Author Topic: Audiophilliacs?  (Read 13820 times)

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Offline asava

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Audiophilliacs?
« on: February 17, 2010, 12:08:10 AM »
Just wondering if there were any audiophiles that had a decent amount of knowledge they could share with me.

I'm just now getting started on the headphone game, and I also have decided to get a decent record player.

For headphones I just bought some Grado SR225i's, should be here in a couple days. Talked to the guy at the shop i was ordering from and he said that there is no real need for a headphone amp until I start getting into the higher end models. Would it be worth it to get a headphone amp now, or should I just wait until I can spend more than $200 on a pair of cans?

Also if you have anything bad to say about the SR225's let me know so I can stop the order before it ships out.

As far as turntables go I really have no idea where to begin. I wouldn't be using it to DJamer or anything like that, just looking for a good turn table that will keep a consistent speed and has better than average sound. Is there a serious difference between Direct Drive and Belts? I will be hooking it up to a Denon AVR 3802, if that makes a difference. That being said is there any suggestions as to what route I should go? I've been looking on ebay at some old Duals, but don't think it would be right spending some $100-$200 on a turn table unless I knew what the f i was spending it for. Any specific cartridges I should be looking for? Brands? Models?! anything at all?

Also if you have a decent record player and wanting to sell it I may take it off your hands. 



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Offline chum1

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2010, 06:33:38 AM »
I have SR225s and I have nothing bad to say about them.  I think they're pretty outstanding, but I'm not a huge audiophile either. 

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2010, 06:42:45 AM »
Being an audiophile sounds like a really expensive hobby.

Offline chum1

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2010, 06:50:35 AM »
Cost effectiveness seems like a pretty big issue.  The headphones he really wants aren't just twice as much as the ones he's getting.  They're at least three or four times as much.  Plus the amp.  By how much do you think they will improve his experience?

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2010, 07:07:14 AM »
LMAO, I have no clue.  I bought $20 MEElectronics because they were generally listed as the most durable on head-fi.  But I only listen to mp3's, so spending anything over $40 for headphones is crazy IMO.

Offline steve dave

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2010, 07:11:37 AM »
I'm a soundbar guy so....

Offline Saulbadguy

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2010, 07:55:19 AM »
People 'round here think i'm crazy for professing my love for lossless audio on blu-ray discs.  Makes a ton of difference.  I don't have an expensive set up thou.
Where did you get that overnight bag?

Offline asava

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2010, 08:40:31 AM »
People 'round here think i'm crazy for professing my love for lossless audio on blu-ray discs.  Makes a ton of difference.  I don't have an expensive set up thou.

i've started upgrading all my favorite albums to lossless. absolutely makes a difference.

Cost effectiveness seems like a pretty big issue.  The headphones he really wants aren't just twice as much as the ones he's getting.  They're at least three or four times as much.  Plus the amp.  By how much do you think they will improve his experience?

this is right on. i definitely don't have the dough to go spend a couple g's on my listening set up.

also i can't really say how much they would improve the experience, being as i have never had the opportunity to put on a $1000 pair of phones through a tube amp, but i bet it would be MIND MELTING.

I have SR225s and I have nothing bad to say about them.  I think they're pretty outstanding, but I'm not a huge audiophile either. 

what kind of music do you listen through them? i was wondering how the bass holds up in hip hop and trip hop. from what i've read they seem to be perfect for any type of rock, but didn't know about the others.


Offline Saulbadguy

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2010, 09:22:07 AM »
I don't even listen to music on my set up. Strictly HT and gaming.
Where did you get that overnight bag?

Offline asava

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2010, 09:30:25 AM »
I don't even listen to music on my set up. Strictly HT and gaming.

definitely an underrated experience.

but so is watching an movie with incredible sound. you ever watch saving private ryan on your set up? i thought i was gonna get shot during the opening scene.

Offline chum1

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2010, 10:03:00 AM »
what kind of music do you listen through them? i was wondering how the bass holds up in hip hop and trip hop. from what i've read they seem to be perfect for any type of rock, but didn't know about the others.

I've listened to all major genres except jazz.  That sort of thing shouldn't be an issue for you at all.  I never noticed anything that I thought was a deficiency.  If I had any issues (which I didn't), they would be more about to what extent the sound that I was hearing was an exact match of the sound that was recorded.  Basically, if something sounds good when it's recorded, it should sound good when you hear it though these headphones.

Offline pissclams

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #11 on: February 17, 2010, 11:22:32 AM »
Get 1200's for your turntables


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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #12 on: February 17, 2010, 09:40:43 PM »
yum



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Offline asava

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2010, 08:20:00 AM »
not gonna lie that looks pretty delicious. do you have em?

Offline pissclams

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2010, 08:26:18 AM »
did.  sold them after college.  best turntable ever made.  ~$500.


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Offline asava

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #15 on: February 22, 2010, 09:11:46 AM »
ended up going with a Technics SL 1300. Little bit cheaper, and supposedly decent sound. Probably replace the cartridge sometime, so as to upgrade. But for right now I am pretty f'n happy.

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #16 on: February 22, 2010, 09:14:54 AM »
ended up going with a Technics SL 1300. Little bit cheaper, and supposedly decent sound. Probably replace the cartridge sometime, so as to upgrade. But for right now I am pretty f'n happy.

Give an update after a while.  I'm real interested in buying one but don't wanna drop 500 bucks on one right now. Nothin' beats the sound of vinyl though.   
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Offline ew2x4

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #17 on: February 22, 2010, 10:00:54 AM »
I have 2 pairs of sennheisers and I don't think they can be beat. It's amazing the difference in recording/producing from modern stuff (overdriven crap) to classical stuff where recording quality really truly matters. So be aware, the higher quality of stuff you get, the more pure the sound will get. In many cases of modern music, it will end up sounding worse. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudness_war

Offline steve dave

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #18 on: June 17, 2010, 01:13:07 PM »
Ultimate Ears SuperFi 3

http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/ultimate-ears-super-fi/4505-7877_7-31491515.html?tag=txt%3bpage

CNet says they are the best phones in the $100 price range.  On sale here for $39.99.  Anyone have or has had these?  The cable is replaceable which kind of drew my attention because that is what I always wear out.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/349/7085&ci=0

Offline Saulbadguy

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #19 on: June 17, 2010, 01:30:37 PM »
Sugg's for a good center channel speaker? :cool:
Where did you get that overnight bag?

Offline asava

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #20 on: June 17, 2010, 01:38:00 PM »
ended up going with a Technics SL 1300. Little bit cheaper, and supposedly decent sound. Probably replace the cartridge sometime, so as to upgrade. But for right now I am pretty f'n happy.

Give an update after a while.  I'm real interested in buying one but don't wanna drop 500 bucks on one right now. Nothin' beats the sound of vinyl though.   

really like the direct drive. super smooth. very much enjoy it.

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #21 on: June 17, 2010, 01:53:09 PM »
Ultimate Ears SuperFi 3

http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/ultimate-ears-super-fi/4505-7877_7-31491515.html?tag=txt%3bpage

CNet says they are the best phones in the $100 price range.  On sale here for $39.99.  Anyone have or has had these?  The cable is replaceable which kind of drew my attention because that is what I always wear out.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/349/7085&ci=0


look into meelectronics phones, too.  Have a pretty good rep for durability.  that looks like a ridic. deal, though.

Offline Saulbadguy

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #22 on: June 17, 2010, 02:13:54 PM »
ended up going with a Technics SL 1300. Little bit cheaper, and supposedly decent sound. Probably replace the cartridge sometime, so as to upgrade. But for right now I am pretty f'n happy.

Give an update after a while.  I'm real interested in buying one but don't wanna drop 500 bucks on one right now. Nothin' beats the sound of vinyl though.   

really like the direct drive. super smooth. very much enjoy it.
Amazing avatar/caption/signature, btw.
Where did you get that overnight bag?

Offline steve dave

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #23 on: June 17, 2010, 02:14:24 PM »
Ultimate Ears SuperFi 3

http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/ultimate-ears-super-fi/4505-7877_7-31491515.html?tag=txt%3bpage

CNet says they are the best phones in the $100 price range.  On sale here for $39.99.  Anyone have or has had these?  The cable is replaceable which kind of drew my attention because that is what I always wear out.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/349/7085&ci=0


look into meelectronics phones, too.  Have a pretty good rep for durability.  that looks like a ridic. deal, though.

Christ, just found a coupon code (techbargains_6110) and they are down to $35.99 free shipping.  May have to do this.  

Offline Duncan

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Re: Audiophilliacs?
« Reply #24 on: June 17, 2010, 04:14:05 PM »
Slightly off topic, but the best cheap headphones you can buy: Sennheiser PX 100's