Who's still diggin' vinyl?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:49 am

Jerry, will you play those "wet" or "dry"?

In all seriousness, hi-end audio is a bit nutz, as Jerry seems to be trying to point out, but then, so's high-end guitar.

Or high-end anything.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 7:04 am

I actually read an article on these speakers. Seems birch conducts sound really well, but would break from the vibrations. So one evening, the inventor was at a sushi joint, and asked the chef why the dried squid didn't break up. The answer: it was soaked in sake first. Viola. The pair of speakers in this magazine were selling for 4 grand.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 7:16 am

A good buy if they sound nice. So-called "mid-priced" audiophile speakers, like Vandersteens, are around twice that.

http://www.firstglimpsemag.com/Editoria ... .asp&guid=

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:01 am

I still got my Technics MK4 w/speed control problems.

there are no good hi-fi guys here.

I'm not going to buy QS w/300B valves!

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:02 am

A very interesting topic to be sure. In Portugal we affectionately call a vinyl record a "black chip" - no pun intended whatsoever!!
My vinyl record collection averages 8 000 long-players and a few hundred 45ers, whereas my CD collection numbers around 20, mostly Vangelis and Enya releases. I'll be right back, fellows.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:22 am

any John Tesh?

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:36 am

Who's he?
As for playback equipment, hardly anything special: a 1987 Beogram 3000 and a late '60s Lenco L75 on the turntable front, a late '60s Pioneer and a mid '80s RYF on the power amp front, and four early '80s Pioneer speakers. Oh, and the mandatory Revox B-77 Mark II tape machine, plus an early '80s Pioneer tape deck.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:39 pm

Jared, the man knows Vangelis and Enya, but not Tesh...we'll have to take up a collection or sumthin'...

Revox A and B 77s are finally coming within reach of mortals...

eatswodo · Post by **eatswodo** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:54 pm

All this talk of reel-to-reel tape decks reminds me that I have a near mint Sony TC-366 'Tapecorder' in my basement (in its original box, no less). Probably needs a new set of belts - I haven't fired it up for a few years - but I think I'll dig it out and add it to the analogue pile.

It's no Revox, that's for sure - but should be good for a few 'what the heck is that?'s from my kids.....

alexrocks · Post by **alexrocks** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 4:18 pm

I don't know the specifics of my stuff but It works and it is quality. But yes yes yes. I do buy the vinyl. I get the lp then download the the mp3s.

studiotwosession · Post by **studiotwosession** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 10:23 am

Ebay certainly has been great for vinyl. There used to be a big vinyl sale in suburban Chgo, in the parking lot of the Old Orchard Mall, to raise money for charity. They shut it down a few years ago. Not enough people buying I guess.

But I saw a lot of people there when I was there, buying up a lot of stuff. I'm glad I got rid of my vinyl in the 80s because I didn't have that much and I've been able to replace it and then some for so little.

I guess all the digital stuff makes my Asian tables and 70s era Marantz stuff sound better, at least in comparison, to all the contemporary means mentioned above.

But far, far from Audiophile specs. Glad there are others out there showing kids what these things are.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 5:31 pm

I have a Marantz 2385 Glenn, was one of their biggest receivers made during the wattage wars, 185 WRMS @ 8 ohms with less than .01% distortion
(or something like that) (240 WRMS @ 4 ohms) both channels driven 20-20,000 hz. Try buying something like that today or try finding something tested to that rigorous standard actually.
This thread got me looking at tables on amazon.com, nice Thorens for about 779.00, maybe next year.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 1:10 pm

And here you're talking about solid state, Bob.

Most of today's audiophile newbies are going for low-wattage Class "A" and SET stuff.

There's a whole cult in Japan paying $20K per channel for 4-watt three tube amps.

Anything that my SS vintage Sansui stuff is too revealing of, I take downstairs and play on my Scott/Thorens/Klipsch rig. It's nice and warm and wonderfully forgiving...

Bob, don't overlook the fact that you can pick up a mint TD166MKII Thorens on Ebay for $200-$250, sometimes with a new cartridge tossed into the deal. The specs on these are excellent, the arm is quite nice for a factory job, and quality is tops.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 1:34 pm

How about one of these?

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 1:45 pm

I sold this one a few years ago for around $200. Thorens 125, SME arm, AKG (moving magnet) cartridge, and a Oracle Groove Isolator Mat.The TD125 weighs in around 50 lbs. so the suspension is great. This replaced a TD160 about 15 years prior. The Discwasher marble turntable foundation was a must with the TD160 at high volumes but not really necessary with the TD125. Thorens makes a great table for the money. I always wanted a Sota but never could justify the dollars.