Vinyl Records & Set ups!

[Josh Pelican]

Bought an Audio-Technica AT-LP60 online earlier, should arrive around January 6th.

I feel like it's a slight downgrade, but at the same time it's an upgrade. I was using a record player from 1970, so it's nice to get something new. At the same, it has less features (for example, this one doesn't have a stroboscopic speed indicator). I would like the AT-LP120, but I didn't feel like dropping $300-$350 on a record player right after Christmas.

[Josh Pelican]

I've got it all set up and it sounds good, but it definitely lacks features. I just needed something so I can actually listen to my records again. This thing doesn't like my 5" records and doesn't seem to have adjustable counterweight, antiskate adjustment, or pitch adjustments.

I wish I had purchased the AT-LP120, but I couldn't drop the money at that point. It was Boxing Day and I am moving within a few months. For the price I paid, I can't complain. I am happy with it, especially since I can finally listen to my records again. I just have to ensure I don't damage my records with this one, so I won't overplay any of 'em. I will definitely upgrade my components in the future.

My next step is a nice pair of headphones and probably an amp for 'em. I've got a few pair in mind from Audio-Technica, AKG, Beyerdynamic, and Grado. That's how you listen to grindcore, folks.

EDIT: I'll eventually work on a real nice setup for my cassettes, too. Something like this:


Or this:

[Uncle Grandfather]

EDIT: I'll eventually work on a real nice setup for my cassettes, too. Something like this:

Don't sell yourself short man, can't beat this. Also congrats on your record set up Bummer there's no adjustments.....be careful with the records you like.

[Josh Pelican]

Oh, I'm very careful with my records! I won't be overplaying any of 'em until I upgrade. If I need to listen to something over and over, I can rip it to my computer (or hit up YouTube).

A few months back I found out I was getting a fully paid tuition through work. Once I pass my exam, I get back every penny I spent on the course. That will be a nice little chunk of money I can use towards a nice set of headphones, maybe a headphone amp (depending on what I get), and get a nice desk/table for my setup.

How do you like those 325i headphones? I've been eyeballing those and the 225i as my entry into the world of Grados.

A few sets that have really caught my attention within a reasonable budget are:
Audio-Technica ATH-M50
AKG 550
Denon AH-D600
Beyerdynamic DT770 (heard these are amazing for sludge/stoner metal)
Grado SR225i/SR325i
HiFiMan - HE-400

I've never used any of 'em and can't find most of 'em around here. I would probably use them for a bit of studio use as well, which I've heard the M50s are great for. What would you recommend for my first "official" hifi set?

[Uncle Grandfather]

gettin paid

That's pretty sweet. I really like the grado's alot, they are perfect in many ways BUT they have a house sound and some people just don't jive with it. The higher up the ladder you go the more extension in the treble and bass and less energy in the presence region you get. You can listen to a track through the 325 and it will sound heavenly, then put on another set of cans and you'll get an entirely different presentation that can also sound heavenly, but its going to sound different and not have as much....i don't know if there is a word for it, it's weird but they are just in your face, in the good way, they still have amazing spatiality.

Best advice, get the hifiman he-400. You won't need an amp right away, or at all but to get the most from hi end headphones you'll want to get a good tubed headphone amp. my bias is for tubes. The he-400 are leagues better than any dynamic headphone under however much the senn hd800 cost.....probably, i havn't heard them all but I own some highly regarded dynamics and the he-400 are special. They are very comfortable, i can listen all day long without a notice. Unless you can spring for the he-500.....which will need a well designed amp capable of driving them, the he-400 are the deal.

[sonidero]

Tape some nickles on the back of the tone arm where the weight should be and some pennies or dimes on the head till it balances and you should be fine...

Both those portable cassette decks are boner and that brown FP was my first one and I still miss it...

[Josh Pelican]

I was thinking about the coin trick, sonidero; however, I've heard putting them on the actual head near the cartridge can damage your records!

Uncle G - I think the HE-500 might be a little more than I want to spend on my first set. The HE-400 are pretty tempting, though. I've been studying HeadFi for a week or two now trying to find the right set. If I'm lucky, I can snag a pair under $300. What would you recommend for a headphone amp? When it comes to amps, I'm a sucker for glowing piles of glass, so I wouldn't mind having even MORE tubes in the house. I don't really have a budget, but let's try to keep it reasonable. Let's say... under $500?

[Uncle Grandfather]

stuff

I would look at woo audio, check the b/s/t at headfi. I've got one of their larger amps and its mighty fine. But, with the he-400 i would easily recommend another tube headphone amp I use, the Antique Sound Labs mg-head otl mkIII. There are two models, and one is more expensive, I'm talking about the one that uses two el84 and a 12ax7. Has two inputs, two outputs. Is transformer coupled, but has a switch so you can run it otl if you get some high sensitivity headphones too...above 300ohms. I run the he-400 in transformer coupled mode with some choice NOS bugle boy el84's and a raytheon windmill getter 12ax7......heaven. I picked mine up second hand from audiogon.com, another place to check out. They have headphone and headphone amp etc. categories....classifieds/auction.

I think I paid $25, secondhand. Its a really nice unit. Has a separate power supply.

If you don't go with the he-400 and get a pair of cans that are otl friendly, check out bottlehead and the crack diy kit. i use it with my senn hd650 and beyer dt-900 and it is a mightly fine amp, if you're ok with a soldering iron. It was....375 i think. They have really good forums too at bottlehead, over on audioasylum.com, which also has really good forums.

Also, i wouldn't put any weight on the arm, they probaby tried to get it balanced, but adding more mass to the diamond digging into your grooves is just going to do more damage. In my opinion.

[Josh Pelican]

Thanks for all the help, dude!

I've checked out Woo Audio before and most of the products on there are a little out of my price range at present. The WA3 isn't too bad, especially if I found a used one.

I run the he-400 in transformer coupled mode with some choice NOS bugle boy el84's and a raytheon windmill getter 12ax7......heaven. I picked mine up second hand from audiogon.com, another place to check out.

This just sounds amazing. I'll be spending a lot of time on audiogon.com now. I'll be checking out Bottlehead and Audio Asylum, too.

[Josh Pelican]

I don't suppose you have any knowledge on the Little Dot MK III, do ya'?

[Uncle Grandfather]

I don't suppose you have any knowledge on the Little Dot MK III, do ya'?

I looked at it pretty hard and decided against it in favor of the asl, because the asl was more versatile being able to switch between transformer/otl so its going to be able to drive a wider variety of cans vs. an olt. When it can time for a dedicated otl there was no question I was getting the bottlehead crack.

Also because the power supply is separate on the asl, and we're going to be listening with headphones. power supplies are notorious noise makers. High end designs use separate chassis for them or go to great lengths to isolate them. At this price point...I really liked the idea of a separate power supply. That was my basic reasoning. Never heard one, they seem very popular.....which always makes me wonder......

[Josh Pelican]

Thanks for the information, bud! The Bottlehead crack seems extremely tempting, especially after reading reviews. I think I might grab one when the time comes. I've heard the Speedball kit isn't too shabby, either.

One final question for ya'. Have you ever tried using the HE-400 for recording or mixing/mastering?

[Uncle Grandfather]

Thanks for the information, bud! The Bottlehead crack seems extremely tempting, especially after reading reviews. I think I might grab one when the time comes. I've heard the Speedball kit isn't too shabby, either.

Glad to help, next to playing music my favorite thing is listening to it. Heads up on ordering, bottlehead doesn't just send out your order when you place it. They don't stock the parts, they take orders and once they get enough they order the parts and put the kits together. So depending on when you place your order you might have a three to four month wait. There is a link on their website that shows updated orders for all their kits etc. If you watch the date for the last crack shipment you can figure out approx when the next order will go out....hope that made sense. If you had an itchy trigger finger and wanted one and now at least this way you would know what to expect.

Also there is a LOT of support on building them online, the bottlehead forums and videos etc. You really only need to know how to use a soldering iron and understand english...but the help is out there.

I didn't the speedball, but I do plan on it. I've got some other mods/new caps etc i'm interested in as well that are not kit form.

Best

[Josh Pelican]

Just bought a pair of used HE-400 headphones with v2.0 Jergpads from HeadFi!

[Uncle Grandfather]

Just bought a pair of used HE-400 headphones with v2.0 Jergpads from HeadFi!

That's awesome make sure you wear some pampers when you listen for the first time