Finding your groove: getting into vinyl with Audio-Technica
I’d like to think that I could’ve been friends with the late Hideo Matsushita, founder of Japanese Hi-Fi powerhouse Audio-Technica. If I could, I’d travel back in time to 1960’s Tokyo, where a young Matsushita curated “vinyl listening sessions” at the Bridgestone Museum of Arts, exposing visitors to the sounds and possibilities of high end audio and the warmth of vinyl records. I imagine sitting with him in a mod coffee shop, listening to the stories of what he witnessed in those sessions, the conversations he had with visitors, and what ultimately motivated him to head back to his small apartment above a ramen restaurant and start an audio company of his own.
In the histories I’ve read regarding AT’s humble beginnings, Matsushita’s motives seem clear. Produce high end audio at affordable prices, bringing audio excellence into spaces and to customers that simply didn’t have access to it before. His first two products, the AT-1 and AT-3 phono cartridges did exactly that, and...
Image credit @zhugunic https://drop.com/talk/67372/gl-2-k
Do I need an amp? What are these acronyms like DAC, DSP, or DSD? What even are all the components that make up an audio chain? Let’s take a beginner’s look at the core, essential building blocks of a digital audio chain, and lay it plain what each piece does. We can cover the major pieces separately, but I’ll still include a few tips to optimize playback here. Please hit the little bookmark button and feel free to check and share this guide whenever you need a reference!
For people who need a visual and audible explanation, or are worried it would take too long to get a working knowledge of the audio chain, here is my YouTube video on this subject that is just 7 minutes long! I like writing though, so let’s get started with an overview, then break it down into what each piece does and how an upgrade would benefit the final sound quality.
Signal Path
Image credit @SpeleoFool https://drop...
The NEW $499. Audeze LCD-S20 Closed Back. It’s impressive. The build is legit, nothing cheap at all. It’s reflected in the 550 gram weight, which while on the heavy side doesn’t bother. It IS, however, a might clamp heavy and so it’s going to take a little time to get it to feel secure on the melon without making the head feel a bit pinched. I DO have a big head though.
The headphone uses the typical Audeze suspension strap, which I have not adjusted from the factory. Truth told I’m just getting my first initial listens. They arrived early last night but I had to deal with putting in an air conditioner and get the TV and internet back up and running after the damn landscapers hacked up the outdoor cable line with their weed whackers. Dolts would be an accurate assessment.
So what I’ve done is simply to give these a few gentle outward tugs in order to get these to loosen up on my head and I’m getting real close. Besides the suspension strap the under side of the headband...
My 6XXs sound beautiful through my Qudelix-5K DAC/AMP, and the amp is so nice and compact you can clip it to the headband and hardly notice its there if you run your cables accordingly
This supplier sucks when you have to return something that you decided that you do not like. I have bought Thinksound ov202w Wireless Over-Ear Headphones and after listening to them after about 5 songs that I did not like the sound quality. It was mainly lack of bass. this is there return policy on there own site.
Drop Studio Returns and Exchanges
We stand by our products. However if you are not satisfied with your Drop Studio product, Drop is accepting standard returns and exchanges for both US and International customers on most Drop Studio items in like new condition within 30 days of delivery.
This the response that I was sent for my return.
Maryann H. (Drop)
Jun 7, 2025, 07:10 PDT
Hi ,
Thank you for reaching out to Drop Community Support about your return request.
After reviewing your order, we are unable to facilitate a return for the Thinksound ov202w Wireless Over-Ear Headphones as we only offer returns for items that arrive damaged, defective, not-as-advertised, or...
I spend a LOT of time at my desk working. I've long been the bluetooth headphone user, as mobility throughout the day isn't even a notion. However, with the hours of music I burn through every day,...
With some EQ'ing through the mids and highs, these things even make YouTube quality audio sound significantly better. As they are already very warm, I usually keep the K11 on OS with these to...
Discover how much better your music can sound when you have the right gear for the job. This is the place for music lovers, musicians, sound engineers, and more.