Finally hearing music again

[marc61]

I was surprised to see they still sell 301s and 901s. Prices seem to be the same as they were in the 70s/80s .We always ooohed and ahhed about them in the shops, but no one I knew ever bought them . To me, they always had this big sound for their compact size. They also make good headphones IMO.

Might have found me a turntable. When I went to Toys from the Attic, they played the records on a Music Hall turntable. I found the same one we loved, at half the price used. I have to hear it through my little system though. He was also playing them through an expensive integrated amp and tower speakers, fine cables etc...Seems like one could spend in the thousands just on cables.

What I thought was most interesting about our visit was his statement that the biggest expense should be the turntable, when I always thought it was the speakers.

[jps]

We still have Shari's father's Bozak speaker in the fireplace! It totally fills it up, too.

[whojamfan]

I've always had a turntable as part of my home stereo rig. For one, until recently, almost everything I had on vinyl you couldn't get on cd, and I just like the way vinyl sounds, having grown up with that medium. Digital, for me, hasn't really sounded the greatest to me untill recently, but like CGI, still isn't quite there. It's no surprise to me that music that was recorded for 1 specific reproduction method, with all it's plus and minuses, doesn't translate well to a new media that really requires it's method be used all through the process to get the most out of it. This, combined with the trend of making speakers have overbearing bass and scooped mid frequency response, really stack the deck against making the old recordings sound right in the digital reproduction process. Yes, the new Beatles stuff sounds great, but compared to the versions available up until these came out, a cassette sounded better, IMHO.

I've always been adamant about about releasing vinyl along with the cds I've done, and some are only available on vinyl, be it 45rpm singles, or whatnot. I also insist that there be lyrics,pics, and other goodies, as I remember my experiences opening a new album and getting lost in the inner sleeve treasures you could find in most records. This whole ritual was part of experiencing the recording in a context that really put you in a right frame of mind to enjoy the music. Hunting these records down was also part of the whole deal, and having a party to celebrate a great find was not uncommon. So much of being involved in music literally revolved around records, their releases, aquisitions, and celebrations.

I don't see being able to instantly download just about whatever you want be the same thing. While I love that all of this stuff that was/is extremely hard to find is available for everyone who wants to get it, I can't help but wonder if it has the same value and impact. It blows my mind all of this stuff that took so much hunting and searching for is all so readily available, but also bums me out that future generations won't be able to experience the thrill and excitement of all of the things that used to part of the record listening experience. Either way, not really news here, but I guess technology is a double edged sword any way that you slice it.

[kenposurf]

All good stuff...I owned a record store at one time and have collected vinyl sense I was a kid...there's some great gear out there..some new..some vintage..some tube some solid state.
I'm running two systems in my office..one powered by a Sansui 9090DB monster receiver from the 70's, a Thornes table and a pair of EPI 500 towers..the other is a Kenwood KA-7100 integrated amp form the same era into a pair of rebuilt EPI 100's speakers..couple of modern cd/tape decks..selling a pair of Klipsch Heresys speakers now and looking for some ESS Heils..it never ends

[jingle_jangle]

All good stuff...I owned a record store at one time and have collected vinyl sense I was a kid...

And some vinyl nonsense, too, no doubt...

[kenposurf]

All good stuff...I owned a record store at one time and have collected vinyl sense I was a kid...

And some vinyl nonsense, too, no doubt...

Without a doubt Paul..btw: I've heard Paul's Stereo set up and it kills both on sonic and a visual level.

[kiramdear]

Outside of their capacity for LOUD (with a SS amp over about 100W--most were rated more than that), they did not perform, and fidelity to the music was an issue.

Ah, I'll have to try turning down the volume one day and see if that's true.

[schoolside]

The "bit rate" is quite a bit higher with vinyl. If you get around NYC check out the Stereo Exchange on Broadway. They sell two of my favorite brands McIntosh and B&W.

[kiramdear]

Say, not meaning to derail, but is there such a thing as an affordable set of reference speakers for my little home studio? I've been using the 901s but now I'm not sure how well my mixes will travel.

[jingle_jangle]

Yup...Orb Audio:

Their Classic One setup is killer and takes up very little space...

http://www.orbaudio.com/?gclid=CO65no2A ... awodUgQ6LA

[kenposurf]

Matching the components is key. My main system for several years was much like the one I sold Paul W...Scott tube amp (one with a bit more power), Thorens table and Klipsch Heresay speakers...matching a low wattage tube amp with highly efficient speaker systems yeilds warm tone with lots of detail..great for vocals and jazz...not a lot of bass in this case and as the reproduction was pretty accurate poorer recording sounded extra bad..the system brought out the good and the bad. The Epicure (EPI) speaker systems that I'm running now boasts a very simple design with one of the best (not including the Heil) tweeters ever...sizzling cymbals..nice punchy mids and a deep solid bass...matched with a vintage powerhouse ss amp that does not have to pump it's heart out to meet it's specs has been keeping my ears happy now....complete left turn I have a small portable record player ..built like a tank that I use to play my 78's....old blues and R&B just sound right on it....

[marc61]

Well, Dad definitely doesn't have the B&O turntable , and I didn't like the condition of the Music Hall one. Next week, I think I'm doing to take a road trip here : http://www.albumhunter.com/ . Looks like they may have some cool used stuff, and they're near Chris Clayton, so it'd give me an excuse to stop by there.

One thing though...It seems with everything else, cleaning the records is of utmost importance. Does the old fluid and brush work? Do I NEED to get one of these record cleaning machines? Because if i need the machine, I will probably invest in that before the turntable.

[jingle_jangle]

Matching the components is key. My main system for several years was much like the one I sold Paul W...Scott tube amp (one with a bit more power), Thorens table and Klipsch Heresay speakers...matching a low wattage tube amp with highly efficient speaker systems yeilds warm tone with lots of detail..great for vocals and jazz...not a lot of bass in this case and as the reproduction was pretty accurate poorer recording sounded extra bad..the system brought out the good and the bad. The Epicure (EPI) speaker systems that I'm running now boasts a very simple design with one of the best (not including the Heil) tweeters ever...sizzling cymbals..nice punchy mids and a deep solid bass...matched with a vintage powerhouse ss amp that does not have to pump it's heart out to meet it's specs has been keeping my ears happy now....complete left turn I have a small portable record player ..built like a tank that I use to play my 78's....old blues and R&B just sound right on it....

George, please pardon the correction, but the Klipsch speakers are called "Heresy", for their ability to pack so much sound into a small cabinet.

[jingle_jangle]

I've been doing without the machine, but to keep from ruining the records (typical temps at the needle tip are ~300°F and can melt vinyl if dirt causes too much friction!) and an expensive cartridge, cleaning is a must, even on newer records. So, run some warm soapy water, scrub with your fingers, dry with a cotton cloth or towel. You might want to invest in a record cleaning brush (Discwasher) system, only a few bucks. I'm about ready to pop for one of the VMI? $500.00 cleaners, but they do take up space. Don't play a dirty record!

[marc61]

I always kept my records clean. Jackets and all. My favorites I kept in poly sleeves.Even still have my original brush and fluid from back in the day. It's just that I was reading the description of the Nitty Gritty machines, and what they said made a lot of sense regarding the dirt building up in the grooves. The thing about the machines that bothers me is that it seems like there's lots of liquid running around in them. I don't want something like that on my audio stand.