happened to. So buyer beware. There are other decent record shops in Cleveland that I would suggest checking out before this disaster. read more

I saw a review here that I didn't view until after I left the store, thank God. I have to say I do see prices at many record stores that make you go hmmm. Given I'm making my rounds after getting the vinyl bug a few months back I have to say in some ways thus far "A Separate Reality" thus far has been the best. Are some records dollar bin, yes they are. Are some a little costly, yes they are. Being fair your never going to find "Fleetwood Mac: Rumors" in the dollar bin in decent shape, not going to happen anywhere, that's $5 bucks minimum anywhere in VG shape. I got 3 Beatles Albums and 1 Allman Bros.(for the girlfriend) I found all the Beatles records VG+ vinyl, and my girlfriend loved the Allman Bros. One man brought in some James Brown and Beatles while I was in the store. The "Revolver" album was Outstanding!!! especially the vinyl, I paid 40 for it. Crazy you say? No not when its collector quality my never play copy. I'll get another copy pay for playing. Collector quality will run 30-70 or even more, It's not outrageous, its normal. Playing quality VG+ is 1-2 to 5-8 bucks this means good vinyl, good to VG cover. Go to Music Saves or Beachland Ballroom for 45's. I've been to many shops in last few weeks some shops aren't organized at all like Record Den, cheap prices no order at all. Some just have no inventory or little. Some stores have no interest in stocking anything but the big acts. AC DC, Boston, ELO forget it you won't find it. This shop was the best balance thus far for stock, price, quality and options. read more