The (unofficial) audiophiles thread

[austinantihipster]

After doing some searching, I haven't found a thread dedicated to those who enjoy higher quality audio products and/or vinyl record collecting. I find this surprising since B&B members are prone to a near-obsessive adherence to older, but more refined and higher quality means of enjoying the finer things in life. (I know you all are itching for an additional hobby to spend all of your money on.) Forget the hipster vinyl resurgence. No colored vinyl here. (Unless we're talking the Flaming Lips. That's okay, those guys are nuts and deserve to make their vinyl as crazy as they are.) This thread is for those who enjoy listening to full albums. Both sides. No skipping songs.

So, in hopes of hearing from you other audiophiles, I will start by introducing my current setup. Please join in and share yours.

Current receiver: Marantz 2245 (at least while my McIntosh Mac 1700 is in the shop)


Turntable: Technics SL1200-MK5 with Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 cartridge (currently spinning an original pressing of David Bowie's Space Oddity)


Speakers: Bowers & Wilkins DM330i towers (all original, with front cover removed for photo)


The record collection, interspersed with some of the library. Lost count, but the collection ranges from the Beatles, to Thelonious Monk, to Wagner (Berliner Orchestra), to more modern titles like Wilco, LCD Soundsystem, and My Morning Jacket. Many original pressings, including the White Album, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Velvet Underground, almost every Led Zeppelin release, and even NWA.

 

[ArNav]

Well, there was a thread:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...turntables-vinyl-collecting-Help-a-brotha-out

 

[austinantihipster]

No one else with vintage stereo equipment willing to share?

 

[_MementoMori_]

Awesome setup! I'm the poor sucker who created the "other" thread...haha. I'm still looking to put my first setup together, and you can bet I'll come here to show it off when I have it.

 

[austinantihipster]

Awesome setup! I'm the poor sucker who created the "other" thread...haha. I'm still looking to put my first setup together, and you can bet I'll come here to show it off when I have it.

I did see the other thread. Hope the hunt for vintage gear is going well. The bay can be a good resource, although shipping can hurt. If you live in a bigger city, search out an old stereo repair shop. They often have used gear for sale and the staff can be a great resource.

If you need any new gear, like a good cartridge (phone, not razor), I'd suggest Needle Doctor (Needledoctor.com). Great site with lots of options and decent prices.

 

[Jawaburger]

Hi austinantihipster,

I am an audio/video-phile as well. Here is a fun thread on the subject:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/96344-audio-equipment-what-s-your-gear

I used to post a bit in that one and there are quite a few systems in there, including an older version of mine!

A couple of places to check for vintage gear are resale shops (Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc.) and your local craigslist.com.
You can also check audiogon.com which is basically an ebay site for audio equipment.

 

[austinantihipster]

Thanks for sharing the thread jawaburger. Yeah +1 for goodwill. You may have to do some searching, but the stores in more affluent areas can be full of great gear. That is how I found my B&Ws. Just needed a few parts soldered... A steal at $40 for the pair.

 

[Kilroy08]

I just snagged a complete mid '80s Technics set up.

SL-B260 turn table
SH-8028 equilizer
SU-Z900 amplifier
RS-D224W tape deck
ST-Z990 AM/FM tuner

Not really sure what I'll use the tape deck for, but the rest of the stuff I'm eager to check out.
I've got some Michael Schenker Group that I've been itching to play.

 

[johnh]

I have some gear from years ago, but is packed away .
Will set it up when I move:

Ariston turntable and Sumiko arm, SAEC cartridge.
Lynn Isobaric speakers.
I need an Pre and Power amp, I used to have an nice HFA (based in the Lynn_ ) must get a good amp at some stage.

 

[timsclips]

There is also my thread from a month earlier:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/362657-1970s-era-Audio-Gear

I am now getting a stereo system for my oldest grandson put together for Christmas.
JVC receiver, Pioneer CD player and Infinity speakers.

 

[Rowdi]

After doing some searching, I haven't found a thread dedicated to those who enjoy higher quality audio products and/or vinyl record collecting. I find this surprising since B&B members are prone to a near-obsessive adherence to older, but more refined and higher quality means of enjoying the finer things in life. (I know you all are itching for an additional hobby to spend all of your money on.) Forget the hipster vinyl resurgence. No colored vinyl here. (Unless we're talking the Flaming Lips. That's okay, those guys are nuts and deserve to make their vinyl as crazy as they are.) This thread is for those who enjoy listening to full albums. Both sides. No skipping songs.

So, in hopes of hearing from you other audiophiles, I will start by introducing my current setup. Please join in and share yours.

Current receiver: Marantz 2245 (at least while my McIntosh Mac 1700 is in the shop)
View attachment 381503

Turntable: Technics SL1200-MK5 with Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 cartridge (currently spinning an original pressing of David Bowie's Space Oddity)
View attachment 381504

Speakers: Bowers & Wilkins DM330i towers (all original, with front cover removed for photo)
View attachment 381505

The record collection, interspersed with some of the library. Lost count, but the collection ranges from the Beatles, to Thelonious Monk, to Wagner (Berliner Orchestra), to more modern titles like Wilco, LCD Soundsystem, and My Morning Jacket. Many original pressings, including the White Album, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Velvet Underground, almost every Led Zeppelin release, and even NWA.
View attachment 381506

Big vinyl fan too, with the hipster thing prices have rocketed, I'm having new shelves built for my living room so right know my vinyl is in about 4/5 boxes

Just as an aside how does the epi 335 copy play? did you put p90's on it? and a decent bigsby?

 

[austinantihipster]

Big vinyl fan too, with the hipster thing prices have rocketed, I'm having new shelves built for my living room so right know my vinyl is in about 4/5 boxes

Just as an aside how does the epi 335 copy play? did you put p90's on it?

That shelf that is pictured is the perfect size for vinyl. It is from Ikea so it was fairly cheap and comes in various sizes. I was thinking about getting a few 3x1 square shelves like that and hanging them on the wall when I need more space.

That is an Epi Riviera p93. It came with the 3 P 90s (epi branded or maybe alcinco) which I replaced with a set of custom made hand wound p90s.

 

[Rowdi]

looks great

will definitely have to check it out was looking for a 335 type

 

[austinantihipster]

looks great

will definitely have to check it out was looking for a 335 type

They are a lot of guitar for not too much money. You could probably pick up a used one for $350. The addition of the third p90 gives you a ton of tonal profiles and the ability to manipulate the sound unlike any guitar I've played before.

These are the pickups I put in it:

http://tomshortshandmadepickups.com/sweet_90_s.html

I also changed the tuners, but that wasn't absolutely necessary... just personal preference.

 

[Rowdi]

Very cool, thank you

 

[blary54]

They are a lot of guitar for not too much money. You could probably pick up a used one for $350. The addition of the third p90 gives you a ton of tonal profiles and the ability to manipulate the sound unlike any guitar I've played before.

These are the pickups I put in it:


http://tomshortshandmadepickups.com/sweet_90_s.html

I also changed the tuners, but that wasn't absolutely necessary... just personal preference.

Overall nice setup! Also really like that Epiphone. Thinking about picking one of those semi-hollow body guitars up...great guitars for the money.

 

[timsclips]

Just picked up a pair of smaller Advent speakers for my bedroom, so far still hooked up the the Kenwood KR-4400 that was already in there and they do sound good.
First song I played on them was Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side and the bass sounded so good.

 

[MrBurns]

No one else with vintage stereo equipment willing to share?

What is vintage nowadays...?

I have gear from the early 1990's, Mirage M3si speakers, Meridian 201 preamp, PS Audio 250Delta monoblock amps, Meridian 105 monoblock amps (from the late 1980's), Rega planar turntable, and a Marchand active crossover.
Aside the crossover, the rest is over 25 years old and better than most of the current crop of junk.

While I have not indulged in audio gear for a decade, I would not mind, one day, having 2 pairs of Mark Levinson 20.5 monoblocks.

 

[nomex]

I'm looking and saving up for a three head cassette tape deck. I got an 8 track Tascam cassette recorder a year ago. My vinyl hasn't made it to my house from my parents' place. I've been playing and writing music more than I've been listening. One day...