Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Let me go on the record... player for the first time
Hi, I'm looking at getting into the record player game. Thank you for your time in advance, I know this is a long read. Anyways... I have some Massdrop x AKG M220 Blues and a Little Dot Mk 3 220v tube amp from the Mega Mystery Box from way back when, and I've really only used the AKGs a few times, but enough that I can tell they're WAY beyond the quality of music I can push to them.
I need some recommendations on some speakers, a record player, and maybe an amp if what I'm working with is totally inappropriate. I'm really new to the audiophile game, so if there's another piece of kit I'd need to get the most out of a setup, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'm giving rough budgets, but if you know of something that's a little outside the range but is a much larger leap in performance and features than the leap in budget, I'm game. If anyone knows of a good place to get new and old records for good prices, I'd like to know that too!
The intent is to have a nice place to sit and listen to music I enjoy and have it sound better than my Sony WH XM3 cans streaming from Pandora. The three priorities are: quality of sound without getting absurd, upgradeability, and relatively small footprint. I live in an apartment and probably will for the next several years at least, so I don't wanna shake the walls... too much. On top of that, while I am in the process of upgrading my entertainment stand to a rather large and storage-rich Ikea Fjallbo, I still have a cable box, Xbox, Playstation, Switch, Gamecube, and a decent stack of physical games that have to all share space in this entertainment furniture. I just want somewhere to sit and decompress my ADHD soul after a long day working as an EMT. I've gotten into some practices to deal with the stress that are pretty meditative, but as it stands, music isn't really one of them, and this is a way to give it that space. Right now music for me is something to occupy the part of my mind that isn't engaged by mundane stuff like chores juuuust enough that it doesn't go looking for something else to engage in that's more fun than dishes. Too many times I've found myself painting DnD miniatures when I meant to be rounding up dirty laundry for the wash, but this is the next evolution. I want to just sit and marinate in music that is the fine wine to my bluetooth Sony WH XM3 (Five) Buck Chuck.
PS: Here's the entertainment stand thingy: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/fjaellbo-tv-storage-combination-black-s79191266/
My TV isn't quite as big, so I'd have space on the right side for a bookshelf speaker, and I'd probably put the record player top left shelf with record storage and left speaker (perhaps with modifications to the furniture) under that.
Record Player: I don't even know what I'd be looking at here, but I am pretty sure I'd want something better than Crosley. It'd be really neat if I could find something that I could use to record my records into a lossless digital format, but heck, I can probably just hook up an audio recorder to the output and do it that way, right? So that'd be a bonus, but I would go for one with higher quality audio without the recording hardware over one that did if we're talking same money. Budget on this is probably in the $200-$400 range I think? I think I'd prefer something that doesn't have an amp because this is one area I don't see myself wanting to upgrade soon.
Amp: I have no idea if my Little Dot Mk3 amp is any good, but if it's not horrible, I'll probably be using that unless I somehow have plenty of money lying around and/or one of y'all wants to trade something that'd work better for my purpose. It's still sitting in the original box it came in. Messed around with it when the Mystery Box thing happened, it's really cool and warms up audio, but I was just coming off my phone via 3.5mm. This is one area where I could see myself upgrading at some point, so I don't really know what sort of budget to set for this, and don't mind going basic to start. It doesn't have to be something I can run my entire home theater through, but it would be nice if I could hook up a Fiio DAP to listen to other music, either wirelessly or through a looooong cable.
Speakers: I want to go with two bookshelf speakers, I was looking at some Elac units, and also some B&W ones, but ultimately I just want something that's well-balanced for listening to different types of music. Is that a thing, speakers that are better for one type of genre than another? Anyways, two speakers, looking to spend $500 or less on the pair. It'd be nice if they came in a simple black or would match the Ikea Fjallbo aesthetic.
Headphones: I'm probably not going to upgrade the headphones very soon, but when I do, I was looking at going planar magnetic or with those Drop x Meze 99 cans. This one I know something about, so I'm more including this as information than anything, but if y'all know of something better for record-listening for around the $200-$300 mark, I'm all... EARS!
Other bits and bobs: Look, I'm not in the market to spend hundreds of bucks for fraction-of-a-percent improvements, but if you know of something that doesn't even appear to be on my radar, I'm here to learn and start creating a shopping list, so let's hear it!
Thank you for your time, and your advice!
Thomas
search
close
Sort by: Newest
keyboard_arrow_downdm94aq7
0
Aug 12, 2022
Records and record players produce low quality audio. High noise floor, lossy, low bit depth, and they degrade over time. If you want high quality audio, avoid records, and avoid the advice of anyone who says they produce high quality audio. If you want the expensive hobby and the ritual of records and don't care about audio quality, go for it (and keep using your tube amp while you're at it if you don't care about audio quality).
The Mezes are garbage headphones, avoid, nightmare bass cannons. Avoid the the HE4xx too, lifeless cans. I can't vouch for the 5xx. Avoid the Dekoni Blue even if you want planars, also nightmare bass cannons. Your AKGs are good, Sennheisers are also good and the open back models fit your price range. Audiotechnica makes good headphones within that price range, they're low quality and you'll want to replace the uncomfortable pads, but it doesn't matter since they are at a good price point.
Related Posts
LostnAmerica
Sound Signature of the Grell Project.
Wondering what type of sound signature the Drop Grell project headphones will have or trying to attain. Any update would be appreciated.
Apr 8, 2024
Fabulous
Looking for a gaming/content audio setup
Hello! I'm looking for recommendations on audio setups. I'd be planning on using it mostly for gaming. Preferably I'd like a pair of large closed back headphones since I have a big head and jaw. I'd also like to hear myself through my mic with mic monitoring. As far as budget goes, I don't really have one. But under 600$ would be nice. I can go higher if needed. The audio setup would be connected to a high performance PC. Thank you in advance for any recommendations!
Apr 4, 2024
1plsd
$10 Drop Coupon Email not sent?
Trying to buy some gear off Drop for the first time. I was told I would receive an email with a welcome to drop $10 off promo. I never received that email. Drop was able to send me emails for my login token and email for Password update. But for some reason the $10 off coupon was never sent to me.
Mar 31, 2024
Mr.Hazmat
What would be a good portable Dac/Amp to use with my HD6xx and Sony Xperia 1 V cell phone?
I am new to this hobby. I purchased a HD6XX and plan to use it with my Sony Xperia 1 V cell phone, that has a 3.5mm jack. I was wondering if I needed a portable dac/amp or just a portable amp and if so what would one recommend? Any assistance one could provide, would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards, Haz
Mar 7, 2024
JonathanWB
Invest in Balancing my HD6xx headphones?
Hi... I'm a songwriter/producer. I have Drop Senn HD6xx HPs. I just bought a Topping L30 II SE HP amp to enhance my monitoring. It honestly sounds pretty good. The audio interface I'm using (an Audient iD22) has balanced outs. For those of you who've listened to the HD6xx using balanced amps and cables, do you think I should invest in that kind of setup to take advantage of the Senns potential?
Feb 22, 2024
adiaz7531
B1 Bluetooth Music Receiver
Hello! Has the AudioEngine B1 Bluetooth Music Receiver ever been available here as a Drop?
Feb 15, 2024
Trending Posts in Audiophile
Simthaniel
Rigs
Modded headphones with qudelix at the core
When I received the Qudelix 5K, I had already modified a pair of Superlux HD-681 headphones. I previously soldered my own balanced connections to the drivers, providing multiple ways to connect and...
Apr 14, 2024
brothamike
A decent set of IEMs
I am in the midst of a 300 hour burn-in but, I will say I am enjoying how this set sounds so far. Before I received these which was btw late by a few weeks, I purchased a Sony/Kimber Kable MMCX...
Apr 12, 2024
merrick97
Should I exchange the PC38X for better headphones?
I bought the PC38X headphones FOR GAMING and they are great, but I have NO use for a Microphone since I don't do competitive gaming and I was wondering if there were better headphone options at a similar price without a headphone, where (presumably) more of the cost was put into making it sound better. I also find that my PC38X don't get quite as loud as I would like and I was wondering if a cheap amp like the iFi Go link would draw a little more volume out of my phones. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN6MM822?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details I went with the PC38X since it was considered the best bang for buck headphones. I care most about using spatial apps like DOlby Atmos and DTS Headphone:X. Suggestions are welcome.
Apr 11, 2024
LostnAmerica
Sound Signature of the Grell Project.
Wondering what type of sound signature the Drop Grell project headphones will have or trying to attain. Any update would be appreciated.
Apr 8, 2024
Fabulous
Looking for a gaming/content audio setup
Hello! I'm looking for recommendations on audio setups. I'd be planning on using it mostly for gaming. Preferably I'd like a pair of large closed back headphones since I have a big head and jaw. I'd also like to hear myself through my mic with mic monitoring. As far as budget goes, I don't really have one. But under 600$ would be nice. I can go higher if needed. The audio setup would be connected to a high performance PC. Thank you in advance for any recommendations!
Apr 4, 2024
1plsd
$10 Drop Coupon Email not sent?
Trying to buy some gear off Drop for the first time. I was told I would receive an email with a welcome to drop $10 off promo. I never received that email. Drop was able to send me emails for my login token and email for Password update. But for some reason the $10 off coupon was never sent to me.
Mar 31, 2024
NMPacella
New here
Hello, I just joined, primarily for the audiophile products. Looking at purchasing the NHT C3 speakers for our new living room. Space is about 15 feet wide by 33 long and they will fire long ways. Space is just for general listening, music room with all equipment is downstairs, so hoping they will fill it with sound nicely. Cheers.
Mar 18, 2024
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionCollaborate With Us
For Brands & DesignersFollow Drop