Vinyl Records & Set ups!

[DarkAxel]

I suspect my main focus are going to be 70's records, I just love the sound and it sounds so RIGHT

just bought me some Mahavishnu Orchestra

[trace]

Here's my cd/record monolith. I actually added another 2x4 ikea thing that I use as a tv/stereo/video game console stand but it only has a few records and DVDs in it so far so I didn't take a pic.

[kbit]

^That's awesome. I spy a big ol' section of NIN CDs on the bottom right of the upper shelf

[trace]

Good eye! There's a lot of nin vinyl in there too, I was a total fanboi in high school so I've got pretty much everything up until year zero-era. Except for those damn we're in this together singles.

[Josh Pelican]

Got my HiFiMan HE-400 headphones today! My records sound beautiful through 'em!

[Uncle Grandfather]

Awesome

[Josh Pelican]

For anyone interested, Head Direct has reduced their prices on some delicious HiFiMan headphones. HE-400 for $300. I paid that for a used pair (burned in and modded, mind you).

http://head-direct.com/Products/?cid=8

EDIT: Hey, Grandfather. What do you recommend. A preamp+amp or a receiver? I've only ever used a receiver, but when it's time to upgrade I'm thinking about going with a preamp+amp combo (all tube, of course).

[rustywire]

Preamp+Power amp typically yields better results...as the old gear adage goes: Individual, specialized components > All-In-One solutions.
I don't personally believe in Preamp+Monoblocks...but that's up to you.
A well designed stereo power amp can sound just as good, without the extra footprint, wiring and packaging.
The power supplies also tend to get unnecessarily complicated the more you divide things up.

There are KILLER receivers both tube & ss from the 50s-70s (Even early 80s when Japan really hit its stride)
McIntosh, Marantz & Luxman are all quality but overpriced (IMO) even before factoring in demand.
Yamaha, Onkyo, Pioneer & Kenwood...even Sonys tend to have excellent value.

Consumer products from the golden age of hifi are a great introduction to tube hifi; even the receivers & integrated amps.
Fisher, Scott, Dyna, HeathKit, Stromberg Carlson, Eico...

Personal biases aside, if you're after more modern gear then Acoustic Research & Conrad Johnson have some deals floating around the secondhand market.

If you're the explorer type, treat it like a guitar/pedal/amp hunt and trial & error.
Do your research and hunt for bargains (it's all essentially secondhand) and if you find something doesn't suit you, it should hold its value or even put a few extra bucks in your pocket when you send it along its way.

Welcome to yet another audio rabbit hole.

[D.o.S.]

Here's my cd/record monolith. I actually added another 2x4 ikea thing that I use as a tv/stereo/video game console stand but it only has a few records and DVDs in it so far so I didn't take a pic.

Where do y'all recommend I buy one of those monolith-i? I need more space.

[Uncle Grandfather]

EDIT: Hey, Grandfather. What do you recommend. A preamp+amp or a receiver? I've only ever used a receiver, but when it's time to upgrade I'm thinking about going with a preamp+amp combo (all tube, of course).

That's a Great price! For 2 channel stereo it's balanced differential designed separates, the preamp with separate power supply and mono blocks. Some great "entry level" Check out Audible Illuions Modulus 3a, easily one of the best preamps before diminishing returns kick in. I owned one for a couple years and it's amazing. Quicksilver Audio make excellent mono block tube amps, and are fairly priced especially on the used market. Rogue audio are another brand I've owned that are top quality at reasonable prices. Audiogon audiogon audiogon.com.

[trace]

Here's my cd/record monolith. I actually added another 2x4 ikea thing that I use as a tv/stereo/video game console stand but it only has a few records and DVDs in it so far so I didn't take a pic.

Where do y'all recommend I buy one of those monolith-i? I need more space.

Mine is straight up IKEA. A 2x4 Expedit on top of a 4x4 Expedit. Cheapest way by far to store records, then for the cd's I just made the little risers out of shelving board from Lowe's. Works great!

[Josh Pelican]

Thanks for the help, rusty and Grandpa.

I've been looking at companies like Audio Research, Conrad-Johnson, Audible Illusions, Cary, Luxman, Rogue, Lamm, etc. I've been doing a lot of research, but I thought I'd double check with my fuzz brothers (especially you, Grandpa). While I love vinyl and turntable setups and am always learning, you're knowledge of the audiophile world certainly surpasses mine. I've always just had a turntable, a receiver, and speakers. All from the early '70s. Last year (or the year before) I got some beautiful custom speakers and just bought a new turntable. The further I dive, the better vinyl sounds. Mmmmmmm.



EDIT: Also, since I'm moving out in the next month, it looks like I've gotta hit up Ikea. I want a nice stand that I can put my player on (and all components) as well as my records!

[Uncle Grandfather]

Thanks for the help, rusty and Grandpa.


EDIT: Also, since I'm moving out in the next month, it looks like I've gotta hit up Ikea. I want a nice stand that I can put my player on (and all components) as well as my records!

Look up the diy flexy rack. Real simple, all parts at home peehole etc. just need a 4 x 8 mdf board, cut down into whatever size you want your shelves to be....store should do the cutting for free. Then use all thread and nuts washers for the legs. You can adjust the shelf height however you like, it's flexy-able I used these in college and first starting out. I glued two pieces of mdf together for each shelf, super solid and heavy. Easy to paint etc. I still use them all these years later for various things. Mine are just standard racks, but with some thought and planning should be easy design one rack to hold everything.

Worth looking into.

[Josh Pelican]

I remembered we don't have an Ikea and my heart sank.

Do you have any experience with Separo equipment? They're apparently good for people on a tighter budget, although 425 Euros isn't the cheapest out there. The E34i might be a good introduction into the tube world.



Personally, I would like to have a matching pre-amp, but it looks like they only do amps. I would love to get an Audio Research setup, but I'd have to sell of my records and probably some of my gear to afford it.

[Uncle Grandfather]

Not familiar, but looks really nice. I love 6sn7 tubes, and it has a volume attenuator so you wouldn't need a preamp right a way....just swap I/c cables when you change sources. Just make sure the amp is designed to drive your particular speakers.