More sound: speakers, turntables, headphones
Question: I’m lost when it comes to my sound system. I do know the sad fact today is most people do not know what good recorded music really sounds like. Back in the sixties and seventies most college students had a decent sound system. I still remember those days and once you listen to a good system it is hard to go back and one is always looking at the upgrade path. For example I really enjoy Radiohead albums because of the depth of musical information that is included in those songs. When I listen to a Radiohead song on the radio, it’s just a song. When the same song is played on a decent stereo system, I find there is so much more detail to the recording - just amazing. Same goes for some classical recordings.
So anyway, I need advice on a decent sound system. I have to get me a decent turntable because I still have a bunch of old albums in storage, but its been sometime since I have been able to listen to them. And I’ll need headphones too. Any suggestions?
Answer #1: I loved the B & W 802s and 800. I almost purchased the 802 speakers with McIntosh amp, preamp, and CD player. I actually decided, however, on the Bang and Olufsen Beolab 5 speakers and Beosound 9000 CD player. The sound was as good as the B and Ws, albeit more expensive, but the system integrates beautifully into my house (which made the wife happy as well). Can’t go wrong with B & W, though.
Answer #2: For the TV I have a Paradigm system. For my music I have a 70’s SONY amp that wont give up. It cranks. And I will have it rebuilt when it craps out on me (tubes). Its a work horse and still sounds amazing. I have JBL Studio speakers and my headphones are old school SONY as well.I have been looking for new headphones and cant find anything to replace the ones I have.They are still perfect. Most of the time I listen to music in headphones.
Answer #3: I always put an emphasis on speakers, thus neglecting headphones. There is a German company (Sennheiser) that apparently makes great headphones but I cannot give you a recommendation.
Answer #4: Grado is also a big name in headphones. Check out the forums on audiogon and also the classifieds as you can get a high end used set for a bit cheaper then if it was new.
Answer #5: I can recommend a German brand “Thorens” which makes great turntables. But I’m sure there are still tons of specialized manufacturers out there.